Scheme for Reimbursement of Educational Expenses to Hearing Impaired Students Pursuing Special Higher Education Courses Inside or Outside the Union Territory of Puducherry

Scheme for Reimbursement of Educational Expenses to Hearing Impaired Students Pursuing Special Higher Education Courses Inside or Outside the Union Territory of Puducherry helps students with hearing and visual impairments continue their higher studies. The scheme pays back the full course fee from the first year itself, so money problems do not come in the way of education. Social Welfare Department of the Government of Puducherry runs this scheme under the Reimbursement of Educational Expenses to the Differently Abled Students Rules, 2014, and applications are accepted for the 2026-27 academic year.

Students can join a full-time special higher education course in any government-recognized institution, whether the college is inside the Union Territory or outside it. Once the admission is confirmed, the department reimburses the entire fee paid by the student. This support is meant for hearing impaired and visually impaired students who show serious interest in completing specialized studies.

Scheme for Reimbursement of Educational Expenses to Hearing Impaired Students Pursuing Special Higher Education Courses Inside or Outside the Union Territory of Puducherry - Introduction

This scheme was introduced in 2014 and has been running continuously since then. It covers differently abled students who take up special higher educational courses. The main aim is to give financial support to hearing impaired and visually impaired students so they can complete their studies without worrying about fees.

Students from Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam can apply, as long as they meet the basic conditions. The reimbursement amount covers the whole fee for the course and is given from the first year onwards. There is no upper limit mentioned in the rules for the amount that can be claimed, so even expensive professional courses can be covered.

Applications are submitted offline at the Social Welfare Department offices, and reimbursement is paid after the fee payment is verified. Since the scheme follows the official 2014 rules, interested students should check the latest notification on the department website before applying.

Key Information

Benefits

Candidates get the full course fee reimbursed from the first year of their studies. This means the student does not have to bear the education cost on their own, even for courses where the fee is high.

The scheme removes the biggest problem faced by students with disabilities, which is arranging money for tuition. Once the reimbursement is approved, the fee amount is paid back to the student or the institution, whichever process is prescribed. The benefit can be claimed every year for the full duration of the course, subject to continuation in the same recognized course.

Eligibility

To qualify for this financial support, a candidate should meet the following conditions:

• The annual family income should be less than ₹2,00,000, which means the scheme is meant for families with limited earnings.
• The candidate should hold a disability certificate showing at least 40 percent impairment, covering hearing or visual disability.
• Residence in the Union Territory of Puducherry for at least the last 5 years is required, and this applies to all four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
• The candidate must be enrolled in a full-time special higher education course at a government-recognized institution, whether inside or outside the Union Territory.

For example, if Rahul from Puducherry has a 45 percent hearing impairment, has lived in the Union Territory for six years, and his family income is ₹1.5 lakh, he would be eligible to apply for the reimbursement.

Application Process

Applications are collected offline at the Social Welfare Department offices. Students should complete the process after their admission is confirmed so that the reimbursement can be processed against the actual fee paid.

STEP 1 - Visit the nearest office or sub-office of the Social Welfare Department during working hours and ask the staff for the official application form for reimbursement of educational expenses for differently abled students.

STEP 2 - Fill out the form carefully with all the required details, attach a recent passport-sized photograph and sign wherever needed.

STEP 3 - Collect all the self-attested documents and submit the application package to the officer assigned for the region. For Puducherry it is the Deputy Director, Differently Abled Section, Directorate of Social Welfare. For Karaikal it is the Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department Sub Office. For Mahe and Yanam it is the Welfare Officer (i/c), Social Welfare Department Sub Office.

STEP 4 - Take the receipt or acknowledgement when the application is handed over and keep it safe, because it serves as proof of submission for future follow-up.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready before starting the application so that the file is complete in one visit:

• Medical certificate issued by the competent authority certifying the disability percentage.
• Recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
• Aadhaar card for identity and residence proof.
• Study certificate from the college confirming enrolment in the full-time course.
• Bonafide certificate issued by the institution.
• 10th and 12th standard marksheets and the fee payment receipts for which reimbursement is claimed.

References

More information and the official documents of this scheme are available on the Social Welfare Department website.

• Official Scheme Page for Reimbursement Rules, 2014
• Reimbursement of Educational Expenses Rules, 2014 PDF
• Citizen's Charter
• Contact Us - Social Welfare Department
• List of Sub Offices
• Grievance Redressal Portal

FAQ's

Is this scheme still running in 2026?

Yes. The scheme is implemented by the Social Welfare Department since 2014 and continues for the 2026-27 academic year. Candidates can apply through the department offices after admission.

Is there a specific timeframe for submitting applications?

The official guidelines do not mention a strict cutoff date. Students should apply as soon as their admission is processed so the reimbursement can be claimed without delay.

Who should I contact in Mahe or Yanam if my application is delayed?

Applicants in Mahe and Yanam should contact the Regional Administrator of their region for help regarding any delays.

Who handles application delays in Karaikal?

Applicants in Karaikal should contact the Collector for help if their application processing is delayed.

Who accepts applications in Mahe and Yanam?

The Welfare Officer (i/c) at the local Social Welfare Department Sub Office receives the applications in Mahe and Yanam.

What documents are necessary to apply?

Applicants need the medical disability certificate, recent photograph, Aadhaar card, study certificate, bonafide certificate, 10th and 12th marksheets and fee payment receipts.

Which colleges are recognized for this scheme?

Only full-time courses offered by government-recognized educational institutions are covered, whether the institution is inside or outside the Union Territory of Puducherry.

What is the minimum disability required?

The candidate must have a medically certified disability of 40 percent or more, covering hearing or visual impairment.

How long must I have lived in Puducherry?

The applicant should have been a resident of the Union Territory of Puducherry for at least 5 years.

What is the income limit for eligibility?

The annual family income should be less than ₹2,00,000 to qualify for the scheme.

What are the main benefits?

The scheme provides total fee reimbursement from the first year of the course for hearing impaired and visually impaired students.

How do I file a grievance?

Applicants can use the national grievance portal at https://pgportal.gov.in/.

Where can I find contact details?

Contact details of the department are available on the Contact Us page of the Social Welfare Department.