Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students
Category: Social welfare & Empowerment, Education & Learning
Level: Central | State: All
Ministry: Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment

Details:
The scheme "Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students" was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme aims to upgrade the merit of Scheduled Caste students by providing them with facilities for all round development through education in residential or non-residential schools, addressing their educational deficiencies that prevent them from taking advantage of reservation quotas in technical and professional courses. The scheme provides remedial coaching to remove deficiencies in school subjects and special coaching to prepare students for competitive examinations for entry into professional courses like Engineering and Medical.

Benefits:
Package Grant
₹25,000/- per student per year with the following breakdown:
₹15,000/- per student per year comprising - 
Boarding and Lodging Charges: ₹900/- per month for 10 months = ₹9,000/- (for residential school students only)
Pocket Money: ₹300/- per month for 10 months = ₹3,000/-
Books and Stationery: ₹3,000/-
₹10,000/- per year per student - 
For honorarium to Principal, Experts and other incidental charges.
Additional Benefits for Students with Disabilities
Reader Allowance:
 ₹200/- per month for blind students in classes IX to XII.
Transport Allowance:
 ₹100/- per month for disabled students not residing in hostel within educational institution premises.
Special Pay:
 ₹200/- per month for hostel employees assisting severely orthopaedically handicapped students.
Escort Allowance:
 ₹100/- per month for severely handicapped day scholar students with lower extremity disability.
Allowance:
 ₹200/- per month towards extra coaching for mentally retarded and mentally ill students in classes IX to XII.
Conditions
*Students must maintain regular attendance and academic performance as monitored by school authorities.
*Students must complete the full coaching program from Class IX to XII to derive maximum benefit.
*Compliance with the transparent selection and monitoring process established by State Governments.


Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be a Scheduled Caste student.
- The applicant must be studying in classes IX to XII.
- The applicant must be enrolled in schools selected by the State Government under the scheme.
- The applicant may be enrolled in class X or XI if he/she has shown excellent performance in the previous examination and missed entry at class IX level for any reason.
- The applicant must be from districts selected based on highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts (for new selections from 2014-15 onwards).

***Preference***

- Girls students are given equal preference with awards allocated in 50:50 ratio between boys and girls.
- Unutilized awards by girls may be used by boys and vice-versa.
- At least 3% representation for disabled Scheduled Caste students wherever possible.