Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners is a social welfare scheme of the Government of Kerala that supports the education of children whose parents are in jail. The Social Justice Department pays a monthly scholarship to help students from Below Poverty Line families continue their studies from Class 1 up to post graduation, so they stay in the academic mainstream. Applications for the 2026-27 year are being accepted online through the Suneethi portal.
When a parent is imprisoned, the family often faces serious money problems and social isolation. This can force children to drop out of school and risk their whole future. By giving steady monthly cash support, this scheme brings these students back into the mainstream and helps them reach their educational goals even with a difficult family situation.
Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners - Introduction
Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners is run by the Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala, and is implemented through the District Probation Office. The money is paid directly to the bank account of the beneficiary, and applicants must hold a joint bank account. As per the latest update on the official scheme page, the assistance amount has been revised for the current year and a new tier has been added for post graduate and M.Phil students.
Key Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners |
| State | Kerala |
| Beneficiary | Children of prisoners |
| Nodal Department | Social Justice Department |
| Implementing Agency | District Probation Office |
| Benefit Type | Monthly Cash Scholarship |
| Eligibility Category | Below Poverty Line (BPL) |
| Application Mode | Online via Suneethi portal |
| Official Website | Suneethi Online Service Application Portal |
Benefits
This scheme gives direct cash support to meet school expenses such as food, clothing and fees. The monthly amount depends on the level of study, and the revised rates for the current year are given below.
| Class or Course | Monthly Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| Class 1 to Class 5 | ₹300 |
| Class 6 to Class 10 | ₹500 |
| Plus One and Plus Two | ₹750 |
| Degree or Professional Course | ₹1000 |
| Post Graduation or M.Phil | ₹1500 |
For degree and professional courses, the student should be enrolled in a government or aided college within Kerala. The scholarship is transferred directly to the joint bank account of the beneficiary.
Eligibility
To qualify for this support, the following conditions should be met:
- The applicant must be a native and permanent resident of Kerala.
- The family should belong to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category.
- The child must be enrolled in an educational institution from Class 1 up to a degree, professional or post graduate course.
- The parent, or both parents, must be currently serving a prison sentence.
If both parents are in jail, support may still be given even when the guardian belongs to the APL category, provided a required inquiry report is obtained from the District Probation Officer.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the Suneethi portal of the Social Justice Department. The steps to apply are given below.
STEP 1 - Visit the Suneethi Online Service Application Portal and complete the one-time registration using your mobile number and email ID.
STEP 2 - Verify your registration with the code sent to your mobile number, then log in to your dashboard.
STEP 3 - Update your profile with personal details, bank information and identity documents, and make sure the bank account is a joint account as required.
STEP 4 - Find Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners in your dashboard and click the Apply Now button to submit your details along with the supporting documents.
STEP 5 - After the application is checked and approved by the Director of Social Justice, the funds are transferred directly to your bank account.
For the offline process, the application has to be forwarded through the District Probation Officer. For more details, contact the concerned District Probation Officer in your area.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before applying so that the process goes smoothly:
- Aadhaar card copy
- Recent passport size photograph
- Valid mobile number and email ID
- Ration card copy showing the name of the holder and family members
- Certificate from the current school
- Affidavit signed by the Jail Superintendent
- Joint bank passbook copy for direct benefit transfer
References
Suneethi Online Application Portal
FAQ's
What is Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners?
This scheme gives monthly scholarships to children of jailed parents in Kerala so they can continue their education without a break.
Which department manages this scheme?
The Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala, manages the scheme through the District Probation Office.
Who qualifies for these benefits?
Children whose parents are currently in jail and who belong to the BPL category can apply.
Can children of prisoners living with APL relatives get support?
Yes, if both parents are in jail, support can be given even when the guardian is in the APL category, provided a required inquiry report is obtained from the District Probation Officer.
How much is the monthly scholarship now?
Depending on the class, the amount ranges from ₹300 to ₹1500 per month, with the highest rate for post graduate and M.Phil students.
How do I apply?
Apply online through the Suneethi portal, or get the application forwarded through the District Probation Officer.