SMILE Transgender Scholarship Scheme 2026: ₹13,500 Annual Scholarship, Eligibility & Application

At a glance

About the scheme

The SMILE Transgender Scholarship is a central government initiative implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons scheme. It supports transgender students enrolled in secondary school (Classes 9 and 10), senior secondary school (Classes 11 and 12), and technical or vocational courses such as ITIs and polytechnics. Recognising the financial, psychological, and social barriers faced by the transgender community, the scholarship helps learners attain formal education and livelihood readiness without dropping out.

Benefits

• A one-time grant of ₹13,500 is awarded once every academic year as pre-matric or post-matric assistance.
• Financial assistance covers education in government, recognised private schools, colleges, residential institutes, ITIs, ITCs, and polytechnics.
• Recipients can also accept free boarding, lodging, or ad-hoc grants for stationery and books from other sources alongside this scholarship.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must be an Indian national holding a valid Transgender Certificate issued via the National Portal for Transgender Persons.
• Must be a regular, full-time student in Class 9 or 10 (Secondary), Class 11 or 12 (Senior Secondary), or enrolled in an NCVT-affiliated ITI, ITC, or polytechnic course lasting at least one year.
• The institution must be a government school or recognised by a central or state education board.
• Must not be receiving any other pre-matric or post-matric scholarship funded by the central or state government.
• Scholarship is offered for one academic year per class; repeating students are not supported for the repeated year.
• Selection is determined by merit using total marks achieved in the previous academic year, with preference given to post-matric applicants and older candidates in case of a tie.

Who cannot apply

• Students pursuing certificate courses are not covered under the scheme.
• Any technical or vocational training programme of less than one-year duration is excluded.
• Students already receiving another central or state government-funded pre-matric or post-matric scholarship are barred from receiving payments.
• Students repeating the same class are not eligible for a second year of funding.

Documents required

• Self-attested passport-size photograph of the student.
• Transgender Identity Certificate issued through the National Portal for Transgender Persons.
• Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card.
• Mark sheet of the previous academic year attested by the educational institution.
• Institute verification form duly attested by the head of the school, college, or institute.
• Declaration by parents or guardians confirming the ward does not hold any other government education scholarship.
• Aadhaar-linked bank account details matching the name on the Transgender Certificate.
• Transfer Certificate from the previous institution, if migrating between schools.

How to apply

1. 1Open the official National Portal for Transgender Persons at transgender.dosje.gov.in.
2. 2Obtain your Transgender Certificate and ID card via the registration portal if you do not already possess one.
3. 3Click on Registration on the portal and use the credentials sent to your registered email to log in.
4. 4Go to the Dashboard, select the Scholarship option, and choose your educational level to generate your application number.
5. 5Complete the master application form with personal profile, academic background, course details, and bank account details.
6. 6Upload the Transgender Certificate, marksheet, institute verification, parent declaration, student photograph, and signatures.
7. 7Review the entered information, complete the undertaking, and submit your application online.

Frequently asked questions