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Social welfare & Empowerment; Education & Learning

Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes - "Educational Empowerment" Component

The scheme aims to provide good coaching quality for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes candidates to enable them to appear in competitive examinations. Provides free coaching and stipend support to students from these marginalized communities.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Financial Assistance | - Free Coaching Fees: Actual course fee of the institute or the prescribed course fee by the Ministry as per Annexure, whichever is less, subject to the limits for fees and duration laid down in the Annexure.- Monthly Stipend for Local Students: ₹1,500/- per month for students attending coaching within their locality.- Monthly Stipend for Outstation Students: ₹3,000/- per month for students attending coaching outside their locality.- Special Allowance for Students with Disabilities: ₹2,000/- per month towards reader allowance, escort allowance, helper allowance for students having valid disability certificate with 40% or more disability. | Coaching Coverage | - Union Public Service Commission Group A and B examinations. | - Staff Selection Commission examinations. | - Railway Recruitment Boards examinations. | - State Public Service Commission Group A and B examinations. | - Officers Grade examinations conducted by Banks, Insurance Companies and Public Sector Undertakings. | - Premier Entrance Examinations for Engineering (Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination), Medical (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), Management (Common Admission Test), Law (Common Law Admission Test). | - Eligibility tests like Scholastic Assessment Test, Graduate Record Examination, Graduate Management Admission Test and Test of English as a Foreign Language. | - Combined Pilot Licence courses, National Defense Academy and Combined Defense Services entrance examinations. | Disbursement | - Direct Benefit Transfer mode into beneficiary's bank account linked with Aadhaar. | - Course fee released in two installments (50% each), Monthly stipend and special allowances paid monthly. | - Stipend paid till duration of course or for one year, whichever is less. | - Benefits available to a student maximum twice in their lifetime. | Conditions | - _The candidate must join the selected course within 6 months of receiving the first installment._ | - _The candidate must deposit the first installment amount to the selected coaching institute._ | - _The candidate must join an institute empanelled by the Ministry under Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes students._ | - _If first installment is not paid to selected institute within 6 months, amount must be returned to Government and second installment will not be provided._ | - _The candidate must submit affidavit that they will take admission in coaching institute within six months of receiving first installment._ | - _The candidate must provide admission confirmation from the coaching institute on the online portal._

Who can apply

The applicant must belong to De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities.; The applicant must have total family income from all sources of ₹2,50,000/- or less per annum.; The applicant must not be availing any such benefits from similar Scheme of Centre Government or the State Government.; The applicant must have secured minimum marks in the qualifying examination of the competitive exam for which coaching is sought, as prescribed in guidelines of the said competitive exam.; The applicant must have passed Class 12th or be studying in Class 12th for competitive exams requiring Class 12th qualification.; The applicant must have completed bachelor level course or be studying in final year of bachelor degree course for competitive exams requiring graduation qualification.; The applicant will receive priority in selection if they have qualified preliminary examination at least once for examinations conducted in two parts (Preliminary and Mains).; The applicant will be selected based on decreasing order of marks obtained in qualifying exams when eligible applications exceed available slots.; The applicant with disabilities having valid disability certificate (equal to or more than 40% disability) is eligible for Special Allowance.; The applicant is entitled for free coaching up to two times each for Preliminary and Main examinations for competitive examinations conducted in two stages.; The applicant has no restriction in number of chances for coaching for Interview if selected for interview.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the maximum family income limit for a candidate to be eligible for benefits under this educational empowerment program?

The total family income from all sources must be ₹2,50,000/- or less per annum. Income declaration should be obtained from Revenue Officer not below rank of Tehsildar for self-employed families and from employer for employed parents.

Can I apply for coaching assistance if I am currently studying in the final year of my bachelor's degree program?

Yes, students studying in final year of bachelor degree course are eligible for competitive exams requiring graduation qualification. You must be either completed or studying in final year at the time of receiving benefits.

How many times can I avail the coaching benefits throughout my academic career under this educational support program?

Benefits can be availed maximum twice in your lifetime, irrespective of number of chances you may be entitled for any particular competitive examination. You must submit affidavit confirming you have not exceeded this limit.

What is the monthly stipend amount provided to students who attend coaching institutes outside their home location?

Outstation students receive ₹3,000/- per month while local students get ₹1,500/- per month. Stipend is paid till duration of course or for one year, whichever is less, through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

Are there any additional financial benefits available for students with disabilities pursuing coaching under this educational support initiative?

Students with disabilities having valid disability certificate showing 40% or more disability receive Special Allowance of ₹2,000/- per month. This covers reader allowance, escort allowance, helper allowance in addition to regular stipend.

Which competitive examinations are covered under the free coaching component of this educational empowerment program for marginalized communities?

Coverage includes Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Boards, State Public Service Commissions, Banking, Insurance, Public Sector Undertakings, Engineering (Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination), Medical (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), Management (Common Admission Test), Law (Common Law Admission Test), and various eligibility tests.

When does the online application portal open for receiving applications from eligible candidates throughout the year?

The portal remains open twice annually during July and January months for one month each. No offline applications are entertained and all incomplete applications will be summarily rejected.

What happens if I cannot join my selected coaching institute within the specified time frame after receiving the first installment?

If first installment is not paid to selected institute within 6 months, you must return the amount to Government immediately. Second installment will not be eligible and you must submit affidavit confirming this commitment.

How is the selection process conducted when the number of eligible applications exceeds the available coaching slots?

Selection is done in decreasing order of marks obtained in qualifying examinations. Priority is given to students who have qualified preliminary examination at least once for two-stage competitive exams.

Can I receive coaching assistance for both preliminary and main stages of competitive examinations that are conducted in multiple phases?

Yes, you are entitled for free coaching up to two times each for Preliminary and Main examinations. There is no restriction on number of coaching chances for Interview stage if selected.

What type of income certificate is required if my parents are employed but have additional sources of income?

Employed parents must obtain income certificate from their employer and additionally get consolidated certificate from Revenue Officer for any other additional sources of income beyond their employment.

Is it possible to choose any coaching institute of my preference or are there restrictions on institute selection?

You have liberty to choose coaching institute of your preference, but it must be empanelled under Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes students as maintained by the Ministry.

What is the maximum course fee limit covered under this educational assistance program for different competitive examination categories?

Course fee varies by examination type - Civil Services ₹1,20,000/-, Staff Selection Commission/Railway Recruitment Boards ₹40,000/-, Banking/Insurance/Public Sector Undertakings/Common Law Admission Test ₹50,000/-, Joint Entrance Examination/National Eligibility cum Entrance Test ₹1,20,000/-, Common Admission Test ₹60,000/-, and others as specified in scheme annexure.

Are students from De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities who belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes also eligible?

Yes, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes students are eligible irrespective of whether they belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes. However, they cannot avail similar benefits from other government schemes simultaneously.