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

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students, officially titled the Scheme of Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme, provides quality coaching support to economically disadvantaged SC and OBC students preparing for competitive examinations and entrance tests. The scheme applies from 2024-25 and is implemented by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) through empanelled Central Universities operating as Dr Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE). The scheme also covers eligible beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme.

Under the scheme, eligible students can receive coaching fee assistance up to the prescribed course-wise limit and a ₹4,000 monthly stipend for the actual coaching period, subject to the maximum prescribed duration of 12 months. Students who clear the Mains stage of Central or State Civil Services examinations for Class 1 and Class 2 posts can also receive a ₹15,000 interview coaching incentive. The admissible fee and stipend are released through DBT into the student's Aadhaar-enabled bank account.

The scheme covers coaching for various civil services, government recruitment, banking, insurance, engineering, medical, management, law, defence, professional and international entrance examinations. It also supports preparation for eligibility tests and other approved courses, with the maximum coaching fee varying by course, from ₹20,000 for NDA/CDS to ₹75,000 for several major examinations. A minimum of 16 hours of physical coaching per week is mandatory.

For SC and OBC students, the total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh. Students must also meet the prescribed academic conditions, including the minimum 50% marks requirement in Class X or Class XII, depending on the qualifying level of the examination. Eligible PM CARES Children Scheme beneficiaries must have a Central Government certificate containing their beneficiary ID and are not subject to income or caste restrictions.

Students must have Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-seeded bank account for receiving payments. The scheme benefit can be availed not more than twice, and students cannot simultaneously receive benefits under another similar Central or State Government coaching scheme. The scheme also requires regular attendance, with Aadhaar-based biometric attendance used by the Central Universities.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the scheme is listed on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The student application window opened on 3 August 2026, and the last date for submitting applications is 31 October 2026. Students should submit their applications online within the prescribed period and follow the applicable verification process on NSP. Students looking for other civil services coaching opportunities can also explore the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) RCA Free Coaching Program for Civil Services and the Aligarh Muslim University Free Coaching Scheme for Civil Services 2026. 

Scheme Benefits

The scheme provides eligible students with free coaching for various competitive and entrance examinations, along with financial assistance during the coaching period.

• Eligible students receive free coaching for approved examinations.
• The scheme provides course fee assistance up to the prescribed maximum limit for the selected coaching course.
• Students receive a ₹4,000 monthly stipend for the actual coaching period, subject to a maximum of 12 months.
• Students who clear the Mains stage of Central or State Civil Services examinations for Class 1 and Class 2 posts can receive a ₹15,000 interview coaching incentive.
• The admissible course fee and stipend are provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student's Aadhaar-enabled bank account.
• The fee and stipend are released in two 50% instalments, with the second instalment released after more than 75% of the prescribed course duration is completed, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Eligible students can start coaching even if the first instalment has not yet been received from the Dr Ambedkar Foundation.
• Students receive coaching through empanelled Central Universities operating as Dr Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE).
• The scheme provides access to an Online Learning Management System for learning and coordination, including study material, mock tests and recorded lectures where available.
• 30% of the seats in each category are reserved for female candidates, subject to the availability of eligible candidates.
• Eligible PM CARES Children Scheme beneficiaries are admitted without the merit-selection process and are accommodated over and above the normal seat allocation.

Coaching Fees Details

The scheme provides coaching fee assistance up to the prescribed maximum limit for different competitive and entrance examinations. The admissible coaching fee is released to the eligible student through DBT in the student's Aadhaar-enabled bank account, and the student must then remit the applicable fee to the concerned Central University within 15 days.

The scheme also provides a monthly stipend of ₹4,000, which is transferred to the student's Aadhaar-enabled bank account through DBT.

A minimum of 16 hours of physical coaching per week is mandatory for all the above courses. The stipend is paid for the actual months of coaching or the maximum prescribed duration, whichever is less.

Courses Covered Under the Scheme

The scheme provides coaching for various competitive examinations, entrance examinations and eligibility tests. The courses covered under the scheme include:

• UPSC and State PSC Civil Services examinations
• SSC examinations
• Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examinations
• Banking, Insurance and PSU examinations
• Engineering entrance examinations such as JEE
• Medical entrance examinations such as NEET
• Management entrance examinations such as CAT
• Law entrance examinations such as CLAT
• GATE
• CA-CPT
• GRE
• GMAT
• SAT
• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) courses
• National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Other disciplines approved by the Ministry from time to time

Eligibility Requirements

The scheme has separate eligibility conditions for SC and OBC students, PM CARES Children Scheme beneficiaries, and other common requirements. Applicants must meet the applicable conditions before receiving the coaching benefit.

For SC and OBC Students

• Must belong to the SC or OBC category.
• Family income must be ₹8 lakh or less per year.
• SC/OBC candidates from a Minority community can apply under the similar scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs or the concerned State Government.
• For exams requiring Class XII qualification, the student must have passed or be studying in Class XII and must have secured at least 50% marks in Class X.
• For exams requiring graduation, the student must have completed graduation or be in the final year and must have secured at least 50% marks in Class XII.

For PM CARES Children Scheme Beneficiaries

• Must have a Central Government certificate with the beneficiary ID.
• No income limit applies.
• No caste restriction applies.
• Eligible beneficiaries are admitted without merit-based selection.

Other Common Conditions

• Must have Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-seeded bank account. EID can be used if Aadhaar has not yet been issued.
• The benefit can be availed a maximum of two times.
• Cannot receive benefits under another similar Central or State Government coaching scheme at the same time.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the documents required for eligibility and verification ready before submitting the application. The concerned Central University verifies the original educational, caste, income, beneficiary and bank-related credentials before the release of financial assistance.

• Aadhaar Card or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID), if Aadhaar has not been issued at the time of application.
• Aadhaar-seeded bank account details in the student's name.
• SC/OBC Caste Certificate.
• Family Income Certificate showing annual income of up to ₹8 lakh for SC/OBC applicants.
• Class 10 Marksheet for candidates applying for coaching for examinations where Class XII is the qualifying examination.
• Class 12 Marksheet for candidates applying for examinations requiring an undergraduate qualification.
• Undergraduate Degree/Certificate or proof of studying in the final year, wherever applicable.
• PM CARES Children Scheme Certificate containing the Beneficiary ID, for applicants claiming eligibility under the PM CARES Children Scheme.
• Self-declaration: benefit not availed more than twice before
• Self-declaration: not availing any other similar coaching scheme
• Passport-size photograph
• Signature (scanned)

For self-employed parents or guardians, the income certificate should be issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar. Employed parents or guardians need an income certificate from their employer along with a consolidated certificate from the Revenue Officer covering any additional source of income.

Steps to Apply

Eligible students can apply for the Free Coaching Scheme through the online application process. Offline applications are not accepted. For the 2026-27 academic year, the scheme is available on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), where students can submit their applications within the prescribed application period.

• Check the admission notice of the concerned empanelled Central University (DACE) offering coaching for your intended examination to confirm the available course, seats and admission requirements.
• Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• Complete the required NSP registration process, including One Time Registration (OTR), if applicable.
• Log in to the NSP using your registered credentials.
• Select Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme from the available schemes.
• Provide the required personal, educational, category, income and bank account details.
• Upload the required documents, such as the caste certificate, income certificate, educational documents, Aadhaar details and PM CARES beneficiary certificate, wherever applicable.
• Submit the application online before the prescribed last date.
• After submission, the application undergoes the prescribed verification process. For the 2026-27 cycle, NSP lists Institute Verification followed by DNO/SNO/MNO Verification.
• Eligible SC and OBC applicants are shortlisted according to the selection procedure and merit list prepared by the concerned empanelled Central University.
• Eligible PM CARES Children Scheme beneficiaries are exempted from the merit-selection process and are admitted after verification of their beneficiary status.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the student application window opened on 3 August 2026, and the last date for submitting the application is 31 October 2026.

Relevant Links

• NSP Portal Registration Link.
• NSP Portal Login.
• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Official Guidelines 2024-2025.
• Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students FAQs.
• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Contact Information

• NSP Helpline Number: 0120-6619540
• NSP Email Helpdesk: [email protected]