Equitable access to quality educational resources remains paramount in a world where education serves as the cornerstone for empowerment and socio-economic mobility. Recognizing this imperative, governments worldwide have instituted various initiatives to bridge the gap and ensure inclusivity in education. In the context of India, where socio-economic disparities have historically hindered marginalized communities’ access to educational opportunities, initiatives such as the Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) students stand as beacons of hope and progress, inviting all students from these communities to participate and benefit.
The Free Coaching Scheme, an initiative of the Government of India, is a testament to the commitment towards leveling the playing field and fostering equal opportunities for all. Specifically targeting SC and OBC students, who often face systemic barriers and financial constraints in accessing quality coaching for competitive exams, this scheme aims to provide them with the necessary support and guidance to excel in their academic pursuits.
At its core, the Free Coaching Scheme seeks to empower SC and OBC students by offering them access to coaching facilities free of cost, thereby eliminating financial barriers that would otherwise hinder their educational aspirations. The scheme enhances academic preparedness by providing coaching for various competitive exams in civil services, engineering, medical, and others. It nurtures the confidence and aspirations of students from marginalized backgrounds.
What Is a Free Coaching Scheme?
In India, numerous competitive examinations serve as gateways to prestigious career opportunities. However, despite possessing remarkable talent and potential, many brilliant students cannot navigate needing more resources and guidancemplexities of these exams due to a lack of significant barriers to socio-economic advancement, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has undertaken a pioneering initiative: the Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) Students.
With a keen understanding of the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged students, this scheme aims to level the playing field by providing them access to high-quality coaching free of cost. By doing so, it seeks to empower these students to pursue their aspirations and realize their dream careers.
Highlights Of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students
- Scheme Name: Free Coaching Scheme
- Launched by: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Target Audience: SC and OBC Students
- Benefits: Free Coaching
- Mode of Application: Online
- Official Website: Free Coaching Scheme
Objective Of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, under the Government of India, has initiated a pioneering endeavor known as the Free Coaching Scheme. Designed with a profound objective, this scheme aims to furnish economically disadvantaged students from Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class backgrounds with access to high-quality coaching. By doing so, it endeavors to equip these students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in competitive examinations and secure promising employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
This visionary initiative reflects the government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering marginalized communities. By eliminating financial barriers to coaching, the scheme seeks to level the playing field, ensuring that all students, regardless of socio-economic status, have an equal chance to pursue their aspirations and realize their full potential.
Benefits Of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students
The Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) Students, initiated by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, offers a myriad of benefits tailored to empower and uplift economically disadvantaged students:
- Access to High-Quality Coaching: The scheme provides SC and OBC students with access to excellent-quality coaching, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance and support to excel in competitive examinations.
- Financial Relief: By offering coaching services free of cost, the scheme alleviates the financial burden that often hinders economically disadvantaged students from accessing quality educational resources.
- Enhanced Preparation: Through comprehensive coaching programs, students receive structured guidance and study materials tailored to various competitive exams, improving their preparedness and confidence.
- Increased Competitiveness: Equipped with the knowledge and skills gained through the coaching scheme, SC and OBC students become more competitive in the job market, enabling them to pursue diverse career opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
- Empowerment and Aspiration: The scheme instills a sense of empowerment and aspiration among students from marginalized backgrounds, encouraging them to dream big and strive for excellence despite socio-economic challenges.
- Leveling the Playing Field: By bridging the gap between privileged and disadvantaged students, the scheme promotes equity in education, ensuring that talent and merit, rather than financial means, are the primary determinants of success.
- Social Inclusion: The scheme promotes social inclusion and diversity by providing targeted support for SC and OBC students, fostering a more equitable and harmonious society.
- Long-term Impact: By investing in the education and advancement of SC and OBC students, the scheme contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and marginalization, paving the way for socio-economic upliftment and empowerment of future generations.
The Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students not only offers immediate benefits in terms of access to education and career opportunities but also holds the potential for long-term positive impacts on individual lives and society.
Eligible Courses with Max. Fee and Min. Duration
| Course | Maximum Total Course Fee | Minimum Duration |
| Civil Services Exam by UPSC/SPSCs | Rs. 1,20,000 | 9 months (4 months prelim+5months mains) |
| SSC/RRB | Rs. 40,000 | 6 months |
| Banking/Insurance/PSU/CLAT | Rs. 50,000 | 6 months |
| JEE/NEET | Rs. 1,20,000 | 9 months (not exceeding 12 months) |
| IES | Rs. 80,000 | – |
| CAT /CMAT | Rs. 60,000 | – |
| GRE/GMAT/SAT/IELTS/TOFEL | Rs. 35,000 | 3 months |
| CA-CPT/GATE | Rs. 75,000 | 9months |
| CPL Courses | Rs. 30,000 | 6 months |
| NDA/CDS | Rs. 20,000 | 3 months |
Distribution of slots
The allocation of slots within the Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students is as follows:
- 60% of the total slots are designated for courses requiring a graduation-level qualifying exam.
- 40% of the total slots are allocated to courses that require a qualifying exam at the 12th-grade level.
A number of Seats
| Types of coaching | a Total number of seats | SC | OBC | ||
| Girls | Boys | Girls | Boys | ||
| The qualifying exam is 12th | 1400 | 294 | 686 | 126 | 294 |
| The qualifying exam is Bachelor’s Degree | 2100 | 441 | 1029 | 189 | 441 |
Selection procedure
The selection process for candidates under the Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students operates on a merit-based system, following these steps:
- Application Submission: Interested students must first submit their applications. The Ministry, through the state government, then verifies these applications in the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste (PMS SC) system.
- Preparation of Selected Candidate List: Once the applications are verified, a list of selected candidates is prepared for each category.
- Issuance of Notification: Selected candidates are notified through a computer-generated letter informing them of their selection.
- Enrollment in Coaching Institutes: Candidates who receive the notification letter can join the coaching institute of their choice to avail of the scheme’s benefits.
- Submission of Fee Receipt: To access the benefits, selected candidates must upload the fee receipt from the institute onto the official portal.
- Timely Enrollment: Candidates must enroll in their chosen institute within six months from the release of the merit list to ensure the timely commencement of their coaching sessions.
This structured process ensures transparency and efficiency in the selection and enrollment of candidates, enabling them to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Free Coaching Scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Free Coaching Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Belong to SC or OBC Category: Applicants must be from the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Other Backward Class (OBC) category.
- Income Limit: The annual family income of applicants from all sources should be at most 8 lakh rupees.
- Exclusion of Minority SC/OBC Candidates: SC/OBC category candidates belonging to minority communities must apply for a similar scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- Educational Qualifications:
- For examinations requiring a 10th standard qualification, applicants must have passed the 10th standard examinations with at least 50% marks.
- For examinations requiring a 12th standard qualification, applicants currently pursuing or having passed the 12th standard are eligible.
- Only applicants who have passed the bachelor’s degree are eligible for examinations requiring a bachelor’s level qualification.
- Usage Limit: Benefits under the scheme are available to a student a maximum of two times.
- Exclusivity: Applicants cannot apply for any other coaching scheme the central or state government initiated.
Meeting these eligibility criteria ensures that deserving SC and OBC students have access to the opportunities provided by the Free Coaching Scheme, thereby empowering them to achieve their educational and career aspirations.
Documents Required
To apply for the Free Coaching Scheme, applicants need to submit the following documents:
- SC/OBC Certificate: Proof of belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Other Backward Class (OBC) category issued by the competent authority.
- 10th Standard Passing Certificate: Certificate indicating successful completion of the 10th standard examinations with at least 50% marks.
- 12th Standard/Bachelor Passing Certificate: Applicants must provide either the 12th standard passing certificate or the bachelor’s degree passing certificate, depending on the qualifying examination.
- Aadhar Card: A valid Aadhar card serving as proof of identity and residence.
- Income Certificate: Document certifying the annual family income from all sources, ensuring it does not exceed 8 lakh rupees.
- Other Required Documents: Any additional documents specified by the Ministry or the application guidelines.
Submitting these documents ensures that applicants meet the eligibility criteria and facilitates the verification process for enrollment in the Free Coaching Scheme, thereby enabling deserving students to access quality coaching opportunities.
Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students 2024 Application Procedure
The application procedure for the Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students in 2024 is outlined as follows:
- Eligibility Check:
- Ensure you belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Other Backward Class (OBC) category.
- Verify that your annual family income from all sources is at most 8 lakh rupees.
- Obtain the necessary educational qualifications depending on the type of examination you wish to prepare for (10th standard passing certificate, 12th standard/bachelor passing certificate).
- Document Preparation:
- Gather the required documents, including SC/OBC certificates, passing certificates, Aadhar cards, income certificates, and other specified documents.
- Online Application:
- Visit the official website of the Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students.
- Locate the application portal and register/log in to access the application form.
- Form Submission:
- Fill out the application form with accurate personal and educational details.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents in the specified format.
- Review and Submission:
- Double-check all the information in the application form and ensure all documents are correctly uploaded.
- Submit the completed application form before the specified deadline.
- Verification Process:
- After submission, your application will undergo verification by the Ministry through the state government in the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste (PMS SC) system.
- Selection and Notification:
- A selected candidate list will be prepared for each category based on merit.
- If selected, you will receive a computer-generated letter notifying you of your selection.
- Coaching Institute Enrollment:
- Upon receiving the notification letter, proceed to join the coaching institute of your choice to take advantage of the scheme’s benefits.
- Ensure that you enroll within six months of the release of the merit list.
- Fee Receipt Submission:
- Upload the fee receipt from the institute onto the official portal to access the scheme’s benefits.
- Benefit Utilization:
- Make the most of the coaching facilities and resources the scheme provides to prepare for your desired competitive examination.
By diligently following these steps, eligible SC and OBC students can successfully apply for and benefit from the Free Coaching Scheme in 2024.
Important Dates
Here are the key dates and deadlines related to the Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students:
- Notification Release: To be updated soon
- Last Date for Application Submission: To be updated soon
- Declaration of Merit List for PMS and TCS Students: To be updated soon
- Declaration of Merit List for Other Candidates: To be updated soon
- Last Date for Joining PMS/TCS Students in Coaching Institutions and Uploading Fee Receipts: To be updated soon
- Last Date for Others to Join Coaching Institutions: To be updated soon
- Last Date for Release of Coaching Fee: Within one month of submitting the fee receipt
- Last Date for Uploading Exam Hall Ticket: Within 30 days from the date of the entrance exam for which coaching has been taken
- Last Date for Release of Stipend: Within 30 days of uploading the exam hall ticket and self-certification regarding taking the exam
Please stay updated with official notifications and announcements for precise dates and deadlines related to applying and utilizing benefits under the scheme.
Contact
- For Scheme Related queries
- Phone: 011 23382391
- Email: [email protected]
- For Technical queries
- Phone: 011 23073443
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Free Coaching Scheme?
The scheme is for students in the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) categories with an annual family income of up to 8 lakh rupees.
What benefits does the scheme offer?
The scheme provides free coaching to eligible students for various competitive exams, helping them prepare for future career opportunities.
How can I apply for the scheme?
Eligible students can apply online through the Free Coaching Scheme’s official website. They must fill out the application form and submit the required documents.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
Do applicants typically need to submit documents such as SC/OBC, certificates qualification certificates,
Aadharcardsd, income certificates, and certificates for candidates selected for the scheme?
Selection is usually based on merit. After verifying applications, a merit list is prepared, and selected candidates are notified.
Can I apply for more than one coaching scheme?
No, applicants cannot apply for any other coaching scheme initiated by the central or state government if they already apply for the Free Coaching Scheme.
When will I receive the coaching fee stipend?
The coaching fee stipend is typically released within 30 days of uploading the exam hall ticket and self-certification regarding taking the exam.
Conclusion
The Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) Students stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity in the landscape of Indian education. Designed to empower economically disadvantaged students, this initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, embodies the principles of inclusivity, equity, and empowerment.
Through providing high-quality coaching free of cost, the scheme not only removes the financial barriers that often hinder SC and OBC students’ access to educational opportunities but also nurtures their academic potential and aspirations. By targeting competitive examinations ranging from the 10th standard to the bachelor’s level, the scheme opens doors to diverse career paths in both public and private sectors, thereby catalyzing socio-economic mobility and empowerment.
