The Free Coaching for Students with Disabilities scheme, initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to voluntary organizations for offering free coaching to students with disabilities preparing for competitive examinations.
This scheme ensures equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities and improves their chances of securing jobs or admission into higher educational institutions.
Scope of the Scheme
The scheme provides coaching for competitive exams conducted by:
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) for Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts
- State Public Service Commissions for Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts
- Examinations for higher educational admissions
Benefits
- 100% financial assistance for coaching.
- Stipend:
- ₹2,500/month for local students.
- ₹5,000/month for outstation students.
- Cost of study materials covered.
- Coaching fees fully funded.
- Other incidental expenses covered.
Eligibility
For Students
- Must have a minimum of 40% disability (certified).
- Must be preparing for eligible competitive exams.
- Annual family income should not exceed ₹6,00,000/-.
- Can only avail the scheme benefits once.
- Should not be availing similar benefits from any other Central Government scheme.
For Voluntary Organizations
- Must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or relevant State/UT Act.
- Must be in existence for at least three years.
- Must have adequate infrastructure & experience in providing coaching to students with disabilities.
Application Process
Offline Application
- Visit the DEPwD website and navigate to “Schemes”.
- Click on “Free Coaching for Students with Disabilities”.
- Download the application form.
- Fill out the application and attach required documents.
- Submit the application to the voluntary organization you wish to join.
Documents Required
- Disability certificate (40% or more).
- Previous qualifying examination marksheets.
- Income certificate of parents/guardians.
- Aadhaar card.
- Passport-size photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is this scheme?
A government-funded program providing free coaching to students with disabilities preparing for competitive exams.
Q: Who is eligible for this scheme?
Students with 40% or more disability, whose family income is below ₹6,00,000 per annum, and who are preparing for UPSC, SSC, RRB, State PSC, or higher education entrance exams.
Q: What documents are required?
Disability certificate, marksheets, income certificate, Aadhaar card, and passport-size photograph.
Q: What is the selection process?
Students must apply through empaneled voluntary organizations that will evaluate applications based on eligibility.
Q: What is the duration of the coaching program?
The duration varies depending on the examination for which the student is preparing.
Q: What are the key benefits of this scheme?
- Free coaching for competitive exams.
- Financial assistance for study materials.
- Stipend of ₹2,500/month (local) & ₹5,000/month (outstation).
Q: Is there any age criterion for applying?
No specific age limit is mentioned.
Q: How is the scheme funded?
The Central Government provides 100% financial assistance to empaneled voluntary organizations.
Q: Can students avail this scheme more than once?
No, the benefits can only be availed once.
There is no mention like you said in depwd website
Please help me with this elaborately..
Hi , I have checked the link is not there in the website or I am not getting that
Please help me in this regards.
Please check Guidlines – Which is on 26 July 2024
The Government’s Free Coaching Scheme aims to support students with disabilities (40% or more benchmark disability) in competitive exams and professional courses. Key updates include:
Courses Covered: Coaching for UPSC, SSC, RRBs, state commissions, banking (IBPS), and entrance exams (IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT). Added courses include CUET UG/PG, TET, UGC-NET, and others approved by the Secretary, DEPwD.
Slots: 1,000 annual slots (60% for government exams, 40% for professional courses), with flexibility to increase slots based on demand and funding. Slots are allocated across five disability categories (130 each for four categories, 80 for others), allowing reallocation if slots are underutilized.
Implementing Agencies: Primarily National Institutes/Composite Regional Centres under DEPwD, with potential expansion to selected universities/institutes approved by a Selection Committee.
MoU Conditions: Agencies must sign a 5-year MoU (previously 3 years), ensure in-house coaching, biometric attendance, and verify student eligibility (UDID, income ≤ ₹8 lakh). Penalties apply for ineligible students.
Eligibility: Students require ≥50% in Class X for entrance exams and Class XII for higher courses. Only two children per family eligible, with no dual government coaching benefits.
Fees & Stipends: Revised fees (e.g., banking/PSUs reduced to ₹40k) and stipends (₹4,000/month), disability allowance (₹2,000), and book allowance (₹5,000).
Disbursement: Coaching fees via a Central Nodal Agency; stipends through DBT to Aadhaar-linked accounts.