The “Merit Awards” scheme is initiated by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Govt. of Maharashtra. It recognizes and rewards students with disabilities who secure the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rank in the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) examinations conducted by their respective divisional boards of education. Only citizens who are permanent residents of Maharashtra are eligible to apply. This scheme is 100% funded by the Govt. of Maharashtra.
Benefits
- Award Quantum:
Awardees receive a cash prize of ₹1,000/- along with a certificate. - Travel Assistance:
Beneficiaries are provided travel expenses up to ₹100/- per student to attend the award ceremony.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a citizen of India and a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
- The applicant should be a person with a disability (e.g., visually handicapped, low vision, hearing impaired, orthopedically handicapped, etc.).
- The applicant must have secured the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rank among disabled students in the S.S.C. or H.S.C. examinations in their respective divisional boards.
Application Process
Offline
- Collect the Application Form:
Visit the District Social Welfare Office and request a hard copy of the application form from the concerned authority. - Fill the Form:
Complete all mandatory fields in the application form, paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across), and attach all required (self-attested) documents. - Submit the Form:
Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the supporting documents to the Regional Deputy Commissioner at the District Social Welfare Office. - Obtain Acknowledgment:
Acquire the receipt or acknowledgment confirming successful submission of the application form.
Documents Required
- Proof of the latest educational qualification.
- Proof of securing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rank among disabled students in the S.S.C. or H.S.C.
- Bonafide Certificate from the institution.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Two passport-sized photographs (signed across).
- Residential Certificate or Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra.
- Disability Certificate.
- Bank account details (including Bank Name, Branch Name, Address, IFSC, etc.).
- Any other documents required by the District Social Welfare Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much shall be the quantum of the award?
Awardees receive a cash prize of ₹1,000/-. - How much travel expense is provided to attend the award ceremony?
Travel expenses up to ₹100/- per student are provided. - What are the objectives of this scheme?
To recognize and reward the academic excellence of students with disabilities in the state. - What is the maximum amount of financial assistance that one can receive through this scheme?
The financial assistance is limited to ₹1,000/- in cash along with the additional travel expense support. - Who are the target beneficiaries of this scheme?
Students with disabilities who rank 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the S.S.C. and H.S.C. examinations. - Are there any eligibility criteria regarding the percentage of disability of the applicant?
No specific percentage is mentioned; the scheme covers various categories of disabilities. - Are orthopedically handicapped persons also covered in this scheme?
Yes, orthopedically handicapped persons are included. - Is the Residential Certificate/Domicile Certificate of Maharashtra mandatory?
Yes, it is required to verify that the applicant is a permanent resident of Maharashtra. - Can I reapply to this scheme if I am already availing the benefits?
The scheme is generally for one-time award recognition based on the examination results. - What is the full form of SJSA?
It stands for the Social Justice & Special Assistance Department. - Is this a state-funded or a centrally funded scheme?
This is a state-funded scheme. - Is there any application fee?
No, there is no application fee for this scheme. - Is there any compensation for the delay in the disbursal of the scheme benefits?
No compensation is specified for delays. - How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
Mandatory fields are marked with a red asterisk (*). - Can applicants from neighboring states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, etc., also apply?
No, the scheme is only available to permanent residents of Maharashtra. - Where can I find the URL to the website of the Dept. of Social Justice & Special Assistance?
The website link is available on the official government portal. - Where can I find the link to the scheme guidelines?
The guidelines are available on the departmental website. - What is the address of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra?
This can be obtained from the official website or by contacting the District Social Welfare Office. - Where can I find the addresses of the District Social Welfare Offices?
The addresses are provided on the official website or through local government directories. - Where can I post my grievances related to this scheme?
Grievances can be submitted at the District Social Welfare Office or via the official grievance redressal portal. - Is there an income-related criterion for this scheme?
No income criteria have been specified. - Where can I find the format of the application form? Is it available online?
The application form is available offline at the District Social Welfare Office.