Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners (Pursuing Professional Course) is a Kerala government scheme run by the Department of Social Justice that pays ₹100,000 per student to cover annual and hostel fees for degree-level professional courses. The money helps children of convicted prisoners continue their higher studies when family income is low.
Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are open through the SUNEETHI portal, and support is given to more than one child from the same family. As of August 2026, the scheme remains available with the same benefit amount and rules in place.
When a parent is convicted or sentenced, children often lose access to education and face serious money problems. This scheme is made to close that gap for professional courses at Government or Aided colleges inside Kerala.
Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners (Pursuing Professional Course) - Introduction
This scheme has been offered by the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala, since the Government Order (Rt) No. 322/2014/SJD dated 08-05-2014. The government knows that professional education costs a lot, so the support amount has been fixed at ₹100,000 per student, including annual fees and hostel fees, to give students the security to focus on their studies.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners (Pursuing Professional Course) |
| State | Kerala |
| Main Department | Social Justice Department |
| Department Running the Scheme | District Probation Office |
| Benefit Amount | ₹100,000 per student |
| Eligible People | Children of prisoners |
| Application Mode | Online via SUNEETHI portal and offline through Jail Superintendent |
| Official Website | suneethi.sjd.kerala.gov.in |
Benefits
This scheme provides a financial grant of ₹100,000 per student to pay for annual and hostel fees of degree-level professional courses in Government or Aided colleges. The government also extends this support to more than one child from the same family, so every brother or sister gets the chance to study.
For specialized courses like MBBS and B.VSc, the support is given only when the student is enrolled in a Government college. This keeps the money going to the students who need it the most.
Eligibility
To apply for this support, the applicant has to meet these conditions:
- Applicant must belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and be a native and permanent resident of Kerala.
- Applicant must be the child of a prisoner currently sentenced to life imprisonment or serving death row.
- Applicant must have secured at least 70% marks in Higher Secondary examinations.
- Applicant must have gained admission to a degree-level professional course in a Government or Aided college through the merit seat system.
For example, if a student whose father is in jail gets 75% in the board exams, that student can apply to study a professional course at a government-aided college. When both parents are convicted and the child is looked after by a relative from the APL category, the application is reviewed on the basis of a special inquiry report from the Probation Officer.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted online through the SUNEETHI portal or offline through the Jail Superintendent. Here are the steps to follow.
STEP 1 - Visit the official SUNEETHI portal and click on One Time Registration to create a profile using a mobile number and email.
STEP 2 - Verify the account with the code sent to the mobile, then sign in using the created credentials.
STEP 3 - Update Personal Information, Contact Details, and Bank Details in the profile.
STEP 4 - Open the schemes section, choose this scheme, and click Apply Now to submit the details.
STEP 5 - For the offline process, download the application form from the Social Justice Department website, fill it fully, and submit it through the Jail Superintendent handling the parent's case.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before applying so the process moves smoothly:
- Aadhaar Card copy and a passport size photograph.
- Ration Card copy, along with a declaration from the Village Officer if the child's name is not on the card.
- Certificate from the college confirming admission, annual fees, hostel fees, and bank account details.
- Previous year's mark sheet and the Jail Superintendent's Certificate.
References
Official Scheme Page | Application Form | Government Order
FAQ's
What is the amount given under this scheme?
The state government provides a financial grant of ₹100,000 per student to cover annual and hostel fees of a degree-level professional course.
Who can apply for this scheme?
Children of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment or death row who live in Kerala and belong to the BPL category can apply.
Is there a minimum mark rule?
Yes, the applicant must have secured 70% or more marks in Higher Secondary level examinations.
Can a private college student apply?
No, the support is limited to degree-level professional courses in Government or Aided colleges inside Kerala.
What if the child's name is not on the ration card?
The applicant can submit a declaration from the Village Officer confirming that the applicant is the son or daughter of the convict.