FESMWPNIE

Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events

6.4/10

The Free Education for Sports Medal Winners / Participants of National/International Events scheme provides crucial financial support to elite sports persons who have won medals or participated in recognized international sporting events. This initiative, introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC), aims to assist these athletes in pursuing full-time regular courses at universities and colleges across India. Eligible individuals can receive coverage for tuition fees, hostel facilities, and allowances for special courses abroad. The financial assistance varies based on the level of education, with provisions for bachelor's, postgraduate, and doctoral studies, as well as professional courses. Additionally, participants are entitled to a yearly kit allowance. The scheme is designed to motivate sports persons to excel in both their academic and athletic endeavors, ensuring they have the resources necessary to succeed in their studies while continuing to pursue their sporting careers.

Central Cash

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Education

Nodal department: Department Of Higher Education

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

Categories: Education & Learning, Sports & Culture

Sub-categories: Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend, Sports

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Sports, Education

Details

The scheme "Free Education for Sports Medal Winners / Participants of National/ International Events", introduced by the University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education, aims to assist medal-winning sportspersons pursuing higher education and motivate them to achieve excellence in sports and academics. Applicable to national medalists and international participants, it ensures their holistic development.

Benefits

  • Medals at Olympics
  • World Championship (more than 20 countries) Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil: ₹7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses ( ): ₹7500/- per month + Actual. Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms Kit: ₹15000 per annum Participations at Olympics
  • World Championship (more than 20 countries); Medal at Common Wealth Asian
  • Afro-Asian Games Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil: ₹7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses ( ): ₹7500/- per month + Actual. Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms Kit: ₹15000 per annum Participation at World Championship (less than 20 countries)
  • CommonWealth Asian and Afro-Asian
  • Games; Medal at Asian Championship (excluding Asian games) Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil: ₹7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses ( ): ₹7500/- per month + Actual. Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms Kit: ₹10000 per annum Participation at Asian Championship
  • World university games; Medal at SAF Games Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil:₹7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses ( ): ₹7500/- per month + Actual. Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms Kit: ₹7500 per annum Participation at SAF Games; Medal at National level Competitions Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: 75% of Actual; PG: 75% of Actual; Diploma: 75% of Actual; PG Degree: 75% of Actual; M. Phil: ₹5000/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: Rs. 7500/- per month + Actual; MBA or other professional courses ( ): ₹. 5000/- per month + Actual. Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms Kit: ₹6000 per annum (i) The pattern of assistance will be as per the chart mentioned above depending upon the level of performance of the concerned sportsperson. (ii) The financial assistance depending upon the eligibility will be reimbursed by the UGC to the university concerned. The university will be responsible for submitting all relevant documents as per the guidelines and the proformas of the scheme. (iii) For the loss of the classes of the concerned sports persons because of their engagement in sporting activity the university concerned will make special efforts in terms of completion of syllabus and attendance

Medals at Olympics, World Championship (more than 20 countries)
Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil: ₹ 7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses (*): ₹ 7500/- per month + Actual.
Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual
Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms
Kit: ₹ 15000 per annum

Participations at Olympics, World Championship (more than 20 countries); Medal at Common Wealth, Asian, Afro-Asian Games
Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil: ₹ 7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses (*): ₹ 7500/- per month + Actual.
Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual
Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms
Kit: ₹15000 per annum

Participation at World Championship (less than 20 countries), CommonWealth, Asian, and Afro-Asian, Games; Medal at Asian Championship (excluding Asian games)
Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil: ₹7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses (*): ₹ 7500/- per month + Actual.
Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual
Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms
Kit: ₹ 10000 per annum

Participation at Asian Championship, World university games; Medal at SAF Games
Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: Actual; PG: Actual; Diploma: Actual; PG Degree: Actual; M. Phil:₹7500/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: As per with JRF scale (UGC); MBA or other professional courses (*): ₹ 7500/- per month + Actual.
Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual
Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms
Kit: ₹7500 per annum

Participation at SAF Games; Medal at National level Competitions
Tuition Fee and Other Funds: Bachelor's degree: 75% of Actual; PG: 75% of Actual; Diploma: 75% of Actual; PG Degree: 75% of Actual; M. Phil: ₹ 5000/- per month + Actual; Ph.D.: Rs. 7500/- per month + Actual; MBA or other professional courses (): ₹. 5000/- per month + Actual.
Hostel Facilities (Boarding and Lodging): Actual
Allowances for special courses abroad: As per Govt of India’s norms
Kit:* ₹ 6000 per annum

(i) The pattern of assistance will be as per the chart mentioned above depending upon the level of performance of the concerned sportsperson.
(ii) The financial assistance depending upon the eligibility will be reimbursed by the UGC to the university concerned. The university will be responsible for submitting all relevant documents as per the guidelines and the proformas of the scheme.
(iii) For the loss of the classes of the concerned sports persons because of their engagement in sporting activity, the university concerned will make special efforts in terms of completion of syllabus and attendance.

Eligibility

(i) The Scholarship will be provided to the Medal winners of National games and participants in recognized international sporting events recognized by the World University Service, International Olympic Committee, and Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) who have taken admitted to the Universities/Colleges/Institutions as indicated below:

  • Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under sections 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956.
  • Deemed to be Universities under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 which are eligible to receive grants
  • in aid from UGC.
  • Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/ State Govt.
  • Institutes of National Importance.

(ii) In the subsequent years this scholarship shall depend on their subsequent sports performance.

Exclusions

CANCELLATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
UGC may terminate the scholarship of any student in the case of the:
(i) Misconduct of the candidate, if any, reported by the University/College/Institution.
(ii) Unsatisfactory progress report i.e. if the candidate frequently fails in his/her examination will not be given further assistance.
(iii) The scholarship may be terminated by the Commission, on the recommendation of the University at anytime during the tenure and the decision of the Commission will be final and binding.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.4
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 6.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 5.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 3.0/10 Good
Financial impact 6.0/10 Moderate
Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 7.0/10 Good
Awareness 7.0/10 Good
Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility6.0
  • Financial impact6.0
  • Rural utility5.0
  • Awareness7.0
  • Simplicity7.0
  • Inclusivity7.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme provides essential financial support for elite sports persons pursuing higher education, promoting both academic and athletic excellence.

Key challenges addressed

  • Financial assistance for education of sports medal winners
  • Encouragement for athletes to pursue higher education

Most beneficial for

  • Medal-winning athletes
  • Students in higher education

Likely challenges

  • Complex application process for first-time applicants
  • Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for eligible candidates but may face hurdles in rural areas

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access
  • Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

  • Full digital dependency may exclude some potential beneficiaries

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Verification delays from institutions

Awareness challenges

  • Low awareness among rural athletes

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Moderate, requires proof of eligibility
Verification complexity
Moderate, involves institutional verification
Office dependency
Low, primarily online
DBT dependency
Yes, disbursed through DBT
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate effort required to complete application

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Inclusive
  • Target income group Low to middle-income groups
  • Occupation reach Students, athletes

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Cash
Benefit frequency
Annual
Benefit practicality
High, as it covers tuition and living expenses
Financial meaningfulness
High, as it significantly reduces educational costs
Long-term impact
Positive, encourages dual focus on education and sports

Plain-language guidance

This scheme helps medal-winning athletes pay for their education. If you have won a medal in recognized events, you can apply for financial support.

Who should apply
Medal winners and participants in national or international sports events
Who may struggle
First-time applicants and those unfamiliar with online processes
Best application route
Apply directly through the online portal with required documents

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

Step 1: Download the prescribed application form (Refer Page No. 5 ).
Step 2: Fill in the application form with accurate details.
Step 3: Attach a certificate of participation or medal-winning as proof of eligibility, attested by the Registrar or Principal of your institution.
Step 4: Verify the form and attached documents for completeness and accuracy.
Step 5: Submit the completed application form and required documents to the designated authority.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

Is There A List Of Documents That Are To Be Submitted By The Candidate Through The University/College?

Yes, the list of documents is given below - 1. The candidate is required to submit an application in the prescribed format for availing of the scholarship. 2. A Certificate of the participation/medal winner as per the eligibility mentioned above as proof (Attested By Registrar/Principal).

Is There A List Of Documents That Are To Be Submitted By The Concerned University/College/Institution To The UGC?

Yes, every year University/Institution will submit a complete statement of the following: 1. Statement giving the names of the students selected for the scholarship along with their receipt of the scholarship amount. 2. Progress Report to be submitted after the completion of the first year in terms of sports performance and academics. 3. Utilization certificate for the previous grant released. 4. A certificate giving justification for the continuance of the scholarship issued by the Director/Head of the Department duly forwarded by the Registrar/Principal.

Can The Applications Also Be Submitted Offline?

No, the candidate is required to submit an application through an online portal i.e. http://www.ugc.ac.in/page/XII-PlanGuidelines.aspx for availing of the scholarship.

How Will The Amount Of Financial Assistance Be Disbursed?

The amount will be reimbursed by UGC through DBT mode.

Can Incomplete Applications Be Considered?

No, incomplete applications will not be considered.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For This Scheme?

(i) The Scholarship will be provided to the Medal winners of National games and participants in recognized international sporting events recognized by the World University Service, International Olympic Committee, and Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) who have taken admitted to the Universities/Colleges/Institutions as indicated below: Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under sections 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956. Deemed to be Universities under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 which are eligible to receive grants in aid from UGC. Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/ State Govt. Institutes of National Importance. (ii) In the subsequent years this scholarship shall depend on their subsequent sports performance.

Is There An Age Criterion For This Scheme?

No, There is no Age Criterion For This Scheme.

What Are The Objectives Of This Scheme?
  1. The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the medal winners\ elite sports persons who are studying in Universities/Colleges leading to all the full-time regular courses including PG Diploma and other professional courses. 2. To motivate the sports persons to achieve higher levels of performance by assisting them financially in relation to education and sports development. The scheme would be applicable to sportspersons who are medal winners in national games or participants in recognized international sporting events.
Can The Student Who Is Awarded The Above Scheme Be Debarred From Accepting Any Other Scholarships?

No, the student who is awarded the above scheme will not be debarred from accepting any other scholarships from any other source/funding agency.

What Are The Consequences If The Student Decides To Discontinue The Studies Without Prior Approval Of The UGC?

Any student who discontinues the studies without prior approval of the UGC will be asked to refund the amount disbursed as a fellowship.

In What Case Can The UGC Terminate The Scholarship?

UGC may terminate the scholarship of any student in the case of - a) Misconduct of the awardees, if any, reported by the University/College/Institution. b) Unsatisfactory progress report i.e. if the candidate frequently fails in his/her examination will not be given further assistance as mentioned above. c) The scholarship may be terminated by the Commission, on the recommendation of the university at any time during the tenure and the decision of the commission will be final and binding.

References

Guidelines
https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/xiiplanpdf/medal-winners-guidelines.pdf

Apply

Apply now

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Eligibility for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Benefits under Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events is managed by Department Of Higher Education and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Applications for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events.
Is Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events a central government scheme?
Yes, Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Free Education For Sports Medal Winners / Participants Of National/ International Events applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.