Social Security department extends last date of applications for Pre Matric scholarships for students with disabilities to 15TH October...

The Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Punjab, has extended the last date of applications for awarding Pre Matric scholarships for the students with disabilities in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of empowerment of persons with disabilities (Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment). This was disclosed by the Social Security and Women & Child Development Minister, Punjab, Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary here today in a press communiqué.

Divulging more, the minister said that the Punjab Government has accorded priority to the every activity connected with the students with disabilities and is fully committed to ensure their welfare. The minister further disclosed that the Pre-Matric scholarship for students with disabilities covers 9^th and 10^th standard students whose family income should not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh annually. The last date for applying has been extended from 30^th September to 15^th October, 2018 while the rest of the conditions would remain the same as before.

The Post-Matric scholarship covers standard 11^th to Master’s degree/diploma. In this case the family income of the students should also not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh annually. The last date for applying is 31^st October, 2018. Elaborating more, Mrs. Chaudhary said that the next category is the top class education for students with disabilities in which case the family income of the students must not be in excess of Rs. 6 lakh annually. The last date for applying is 31^st October, 2018. The scheme is for the graduate/post graduate degree/diploma in the institutions of excellence.

The above 3 schemes are being implemented through the National scholarship portal www.scholarships.gov.in. The applications with regard to these 3 schemes are to be submitted online only. Adding more, Mrs. Chaudhary said that for the National Fellowship for persons with disabilities covering master’s degree & doctorate degree in foreign universities the family income ceiling has been placed at Rs. 6 lakh annually and the applications can be submitted throughout the year.

The proforma is available at the portal www.disabilityaffairs.gov.in . The applications in the prescribed performa can be submitted to the Under Secretary (Scholarship), Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Room No. 516, 5^TH Floor, Pt. Deen Dayal Antoydaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. For the National Fellowship for persons with disabilities covering M.Phil/P.hd in Indian Universities there is no ceiling on family income and the applications are to be submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC) as and when invited and not sent to the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities.

For Free Coaching in order to appear in the competitive exams for jobs in Government/Public Sector and admission in technical/professional courses the family income of students must not be in excess of Rs. 6 lakh annually. The coaching fees would be paid to the empanelled institute by the department. The students may contact the empanelled institutes the list of which is available on the website of the department. The minister further said that all these scholarships are available to the students with 40 percent disabilities with a proper certificate issued by the competent medical authority.  For more details about the schemes, the students can log on to www.disabilityaffairs.gov.in.