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MA-MAHA

Merit Awards

In the "Merit Awards" scheme, awards are given to the students with disability who rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd among disabled students in the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) in their respective divisional boards of education.

State Cash

States / UT: Maharashtra

Nodal department: Social Justice and Special Assistance Department

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

Categories: Social welfare & Empowerment, Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Financial assistance, Citizen empowerment, Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Education, Award, Student With Disability, School

Details

The "Merit Awards" is a scheme by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Govt. of Maharashtra. In this scheme, awards are given to the students with disability who rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd among disabled students in the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) in their respective divisional boards of education. Only citizens who are permanent residents of the state of Maharashtra are eligible to apply for this scheme. This scheme is 100% funded by the Govt. of Maharashtra.

Benefits

  • [ [ { "children": [ { "text": "The quantum of the award is ₹1 000/- cash amount certificate. " } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "The beneficiary is also provided travel expenses to attend the place of the award and felicitation up to an amount ₹100/- per student." } ] } ] ]

The quantum of the award is ₹1,000/- cash amount, certificate.

The beneficiary is also provided travel expenses to attend the place of the award, and felicitation up to an amount ₹100/- per student.

Eligibility

  • The applicant should be a citizen of India.
  • The applicant should be a permanent resident of Maharashtra State.
  • The applicant should be a Person with Disability (Visually Handicapped, Low Vision, Hearing Impaired, Orthopedically Handicapped, etc).
  • The applicant should have ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd among disabled students in the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) in their respective divisional boards of education.

Application Process

Offline

Step 1: Visit the District Social Welfare Office, and request a hard copy of the format of the application form for the scheme from the concerned authority.

Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across), and attach all the (self-attested) mandatory documents.

Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Regional Deputy Commissioner, District Social Welfare Office.

Step 4: Acquire the receipt/acknowledgment of the successful submission of the application form from the District Social Welfare Office.

Clarifications

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

How Much Shall Be The Quantum Of The Award?
The quantum of the award is ₹1,000/- cash amount and a certificate.
How Much Of Travel Expense Is Provided To Attend The Place Of The Award?
The beneficiary is also provided travel expenses to attend the place of the award, and felicitation up to an amount ₹100/- per student.
What Are The Objectives Of This Scheme?
The objective of this scheme is to award the students with disability who rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd among disabled students in the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) in their respective divisional boards of education.
What Is The Maximum Amount Of Financial Assistance That One Can Receive Through This Scheme?
The maximum amount of financial assistance that one can receive through this scheme is ₹1,000/- along with a certificate.
Who Are The Target Beneficiaries Of This Scheme?
The target beneficiaries of this scheme are Students with Disabilities (SwDs) who rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd among disabled students in the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) in their respective divisional boards of education.
Are There Any Eligibility Criteria Regarding The Percentage Of Disability Of The Applicant?
Yes, the percentage of disability of the applicant should be 40% and above.
Are Orthopedically Handicapped Persons Also Covered In This Scheme?
Yes, this scheme also covers Orthopedically Handicapped Persons.
Is The Residential Certificate / Domicile Certificate Of The State Of Maharashtra, A Mandatory Document For This Scheme?
Yes, the Residential Certificate / Domicile Certificate of the State of Maharashtra is a mandatory document for this scheme.
Can I Reapply To This Scheme If I Am Already Availing The Benefits Of This Scheme?
No, you can not reapply to this scheme if you already have availed of its benefits.
What Is The Full Form Of SJSA?
The full form of SJSA is "Social Justice & Special Assistance".
Is This A State Funded Or A Centrally Funded Scheme?
This is a 100% State Funded scheme.
Is There Any Application Fee?
No, the entire application process is entirely free of cost.
Is There Any Compensation For The Delay In The Disbursal Of The Scheme Benefits?
No, there is no such mention in the scheme guidelines.
How Do I Know If A Field In The Application Form Is Mandatory?
The mandatory fields have an asterisk (*) mark at the end.
Can Applicants From The Neighboring States Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Etc Also Apply To This Scheme?
No, only the citizens who are permanent residents of the state of Maharashtra are eligible to apply.
Where Can I Find The URL To The Website Of The Dept. Of Social Justice & Special Assistance?
The URL to the official website of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra is - https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/
Where Can I Find The Link To The Scheme Guidelines?
The Scheme Guidelines can be found at this link - https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/scheme-category/disability-welfare
What Is The Address Of The Department Of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government Of Maharashtra?
The address of the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra is: 437, Shankar Sheth Rd, Police Colony, Swargate, Pune, Maharashtra 411042
Where Can I Find The Addresses Of The District Social Welfare Offices?
The addresses of the District Social Welfare Offices can be found at - https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/contacts
Where Can I Post My Grievances Related To This Scheme?
You can post your grievances at the Grievance Redressal Portal by the Govt. of Maharashtra: https://grievances.maharashtra.gov.in/en
Is There An Income-Related Criterion For This Scheme?
No, there is no income-related criterion for this scheme.
Where Can I Find The Format Of The Application Form? Is It Available Online?
You need to visit the District Social Welfare Office and request a hard copy of the format of the application form for the scheme from the concerned authority.

References

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Documents Required for Government Schemes

Most government schemes require basic documents for verification. While the exact requirements vary, common documents include:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
  • Residence Proof
  • Bank Account Details
  • Educational Certificates (for student schemes)

How to Apply for Government Schemes?

The application process for government schemes may be online or offline depending on the scheme. In most cases, you can follow these steps:

  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Collect required documents
  3. Fill the application form
  4. Submit the application online or at the relevant office
  5. Track application status