Education is not just about academics — it’s about equal opportunity. Recognizing the gender gap in technical education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) introduced the Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girls, a powerful initiative aimed at supporting young women who wish to pursue technical education in India.
Whether you’re looking to pursue a diploma or a degree course in engineering, technology, or architecture, this scholarship could be your stepping stone to a brighter, self-reliant future.
🔍 What is the AICTE Pragati Scholarship?
The Pragati Scholarship is a government-funded initiative launched by AICTE under the Ministry of Education. It specifically focuses on providing financial support to girl students from economically weaker families who want to pursue technical education in approved AICTE institutions across India.
Every year, 5,000 new scholarships are awarded for diploma courses and 5,000 for undergraduate (degree) programs — making it one of the most accessible and generous scholarships for Indian girls in STEM fields.
👩💻 Who is Eligible?
To ensure only the most deserving and needy students benefit from the scheme, AICTE has laid out the following eligibility criteria:
✅ Basic Eligibility:
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The candidate must be a girl student.
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Must be admitted to the 1st year of a diploma or degree course in an AICTE-approved college/institution in the current academic year.
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Admission must be through centralized or state-level counseling (based on entrance tests/merit list).
✅ Family Income:
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The annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
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Income proof must be issued by a competent authority (e.g., Tehsildar, SDM, etc.).
✅ Other Points:
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Only two girls per family are eligible to receive this scholarship.
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The candidate must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial aid funded by the central/state government.
💰 Scholarship Amount
The scholarship offers ₹50,000 per year for every selected girl student. This amount is meant to cover:
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Tuition fees
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Purchase of books
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Equipment
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Software
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Laptops/PCs
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Stationery
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Internet charges
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And other course-related expenses
Note: No additional grant for hostel or transport will be provided under this scheme.
📝 How to Apply?
Applications for the AICTE Pragati Scholarship are accepted online only through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP):
👉 https://scholarships.gov.in
Step-by-Step Application Process:
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Visit the NSP portal and register as a new user.
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Choose AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls under the available schemes.
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Fill in the application form with all required academic and personal details.
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Upload scanned documents, including:
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Passport-size photograph
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Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
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Admission proof (bonafide certificate)
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Income certificate
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Aadhaar card
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Caste certificate (if applicable)
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Bank account details (in student’s name)
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Submit the application and keep a printout or PDF for your records.
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Tentative Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | September |
| Last Date to Apply | October – November |
| Document Verification | November – December |
| Scholarship Disbursement | January – March |
(Dates may vary. Always check the NSP portal for the latest updates.)
🔄 Scholarship Renewal
The Pragati Scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years for degree courses and 3 years for diploma courses, depending on the duration of the program.
To continue receiving the scholarship each year, the student must:
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Pass every academic year on the first attempt.
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Maintain regular attendance and good conduct.
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Submit a renewal application via NSP.
🌟 Why the Pragati Scholarship Matters
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Encourages girls to pursue technical education, especially in fields like engineering, IT, and architecture.
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Provides financial freedom and reduces dependency on loans.
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Helps bridge the gender gap in STEM by empowering female students.
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Inspires confidence and independence in young women.
✅ Final Thoughts
The AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls is more than just financial aid — it’s a powerful tool of empowerment. If you’re a female student aiming to break barriers in technical education but face financial constraints, this scholarship can be your golden opportunity.
Apply early, prepare your documents carefully, and take one step closer to building a successful, self-reliant future in technology or engineering.