AI SummaryMinistry of Social Justice and Empowerment is running the Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme in 2026 for students who want to clear competitive exams for government jobs or get admission into top professional colleges. Every year around 3500 students get selected, and each selected student gets a monthly stipend of ₹4,000 along with full coaching fee support.
Students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities with family income up to ₹8 lakh a year can apply, and all beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme are eligible without any income or caste limit. The coaching is given through empanelled Central Universities under the Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (DACE), and the payments are made directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the student.
Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme - Introduction
Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme is a central scheme of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to help students reach their career goals. If you belong to the SC or OBC category, or are a beneficiary of the PM CARES Children Scheme, you can get good quality coaching for competitive exams required for government jobs or admission into top professional colleges.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs this scheme with the help of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) through empanelled Central Universities across India. The goal is to make sure money problems do not stop you from achieving your dreams in public or private sector jobs and higher technical education.
Regarding seat allocation and selection, universities follow specific balancing rules to make sure every eligible student gets a fair chance:
| Description | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual intake | 3500 students |
| University cap | 100 students per Central University |
| Core Ratio | 70% SC candidates and 30% OBC candidates |
| Minimum Reserved Seats | 50% for SC candidates (minimum) |
| Female quota | 30% of total slots in each category |
Universities follow the 70:30 ratio but can adjust it slightly if enough SC or OBC candidates are not found, as long as the SC share does not drop below 50%. If you are a PM CARES beneficiary, the university will admit you even if the 100-slot limit is reached. If female positions remain unfilled, they are offered to male candidates from the same category so that no seat goes to waste.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education & Learning, Social welfare & Empowerment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Sub Category | Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend, Financial assistance |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| DBT Scheme | Yes |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Nodal Department | Department of Social Justice & Empowerment |
| Implementing Agency | Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) Through Central Universities Empanelled Under The Scheme |
| Official Website | socialjustice.gov.in |
| Tags | Coaching, Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class, Examination, Stipend |
Benefits
To support your studies, you get the following benefits directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account:
- Monthly Stipend: You get ₹4,000 per month for personal expenses, for up to 12 months.
- Interview Incentive: You get a one-time ₹15,000 bonus if you clear the mains stage of Class I or Class II Civil Services exams and reach the interview.
- Fee Coverage: The scheme pays your coaching centre fees directly based on the fixed limits per course type.
The maximum fee and course duration under the scheme are given below:
| Course Category | Maximum Fee (₹) | Duration (Months) |
| Civil Services (UPSC/SPSCs) | ₹75,000 | 12 |
| SSC/RRB | ₹40,000 | 6 - 9 |
| Banking/Insurance/PSU/CLAT | ₹50,000 | 6 - 9 |
| JEE/NEET | ₹75,000 | 9 - 12 |
| IES | ₹75,000 | 9 - 12 |
| CAT/CMAT | ₹50,000 | 6 - 9 |
| GRE/GMAT/SAT/IELTS/TOEFL | ₹35,000 | 3 - 6 |
| CA-CPT/GATE | ₹75,000 | 9 - 12 |
| CPL Courses | ₹30,000 | 6 - 9 |
| NDA/CDS | ₹20,000 | 3 - 4 |
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:
- You belong to the SC or OBC category and your total family income is ₹8,00,000 or less per year.
- For exams that need 12th-class qualification, you must have passed Class 12 or be studying in Class 12.
- For exams that need undergraduate (UG) qualification, you must have completed your UG degree or be in your final year.
- You must not have taken benefit under this scheme more than twice before.
- You should not be enrolled in any other government-sponsored coaching scheme at the same time.
Example: Rohan, an OBC student, has a family income of ₹5,00,000 a year and is in his final year of college. He wants to prepare for Civil Services; he is eligible for this scheme if he has not taken this coaching twice before. Similarly, any beneficiary of the PM CARES Children Scheme is fully eligible regardless of family income or caste as long as they hold the official beneficiary certificate.
Exclusions
You will not be considered for the scheme in two cases. If you are applying for an exam that needs Class 12 qualification, you must have scored at least 50% in your Class 10 board examination. If you are applying for a graduate-level exam, you must have scored at least 50% in your Class 12 board examination.
Application Process
Applications are accepted only online through the empanelled Central Universities. Offline applications are not accepted, and incomplete applications are rejected. The coaching centres run by these universities are called Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (DACE).
STEP 1 - Keep an eye on the public advertisements issued by the empanelled Central Universities for the current batch. These advertisements tell you when the online application window opens, which courses are available and what the last date is. You can also check the official scheme page of the Ministry for the latest details.
STEP 2 - Go to the online application link given in the university's advertisement and fill in the form. Make sure all the details match your official documents, then upload the required documents and submit the form before the last date.
Beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme do not need to go through the selection process. All eligible PM CARES beneficiaries who apply get admission directly in the university. For a full look at the coaching fee structure, stipend and other details, read the existing Free Coaching Scheme for SC/OBC Students article as well.
Documents
Keep digital copies of the following documents ready to complete your online application:
- Passport-sized photograph.
- Aadhaar card.
- Income certificate issued by a Tehsildar or higher authority.
- Caste certificate.
- Residence and age proof.
- Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details.
- Signed declarations that you have not used the benefit more than twice and are not getting any other coaching stipend at the same time.
Note: If you are employed, you must submit a consolidated income certificate that covers all sources of income, verified by your employer and the Revenue Officer.
References
Official Guidelines 2024-25 | Official Scheme Page | Department Website
FAQ's
How is the scheme monitored and coordinated?
The Ministry and Dr. Ambedkar Foundation coordinate with Central Universities through regular reporting and physical verification to make sure the coaching quality stays high.
What is the role of an Online Learning Management System?
DAF uses this system to share study resources and coordinate across different universities smoothly.
Are professors responsible for verifying eligibility?
Yes. Central Universities act as the main verifiers and are fully responsible for making sure every student enrolled meets the eligibility criteria.
Can I move from one university to another?
Yes. If a university has very few enrollments, you can be shifted to another institution with the consent of both universities and the student.
Are payments transferred directly?
Yes. All stipends and coaching fees are paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
How is my attendance tracked?
Central Universities record Aadhaar-based biometric attendance. If you skip classes often without a valid reason like illness, your benefit can be cancelled.
What is the minimum coaching duration?
It depends on the course. UPSC coaching runs for 12 months, while NDA coaching usually runs for 3 to 4 months.
How is my application reviewed?
Universities review your online application and prepare a merit list based on your academic performance and the scheme criteria.
Can I apply if I already have an Aadhaar?
A valid Aadhaar is required for payment. If you are waiting for your Aadhaar during the application phase, you can use your EID number, but payment starts only after your account is fully Aadhaar-seeded.
What is the family income limit?
To qualify as an SC or OBC student, your total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8,00,000.
Is the scheme still running in 2026?
Yes. The Ministry confirmed in February 2026 that the Free Coaching Scheme is being implemented for SC, OBC and PM CARES Children Scheme beneficiaries, and it is reviewed from time to time. Applications open through the empanelled Central Universities when they advertise the current batch.