AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (Technical Diploma) is open for the 2026-27 academic year. Girl students admitted to technical diploma courses in AICTE-approved colleges can apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) before 31 October 2026.
Selected students get ₹50,000 per year as a lump sum amount towards tuition fees, books, equipment and software. Around 5,000 girl students in diploma courses receive this scholarship every year, and the money is sent directly to their bank accounts through DBT.
Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (Technical Diploma) - Introduction
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) runs this scheme under the Ministry of Education for young women doing technical diploma courses. Girl students admitted to the first year of a diploma programme, or to the second year through lateral entry, at an AICTE-approved institution can apply. A maximum of two girl children from one family can get this benefit.
Applications for the 2026-27 batch opened on 1 June 2026 on the NSP. One Time Registration (OTR) on the portal is now required before filling any scholarship form. AICTE has fixed 31 October 2026 as the last date to submit applications, 15 November 2026 for institute level verification and 30 November 2026 for state nodal officer verification. The official AICTE Pragati Scholarship 2026-27 notification is available on the AICTE website.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (Technical Diploma) |
| Launched By | AICTE, Ministry of Education |
| Eligible People | Girl students in technical diploma courses at AICTE-approved colleges |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹50,000 per year |
| Number of Scholarships | 5,000 for diploma courses every year |
| Family Income Limit | Up to ₹8,00,000 per year |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online on National Scholarship Portal |
| Official Website | nsp.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected students receive ₹50,000 per year as a lump sum amount. This money covers college fees, books, computer purchases, laptops, software and equipment. The scholarship is given for up to 3 years to students who join in the first year, and up to 2 years to students who join through lateral entry in the second year.
No extra amount is paid for hostel or medical charges. The full amount goes directly to the student's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer, so there is no middleman. Students of degree courses can find the details in the separate Pragati Scholarship for Girl Students (Technical Degree) article.
Eligibility Criteria
Girl students who meet the conditions given below can apply for this scholarship:
- Course: Applicant must be admitted to the first year of a technical diploma course, or the second year through lateral entry, in an AICTE-approved college for the 2026-27 academic year.
- Income: Annual family income from all sources must not be more than ₹8,00,000. For married applicants, the income of parents or in-laws is considered, whichever is higher.
- Admission mode: Admission must be through the centralised admission process of the state or central government. Students admitted through the management quota cannot apply.
- Family limit: Only two girl children from one family can get this scholarship.
Exclusions
The scholarship stops or the application gets rejected in the following cases:
- Student fails or drops out in a later year of the diploma course.
- Student receives any other stipend, salary or money help from another source.
- There is a gap of more than two years between the qualifying exam and the current diploma admission.
- More than two girl children from the same family apply.
Application Process
Applications are accepted only online through the National Scholarship Portal at nsp.gov.in. A One Time Registration (OTR) number is required before applying. Here are the steps to apply for the 2026-27 batch.
STEP 1 - Go to the official National Scholarship Portal at nsp.gov.in and click on the One Time Registration option. Generate the OTR using Aadhaar or the Aadhaar Enrolment ID. This number stays valid for the whole academic career and is required to apply for any scholarship on NSP.
STEP 2 - Login to the portal using the OTR number and the details registered with Aadhaar. Students who cannot do the registration online can visit a nearby Common Service Centre (CSC), where the complete process including OTR generation and form filling is done for a fixed charge of ₹30.
STEP 3 - Open the AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme application form and enter the personal, academic and bank details carefully. The NSP mobile app can also be used for tracking the application.
STEP 4 - Upload scanned copies of the required documents and verify the details using the Digilocker facility where asked.
STEP 5 - Submit the application before 31 October 2026 and note down the application ID. Keep checking the portal for the institute verification status. For any query related to this scholarship, students can write to AICTE at pragatisaksham@aicte-india.org.
Documents Required
Keep digital copies of the documents listed below ready before starting the application:
- Class 10 marksheet and Class 12 marksheet
- Admission letter issued by the centralised admission authority for the current academic year
- Receipt of paid tuition fee for the current year
- Annual family income certificate in the prescribed format issued by the Tehsildar or a higher authority
- Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook showing the applicant's name, account number and IFSC code
- Certificate issued by the Director, Principal or HOD as per the prescribed format
- Caste certificate for SC, ST or OBC applicants
- Aadhaar card, passport-size photo and signature
- Duly signed declaration by parents confirming that the information given is correct
Selection Process
Selection is based on merit in the qualifying examination. Reservation rules apply while choosing students: 15% of seats for SC, 7.5% for ST and 27% for OBC candidates. AICTE also runs the Saksham Scholarship for specially-abled students and the Swanath Scholarship for orphan students, both with a similar ₹50,000 yearly amount.
Definitions
Union Territories
Includes Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep.
North Eastern States
Includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
References
Official AICTE Pragati Scheme Guidelines (Diploma) | AICTE Pragati Scholarship 2026-27 Notification | AICTE Pragati Scheme Page | National Scholarships Portal
FAQ's
Is there a validity to the scheme benefits?
Yes, benefits are given for a maximum of 3 years for first-year entrants and 2 years for second-year lateral entry students.
What is the last date to apply for the 2026-27 batch?
The last date to submit the online application is 31 October 2026. Institute level verification ends on 15 November 2026 and state nodal officer verification ends on 30 November 2026.
Is OTR registration required to apply?
Yes. One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal is mandatory from AY 2024-25 onwards. The 14-digit OTR number can be generated using Aadhaar and stays valid for the whole academic career.
How is the scholarship paid?
Payments are made directly to the student's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Are there any application fees?
No, the online application is free. Students who use Common Service Centre services pay a fixed charge of ₹30 for the complete process.
Can I apply if my sibling is also getting the scholarship?
Yes, but only two girl children from one family can get this scholarship.
Can I save my application as a draft?
Yes, you can save the progress and complete the application later before 31 October 2026.