AI SummaryDistance Education Scheme for Girls supports female students across Rajasthan by paying back the full course fees of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs studied through distance education. Applications are accepted online every academic year through the official Rajasthan scholarship portal and SSO login, so eligible girls can apply for the current year.
Launched by the Higher Education Department in 2022, this scheme helps women who cannot attend regular colleges because of family responsibilities, distance, or money problems. In Hindi it is called Balika Durasth Shiksha Yojana, and it covers female students enrolled in state funded universities or open universities such as IGNOU and VMOU Kota.
Distance Education Scheme for Girls - Introduction
This scheme aims to increase the female literacy rate, give equal opportunities in higher education, and improve the Gender Parity Index across Rajasthan. Girls who stay at home can still complete a degree, diploma, or certificate course without bearing the fee burden.
Any female student who is enrolled in distance mode at a state funded university listed under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, or at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), can apply under this scheme.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Distance Education Scheme for Girls |
| Hindi Name | Balika Durasth Shiksha Yojana |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Rajasthan |
| Primary Benefit | Full Fee Reimbursement |
| Mode of Payment | DBT payment directly to bank account |
| Main Department | Higher Education / College Education Department |
| Application Mode | Online through SSO and scholarship portal |
Benefits
This scheme pays back the full course fee of selected students through DBT. The amount is credited directly to the bank account of the student every year, provided she maintains satisfactory academic progress.
| Academic Program | Reimbursement Status |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (UG) | Full Fee Covered |
| Postgraduate (PG) | Full Fee Covered |
| Diploma Courses | Full Fee Covered |
| Certificate / PG Diploma | Full Fee Covered |
No separate grants or allowances are given under this scheme. Reimbursement starts from the date of enrollment in the course, as confirmed by the university or institution.
Eligibility Criteria
Girls who meet the following conditions can apply for this scheme:
- Applicant must be a female student who is a permanent resident of Rajasthan.
- Student must be enrolled in an undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, PG diploma, or certificate course through distance learning.
- The institution must be a state funded university or a recognized open university such as IGNOU or VMOU Kota.
- Girls already getting other government scholarships can also apply to cover the remaining difference in fees.
- Candidates holding merit-based incentive scholarships from other departments remain eligible for the difference amount.
For example, if Sunita from Jaipur already receives a partial stipend from another department, she can apply here to claim the balance of her tuition fees.
Application Process
Application is online through the official Rajasthan SSO portal. Follow the steps below to register and submit the form.
STEP 1 - Open the official Rajasthan SSO portal and select the Register option.
STEP 2 - Choose a verification method such as Jan Aadhaar or Google, complete the one-time password check, and create the SSO ID and password.
STEP 3 - Log in with the new SSO ID, open the scholarship section, and select the Distance Education Scheme for Girls from the list of schemes.
STEP 4 - Fill in personal and academic details, upload scanned copies of the required documents, enter the fee receipt details, and submit the form.
STEP 5 - Note the application number and keep the receipt safe for future reference. Renewal must be submitted after every academic year through the same portal, and passing the exams is required to stay eligible.
For offline help, students can carry their documents to the nearest E-Mitra center for biometric verification and form submission.
Documents Required
Keep scanned copies of these documents ready before starting the online form:
- Aadhaar card or any valid identity proof.
- Jan Aadhaar card linked to the bank account.
- Proof of admission and fee receipts from the distance education institute.
- Educational certificates such as 12th marksheet and previous degree.
- Bank passbook with IFSC code for DBT payment.
- Income certificate, caste certificate if applicable, domicile certificate, and a passport-sized photograph.
- A non-judicial stamp paper of ₹100 stating that the student is not receiving a conflicting scholarship.
References
Official scheme rules, notifications, and application updates are published on the Rajasthan scholarship portal and the SSO login page. Check the official Rajasthan scholarship portal and log in through the official SSO portal for the latest deadlines and lists.
FAQ's
Who is eligible for this scheme?
Any female resident of Rajasthan enrolled in distance education courses at state funded universities, VMOU, or IGNOU is eligible.
Is there an age limit to apply?
No, there is no age limit for this scheme.
Which courses are covered?
The scheme covers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and PG diploma programs.
Are private universities included?
No, only state funded universities recognized under the UGC Act (sections 2f and 12B), open universities like VMOU, and IGNOU are eligible.
How do I apply for the scheme?
Submit the online application once every academic year through the Rajasthan scholarship portal or SSO under the Distance Education Scheme.
What if my application is incomplete?
Incomplete applications are rejected during the checking process, so verify all details before submission.
Who verifies my application?
The enrolled university or institution verifies the application.
Can regular mode students apply?
No, this scheme is only for students enrolled in distance education mode.
How are students selected?
Selection depends on fund availability. As per the scheme rules, 30% of the annual budget is reserved for undergraduate students.
What is the seat distribution?
The scheme allocates slots for 16,000 UG students, 5,300 PG students, 10,000 Diploma students, 3,000 PG Diploma students, and 2,000 Certificate course participants.