Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA): Central Smart Surveillance Unit (CSSU)
The Central Smart Surveillance Unit (CSSU) is a government monitoring initiative that requires Central Government-funded grant-in-aid institutions, training centres, and coaching centres to install CCTV cameras and share access with the Ministry of Social Justice. The Ministry sets up a central dashboard to remotely supervise all funded institutions for accountability. CCTV installation costs are funded under each institution's existing Central Government grant.
About This Scheme
The Central Smart Surveillance Unit (CSSU) is a government monitoring initiative that requires Central Government-funded grant-in-aid institutions, training centres, and coaching centres to install CCTV cameras and share access with the Ministry of Social Justice. The Ministry sets up a central dashboard to remotely supervise all funded institutions for accountability. CCTV installation costs are funded under each institution's existing Central Government grant.
Full official description
The scheme "Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA)" was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Govt. of India. The "Central Smart Surveillance Unit (CSSU)" component of the scheme aims to connect the Department with all Grant-in-aid institutions, Training and Coaching centres funded by the Central Government through a network of Closed-Circuit Television cameras or other electronic devices. The component provides for the setting up of a central monitoring system either in the Ministry or at a convenient location for the continuous supervision of all Grant-in-aid institutions. The applicant (Grant-in-aid institution) must install Closed-Circuit Television cameras or electronic devices to cover the services provided in their campus and share login credentials with their respective State Coordinators.
Benefits
- CCTV installation costs covered under the institution's existing Central Government grant
- Central monitoring dashboard and integration managed by the Ministry (₹15 crore allocated over 5 years for 1,000–1,400 institutions)
- Enables compliance with government transparency and accountability requirements
- Provides oversight for welfare institutions serving SC/OBC and other target communities
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a grant-in-aid institution, training centre, or coaching centre
- Must be funded by the Central Government under a Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment scheme
- Must install CCTV cameras covering all services across the campus
- Must share CCTV login credentials with the respective State Coordinator for monitoring
- After the warranty period expires, the institution must fund its own Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC)
How to Apply
Step 1:**** Initiation of Surveillance Support
- All divisions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment are required to support the installation of Closed-Circuit Television cameras or electronic devices in Grant-in-aid institutions that receive grants for their schemes.
- This is a mandatory departmental requirement to facilitate the overall system setup.
Step 2:**** Outsourcing Central Monitoring System Implementation
- The responsibility for integrating data from all electronic monitoring devices, providing a complete solution for the Central Monitoring System, developing the required dashboard, and arranging maintenance will be outsourced.
- This crucial step is undertaken to ensure specialized expertise handles the technological setup.
Step 3:**** External Agency Selection and Contract Finalization
- An external agency will be selected through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) utilizing a transparent mechanism to ensure fairness.
- Following selection, a formal contract will be signed with this external agency specifically covering the setting up of the Central Monitoring System, dashboard development, and ongoing maintenance.
Institutional Compliance Process (Grant-in-aid Institutions)
Step 1:**** Installation of Closed-Circuit Television Devices
- The Grant-in-aid institutions must install Closed-Circuit Television cameras or electronic devices within the institution's campus.
- This installation must effectively cover the various services provided by the institution.
Step 2:**** Sharing of Login Credentials for Monitoring
- The Grant-in-aid institutions are required to share the login credentials of their Closed-Circuit Television cameras with their respective State Coordinators.
- These credentials are subsequently used by the State Coordinators for monitoring purposes.
Step 3:**** Securing Long-Term Maintenance
- After the initial warranty period for the Closed-Circuit Television system or electronic devices expires, the Grant-in-aid organization must obtain the Annual Maintenance Contract.
- This contract must be secured utilizing the organization's own financial resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific type of organization must be receiving financial assistance to qualify for inclusion under the requirement to deploy electronic surveillance measures?
The organization must be a Grant-in-aid institution, Training centre, or Coaching centre that is currently receiving funding directly from the Central Government.
Aside from the Central Monitoring System setup, what other key technological tasks, such as dashboard creation and continued service support, will be outsourced to an external agency?
The external agency selected will be responsible for providing the complete solution for the Central Monitoring System, developing the required dashboard, and arranging for necessary maintenance.
Once the surveillance system data is collected, where will the Central Monitoring System, intended for continuous supervision of all funded institutions, be physically established?
The central monitoring system will be set up either within the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment itself or at any other convenient location as determined and decided upon by the Ministry.
What is the overall operational purpose of establishing the Central Smart Surveillance Unit for the Grant-in-aid institutions and other centrally funded centers?
The primary operational purpose is to enable the Ministry to perform continuous remote supervision of all Grant-in-aid institutions using the centralized electronic monitoring setup.
If our organization installs the required monitoring equipment, with whom are we mandated to share the security and access credentials for remote monitoring purposes?
You are required to share the login credentials of your Closed-Circuit Television cameras with your respective State Coordinators, as these will be used for continuous monitoring.
What is the total financial allocation that the department has earmarked for the purpose of setting up the Central Smart Surveillance Unit infrastructure across the full five-year duration?
The total financial outlay planned for the Central Smart Surveillance Unit infrastructure setup over the five-year period (2021-22 to 2025-26) is ₹15,00,00,000/- (Rupees fifteen crore).
Which entity is specifically responsible for integrating the data from all electronic monitoring devices and delivering a complete technological solution for the Central Monitoring System?
The work of integrating data, developing the dashboard, and providing the complete Central Monitoring System solution will be outsourced to an external agency having sufficient experience in this field.
If we are required to install Closed-Circuit Television cameras or other electronic monitoring devices, who is responsible for incurring the initial costs associated with this installation?
The funds necessary for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television cameras or electronic devices in Grant-in-aid institutions must be incurred under their respective scheme.
What is the specific amount allocated for the central setup and infrastructure of the surveillance unit for the financial year 2024-2025, according to the department's plan?
The cost allocated for the Central Smart Surveillance Unit infrastructure in the 2024-2025 financial year is ₹3,20,00,000/- (Rupees three crore twenty lakh), covering 1,300 institutions.
Does the requirement for surveillance monitoring extend beyond only the Grant-in-aid institutions, or are other types of centrally funded organizations also included in this scope?
This surveillance initiative is designed to connect the department with all Central Government funded Grant-in-aid institutions, as well as Training and Coaching centres.
What is the primary requirement regarding the physical placement or coverage area of the Closed-Circuit Television cameras or electronic monitoring devices installed within our institutional premises?
The Grant-in-aid institution must ensure that the installed Closed-Circuit Television cameras or electronic devices adequately cover all the services being provided within the campus of the institution.
Who within the monitoring structure is specifically assigned the duty of accessing and using the login credentials of the Grant-in-aid institutions’ Closed-Circuit Television cameras?
The login credentials for the Closed-Circuit Television cameras, shared by the institutions, will be utilized specifically by the respective State Coordinators for monitoring purposes.
Once the initial warranty period for the Closed-Circuit Television system or other electronic devices has ended, what financial obligation does my organization have regarding maintenance?
After the warranty expires, your organization must secure the Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for the Closed-Circuit Television system or electronic devices, utilizing your own resources.
How will the external agency responsible for the development and maintenance of the Central Monitoring System solution be selected and formally engaged?
The external agency will be selected through a transparent mechanism, specifically utilizing the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform, and a formal contract will be signed for the services.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Grant-In-Aid Institution Funding Status Document (To confirm Central Government funding status).
- Proof Of Installation Of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras Or Electronic Devices (To substantiate compliance with installation requirement).
- Details Confirming Sharing Of Login Credentials With State Coordinator (To verify monitoring access).
- Annual Maintenance Contract Details (Required after the expiration of the initial warranty period).