Introduction to Pragati Scholarship Scheme
Women have always played a vital role in building society, but their representation in technical fields like engineering, IT, and applied sciences remains disproportionately low in India. To address this disparity and promote technical education among girls, the Government of India launched the Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (Technical Degree).
This forward-thinking initiative aims to encourage girls to pursue technical degrees by providing them financial assistance and empowering them to break stereotypes and succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
What Is the Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students?
The Pragati Scholarship Scheme is a scholarship program designed to provide financial aid to girl students pursuing technical education, particularly at the undergraduate level. It supports their education by covering tuition fees, study materials, and other essential costs, promoting higher participation of girls in technical streams.
The core goal of the scheme is to reduce financial barriers and ensure that talented young women have the opportunity to study and excel in technical fields, thereby contributing to India’s development as a tech-savvy nation.
Primary Objectives of Pragati Scholarship
1. Encourage Technical Education for Girls
To motivate girl students to pursue engineering, technology, and other professional technical courses.
2. Reduce Gender Gap in STEM
Address the under-representation of women in engineering and technology by supporting their education financially.
3. Reduce Financial Barriers
Provide scholarship support to economically weaker families to prevent dropouts due to high technical education costs.
4. Promote Women Empowerment and Career Development
Empowering girls with a technical degree helps them pursue stable and high-paying careers, contributing to economic independence.
Who Is Eligible for Pragati Scholarship?
Eligible Beneficiaries
- Girl students admitted to the first year of a technical degree course (Engineering, Technology, etc.)
- Studying in recognized institutions or universities
- Indian Citizens
- Annual family income must not exceed ₹8 lakh
- Should not have availed any other central government scholarship for the same purpose
Key Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Admission Certificate in a recognized technical institution
- Income Certificate
- Bank Account linked with Aadhaar
- Identity and academic documents (marksheets, school leaving certificate)
How Does the Pragati Scholarship Work?
Step 1 – Online Application
Eligible candidates apply through the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by filling out the online application form and uploading relevant documents.
Step 2 – Document Verification
Applications are verified by the institution, district administration, and state authorities to ensure eligibility.
Step 3 – Scholarship Sanction
After verification, the scholarship amount is sanctioned and transferred directly to the student’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Step 4 – Academic Monitoring
Ongoing academic progress is monitored to ensure the student is continuing her studies and maintaining performance.
Key Benefits of the Pragati Scholarship
Financial Support for Technical Education
An annual scholarship amount of up to ₹50,000 is provided to cover tuition fees, books, and study materials.
Empowering Women in STEM Fields
Encourages girls to pursue careers in technology, engineering, and applied sciences, helping bridge the gender gap.
Promoting Social Upliftment
Provides economic relief to families, particularly in economically weaker sections, allowing girls to continue higher education.
Improving Employment Opportunities
Technical education opens doors for high-demand jobs in engineering, IT, and manufacturing sectors, improving financial independence.
Challenges and Limitations
Awareness and Accessibility
Many eligible students remain unaware of the scheme or face difficulties in applying online due to lack of digital literacy.
Documentation Hurdles
Obtaining and uploading proper income certificates, admission proofs, and identity documents can be a challenge.
Limited Financial Coverage
The fixed annual amount might not be sufficient for expensive private institutions or specialized technical courses.
Success Stories
Riya’s Journey Towards Technical Success
Riya, from Maharashtra, always dreamed of becoming an engineer but her family struggled to afford tuition fees. She applied for the Pragati Scholarship and received ₹50,000 annually, covering most of her college expenses. Today, Riya is a successful software engineer, inspiring many other girls in her village to pursue technical education.
Comparison with Other Educational Schemes
Savitribai Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child
While the Savitribai Phule Fellowship focuses on girls from single-child families across various streams, Pragati Scholarship specifically targets girls in technical fields, promoting STEM education.
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
The Central Sector Scheme provides merit-based scholarships to all students, while Pragati Scholarship specifically focuses on girl students pursuing technical degrees.
Future Prospects of the Pragati Scholarship
Towards Gender Parity in STEM
The government plans to further promote STEM education among girls, contributing to gender equality in technical fields.
Integration with Skill Development
Linking the scholarship with technical skill-building programs to enhance employability after graduation.
Digital Application Process
Simplifying the process through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) ensures better accessibility, especially for rural students.
Encouraging Private Institution Participation
Plans are underway to include private technical institutions to broaden the reach and benefit more girls.
How to Track Your Pragati Scholarship Application Status?
Students can track the status by visiting the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and entering their Aadhaar number or application ID. Regular SMS and email updates help keep students informed.
Conclusion
The Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (Technical Degree) is a powerful initiative to promote women’s participation in technical education. By removing financial barriers and promoting gender equality, the scheme plays a crucial role in empowering girls, reducing dropout rates, and building a strong talent pool in STEM fields.
This isn’t just a scholarship – it’s a step toward an inclusive, equitable, and progressive India where every girl has the opportunity to dream big, study hard, and contribute to the nation’s technological advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1 – Who is eligible for the Pragati Scholarship Scheme?
Girl students admitted to the first year of a technical degree course, with family income not exceeding ₹8 lakh annually.
Q2 – What is the annual scholarship amount?
Up to ₹50,000 per year, depending on the course and institution.
Q3 – How can I apply for the Pragati Scholarship?
Applications are submitted online via the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Q4 – Is the scholarship transferred directly to the student’s account?
Yes, through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Q5 – How can I check the status of my application?
Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and track using your Aadhaar or application ID.