The government of India has been constantly working towards the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). One such prominent initiative launched by the central government is providing a free coaching scheme for SC and OBC students aspiring for public sector jobs, or preparing for entrance or eligibility tests. The primary goal of the scheme is to bridge the gap between socially and economically backward sections of students and the opportunities available for their betterment. As per government data, this free coaching scheme has benefitted more than 74 crore SC and OBC students between the period of 2017 to 2023.

Background and Objectives of the scheme: 

The free coaching Initiative for students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) began during the 6th five-year plan, i.e., in 1980-85. Later separate similar schemes were started for OBCs and Minority sections, but to ensure a better implementation of the scheme, all these Independent schemes were merged, creating the 'Coaching and Allied Assistance for Weaker Sections’ scheme. But after the minority affairs ministry was formed, the responsibility of planning and executing similar free coaching programs was handed over, and thus came into existence the ‘Free Coaching Scheme For SC and OBC Students’.

Purpose of Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students

1. To provide good quality coaching to economically backward OBC and SC students, who aspire to pursue higher education in professional or technical fields.

2. Prepare and orient students who are aspiring for Grade A, B, Level competitive exams or Officers’ grade examinations such as Bank, PSUs, etc. 

3. Enable students to appear for entrance examinations/eligibility tests for specific Public/Private jobs. 

Scope of the Scheme

A total of 3500 candidates will be selected under the scheme. With approx. 70% or above to be from the SC category and the remaining from OBCs. 

Courses Included In Scheme Ambit:

1. Group A and B exams by the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commissions, and the Railway Recruitment Boards.

2. Group A and B exams by the State Public Service Commission

3. Officers’ Grade Exams 

4. Entrance Exams and Eligibility Tests such as NET/SETs, IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. 

Implementation of the Scheme:

The scheme is being implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) through the Central Universities. All the universities and Institutes willing and capable of implementing the scheme can apply and create free coaching centres, within the university/institute premises, to be called Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (DACE). The applying universities/campuses will be selected by a designated selection committee as per the availability of physical and academic infrastructure. 

Also Read: Siksha Co-Pilot (Generative AI Digital Assistant) - Government of Karnataka's New Initiative to Support Teachers.  

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Applying students must belong to either SCs or OBCs with no more than INR 8 lakh p.a. 

2. The student must have a valid Aadhar card number with a bank account allocated to them. 

3. The specific eligibility criteria as per the exam for which the candidate is seeking coaching assistance will vary accordingly. For instance, if any competitive exam requires a qualifying exam to be Class XII, then the scheme eligibility will be the same as well. 

4. Any particular candidate can avail of the scheme benefits not more than twice, irrespective of the number of chances in his/her chosen competitive exam.

For further details, you can check the link. 

To conclude, this free coaching scheme for SC and OBC students was devised and implemented with the primary goal of reducing the gap in academic and employment opportunities for the backward sections of society and spans widely across multiple courses that a significant number of Indian youth apply to, i.e., Grade level Officers, lecturers, research scholars, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to avail the benefits or make the OBC and SC students in need of the benefits aware of this scheme so that society can evolve into a more equal one with better prospects for all.