SMILE - Comprehensive Rehabilitation For Welfare Of Transgender Persons
SMILE provides scholarships of ₹13,500 annually to transgender students in secondary and senior secondary education.
Benefits
Beneficiaries receive a scholarship of ₹13,500 each year to support their educational expenses. This financial aid aims to reduce dropout rates and encourage further studies.
Who can apply
- For: student
- not income tax payer
- no government employee in family
- poor household
Eligible applicants must be transgender students enrolled in secondary or senior secondary education. They should not be income tax payers, have no government employees in their family, and come from poor households.
How to apply
Interested candidates can apply through the designated online portal or relevant government offices.
- Obtain a Transgender Identity Certificate from the National Portal for Transgender persons.
- Gather required documents including a self-attested photograph and previous academic mark sheet.
- Ensure no other government scholarship is being received.
- Visit the official application portal or local government office to submit the application.
- Complete the application form and attach all necessary documents.
- Wait for the selection list to be published on the portal.
Documents required
- Self-attested passport-size photograph of the student
- Transgender Identity Certificate
- Declaration by parents/guardians regarding other scholarships
- Certificate of previous academic year’s mark sheet attested by the Institute
- Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card
- Transfer certificate if migrated
- Institute verification form duly attested
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the SMILE scholarship?
Transgender students studying in secondary or senior secondary education are eligible, provided they meet specific criteria regarding family income and employment.
What documents are required to apply?
Applicants need to submit a Transgender Identity Certificate, a self-attested photograph, previous mark sheets, and other specified documents.
Can I apply if I am receiving another scholarship?
No, applicants cannot receive any other central or state government-funded scholarship while applying for the SMILE scheme.
What is the amount of the scholarship?
The scholarship amount is ₹13,500, provided annually to eligible transgender students.
What happens if I do not make satisfactory progress in my studies?
If a student fails to make satisfactory progress or engages in misconduct, the scholarship may be cancelled or withheld.
How is the selection for the scholarship determined?
Selection is based on the total marks achieved in the previous academic year, with preference given to older applicants in case of a tie.
Source: myScheme (myscheme.gov.in) archived page via gov_myscheme dataset. Facts last verified on 2026-06-07.