Central Govt Social welfare & EmpowermentEducation & Learning

Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes - "Educational Empowerment" Component

Students from De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT/NT/SNT) communities with family income below ₹2.5 lakh per year can receive free coaching for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IIT-JEE, NEET, and CAT, along with a monthly stipend of ₹1,500–₹3,000. The scheme is run by the Development and Welfare Board for DNT/NT communities, with applications open twice a year in July and January through dwbdnc.dosje.gov.in. Benefits can be used a maximum of twice in a lifetime.

Department of Social Justice & Empowerment For: Individual Official Source
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About This Scheme

Students from De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT/NT/SNT) communities with family income below ₹2.5 lakh per year can receive free coaching for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IIT-JEE, NEET, and CAT, along with a monthly stipend of ₹1,500–₹3,000. The scheme is run by the Development and Welfare Board for DNT/NT communities, with applications open twice a year in July and January through dwbdnc.dosje.gov.in. Benefits can be used a maximum of twice in a lifetime.

Full official description

The scheme "Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SEED)" was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India. The scheme aims to provide comprehensive empowerment to De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities who are the most neglected, marginalized and economically and socially deprived communities, addressing their educational, health, livelihood and housing needs through an umbrella approach with an approximate cost of ₹20,00,00,000/- to be spent over a period of 5 years. The "Educational Empowerment" component provides free coaching of good quality for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes candidates to enable them to appear in competitive examinations and monthly stipend support ranging from ₹1,500/- to ₹3,000/- along with special allowances for students with disabilities. The applicant must belong to De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities and have total family income from all sources of ₹2,50,000/- or less per annum. The scheme is implemented by the Development and Welfare Board for De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. The applications for this scheme are accepted Online.

Benefits

  • Full course fee paid directly to an empanelled coaching institute (subject to Ministry-prescribed limits per exam)
  • ₹1,500/month stipend for students attending local (in-city) coaching
  • ₹3,000/month stipend for students attending outstation coaching
  • ₹2,000/month special allowance for students with 40%+ disability
  • Exams covered: UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSCs, bank/insurance officer exams, IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, NDA/CDS
  • Up to 2 coaching attempts for each stage (Prelims and Mains); unlimited for interviews
  • All payments via Direct Benefit Transfer to Aadhaar-linked bank account

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

  • Must belong to a De-notified, Nomadic, or Semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT/NT/SNT) community
  • Annual family income from all sources must be ₹2,50,000 or below
  • Must not be receiving similar coaching support from any other Central or State government scheme
  • Must meet the minimum qualifying marks for the competitive exam you wish to prepare for
  • For Class 12-level exams: must have passed or be studying in Class 12
  • For graduation-level exams: must have completed or be in the final year of a bachelor's degree
  • Students with disabilities (40% or more) are eligible for an additional special allowance

How to Apply

Online

(The applicants are advised to monitor the portal during the two annual application windows - July and January, as the portal remains open for one month twice a year specifically during these months for receiving applications) Step 1:**** Portal Access and Registration Access the official portal. On the homepage, click on "Registration". You will be taken to the registration page. Fill in all the mandatory fields and register. If required, verify your Email ID and Mobile Number via OTP. Step 3: Online Application Submission Use the credentials you created during registration to log in. Navigate to the online form of the scheme. In the form, fill in all the mandatory fields and upload all the mandatory documents in the specified format and size. Step 5: Review & Submit Carefully review all the information provided and the documents uploaded. Make any necessary corrections. Click the "Submit" button to submit your application. You'll receive a confirmation message.

Screening Processes

Step 1:**** Application Review and Merit List Wait for the closure of application portal after which separate merit lists will be drawn up by the Information Technology system for both levels of competitive exams based on marks obtained in qualifying examinations in decreasing order. Step 2:**** Screening Committee Evaluation Applications will be scrutinized by the Screening Committee set up by Development and Welfare Board for De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities in order of merit for ascertaining eligibility and credentials verification. Step 3:**** Selection Notification Check the merit list uploaded on the Ministry website to confirm your selection, with 625 candidates provided assistance in each of the two phases annually. Step 4:**** Open Assurance Letter Receipt Receive the Open Assurance Letter stating your name, rank number, and fee amount eligible under the scheme after selection and credential verification process completion.

Next Steps

Step 1:**** Coaching Institute Selection and Admission Contact and secure admission in your preferred coaching institute using the Open Assurance Letter, ensuring the institute is empanelled under the Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes students. Step 2:**** Admission Confirmation Upload Upload the admission confirmation or assurance letter received from your selected coaching institute on the online portal for processing of first installment release. Step 3:**** First Installment Receipt Receive 50% of eligible coaching fee amount through Direct Benefit Transfer mode directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account immediately after uploading admission confirmation. Step 4:**** Course Joining and Fee Deposit Join the selected coaching course within 6 months of receiving first installment and deposit the received amount to the coaching institute, obtaining proper receipt for the same. Step 5:**** Final Installment Processing Submit proof of joining the coaching institute and deposit receipt of first installment to receive the remaining 50% course fee along with monthly stipend payments through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum family income limit for a candidate to be eligible for benefits under this educational empowerment program?

The total family income from all sources must be ₹2,50,000/- or less per annum. Income declaration should be obtained from Revenue Officer not below rank of Tehsildar for self-employed families and from employer for employed parents.

Can I apply for coaching assistance if I am currently studying in the final year of my bachelor's degree program?

Yes, students studying in final year of bachelor degree course are eligible for competitive exams requiring graduation qualification. You must be either completed or studying in final year at the time of receiving benefits.

How many times can I avail the coaching benefits throughout my academic career under this educational support program?

Benefits can be availed maximum twice in your lifetime, irrespective of number of chances you may be entitled for any particular competitive examination. You must submit affidavit confirming you have not exceeded this limit.

What is the monthly stipend amount provided to students who attend coaching institutes outside their home location?

Outstation students receive ₹3,000/- per month while local students get ₹1,500/- per month. Stipend is paid till duration of course or for one year, whichever is less, through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

Are there any additional financial benefits available for students with disabilities pursuing coaching under this educational support initiative?

Students with disabilities having valid disability certificate showing 40% or more disability receive Special Allowance of ₹2,000/- per month. This covers reader allowance, escort allowance, helper allowance in addition to regular stipend.

Which competitive examinations are covered under the free coaching component of this educational empowerment program for marginalized communities?

Coverage includes Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Boards, State Public Service Commissions, Banking, Insurance, Public Sector Undertakings, Engineering (Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination), Medical (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), Management (Common Admission Test), Law (Common Law Admission Test), and various eligibility tests.

When does the online application portal open for receiving applications from eligible candidates throughout the year?

The portal remains open twice annually during July and January months for one month each. No offline applications are entertained and all incomplete applications will be summarily rejected.

What happens if I cannot join my selected coaching institute within the specified time frame after receiving the first installment?

If first installment is not paid to selected institute within 6 months, you must return the amount to Government immediately. Second installment will not be eligible and you must submit affidavit confirming this commitment.

How is the selection process conducted when the number of eligible applications exceeds the available coaching slots?

Selection is done in decreasing order of marks obtained in qualifying examinations. Priority is given to students who have qualified preliminary examination at least once for two-stage competitive exams.

Can I receive coaching assistance for both preliminary and main stages of competitive examinations that are conducted in multiple phases?

Yes, you are entitled for free coaching up to two times each for Preliminary and Main examinations. There is no restriction on number of coaching chances for Interview stage if selected.

What type of income certificate is required if my parents are employed but have additional sources of income?

Employed parents must obtain income certificate from their employer and additionally get consolidated certificate from Revenue Officer for any other additional sources of income beyond their employment.

Is it possible to choose any coaching institute of my preference or are there restrictions on institute selection?

You have liberty to choose coaching institute of your preference, but it must be empanelled under Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes students as maintained by the Ministry.

What is the maximum course fee limit covered under this educational assistance program for different competitive examination categories?

Course fee varies by examination type - Civil Services ₹1,20,000/-, Staff Selection Commission/Railway Recruitment Boards ₹40,000/-, Banking/Insurance/Public Sector Undertakings/Common Law Admission Test ₹50,000/-, Joint Entrance Examination/National Eligibility cum Entrance Test ₹1,20,000/-, Common Admission Test ₹60,000/-, and others as specified in scheme annexure.

Are students from De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities who belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes also eligible?

Yes, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes students are eligible irrespective of whether they belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes. However, they cannot avail similar benefits from other government schemes simultaneously.

Ready to apply?

Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.

Apply on myScheme.gov.in

Documents Required

  • ##### ***For Application***
  • Income Certificate From Revenue Officer Not Below Rank Of Tehsildar (for self-employed parents/guardians).
  • Income Certificate From Employer (for employed parents/guardians).
  • Consolidated Income Certificate From Revenue Officer (for employed parents/guardians with additional income sources).
  • Community Certificate Proving De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Status.
  • Educational Qualification Certificates (Class 12th marksheet or Degree certificate as applicable).
  • Disability Certificate Issued By Competent Authority (for students with disabilities, showing 40% or more disability).
  • Aadhaar Card.
  • Bank Account Details Linked With Aadhaar.
  • Affidavit Stating Not Taken Benefit More Than Twice Under The Scheme.
  • Affidavit Stating Not Availing Scholarship From Any Other Similar Scheme Of Centre Or State Government.
  • Preliminary Examination Qualification Certificate (if applicable, for priority consideration).
  • ##### ***For Benefit Disbursal***
  • Admission Confirmation Letter From Coaching Institute.
  • Proof Of Joining The Selected Coaching Institute.
  • Receipt Of First Installment Deposit To The Coaching Institute.

Tags

StudentEducationCoachingEmpowermentExaminationTribe
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