National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): Scholarship Component

The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) Scholarship Component has been launched by the Office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, running from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It aims to bolster India's handloom sector and improve the lives of handloom weavers. It particularly targets the children of these weavers, offering financial assistance of up to ₹2,00,000/- annually. This support covers tuition, admission, and examination fees at recognised textile institutions. Additionally, beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000/-. The scheme's primary objective is to empower weavers' families through education, ensuring the sustainable growth of the handloom industry, thus enhancing their socio-economic conditions and contributing to India's cultural heritage.

1. Financial Coverage: The scholarship covers tuition fees, admission fees, examination fees, and other annual fees/charges as required by the academic institution.1. Stipend: In addition to the academic fees, eligible candidates will receive a stipend of ₹5,000/- per month, subject to a maximum of ₹2,00,000/- per child per annum or actuals, whichever is less.1. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Funds will be directly transferred to the bank account of the concerned handloom weaver/worker or their children through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Payment Schedule

• The scholarship for the first year will be disbursed after the admission of the ward of handloom weavers/workers.
• Subsequent years' scholarships will be paid upon submission of the proposal, along with a copy of the mark sheet for the annual exam, and admission proof for the next academic session from the relevant institution.

1. The scholarship is for the children of handloom weavers/workers (up to 2 children).
2. This support is available for pursuing 3/4 years Diploma/Graduate/Post Graduate courses at Central/State Government recognized and funded Textiles Institutions.

Offline

Step 1: Filing Up the Application Form
In the prescribed format of the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across), attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest if required) and submit the same to the concerned WSC.
Step 2: Submission of Proposal by Concerned WSC
Also, the original documents should be verified/attested by the WSC. The Concerned WSC shall submit the complete proposal along with relevant documents in the prescribed format to the concerned Zonal Office within the stipulated time.
Step 3: Scrutiny by Concerned Zonal Office
The concerned Zonal Office shall scrutinise the proposal and send the requirement for funds, along with Annexure-F3 format and relevant details in the prescribed format, to the head office (Hqr.) within a month for sanction/release of funds by the District Collector (DC) (Handlooms).

Release of Funds

Funds shall be released to the concerned zonal office for onward transmission of the fund directly into the bank account of the concerned handloom weaver/worker or their children as a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Scholarship Disbursement

• The 1st-year scholarship shall be paid after the admission of the ward of handloom weavers/workers.
• In subsequent years, the scholarship shall be paid on the submission of the proposal along with a copy of the mark sheet for the passing out of the annual exam and admission proof of the next academic session from the institution concerned.