Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme

What is the Free Coaching Scheme for SCs, OBCs and PM CARES Children?

The Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its purpose is to give economically disadvantaged students from Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes, and children supported under the PM CARES for Children scheme, good quality coaching for competitive examinations that they could not otherwise afford.

According to the Ministry, the scheme is implemented through the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), which delivers coaching via Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) set up in empanelled Central Universities across the country. Rather than reimbursing private coaching, the government funds the coaching directly at these centres and pays students a stipend while they train.

Key features

• Fully funded coaching, with course fees borne by the government up to a ceiling (reported at about Rs 75,000 per candidate).
• A monthly stipend of about Rs 4,000 for up to 12 months while a student is in coaching.
• An interview incentive (reported at about Rs 15,000) for candidates who clear the civil services main examination and reach the interview stage.
• Delivery through Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence in empanelled Central Universities.

Treat the rupee figures above as the reported benefit band; confirm the exact amounts and the list of covered examinations in the current scheme guidelines on socialjustice.gov.in before applying, as the Ministry revises them from time to time.

Who is eligible for the Free Coaching Scheme?

You can apply if:

• You belong to a Scheduled Caste or Other Backward Class, and your total family income is up to Rs 8 lakh a year; or
• You are a selected beneficiary of the PM CARES for Children scheme — in which case no income limit and no caste condition applies to you.
• You meet the educational qualification required for the examination you want to be coached for.

You cannot apply / are not eligible if:

• You are an SC or OBC student whose family income exceeds Rs 8 lakh a year (unless you qualify separately as a PM CARES beneficiary).
• You do not belong to SC or OBC and are not a PM CARES for Children beneficiary. The scheme is targeted and is not open to the general category.
• You do not meet the minimum educational qualification for the target examination.

Selection among eligible applicants is done by the empanelled Central University through its own screening process. PM CARES for Children beneficiaries are exempted from that screening.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Free Coaching Scheme

1. Check socialjustice.gov.in/schemes/30 and the notices of empanelled Central Universities running Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence for an open admission call.
2. Choose a centre and the coaching course you want, and confirm the examination is covered.
3. Fill in the application form issued by that Central University and attach your caste and income certificates (or PM CARES beneficiary proof) and educational records.
4. Submit the application within the deadline. The university screens and selects eligible SC and OBC candidates; PM CARES beneficiaries are admitted without screening.
5. On selection, join the coaching at the centre; the stipend is paid to your bank account for the coaching period.

How much benefit does the scheme provide?

The government pays the course fee directly to the coaching centre up to the prescribed ceiling (reported at about Rs 75,000 per candidate), so the student pays nothing for the coaching itself. In addition, students receive a monthly stipend of about Rs 4,000 for up to 12 months to help with living costs, and those who clear the civil services main examination receive an interview incentive of about Rs 15,000.

Help and where to get it

This scheme does not publish a single national toll-free helpline for students. Support runs through the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and the empanelled Central University hosting the Centre of Excellence you apply to; their contact details are published with each admission notice and on socialjustice.gov.in. Use the official scheme page for the current guidelines, the list of participating universities, and the exact benefit figures for your admission year.

The coaching and stipend are free to eligible students. No agent or private coaching institute can charge you to secure a seat under this scheme; selection is done by the Central University based on category, income and merit.