The Central Government’s Free Coaching Scheme gives free coaching for competitive examinations to economically disadvantaged SC and OBC students. It is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation through Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) in about 19 Central Universities across the country. Every year, about 3,500 students get coaching under this scheme. Along with the coaching, the student also gets a monthly stipend of ₹4,000.
Which examinations are covered
The scheme covers coaching for UPSC Civil Services, State PSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), banking, insurance and PSU examinations, JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT, GATE, NDA, CDS and exams like GRE, GMAT, IELTS and TOEFL. The government pays the coaching fee — up to ₹75,000 for UPSC/State PSC/JEE/NEET/GATE, ₹50,000 for banking/insurance/PSU/CLAT and ₹40,000 for SSC/RRB. A one-time ₹15,000 incentive for interview coaching is also given to candidates who clear the Mains stage of Civil Services examinations.
Who can apply
The applicant must belong to the SC or OBC category and the family’s annual income must not exceed ₹8 lakh. The student must have scored at least 50% marks in the previous board examination. Seats are shared in a 70:30 ratio — at least 70% of seats are for SC students. Beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme face no income or caste restriction and are also exempted from the entrance examination. A student can take the benefit a maximum of 2 times.
Different from Haryana’s scheme
Note that this is a Central Government scheme, run through DACE centres in Central Universities. The Haryana Government’s separate scheme — SC/BC Competitive Exam Coaching Assistance — runs at the state level with different conditions. If you want coaching under this central scheme, you must apply at a DACE centre in a Central University, not at a state government office.
How to apply
Applications are made at the DACE centre of the concerned Central University — each centre fixes its own entrance examination and dates, so check the dates on socialjustice.gov.in or the university’s website. The application has to be submitted with the caste certificate, income certificate, previous examination marksheet, Aadhaar and bank account details. The stipend is paid by DBT into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of selected students. Do not pay anyone for applying — this facility is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does the Free Coaching Scheme give?
A: Free coaching for UPSC, JEE, NEET, banking and SSC exams, a ₹4,000 monthly stipend (up to 12 months) and a ₹15,000 interview incentive after clearing Mains.
Q2: Who can apply?
A: SC or OBC students with family income up to ₹8 lakh and at least 50% marks in the previous board examination; no income/caste limit applies to PM CARES children.
Q3: How many students are selected every year?
A: About 3,500 students; each DACE centre in a Central University normally has 100 seats.
Q4: Where do I apply?
A: At the DACE centre of a nearby Central University — check dates on socialjustice.gov.in or the university’s website.
Useful links
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: https://socialjustice.gov.in/
- Free Coaching Scheme on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/fcssos
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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