Schedule Caste (SC), Other Backward Class (OBC) Free Coaching Scheme

Introduction

• Free Coaching Scheme for Schedule Caste and Other Backward Class Students is the 100% centrally coaching scheme.
• It is fully operated and maintained by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• It was launched in September, 2001.
• Initially it was started as a joint scheme named "Coaching and Allied Support for Weaker Sections" in which minority students were also beneficiaries.
• But, in 2007, the government created a separate minority ministry, so the scheme was modified and the minority section was excluded from the scheme.
• The main objective behind starting Schedule Caste and Other Backward Class Free Coaching Scheme is to provide good quality coaching to economically weaker students and help them prepare for competitive examination.
• Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is the nodal agency of this scheme now.
• Free Coaching under this scheme will now provided in Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence which is run by the empanelled Central Universities.
• Full Coaching Fees or up to Maximum of Rs. 75,000/- will be paid by the Government to selected students under Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students.
• Rs. 4,000/- Monthly Stipend will also provided to students in two instalments.
• A One Time Incentive of Rs. 15,000/- will also provided to those students who cleared the mains examination of UPSC or SPSC.
• A total of 3500 seats are available every year.
• Those Students are not eligible for Free Competitive Exam Coaching if his/ her family annual income is more than Rs. 8 Lakh per year.
• Students can avail the benefit of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students not more than twice.
• It is mandatory for selected students to attend physical coaching of 16 Hours a Week.
• Eligible Students can apply for Free Coaching Scheme for Schedule Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) by visiting the Official Website of Central University which is situated in their respective State.

Benefits of Scheme

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of Indian Government will provide the following benefits to selected students under Free Coaching Scheme for Schedule Caste and Other Backward Class Students :-
  • Coaching Fees will be paid by the Government.
  • Coaching Fees from Rs. 20,000/- to Rs. 75,000/- will be paid according to the Course Selected by Students.
  • Monthly Stipend of Rs. 4,000/- to Selected SC and OBC Students.
  • Incentive of Rs. 15,000/- to those Students who Cleared Mains Exam of UPSC/ SPSC.

Eligibility Criteria

• Students should be belong to Schedule Caste (SC) or Other Backward Class Community. (OBC)
• The Annual Family Income of Student should not be more than Rs. 8,00,000/-.
• Schedule Caste and Other Backward Caste students belonging to Minority community are not eligible.
• Students who have less than 50% marks in class 10th or 12th are not eligible.

Courses Offered

• Courses Offered for Free Coaching under Schedule Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) Free Coaching Scheme are as follows :-

  Group A and B examination conducted by :- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). Group A and B examination conducted by SPSC. Officers Grade examination conducted by :- Banks. Insurance Companies. Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs). Entrance Examination like :- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Common Admission Test (CAT). Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). GATE. CA-CPT. IES. IIT-JEE. Examination like :- Scholastic Assessment Test. General Record Examination (GRE). Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT). International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Entrance Examination for :- Commercial Pilot License (CPL). National Defence Academy. (NDA) Combined Defence Services. (CDSE)

Maximum Fees Reimbursement

• The Maximum Fees and Minimum Duration applicable under Free Coaching Scheme for Schedule Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) Students are as follows :-

  Courses	Maximum Fees Reimbursed	Course Duration
  Civil Services Exam by UPSC/ SPSCs	Rs. 75,000/-	12 Months.
  SSC/ RRB	Rs. 40,000/-	6 Months to 9 Months.
  Banking/ Insurance/ PSU/ CLAT	Rs. 50,000/-	6 Months to 9 Months.
  JEE/ NEET	Rs. 75, 000/-	9 Months to 12 Months.
  IES	Rs. 75,000/-	9 Months to 12 Months.
  CAT/CMAT	Rs. 50,000/-	6 Months to 9 Months.
  GRE/ GMAT/ SAT/ IELTS/ TOFEL	Rs. 35,000/-	3 Months to 6 Months.
  CA-CPT/ GATE	Rs. 75,000/-	9 Months to 12 Months.
  CPL Courses	Rs. 30,000/-	6 Months to 9 Months.
  NDA/ CDS	Rs. 20,000/-	3 Months to 4 Months.

Document Required

• The following documents are required at the time of applying for Free Coaching Scheme for Schedule Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) Students :-
  • Passport Size Photo.
  • Age Proof. (10th Certificate)
  • Aadhar Card.
  • Schedule Caste Certificate. (For SC Students)
  • Other Backward Caste Certificate. (For OBC Students)
  • Graduation Marksheet. (If Applicable)
  • Income Certificate.
  • Qualifying Examination Certificates.
  • Bank Account Details.

How to Apply

• From the year 2023-2024, the application procedure of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students is changed.
• Previously Students can apply for Free Coaching on the Official Website of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students.
• But according to the Guidelines issued for the year 2023-2024, Students now have to apply on the Central University Website of their Respective State in which they are currently residing.
• Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is the Implementing Agency of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students.
• Now all Central Universities are free to get themselves enrolled in Dr. Ambedkar Foundation if they are capable to provide coaching for indicated courses to students under this free coaching scheme.
• Central Universities selected by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation to provide free coaching to SC and OBC Students will have to open coaching centres in their campus.
• Opened Coaching Centre in Central Universities Campus shall be called as "Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence. (DACE)"
• No Proper List of Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence is available right now.
• Then each emapanelled Central University issue an advertisement on their own for the admission of students in Schedule Caste and Other Backward Class Free Coaching Scheme.
• Only Online Application is applicable, No Offline Application Form for SC and OBC Free Coaching Scheme is entertained.
• Central Universities then scrutinised the received application forms and make a merit list of selected students thereafter.
• List of Selected Students under Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students will also uploaded on the Official Website of Scheme.
• List of Selected Students will then forwarded to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Dr. Ambedkar Foundation.
• Course Fees and Stipend will be directly paid in the bank account of student in two installments.
• Student has to pay the coaching fees at the time of commencement of course.
• The remaining last instalment of Coaching Fees will be released after 75% of the course is completed.

Important Links

• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students Website.
• First List of 409 Candidates Shortlisted under Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC 2022-2023.
• Second List of 1404 Candidates Shortlisted under Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC 2022-2023.
• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Official Guidelines 2023-2024.
• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students FAQs.

Contact Details

• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students Helpline Number :-
  • 011-23382391.
  • 011-23389368.
• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students Helpdesk Email :-
  • dbtcell@nic.in.
  • dbtcell.msje@nic.in.