AICTE Pragati, Saksham and Swanath Scholarship 2026-27: ₹50,000 a Year, Apply by 31 October
AICTE Pragati, Saksham and Swanath scholarships pay Rs 50,000 a year to students in AICTE-approved technical institutions, with applications closing 31 October 2026. Eligibility for each scheme, income limit, how to apply and why applications get rejected.
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AICTE Scholarships 2026-27: ₹50,000 a Year, Last Date 31 October
Three AICTE scholarship schemes, Pragati, Saksham and Swanath, are open for the academic year 2026-27 on the National Scholarship Portal. Each pays ₹50,000 per year for the duration of the course, and applications close on 31 October 2026.
These are for students in AICTE-approved technical institutions, at both diploma and degree level.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Schemes | Pragati, Saksham, Swanath |
| Body | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education |
| Amount | ₹50,000 per annum |
| Income limit | ₹8,00,000 per year |
| Student application closes | 31 October 2026 |
| Institute verification | 15 November 2026 |
| Level-2 verification | 30 November 2026 |
| Apply at | scholarships.gov.in |
The Three Schemes
Pragati, for girl students
- For girl students in the first year, or the second year through lateral entry, of an AICTE-approved technical programme
- About 10,000 scholarships a year, roughly 5,000 for degree and 5,000 for diploma students
- Maximum two girls per family
- This is a merit-based scheme
Saksham, for differently-abled students
- For students with not less than 40% disability
- First year, or second year through lateral entry
- About 1,000 scholarships a year, roughly 500 degree and 500 diploma
- This is a welfare-based scheme
Swanath, for orphans and wards of the bereaved
- For orphans; students who lost one or both parents to COVID-19; wards of martyred armed forces and paramilitary personnel; and students whose parent has a critical illness or 80% or more disability
- Open across the first to fourth year of a regular diploma or degree programme
- This is a welfare-based scheme
All three carry the same ₹50,000 per annum and the same ₹8 lakh family income ceiling, and none may be held alongside another central, state or AICTE scholarship.
The Rule Change That Matters This Year
From 2026-27, the National Scholarship Portal allows a student to hold one merit-based scheme plus one or more welfare-based schemes, instead of just one scholarship overall.
In practice this means Pragati uses your merit slot, while Saksham and Swanath are welfare schemes that can sit alongside a merit-based scholarship, subject to each scheme's own eligibility rules. Read the scheme guideline before assuming a particular combination is allowed.
How to Apply
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) with Aadhaar e-KYC at scholarships.gov.in. This is compulsory before you can open any scheme form.
- Log in and select the scheme, and take care to pick the correct Degree or Diploma variant. Choosing the wrong variant is a documented reason for rejection.
- Fill in personal, academic and family income details.
- Upload documents: Class 10 and 12 marksheets, Aadhaar, income certificate, admission letter, fee receipt, bank passbook, disability certificate for Saksham, and the principal or director's certificate.
- Enter an Aadhaar-seeded DBT bank account, the money will not reach a non-seeded account.
- Submit and note the Application ID.
- Give the printout to your college nodal officer so that institute verification is completed by 15 November 2026.
An application that is submitted but never verified by the institute does not reach the ministry. Following up with your nodal officer is not optional.
Key Dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Student application closes | 31 October 2026 |
| Institute (Level-1) verification | 15 November 2026 |
| Level-2 verification | 30 November 2026 |
Helpline
| For | Contact |
|---|---|
| NSP portal | 0120-6619540, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
| NSP email | [email protected] |
| Payment issues (PFMS) | 1800 118 111 |
| AICTE scholarship cell | [email protected] |
Common Reasons for Rejection
- Bank account not Aadhaar-seeded through NPCI
- Income certificate from the wrong authority or from an earlier financial year
- Wrong Degree versus Diploma variant selected
- Institute verification not completed before the deadline
- Holding another government scholarship at the same time
- Documents illegible or above the size limit
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the last date for AICTE scholarships 2026-27? 31 October 2026 for student applications, with institute verification by 15 November.
Q2. How much is the scholarship? ₹50,000 per annum for the duration of the course.
Q3. What is the income limit? ₹8,00,000 per year for all three schemes.
Q4. Can two sisters both apply for Pragati? Yes, up to a maximum of two girls per family.
Q5. What disability percentage is needed for Saksham? Not less than 40%.
Q6. Can I hold an AICTE scholarship along with a state scholarship? No. These schemes do not allow another central, state or AICTE scholarship at the same time.
Q7. Which year students can apply for Swanath? First to fourth year of a regular diploma or degree programme.
Conclusion
₹50,000 a year for the full duration of a technical course is among the most substantial central scholarships available to diploma and degree students, and the window closes on 31 October 2026. Complete your OTR and Aadhaar bank seeding first, apply under the correct variant, and then make sure your college verifies the application before 15 November.
Disclaimer: The closing dates are as published on the National Scholarship Portal. Scholarship numbers, amounts and eligibility conditions are drawn from AICTE scheme information and should be confirmed against the official AICTE guidelines. AICTE has extended this deadline in past years, so treat 31 October as the last date as on 20 September 2026.