Ministry of Textiles is providing financial support to the children of handloom weavers for higher education under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) Scholarship Component. This scheme helps students studying diploma, graduate, or postgraduate textile courses by covering their tuition and examination fees, and it also gives a monthly stipend of ₹5,000.
This scholarship support is still running in 2026. The Ministry of Textiles confirmed in Parliament in February 2026 that the scholarship of up to ₹2 lakh per year is being provided to the children of handloom weavers and workers. Handloom institutes like the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology have listed this scholarship for the 2026-27 admission year. Also, in Union Budget 2026-27, the government announced an integrated National Handloom and Handicraft Programme to bring all handloom and handicraft support under one umbrella.
National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) Scholarship Component: Introduction
NHDP Scholarship Component is a welfare scheme launched by the Office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, to support the families of handloom workers. The programme was made for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 and it helps the handloom sector by reducing the money burden of education for the children of weavers.
If you are a weaver, this scheme helps your children study textile-related courses without worrying about expenses. It covers costs like tuition, admission, and examination fees up to ₹2,00,000 per year per child. Students also get a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for daily expenses, so they can stay focused on their studies. The money is sent directly to the bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The same NHDP umbrella also gives support to weavers for selling their products. You can read the details in the separate article on the NHDP Handloom Marketing Assistance scheme.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): Scholarship Component |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Benefit Type | Cash (DBT) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Textiles |
Benefits
This scheme offers complete money help for the education of weavers' children. The main benefits are:
| Benefit Item | Description |
| Academic Fees | Covers tuition, admission, and examination fees as charged by the institution. |
| Monthly Stipend | Eligible students receive ₹5,000 per month. |
| Annual Limit | Maximum support is capped at ₹2,00,000 per child per annum. |
The funds are transferred directly into the bank account of the student through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. For example, if Ravi, a student, is in his first year, he gets the scholarship after completing his admission process.
For the next years, you should submit the annual proposal document, including the mark sheet and proof of admission for the next academic session, to continue getting the support.
Eligibility
To apply for this support, you should meet the following criteria:
- You must be a child of a registered handloom weaver or worker.
- The scholarship is available for up to 2 children per family.
- The student should be enrolled in a 3 or 4-year diploma, graduate, or postgraduate course.
- The academic institution must be recognized and funded by the Central or State Government.
Application Process
You should follow these steps to apply for the educational support:
STEP 1 - Download the official application form from the NHDP guidelines. Fill in all details correctly and attach a self-attested passport-sized photograph.
STEP 2 - Collect all required documents as mentioned in the guidelines and attach them to the application.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed application to your local Weavers' Service Centre (WSC).
STEP 4 - The WSC will verify your original documents and forward the proposal to the Zonal Office.
STEP 5 - The Zonal Office will check your request and send it to the head office for final fund release approval by the District Collector (Handlooms).
Documents
Keep these documents ready for the student and the parent:
For the Weaver Parent:
- Self-attested passport photograph
- Weaver/Worker Pehchan Card copy
- Aadhar card copy
- Address proof
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
For the Student:
- Self-attested passport photograph
- Matriculation certificate (for age proof)
- Relevant mark sheets of previous exams
- Admission proof for the current academic session
- Bank account details (Cancelled cheque or mandated form)
- An undertaking stating that no other scholarship is being received for the same course
Contact Details
For any query about the scholarship or other NHDP support, handloom weavers can call the Bunkar Mitra handloom helpline. The toll free number is 1800-208-9988 and it works from 10 AM to 6 PM. Scheme details and circulars are also available on the official My Handloom Portal.
References
You can find the official scheme circulars and revised NHDP guidelines on the official ministry website. The PIB press release and the Parliament answer of February 2026 also confirm the current scholarship details. For the latest scheme updates, check the official NHDP page on My Handloom Portal.
FAQ's
Is the NHDP scholarship still running in 2026?
Yes. The Ministry of Textiles confirmed in Parliament in February 2026 that the scholarship is being given to the children of handloom weavers. Handloom institutes are also listing this scholarship for the 2026-27 admissions.
Is there an age limit for the children of handloom weavers who can apply for this scholarship?
No, the scheme does not specify an upper age limit for applicants.
What is the role of the District Collector (Handlooms)?
The District Collector (Handlooms) holds the authority to sanction and release the funds to the zonal offices for payment.
How is the proposal processed?
Once you submit your documents to your local WSC, they verify and send them to the Zonal Office, which then requests for funds from the head office.
What is the role of the Weavers' Service Centre (WSC)?
The WSC acts as the primary contact point to verify your eligibility and help in processing your file for the scholarship.
What determines if I get the scholarship in the second year?
You should submit your annual mark sheet and proof of admission for the next academic year to continue receiving the benefits.
When is the first-year scholarship released?
The first-year grant is released once you have completed your admission formalities at the institution.
Is the stipend provided along with the fees?
Yes, you receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 in addition to the coverage of your academic fees, provided the total does not exceed ₹2,00,000 per year.
Which institutions qualify for this scheme?
Any textile-related institution that is either funded or recognized by the Central or State government is eligible.
How will the money reach me?
The funds are delivered directly to the bank account of the student or the weaver parent via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Is there a helpline for handloom weavers?
Yes, the Bunkar Mitra helpline is available on the toll free number 1800-208-9988 from 10 AM to 6 PM for queries related to handloom schemes.