AICTE Pragati Scholarship 2026-27: Girls, plus Saksham and Swanath
by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- Register by
- 31 Oct 2026
- Where
- Online
- Prizes
- ₹50,000 a year, up to 4 years (degree)
- Who can join
- Girls in 1st year (or lateral 2nd year) of AICTE degree/diploma; income up to ₹8 lakh
The AICTE Pragati Scholarship gives ₹50,000 a year to girl students in the first year of an AICTE-approved technical degree or diploma course, or the second year through lateral entry, with family income up to ₹8 lakh. AICTE runs it and applications are made on the National Scholarship Portal. AICTE's notification of 19 June 2026 sets 31 October 2026 as the last date for 2026-27 fresh and renewal applications for Pragati, Saksham and Swanath.
Key dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pragati, Saksham and Swanath open on NSP | 1 June 2026 | Announced |
| Last date for student applications (fresh and renewal) | 31 October 2026 | Announced |
| Institute (INO) verification, including defective re-submissions | 15 November 2026 | Announced |
| State Nodal Officer verification | 30 November 2026 | Announced |
Renewals in 2026-27 are open for the 2023-24 (degree only), 2024-25 and 2025-26 degree and diploma batches.
Who can apply for Pragati
- Girl students only.
- Admitted to the first year of a degree or diploma course, or the second year through lateral entry, at an AICTE-approved institution in the current year.
- Up to two girls per family.
- Family income from all sources not more than ₹8 lakh a year, shown by a valid income certificate issued by the state government.
- Not getting any other Central Government, State Government or AICTE scholarship.
- The gap between passing the qualifying exam and admission must not be more than two years.
Benefit and number of scholarships
| Level | Amount | Maximum duration | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | ₹50,000 a year | 4 years (3 years for lateral entry) | 5,000 a year |
| Diploma | ₹50,000 a year | 3 years (2 years for lateral entry) | 5,000 a year |
The amount is a lump sum for college fees, a computer, books, stationery, equipment and software. No separate hostel or medical grant is paid. All eligible applicants from the North-Eastern states and some Union Territories also get it. Under the guidelines linked on NSP (2020-21 edition), Maharashtra's share is 553 degree and 624 diploma scholarships. Unused degree slots move to diploma and vice versa.
Selection
For degree courses, selection is on merit by your Class 12 (or equivalent) percentage. For diploma courses, it is by your Class 10 percentage. Merit lists are prepared state-wise. Ties are broken by Class 10 marks, then by age (older first). Reservation follows Government of India norms. To convert CGPA to percentage, multiply it by 9.5.
Documents
- Class 10 certificate and marksheet
- Class 12 certificate and marksheet (degree), or ITI/diploma certificate for lateral entry
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Study or bonafide certificate from the head of the institution (AICTE format)
- Annual family income certificate for the current year
- Parent declaration
- Promotion certificate for renewal
- Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-seeded savings bank account in your own name (joint, minor or no-frills accounts are not accepted)
How to apply
- Generate your One Time Registration (OTR) on NSP.
- Log in at scholarships.gov.in and select "AICTE - Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students" (Technical Degree or Technical Diploma).
- Fill in the details, upload the documents and submit by 31 October 2026.
- Ask your institute to verify the application by 15 November 2026. The state Directorate of Technical Education does the second-level check.
Renewal
To renew, apply on NSP each year and upload a promotion certificate signed by the head of your institution. If you fail or drop out, you lose the scholarship for later years.
Common reasons for rejection (AICTE FAQs)
- Course or institute not approved by AICTE for the current year, or admission to a non-technical, dual-degree or postgraduate course.
- Getting a scholarship from another source.
- Income certificate not for the current year, not in the name of the student or a family member, issued by someone other than a competent authority (Tahsildar, Magistrate, Revenue Officer or BDO), or without a signature or stamp.
- Incomplete or blank promotion certificate, or one without the college stamp and Principal's signature.
- Blurred, unreadable or wrong SSC/HSC document.
Saksham and Swanath (also ₹50,000 a year)
- Saksham (specially-abled): for students with at least 40% disability in the first year (or second year through lateral entry) of an AICTE-approved degree or diploma course, with family income up to ₹8 lakh. All eligible students get it.
- Swanath: for orphans; students who lost one or both parents to Covid-19; wards of Armed Forces and Central Paramilitary Forces personnel martyred in action; and students whose parent has a critical life-threatening disease or died or was severely disabled (above 80%) in an accident. Family income must be up to ₹8 lakh. Students in any year (1st to 4th) of an AICTE-approved degree or diploma can apply. Up to 2,000 scholarships are given a year (1,000 degree, 1,000 diploma).
Tips for Maharashtra students
- The Pragati guidelines and FAQs say you must not get any other Central or State Government scholarship. NSP says that from 2026-27 a student may take one merit-based and one or more welfare-based schemes. If you also receive a MahaDBT fee scheme (such as Rajarshi Shahu EBC), ask your college scholarship cell how AICTE treats it before you apply.
- Your institute must verify the application by 15 November 2026. Follow up with your Institute Nodal Officer early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for the AICTE Pragati Scholarship 2026-27?
31 October 2026 on the National Scholarship Portal, for both fresh and renewal applications. Institute verification closes on 15 November 2026 and State Nodal Officer verification on 30 November 2026.
How much is the Pragati Scholarship?
₹50,000 a year, for up to 4 years for degree students and up to 3 years for diploma students admitted in the first year.
Can a third-year student apply for Pragati?
No. Pragati is only for students admitted to the first year, or the second year through lateral entry. Swanath, however, is open to students in any year.
What is the income limit for Pragati, Saksham and Swanath?
Family income from all sources must not be more than ₹8 lakh a year, supported by a valid income certificate issued by the state or UT government.
How many Pragati scholarships are there?
5,000 for degree and 5,000 for diploma each year. All eligible girls from the North-Eastern states and some Union Territories are also covered.
Whom do I contact for Pragati queries?
AICTE lists pragati@aicte-india.org and 011-29581118 for scheme queries, and helpdesk@nsp.gov.in for portal problems.
Official sources
- AICTE notification dated 19 June 2026 on Pragati, Saksham and Swanath 2026-27 (copy hosted by Thapar Institute)
- NSP: Schemes on NSP with 2026-27 timelines
- AICTE Pragati (Degree) guidelines
- AICTE Pragati (Diploma) guidelines
- AICTE Pragati FAQs
- AICTE Saksham (Degree) guidelines
- AICTE Swanath guidelines (May 2025)
Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.