National Career Service Centers for SC/STs (erstwhile Coaching-cum-Guidance Centre for SC/STs) is a central scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment that gives vocational guidance, personality development, typing and shorthand practice, and competitive exam coaching to educated, unemployed SC/ST jobseekers. For the 2026-27 training cycle, the Directorate General of Employment (DGE) has opened online registration, with applications closing on 31 May 2026 and courses starting from 1 July 2026.
Run through 25 National Career Service Centres (NCSCs) spread across the country, this scheme helps SC/ST candidates sharpen their skills and improve their chances of landing a job. Selected candidates get free coaching and computer training, monthly stipend support, and free study material for the full course duration.
National Career Service Centers for SC/STs - Introduction
National Career Service Centers for SC/STs were set up as model institutes to improve the employability of educated SC/ST jobseekers through guidance, coaching and training. These centres are subordinate offices of the DGE and work closely with Employment Exchanges and Model Career Centres to connect candidates with job opportunities.
The scheme offers vocational guidance and career counselling on both group and individual basis, mock interview sessions, confidence building and personality development programmes. It also provides special coaching for competitive exams for Group C or equivalent posts, along with computer training courses certified with NIELIT.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Career Service Centers for SC/STs (erstwhile Coaching-cum-Guidance Centre for SC/STs) |
| Launched By | Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour and Employment |
| Beneficiaries | Educated, unemployed SC/ST jobseekers |
| Benefit Amount | Stipend of rupees 1,000 per month plus free books and stationery worth rupees 1,000 |
| Application Mode | Online via National Career Service portal |
| Application Deadline | 31 May 2026 (for 2026-27 cycle) |
| Official Website | ncs.gov.in and dge.gov.in |
Benefits
Candidates who get selected through this scheme receive several kinds of support to help them prepare for jobs. The main benefits are listed below.
- Vocational guidance and career counselling on group and individual basis, along with mock interview sessions to build confidence.
- Practice in typing and shorthand so that SC/ST jobseekers keep their speed while waiting on the live register of Employment Exchanges.
- Special coaching for competitive examinations covering General English, General Awareness and computer basics for Group C or equivalent posts.
- Computer training courses in collaboration with NIELIT, including O Level software and hardware training, Office Automation, Business Accounting Associate and Cyber Secured Web Development Associate.
- A monthly stipend of rupees 1,000 per candidate paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the long-term courses.
- Free books and stationery worth rupees 1,000 provided for the entire course duration.
The stipend is sent directly to the candidate's bank account, subject to maintaining at least 80% attendance in the training classes each month. Short-term courses such as CCC, Foundation of Artificial Intelligence and 3D Printing do not carry any stipend.
Eligibility
To apply for the 2026-27 training cycle, candidates need to meet the criteria given below. The age and income limits are checked as on 1 July 2026.
- The candidate must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- The candidate must be an educated, unemployed jobseeker registered with an Employment Exchange or on the National Career Service portal.
- For the Special Coaching Scheme, the candidate must be between 18 and 27 years of age and must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board.
- For the IT, computer and AI technology courses, the candidate must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
- The total annual family income must not exceed rupees 3,00,000.
For example, if an SC candidate aged 24 from a family with an annual income of rupees 2,50,000 applies for the Special Coaching Scheme, the candidate is eligible because the age and income are within the set limits.
Application Process
For the 2026-27 cycle, the application is done online through the National Career Service portal. Follow the steps given below to apply.
STEP 1 - Go to the official National Career Service portal at ncs.gov.in and register as a Job Seeker if you are a new user. Complete your profile to 100% and note down your unique NCS Registration Number.
STEP 2 - Visit the DGE page for National Career Service Centers for SC/STs at dge.gov.in/ncsc_for_sc_sts and check the list of 25 centres to find the one nearest to you.
STEP 3 - Fill out the online application form with your basic details, educational marks, bank account details for stipend routing and your NCS registration number.
STEP 4 - If you are applying for the Special Coaching Scheme, select the competitive exam track you are preparing for, such as SSC, Banking or Railway exams.
STEP 5 - Upload self-attested copies of your caste certificate, Class 12 marksheet and income certificate, review all details and submit the form before 31 May 2026. Keep a printout of the form for future reference.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before you start the online application so that the process goes smoothly.
- Caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
- Class 12 marksheet and certificate from a recognised board.
- Employment Exchange registration card or NCS registration number.
- Family income certificate.
- Aadhaar card.
- Bank account details for receiving the stipend.
- Recent passport-size photographs.
References
View Official Scheme Guidelines on DGE Website
Apply Online on National Career Service Portal
Check NCSC for SC/ST Details on DBT Portal
FAQ's
Is this training programme available to everyone?
No, this scheme is reserved for educated, unemployed jobseekers from the SC/ST communities who meet the age and income limits.
What is the minimum educational qualification to apply?
Candidates must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board to be eligible for the special coaching and computer training courses.
Will I receive financial help while I study?
Yes, candidates on the long-term courses receive a monthly stipend of rupees 1,000 paid through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Are there attendance rules for the stipend?
Yes, candidates must maintain at least 80% attendance in their training classes each month to receive the stipend of rupees 1,000.
Can I apply for more than one course?
No, a candidate can select and enrol in only one course during an academic training cycle.
Is there an application or training fee?
No, there is no application fee or training fee. The entire programme and study material are sponsored by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.