The Award of Scholarship to Differently Abled Person Students is a scheme launched by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry. This initiative provides financial assistance to students with disabilities from Class 1 to Postgraduate/Professional courses to support their education and empower them with learning opportunities.
This scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and encourage differently-abled students to continue their education.
Benefits
The scholarship amount varies based on the education level of the student:
- 1st to 5th Standard → ₹ 1,000/- per year.
- 6th to 8th Standard → ₹ 2,000/- per year.
- 9th to 12th Standard → ₹ 3,400/- per year.
- Undergraduate Courses → ₹ 5,000/- per year.
- Postgraduate/Professional Courses → ₹ 6,800/- per year.
The scholarship is granted annually to eligible students.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be a native/resident of Puducherry for at least five years.
- The applicant’s annual family income must not exceed ₹75,000/-.
- The applicant must have a minimum of 40% disability.
- The applicant must be a student pursuing education from Class 1 up to Postgraduate/Professional courses.
Application Process
Offline Application Process:
- Visit the Office of the Department of Social Welfare or its Sub-Offices during working hours.
- Request the prescribed application form from the designated staff.
- Fill out the application form, attach a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and self-attest the necessary documents.
- Submit the completed application form to the respective authority based on your location:
- Puducherry: Deputy Director, Differently Abled Section, Directorate of Social Welfare.
- Karaikal: Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department (Sub Office).
- Mahe/Yanam: Welfare Officer (i/c), Social Welfare Department (Sub Office).
- Request a receipt or acknowledgment upon submission. The receipt should include:
- Date and time of submission.
- Unique application number (if applicable) for tracking purposes.
Online Application Process:
- Visit the official website of the Department of Social Welfare, Puducherry.
- Download the prescribed application form.
- Fill in all mandatory fields, attach required documents, and self-attest (if required).
- Submit the application form at the designated offices listed above.
Online tracking of the application may be available through the official portal.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card.
- Ration Card.
- Birth Certificate.
- Disability Certificate (issued by a competent authority).
- Income Certificate (from a competent authority).
- Community Certificate.
- Residence-cum-Nativity Certificate (issued by a competent authority).
- Recent Passport-Size Photograph.
- Bank Passbook (to facilitate direct transfer of scholarship amount).
- Financial Assistance ID Card (if applicable).
- Recommendation Letter from Head of Department (HoD).
- Bonafide Certificate from the Educational Institution.
- Declaration from the Parent or Guardian.
- Previous Year Marksheets.
If Aadhaar is unavailable, provide Aadhaar Enrollment ID along with any one of the following:
- Bank/Post Office Passbook with Photo.
- PAN Card.
- Passport.
- Ration Card.
- Voter Identity Card.
- MGNREGA Job Card.
- Kisan Photo Passbook.
- Driving License.
- Certificate of Identity issued by a Gazetted Officer/Tehsildar.
- Any other document specified by the department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I apply for the scholarship if I am pursuing a professional course?
Yes, students enrolled in professional courses are eligible for financial assistance of ₹6,800 per year.
Q: Where can I find information about grievance redressal?
For grievances, visit the Department of Social Welfare, Puducherry, or the regional sub-offices in Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam.
Q: How long should I have been a resident of Puducherry to be eligible?
You must have been a resident of Puducherry for at least five years.
Q: Who should I contact in case of delays in scholarship disbursal?
Contact the Deputy Director, Differently Abled Section, Directorate of Social Welfare, Puducherry, or the regional sub-offices in your respective area.
Q: What financial assistance is provided under this scheme?
The scholarship amount varies by education level:
- Class 1-5: ₹1,000/year
- Class 6-8: ₹2,000/year
- Class 9-12: ₹3,400/year
- Undergraduate: ₹5,000/year
- Postgraduate/Professional: ₹6,800/year
Q: How can I track my scholarship application?
Application status can be tracked through the official government portal or by visiting the Department of Social Welfare office.
Q: Is the scholarship amount fixed, or does it depend on academic performance?
The amount is fixed for each level of education, and academic performance does not influence the amount.
Q: Can a student receive benefits for multiple academic years?
Yes, the scholarship can be renewed every year if the student meets the eligibility criteria.
Q: What is the annual scholarship amount for postgraduate or professional students?
Postgraduate and professional students receive ₹6,800 per year.
Q: How much financial aid is provided to undergraduate students?
Undergraduate students receive ₹5,000 per year.
Q: What is the financial assistance for students in Class 9 to 12?
Students in Classes 9 to 12 receive ₹3,400 per year.