Policy Insight
Khushi
Introduction
For a country as young and diverse as India, education is more than just a classroom affair, it’s a lifeline. It’s what can make the difference between a life of struggle and a life of dignity. But what happens when that opportunity is snatched away by something no child should have to endure? The loss of a parent in the line of duty. Or abandonment. Or the death of a primary breadwinner during a pandemic.
That’s where the AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme steps in as a quiet yet powerful initiative by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to support students who have lost so much, but still carry the spark to pursue technical education. It isn’t just about financial aid. It’s about giving these students a chance to dream again, and to back that dream with real support.
Functioning
The Swanath Scholarship is thoughtfully designed for students who often fall through the cracks, orphans, wards of armed forces personnel martyred in service, and students who lost one or both parents to COVID-19. Eligible students receive a ₹50,000 annual scholarship for every year of their degree or diploma course, helping to ease the financial pressure of pursuing technical education.
Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which makes the process accessible and paperless. Once registered, students upload documents such as proof of eligibility, income certificates, and educational records. After verification, the scholarship amount is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account, removing middlemen and reducing delays.
Swanath distinguishes itself by placing compassion at the heart of its purpose, rather than fostering competition. It doesn’t rely on merit lists or high exam scores. Instead, it focuses on ensuring that personal tragedy doesn’t result in educational disruption. Institutions also play a proactive role by guiding students through the application process and raising awareness among eligible candidates.
Over time, AICTE has improved coordination between colleges, students, and the portal to streamline disbursals and minimize errors. The scheme also supports a wide range of AICTE-approved programs, from engineering to management and pharmacy, ensuring that every eligible student has a chance to continue their journey with dignity and hope.
Performance
Though not heavily publicised, the Swanath Scholarship has steadily found its way to deserving students. Since its inception, the scheme has benefitted over 8,000 students across AICTE-approved institutions in India. In the academic year 2022–23 alone, more than 2,000 fresh applicants were awarded the scholarship, along with renewals for continuing students, showing consistent year-on-year engagement.
The scheme has gradually fostered a quiet ecosystem of inclusion, bringing support to those who need it most. Institutes are becoming more proactive in identifying eligible students and guiding them through the application process. AICTE has also launched awareness drives and issued circulars to ensure colleges spread the word effectively, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities where digital outreach can be limited. And because Swanath is completely digital, there’s far less room for middlemen or paperwork bottlenecks, ensuring faster, cleaner implementation.
The scheme saw a notable surge in applications during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2022, the number of applications nearly doubled, reflecting how urgently such compassionate, targeted interventions were needed. For many students, particularly those from rural or under-resourced backgrounds, it was the Swanath scholarship that made staying in college not just possible, but sustainable.
Impact
The impact of the Swanath Scholarship goes far beyond the ₹50,000 figure on paper. For students who’ve lost family members or been abandoned, just staying enrolled in a technical course, engineering, pharmacy, management, IT, is often an uphill battle.
With Swanath, that burden lightens. Students are able to afford tuition fees, buy learning materials, travel to college, or simply reduce their dependence on unstable sources of income. It means fewer dropouts. More graduates. And more young professionals entering India’s skilled workforce.
There’s also a deeper, emotional layer here. Many of these beneficiaries are young women or students from marginalised backgrounds who were on the verge of giving up. A scholarship like Swanath doesn’t just support their education, it validates their strength. It tells them they’re seen, and they matter.
And this, over time, changes how families view education in difficult circumstances. It strengthens the belief that despite loss or hardship, education remains a worthy, accessible goal. That’s the kind of transformation that can ripple through generations.
Emerging Issues
Despite its strengths, the scheme still faces a few challenges. One recurring issue is low awareness. Many eligible students, especially from rural or economically weaker sections, simply don’t know the scheme exists. By the time they learn about it, the deadlines have passed or the documents are hard to gather.
Another concern is the verification process, which, though digital, sometimes gets bogged down in technicalities, mismatched details, missing documents, or lack of institutional support. For students already juggling emotional and financial stress, this can be overwhelming.
Moreover, the scholarship only covers ₹50,000 per year, which may not be enough in many private institutions where fees are significantly higher. There’s also room to consider expanding the scope of the scheme, perhaps by offering mentorship, internships, or job-readiness training alongside financial aid, so the support continues beyond the classroom.
Way Forward
To truly fulfil its promise, the Swanath Scholarship now needs wider awareness and deeper outreach. Many eligible students, especially in remote areas, still slip through the cracks simply because they don’t know it exists. Institutions can play a stronger role by guiding such students through the process and offering continued support beyond the scholarship. With simpler application steps, better communication, and more human involvement, Swanath can evolve from a quiet support scheme into a stronger symbol of educational compassion.
References
All India Council for Technical Education. (n.d.). AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from 404 page | All India Council for Technical Education
National Scholarship Portal. (2024). Scholarship statistics – Academic year 2022–23. Government of India. Retrieved from NSP : National Scholarship Portal
Press Information Bureau. (2023, May 12). AICTE’s Swanath Scholarship brings hope to over 8,000 students. Ministry of Education, Government of India.
UNESCO India. (2023). Supporting higher education equity through targeted scholarship schemes. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/targeted-scholarships-higher-education-india
About the Contributor
Khushi is currently pursuing her third year of B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She is affiliated with IMPRI as a Research Intern, with a keen interest in public policy, education, and development economics.
Acknowledgment
The author extends sincere gratitude to Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout the research process.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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