Rajasthan Government Scholarship for Girls in Distance Education 2025–26

Education is a cornerstone for social progress and women empowerment. Recognizing the transformative potential of education, the Government of Rajasthan has initiated the “Distance Education Scheme for Girls – 2022”, continuing through 2025–26, aimed at providing higher education opportunities to girls who face barriers in attending regular on-campus courses. Open and Distance Learning (ODL) offers flexibility to overcome geographical, social, or personal constraints, enabling girls from remote areas, rural backgrounds, or those bound by family obligations to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses. By promoting higher education through distance learning, the scheme aims to improve the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER), enhance Gender Parity Index (GPI), and ultimately contribute to the holistic empowerment of women across Rajasthan.

The scheme was announced in the Budget 2022 with an allocation of fifteen crores . The scheme is fully implemented and monitored by the Higher Education Department, Government of Rajasthan, with the approval of the Finance Department.

Key Dates (2025–26)

Objectives of the Scheme

The Distance Education Scheme for Girls 2025–26 is designed to address multiple challenges faced by female students pursuing higher education. Its primary objectives are:

1. Financial Support for Girls: To reimburse course fees for girls enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses under distance education mode in state-funded universities and government institutions.
2. Enhancing Access to Education: To provide educational opportunities for girls who are unable to attend regular college classes due to geographical, social, or personal constraints.
3. Promoting Gender Equality: To improve the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for women in higher education and ensure gender balance through the Gender Parity Index (GPI).
4. Encouraging Merit and Excellence: To reward outstanding girl students with incentives and prizes, fostering academic excellence.
5. Socio-Economic Empowerment: By making higher education financially accessible, the scheme aims to empower women socially, economically, and academically.

Target Group

The scheme specifically targets:

1. Girl Students of Rajasthan: Only girls who are permanent residents of Rajasthan are eligible.
2. Distance Education Candidates: Students enrolled in courses under distance education mode, including ODL programs, in state-funded universities or state government institutions, including IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University).
3. Eligible Universities/Institutions: Only universities recognized under Section 2(f) & 12(B) of the UGC Act and state government institutions are included under this scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

To avail the benefits of the scheme, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

1. Gender: Applicant must be a female student.
2. Residency: Must be a native of Rajasthan.
3. Enrollment: Must be enrolled in UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, or PG Diploma courses under distance education mode.
4. Institution: Must be studying in a state-funded university or government institution in Rajasthan, including IGNOU.
5. Other Scholarship Benefits: Students who are availing other state government fee reimbursement schemes will not be eligible under this scheme for the same period. However, they will receive reimbursement for the difference between the existing scholarship and the fee under this scheme.
6. Incentives/Prize Holders: Students already receiving prizes or incentives for academic excellence are not excluded from applying.
7. Social Justice Scheme Candidates: Students eligible for Post-Matric or other Social Justice Department schemes will get reimbursement under the existing process; such students are not eligible under DE-HE portal category.

Key Features of the Scheme

1. Full Fee Reimbursement: The scheme covers tuition fees for the entire course duration for UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate programs. No other grants or additional financial assistance are provided.
2. Annual Fee Disbursement: Fees are reimbursed on an annual basis through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) upon verification of the candidate’s academic performance.
3. Support for Various Courses: Priority is given in the following order: PG > UG > Diploma > Certificate courses.
4. Verification by University: The candidate’s university or institution must verify the online application before fee reimbursement is processed.
5. Merit-Based Incentives: Girls who excel in their studies are eligible for additional prizes and incentives.
6. Duration: Fee reimbursement is applicable from the date of joining the course as certified by the university or institution.

Scholarship Amount

The scheme provides full tuition fee reimbursement for the entire course duration under distance education mode. This includes:

• Undergraduate (UG) Courses
• Postgraduate (PG) Courses
• Diploma Courses
• Certificate Courses
• PG Diploma Courses

Important Notes:

• No additional grants or allowances are given under this scheme.
• The reimbursement is subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• Students failing to get promoted to the next level will forfeit their eligibility for further fee reimbursement.

Reservation Policy

The scheme does not specifically mention caste-based or category-based reservations, as it is gender-targeted, focusing exclusively on girls. However, allocation and fund distribution are guided by course type and academic performance, with priority for PG courses over UG, diploma, and certificate courses.

• PG Courses: Highest priority
• UG Courses: Second priority
• Diploma Courses: Third priority
• Certificate Courses: Fourth priority

Distribution of Scholarships / Seats

The total seats for reimbursement for the 2025–26 academic year are based on the fund allocation and course type. Approximately 36,300 scholarships are available, distributed as follows:

Fund Allocation Guidelines:

• 30% of total funds per year are reserved for new UG students.
• Reimbursement for PG, Diploma, and Certificate courses is based on fund availability.

Application Process (Step by Step)

The application process for the Distance Education Scheme for Girls 2025–26 is fully online through the Rajasthan Higher Education Department portal and CSCs.

Step 1: Registration

1. Visit the official Higher Education Department portal.
2. Click on the “Register” option.
3. Choose the registration method: Jan Aadhaar or Google.

Jan Aadhaar Registration:

• Enter the Jan Aadhaar number and click Next.
• Select your name, head of family, and family members.
• Click Send OTP, enter the OTP, and click Verify.

Google Registration:

• Enter Gmail ID and password.
• A new SSO link appears; create a password and enter mobile number.

Step 2: Login

• Log in using your SSO ID.
• Dashboard will appear; select the DE-HE category.
• Click Continue to RajSSP.

Step 3: Application Submission

1. Click Apply for Scheme.
2. Select SCHOLARSHIP (SJE) from the list of schemes.
3. Fill in all relevant details, including:
   • Personal information
   • Course and institution details
   • Bank account details
   • Educational qualifications
4. Upload required documents (see list below).
5. Submit the application.

Step 4: Verification

• The host university or institution verifies the online application.
• Only verified applications are processed for fee reimbursement.

Step 5: Fee Reimbursement

• After verification, the student’s fees are reimbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Reimbursement starts from the date of joining the course.
• Renewal for subsequent years depends on satisfactory academic performance.

Step 6: Renewal Process

• Submit renewal application through the same portal after the academic year ends.
• Students failing to get promoted or changing courses forfeit future reimbursement.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Identity Proof
2. Educational Qualification Certificates
3. Jan Aadhaar Card
4. Proof of Admission (Admission Letter)
5. Fee Receipt
6. Bank Account Details
7. Passport-Sized Photograph
8. Income Certificate
9. Caste Certificate (if applicable)
10. Domicile Certificate/Proof of Residence in Rajasthan
11. Non-Judicial Stamp of ₹100 (confirming no other scholarship from another department)
12. Any Other Document as required by the university/department

Important Guidelines

1. Eligibility Verification: The department holds the final authority to verify eligibility.
2. Satisfactory Academic Performance: Only students meeting academic requirements will receive continued reimbursement.
3. No Course Changes Allowed: Changing the course after joining will lead to forfeiture of fees reimbursed.
4. Fund Allocation: Reimbursement depends on available funds and verified seat allocation.
5. Authority: The ACS / Principal Secretary / Secretary, Department of Higher Education is the final authority for interpretation of rules.