New Akanksha Scheme (Educational Loan)

New Akanksha Scheme (Educational Loan) (GNDTDC) is a Gujarat state scheme that gives educational loans of up to ₹15 lakh to students from Nomadic and Denotified Tribes. Gujarat Nomadic and Denotified Tribes Development Corporation (GNDTDC) manages this loan support for professional and technical courses at graduate and postgraduate levels.

Students can apply online on the GNDTDC portal for the 2026-27 academic year. Loan covers tuition fees, exam fees, books, hostel charges, food and insurance costs at a low interest rate of 3.5% to 4% per year.

Scheme is run by GNDTDC under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat. Students belonging to identified Nomadic or Denotified Tribe communities in Gujarat can use this support to continue higher studies without worrying about high fees.

New Akanksha Scheme (Educational Loan) - Introduction

New Akanksha Scheme (Educational Loan) helps students from Nomadic and Denotified Tribes cover the cost of higher professional and technical education. Loan limit has been raised to ₹15 lakh on the official GNDTDC portal, so eligible students can now borrow more for approved courses.

Interest rate stays low at 4% per year for male students and 3.5% per year for female students. This makes the loan much cheaper than a normal education loan from a bank.

Eligible students get 90% of the loan amount from the Central Corporation, 5% from the State Government, and the remaining 5% is the student's own share. Loan has to be repaid in 60 equal monthly installments, and repayment starts within 6 months of completing the course or getting a job, whichever comes first.

Key Information

Benefits

Loan amount of up to ₹15 lakh covers the main study costs of a student. This includes:

• Admission and tuition fees for the whole course
• Books, uniforms, stationery and examination fees
• Accommodation and daily food expenses
• Insurance policy premiums

Interest rate is fixed at 4% per year for male students and 3.5% per year for female students. Female students get a lower rate, so their total repayment stays smaller.

Funding is shared in a fixed pattern. 90% comes from the Central Corporation, 5% comes from the State Government, and the student contributes only 5% of the loan amount.

Repayment is spread over 60 equal monthly installments. Payment starts within 6 months of completing the course or after getting a job, whichever happens first.

Eligibility

Students need to meet these conditions to apply for the loan:

1. Applicant must be a resident of Gujarat.
2. Applicant must belong to a Nomadic Tribe or Denotified Tribe community.
3. Total annual family income must not exceed ₹3,00,000.
4. Applicant must have secured admission in an approved professional or technical course.

Approved courses under the scheme are:

• MBA or MCA from an AICTE-approved institute
• Engineering at graduate level approved by IIT or AICTE
• Professional graduate-level courses approved by the government
• Medical graduation from an MCI-recognized college
• Diploma in Nursing

Important note: corporation gives top priority to applicants from families with annual income up to ₹1,50,000, and at least 50% of the loan funds are reserved for them.

Exclusions

Loan is not available to students who got admission through the management quota. Admission should be through the regular government-mandated process for the scheme to apply.

Application Process

Online Application Steps

Applying for the loan is fully online. Follow these steps:

STEP 1 - Visit the Official GNDTDC Portal and scroll down to the "Educational Loan (New Akanksha Yojana)" section. Click on "Apply Now" to open the application form.

STEP 2 - Fill in all applicant details including name, father or husband's name, gender, address, contact number, Aadhaar number, date of birth, caste and family income. Enter educational qualification details for SSC, HSC, Diploma, Graduation and Post-Graduation wherever applicable.

STEP 3 - Enter details of the college or university, course name, course duration, date of admission and accreditation details of the institution. Provide hostel details if staying in a hostel, along with fee break-up for admission, tuition, exam, hostel, books and other costs.

STEP 4 - Enter bank account details with IFSC and MICR code since the loan will be credited to this account. Review the full form using the preview option, fill the CAPTCHA and click on submit.

STEP 5 - Save the Application ID or reference number received after submission. You can check application status using the "Know App Status" section on the GNDTDC Application Status Page by entering the application number and birth date.

Documents

Keep these documents ready before starting the online application:

• Aadhaar Card and Ration Card
• Voter ID and Income Certificate
• Academic mark sheets for SSC, HSC, Diploma and Graduation
• University or college admission details and accreditation proof
• Hostel fee certificates if applicable
• Bank account details with IFSC and MICR code

References

For scheme rules and detailed information, check the official pages given below:

Scheme Guidelines on Social Justice and Empowerment Department

Detailed Scheme Information on MARIYojana Gujarat

Official Online Application Form

FAQ's

What is the objective of the scheme?

New Akanksha Scheme (Educational Loan) helps students from Nomadic and Denotified Tribes fund professional and technical higher education through affordable loans.

Who can apply for this loan?

Students belonging to Nomadic Tribe and Denotified Tribe communities in Gujarat can apply for this loan.

Which expenses are covered by the loan?

Loan covers tuition fees, exam fees, books, uniforms, hostel charges, food and insurance premiums.

What is the maximum loan amount?

Eligible students can get a loan of up to ₹15,00,000 as per the official GNDTDC portal.

What interest rates apply?

Male students pay 4% annual interest, while female students pay a lower rate of 3.5% per year.

How is the funding shared?

Central Corporation covers 90%, State Government covers 5%, and the student contributes the remaining 5%.

Is the repayment period fixed?

Yes, the loan has to be repaid within 60 equal monthly installments, starting 6 months after course completion or getting a job.

Are all higher education courses covered?

No, only approved professional courses like MBA, MCA, Engineering, Medical and Nursing diploma are covered.

Do I need income proof?

Yes, a valid income certificate is required to show that the family's annual income is within the ₹3,00,000 limit.

Is there a priority for lower-income families?

Yes, at least 50% of the loan funds are reserved for families with annual income up to ₹1,50,000.