Certification Program for Goan IT Professionals is a government scheme of the Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa. It reimburses up to 50% of the costs spent on getting recognized IT certifications, helping professionals of Goan origin upgrade their skills and stay employable in a fast-moving technology market. The scheme is part of the Goa IT Policy and is open for applications during the current policy period.
Launched in 2018, the scheme was framed under the Information Technology Policy that pictures Goa as an aspirational base for IT units and skilled local talent. For example, if a software developer from Goa spends ₹20,000 on a certified cloud professional course, he or she can claim ₹10,000 as reimbursement under this scheme.
Certification Program for Goan IT Professionals - Details
The scheme reimburses the actual certification fee paid to OEM vendors or their authorized training partners. It does not cover study material, travel or accommodation costs. The support amount depends on the certification type and the total expense declared at the time of application.
Payment is made after the application is checked and approved by the committee. Benefits depend on the budget available for the year, so applying early is always a good idea.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Certification Program for Goan IT Professionals |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Goa |
| Category | Skills and Employment |
| Benefit Type | Cash reimbursement up to 50% |
| Nodal Department | Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | Department of IT, Goa |
Benefits
Eligible professionals can get back up to 50% of the total expenditure on certification. The reimbursement makes professional up-skilling easier for talented people who might otherwise find certification costs too high.
Certifications from OEM vendors such as Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, Red Hat, VMware, SAP, Adobe and CompTIA are accepted, along with Agile or SCRUM certifications. The full list of approved vendors is available in the scheme guidelines.
Eligibility
To qualify for the reimbursement, applicants need to meet these conditions:
- Goan origin - proof such as a birth certificate of the applicant or the parents, a domicile or residence certificate, or a marriage certificate with proof of Goan residence of the spouse.
- Relevant qualifications - educational background suitable for employment in the IT industry, from Class XII onwards.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account - the bank account should be linked with Aadhaar so that the payment can be received.
- Authorized certification - the certification must be from an OEM vendor or its authorized training partner and must be directly related to IT work.
- Completion within policy period - the certification should be completed during the active period of the policy.
Approved certifications include, but are not limited to, (ISC)2, Adobe, AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft, Red Hat, SAP, VMware, and Agile Methodology or SCRUM certifications.
Important: Benefits depend on the budget allotted for the scheme. No Promissory Estoppel applies if benefits stop due to budget limits.
Exclusions
Professionals already getting similar financial support under any other Government of Goa policy cannot claim benefits under this scheme.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the State government e-services portal, Goa Online, under IT Services. If the portal is temporarily unavailable, check the official website of the Department of Information Technology for the latest notice.
STEP 1 - Go to the official portal of the Government of Goa and click on the Register button at the top right. Verify the email ID and mobile number with the OTP sent to the registered details.
STEP 2 - Fill in the required details, create a login name and a secure password, and accept the terms and conditions to complete the registration.
STEP 3 - Log in with the new credentials and open the Services section. Pick IT Services and select Certification Program for Goan IT Professionals.
STEP 4 - Fill in the application fields and upload the required documents along with the certification proof and payment receipts.
STEP 5 - Submit the application and save the unique registration number. Applications can be made quarterly, bi-annually or annually as per the notification.
Disbursement Timeline
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Incentive application receipt | Day D |
| Application scrutiny | D + 30 days |
| Committee approval | D + 60 days |
| Disbursement | D + 90 days |
Documents
Keep the following documents ready while applying:
- Copy of Aadhaar.
- Proof of Goan origin, such as a birth certificate of self or parents, a domicile or residence certificate, or a marriage certificate with proof of Goan residence of the spouse.
- Copies of all mark sheets from Class XII onwards.
- Copy of the degree or diploma.
- Copies of the certifications obtained.
- Proof of payment made for the certifications.
- A voided cheque.
References
IT Policy Schemes Guidelines PDF | Goa IT Policy 2018 | Department of IT, Goa | Contact Us
FAQ's
Are self-paced online courses considered for reimbursement?
Yes, as long as the course is recognized and leads to a certification from an authorized vendor.
How is the 50% reimbursement calculated?
The amount is 50% of the actual certification expenditure, excluding any applicable taxes.
Can I include the cost of study materials?
No, the scheme covers only certification fees. Study material, travel and accommodation costs are not eligible.
What if I am not currently residing in Goa?
Applicants living outside Goa can still apply if they provide valid documents proving their Goan origin.