# What scholarships are available for children with disabilities in India?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-scholarships-are-available-for-children-with-disabilities-in-india
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

India offers government scholarships for children with disabilities through the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities — Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Top-Class schemes — applied for via the National Scholarship Portal, usually requiring a UDID card showing 40%+ disability and income within set limits. Many states run additional schemes. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*Raising a child with a disability brings extra costs — and India has a real safety net of scholarships designed to lighten that load and keep your child learning.*

## In short
Several government scholarships exist specifically for children and students with disabilities in India — the main ones come from the **Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)** through the National Scholarship Portal: **Pre-Matric** (Class 9–10), **Post-Matric** (Class 11 upwards), and **Top-Class** scholarships for higher education. Many state governments run their own schemes too. To apply, your child will usually need a **UDID (Unique Disability ID) card** confirming 40% or more disability, and the family income must fall within set limits. These are real, recurring entitlements — not one-off charity.

## The main scholarships to know
- **Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities** — supports schooling from roughly Class 9 to 10, covering maintenance and book allowances.
- **Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities** — for Class 11 onwards, including college and professional courses, with allowances that increase for higher study.
- **Scholarship for Top-Class Education** — supports students with disabilities pursuing recognised higher education at notified institutions.
- **National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (UGC)** — for those pursuing MPhil/PhD research.
- **State-level schemes** — most states (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others) run additional disability scholarships and education allowances; check your state's welfare or disability department.
- **NGO and private trusts** — bodies such as the National Trust and various foundations offer education support and aids/appliance grants.

**What you'll typically need:** a UDID card (or disability certificate showing benchmark disability of 40%+), income proof, bank account details, school/college admission proof, and an active account on the **National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)**, where most central schemes are applied for online.

## A quick word on getting started
The single most useful first step is the **UDID card** — it unlocks most scholarships, travel concessions, and other entitlements. If your child doesn't yet have one, a disability certificate from a notified medical authority begins the process. Keep a simple folder of documents ready; deadlines on the National Scholarship Portal open and close each academic year, so applying early matters.

## The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. Our family-support team routinely helps parents understand what their child's developmental profile means for school, documentation and entitlements. Explore how we [support your family's journey](/) and how a [structured clinical assessment](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) gives you a clear picture, and reach out through our [parent guidance and support](/parent-support) for help navigating the next steps.

## Trusted sources
Rehabilitation Council of India (rehabcouncil.nic.in) for disability-sector education and certification guidance; WHO (who.int) on disability inclusion and equal access to education. For scheme specifics and current eligibility, always confirm on the official National Scholarship Portal and your state disability welfare department.

**Next step —** Want help understanding your child's profile and what support fits? [Talk to a Pinnacle family-support team member](/parent-support).

This is general information, not a diagnosis or legal advice — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- Rehabilitation Council of India — disability education and certification: https://rehabcouncil.nic.in
- WHO — disability inclusion and equal access: https://www.who.int/health-topics/disability

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Plan: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/plan
- Special Education: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/special-education
- Mainstream Inclusion: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/mainstream_inclusion

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