Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes

What is this scheme?

The Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes is a programme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Under it, the Ministry gives grant-in-aid, generally up to 90% of the approved cost; to registered voluntary organisations that run welfare projects for Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. The organisation meets the remaining share, and in deserving cases the government's share can go higher.

The purpose is to reach SC beneficiaries through the on-ground presence of non-profit organisations, which often work in areas or communities that government offices find hard to serve directly. Instead of paying individuals, the scheme strengthens the schools, hostels and training centres that serve SC students and families.

Main features

• Administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Grant-in-aid, usually up to 90% of approved cost, to NGOs.
• Funds education, hostel and skill-development projects for SC beneficiaries.
• SC individuals benefit from services, not from a direct cash grant.

Who is eligible for this scheme?

Who can apply (organisations):

• Registered voluntary organisations, societies, trusts and non-profit bodies working for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, typically registered for a minimum period under the Societies Registration Act, a Trust Act or an equivalent law.
• Organisations with a valid NGO-DARPAN unique ID, audited accounts and the capacity: staff, premises and experience: to run the proposed project.

Who cannot apply for money:

• An individual cannot apply for a personal grant under this scheme. SC students and families are beneficiaries of the funded services, not applicants for cash. Personal scholarships and stipends are provided under separate schemes.
• Organisations without proper registration, without an NGO-DARPAN ID, or without audited accounts and demonstrated capacity are not eligible.
• For-profit entities are outside the scope; the grant is meant for non-profit service delivery to SC communities.

This distinction matters because many SC families expect a direct benefit. This particular scheme does not pay individuals — it pays the organisation running the school, hostel or training centre the family uses.

What kind of projects are funded?

Grant-in-aid under this scheme typically supports SC welfare projects such as:

• Residential and non-residential schools for SC children.
• Hostels that let SC students continue their education away from home.
• Vocational and skill-training centres to improve employability.
• Other welfare services approved under the scheme guidelines that raise the educational and social status of Scheduled Castes.

What documents does an NGO need?

How to apply for the grant

1. Confirm the organisation is registered as a society, trust or non-profit and holds a valid NGO-DARPAN unique ID from NITI Aayog.
2. Prepare a project proposal describing the SC welfare project; school, hostel, training centre or similar, with the number of beneficiaries, staff and a full budget.
3. Apply online through the Ministry's e-Anudaan / NGO grants portal, attaching the registration certificate, audited accounts, annual report and proposal.
4. The proposal is examined by state authorities and the Ministry, with inspection and recommendation feeding into the sanction.
5. On approval, the grant-in-aid is released in instalments; the organisation runs the project and submits utilisation certificates and progress reports.

How SC individuals benefit

Members of Scheduled Caste communities do not apply under this scheme. Instead they benefit by enrolling in the schools, staying in the hostels, or joining the training centres that funded organisations run, usually free or heavily subsidised. To find such a facility, contact the State Social Welfare or SC/ST welfare department, or the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Grant ceilings and the precise list of admissible items are set by the Ministry's current guidelines. Because the detailed guideline pages were not accessible to an automated client at the time of writing, organisations should confirm the latest cost norms, contribution share and application window on socialjustice.gov.in before applying.