Samriddhi Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students for setting start-ups is a central government scheme run by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The scheme is open for AICTE-approved institutes and university departments so that SC and ST students can start their own business and run it either during their final year of study or after completing their degree or diploma.
Under this scheme, AICTE gives a total support of ₹20,00,000 to each selected institute. The institute picks nine registered SC and ST student start-ups and gives ₹2,00,000 to each of them as non-refundable seed money. Another ₹2,00,000 is given to the institute for the selection process, and ₹1,00,000 per year is released as a regular grant for the two-year duration of the scheme.
Samriddhi Scheme for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Students for Setting Start-Ups
The main aim of the scheme is simple. Many SC and ST students have good business ideas but do not get the money or the support to turn those ideas into a real company. This scheme helps them design, launch and run their own start-up through an entrepreneurship development programme, either during their final year or after formal education is over.
Students who are already getting financial help under any other government or AICTE scheme will not be able to get this funding. So institutes should check this point before selecting the start-ups. Those who are interested can also check the related AICTE-Distinguished Professional Scheme which supports professionals in a different way.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Samriddhi Scheme for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Students for Setting Start-Ups |
| Launched By | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Beneficiaries | SC and ST students in their final year or who have completed their studies |
| Total Support per Institute | ₹20,00,000 |
| Seed Money per Start-up | ₹2,00,000 (for 9 start-ups) |
| Scheme Duration | 2 Years |
| Application Mode | Online (AICTE portal) |
| Official Website | portal.aicte.gov.in |
Benefits
The scheme gives a fixed amount of money to each selected institute. The institute then shares that money with the student start-ups it selects. Here is how the money is split:
| Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Grant per Institute | ₹20,00,000 |
| Seed Money per Start-up | ₹2,00,000 (9 start-ups) |
| Selection Expenditure | ₹2,00,000 |
| Recurring Grant per Year | ₹1,00,000 |
The whole scheme runs for a period of 2 years. The institute receives 100% of the non-recurring funds at the time the scheme is awarded. The recurring grant of ₹1,00,000 per year is released separately for the running cost of the centre. Please remember that a student already getting support from another government or AICTE scheme is not eligible for this funding.
Eligibility
The application is filled by the institute, not by individual students. So the institute must first meet the conditions fixed by AICTE. The main eligibility points are given below.
- The institution must be approved by AICTE or be an AICTE-approved university department and must have been running for at least 10 years.
- The institution should have a working incubation centre whose activities have been going on for at least 5 years.
- The institution must have an average of at least 50 SC and ST students on roll during the last 3 years and must follow the Tribal Sub Plan and Scheduled Caste Sub Plan rules of the government.
- For students, the person should be in the final year of a degree or diploma course and must own a registered start-up or company.
Application Process
Institutes can apply online through the AICTE portal. The whole process is handled on the portal and every step must be done carefully. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Open the official AICTE portal and log in using the institutional login details.
STEP 2 - Go to the AICTE Quality Improvement Schemes (AQIS) application tab and check the institute details like the Permanent Institute Identification number and address.
STEP 3 - Enter and confirm the bank account number, IFSC code and MICR details of the institute on the portal.
STEP 4 - Click on the 'New' button and choose 'SAMRIDDHI-Programme' from the list of schemes.
STEP 5 - Add the Principal Investigator details including their Aadhaar and PAN numbers, and fill the budget estimate and academic details.
STEP 6 - Fill all the mandatory tabs, then click on 'Validate Application' and submit the application before the last date.
Documents
Institutes should keep the required papers ready before starting the application. Having these documents ready makes the process faster.
- Proof of AICTE approval and proof that the institute has been running for 10 or more years.
- Documents that show the incubation centre has been active for at least 5 years.
- Records of SC and ST student enrollment for the last 3 years.
- Compliance certificates for the Tribal and Scheduled Caste Sub Plans.
- PAN and bank account details of the institution.
- Aadhaar and PAN details of the Principal Investigator.
- Proof of student enrollment and start-up registration.
References
User Manual for Application Process
FAQ's
Can a student apply if their start-up already gets other government funding?
No. If a student is already getting benefits from any other Government of India or AICTE scheme, they will not be eligible for this funding.
How many start-ups does an institution need to select?
The institute's selection committee must choose exactly nine registered SC and ST student start-ups for the funding.
What is the duration of this scheme?
The scheme runs for a period of 2 years.
How much seed money does each start-up get?
Each selected student start-up receives a non-refundable seed amount of ₹2,00,000.
When does an institute receive the non-recurring funds?
AICTE releases 100% of the non-recurring funds as soon as the scheme is awarded to the institute.