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The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) runs the Pragati Scholarship Scheme to support female students pursuing technical education. It offers a substantial financial grant to help cover the costs of college fees, books, equipment and computers.
If you are just starting a degree or diploma at an AICTE-approved institution, here is what you need to know about who qualifies, how to apply and the rules for renewing the scholarship each year.
Who is eligible for the AICTE Pragati Scholarship?
The scheme has strict criteria based on gender, family income and academic enrollment set by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE):
Gender and family limits: The scholarship is exclusively for female students. A maximum of two girl children per family can receive it.
Academic enrollment: You must be admitted to the first year of a Degree or Diploma course, or the second year via lateral entry, at an AICTE-approved institution.
Family income: To qualify, the total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum (All India Council for Technical Education).
Gap years: The gap between passing the qualifying examination and admission to the course must not be more than two years.
The scheme awards 10,000 scholarships annually, divided as 5,000 for degree students and 5,000 for diploma students (National Scholarship Portal). However, there is a special provision for students from the 13 North Eastern States and Union Territories: all eligible girls from these regions who apply are guaranteed the scholarship if they meet the basic criteria (All India Council for Technical Education).
If you are exploring other options for financial aid in earlier classes, you might look into the NMMS scholarship for Class 8 or read our general guide on scholarships for science students in India.
How much financial support does it provide?
The scholarship provides a lump sum of ₹50,000 per annum for every year of your study (National Scholarship Portal).
Degree students: The grant is renewable for a maximum of four years, or three years for those joining through lateral entry.
Diploma students: The grant is renewable for up to three years, or two years for lateral entry.
The ₹50,000 is intended to cover your college tuition fees, as well as the purchase of computers, books, stationery, equipment and software. Note that the scheme does not provide any additional grants for hostel or medical charges; the ₹50,000 is the total annual amount and is paid directly into your bank account.
How is the merit list prepared?
Because the scheme awards exactly 10,000 scholarships annually across India, AICTE prepares a merit list if there are more eligible applicants than available spots (National Scholarship Portal).
For degree courses: The merit list relies on the percentage of marks obtained in the Class 12 board examination.
For diploma courses: The merit list uses the percentage of marks from the Class 10 board examination.
If two students have the exact same percentage, AICTE uses a tie-breaking formula. They will first look at the age of the applicants, giving preference to the older student. If the tie persists, they will consider the annual family income, favouring the student with the lower family income.
How do you apply for the scholarship?
Applications for the Pragati Scholarship must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Keep track of the timeline: The scheme usually opens around June or July each year, with the application deadline typically falling on October 31st of that academic year.
Gather your documents: You will need your Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (or ITI/Diploma mark sheets for lateral entry). You also need an annual family income certificate issued by a Tehsildar or higher authority, your college admission letter, the tuition fee receipt for the current academic year, and a parental declaration.
Set up your bank account: The funds are disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). You must have an Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook, and the account must be a regular savings account, rather than a minor, joint or no-frills account.
What are the renewal conditions for the AICTE Pragati Scholarship?
Receiving the scholarship in your first year does not guarantee it for the rest of your course. You must apply for renewal each year through the National Scholarship Portal and meet specific conditions:
Promotion to the next class: You must pass your examinations and be promoted to the next year of study. If you fail a year or drop out, the scholarship is discontinued immediately and cannot be paused or resumed later.
Provide proof of enrollment: Renewal requires submitting your passing certificate or mark sheet from the previous year, along with a bonafide certificate from the Head of your Institution confirming your continued enrollment.
No other scholarships: You cannot receive any other scholarship, stipend or financial assistance from any other source while benefiting from the Pragati scheme.
If you are struggling with your coursework and want to ensure you meet the renewal criteria, Fermi's AI tutor can help. If you fall behind in a technical subject, the tutor can work out what you already know and build a plan for the session, catching you up on the concepts you need to pass.
Check the National Scholarship Portal around June or July so you are ready to apply as soon as the window opens.
