The Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala, has launched a much-needed initiative to support differently abled students in their educational pursuits. The Distance Education Scholarship 2025 offers up to ₹10,000 in financial aid to students with disabilities enrolled in degree and postgraduate courses through distance education, open universities, or private registration within Kerala.
This scholarship helps cover crucial academic expenses such as registration fees, course fees, tuition, examination charges, and study materials, ensuring that no deserving student is left behind due to financial limitations.
Key Highlights
• Scheme Name: Distance Education Scholarship – Disabled Students (2025)
• Launched by: Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala
• Applicable for: Differently abled students pursuing Degree/PG via distance, open university, or private registration (within Kerala)
• Financial Assistance: Up to ₹10,000/-
• Mode of Application: Online via SUNEETHI Portal
• Last Date: Application must be submitted within 3 months of course registration
Benefits
• Financial assistance of up to ₹10,000 per course
• Covers registration fee, course/tuition fee, exam fee, and cost of books/study materials
• Applicable throughout the course duration (renewable annually)
• Helps support education for students who are often overlooked due to the nature of distance or private studies
Only students who appear for exams regularly are eligible for further assistance in subsequent years.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this scholarship, the applicant must:
• Be a permanent resident of Kerala
• Be a differently abled person with a valid disability certificate
• Be pursuing a Degree or PG courses through Other pen University, Distance Education, or Private Registration from universities in Kerala
• Belong to a family with an annual income not exceeding ₹1,00,000
• Appear for exams every year to be considered for future disbursements
Students availing of any other Central or State Government financial aid are not eligible.
Application Process
Registration (Online via SUNEETHI Portal)
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Go to the SUNEETHI Online Service Portal.
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Click on “One-Time Registration”.
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Enter your Name, Mobile Number, Email ID, and verify via OTP.
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Complete your profile creation with personal, contact, identity, and bank details.
Login & Application
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Click on “Citizen Login”.
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Enter your mobile number and password.
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Update your profile (if needed), then click on “Apply Now” under the scholarship scheme.
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Fill in all required details and upload scanned documents.
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Submit the application form within 3 months of course registration.
Documents Required
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size photograph
• Disability Certificate / Disability ID Card
• Educational Certificates (latest)
• Proof of course registration (from current university)
• Parent’s Identity Document
• Income Certificate from a revenue officer
• Fee receipts: Registration, tuition, course materials, exam, etc. (countersigned by CDPO if required)
• Previous year exam attendance/mark sheet (for renewal applicants)
• Bank passbook (front page)
• Any other supporting documents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the “Distance Education Scholarship” Scheme?
Under the scheme, the scholarship is being provided for meeting the expenses of Registration fees, Course fees, Tuition fees, Exam fees, Purchase of books, and study materials to the differently abled students pursuing Degrees, and PG courses through Open Universities, distance education, or Private registration (Universities inside Kerala). - Which department has launched this scheme?
Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala - Who is eligible to get the benefits under the scheme?
The differently abled students pursuing Degrees, PG courses through Open universities, Distance education, or through Private registration (Universities inside Kerala) are eligible to apply for scholarships. - Is this scheme only for differently abled students?
Yes, only students with disability are eligible to apply under the scheme. - Is this scheme only for a resident of Kerala State?
Yes, the applicant should be a permanent resident of Kerala State. - Will the scholarship be given to all the differently abled students each year?
No, only those differently-abled students who are appearing for the exam each year will be eligible for further financial assistance. - What is the benefit of the scheme?
Under the scheme, a scholarship of ₹10,000/- is given to eligible students for meeting the expenses of Registration fees, Course fees, Tuition fees, Exam fees, Purchase of books, study materials, etc. - For which courses will the scholarship be given to the eligible students?
Grant of scholarship for pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses. - Are the students receiving financial assistance under any other scheme of the Central and State Governments eligible to apply?
No, those students receiving financial assistance under any other scheme of the Central and State Governments are not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme. - Is there any criterion for annual family income?
Yes, the annual family income of the student should not exceed ₹1,00,000/-. - How can an applicant apply under the scheme?
To avail of the benefits of the scheme, the applicant should visit the Official Portal- SUNEETHI- Online Service Application Portal. https://suneethi.sjd.kerala.gov.in - In how many days should the applicant submit the application form?
The application form should be submitted within 3 months of registration for the course.