Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and Chairman of Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) Dr. Virendra Kumar will launch the Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) SchemePan India from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi on 22.04.2022 at 2.00 p.m. Smt. Anandi Ben Patel, Governor, Uttar Pradesh will be the Chief Guest of the launch programme. Union Ministers of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri A. Narayanswamy and Km. PratimaBhoumik will also be present on the occasion.

After the launch of the DACE Scheme, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the selected 31 Universities and Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India.

Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India, is starting Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) in 31 Central Universities across the country. The DACEs are being set up to provide high qualityfree coaching facilitiesto the Scheduled Caste students forthe Civil Services examinations, conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Under the DACEScheme, a total of 100 seats will be sanctioned for coaching per centre. Of the total sanctioned seats for coaching, 33% seatswill preferably be given to the eligible female candidates of Scheduled Castes. If eligible female candidatesare notavailable in sufficient numbers for the coaching, the concerned University will allocate the vacant seats to the male/transgender candidates (SC Candidates only).

The coaching benefits, under the scheme,will only be utilized by a student ONCE regardless of the number of chances he/she is entitled for a particular competitive examination. It will be mandatory for a student to submit an affidavitto the University stating that he/she has not received any monetary benefit from any of the other schemesof Government of India, State/UTs or any funding agency.

The concerned University will widely publicize the scheme through open advertisement and make a public notice for a Common Entrance Test. The studentswill be selected through an entrance test conducted by the University as per merit.

In order to conduct the coaching classes, the Universities will have to possess necessary infrastructure such as separate classrooms, Library, Hi-Speed Wi-Fi connectivity, and other requisite equipment etc.

As per the terms and conditions of the scheme, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) shall fund the entire expenditure incurred on the establishment of Dr. Ambedkar Centre for Excellence.  Rs. 75,000/- per annum / per student will be provided to the University for 100 students. Total amount of Rs. 75.00 lakh per year would be provided to the University for running the Scheme.

In addition, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is running another Scheme called “Dr. Ambedkar Chairs” in Universities/Institutions all over the country. At present, there are 24 Dr. Ambedkar Chairs across the country. In the recent past, Dr. Ambedkar Chair Scheme has been revamped in terms of broadening the research area, revision of financial assistance etc.

A revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will also be signed with regard to revamped Dr. Ambedkar Chairs Scheme between 24 Universities/Institutions and Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India during the event.

Dr. Ambedkar Chairs aim to provide advanced Centres of learning in the premier universities and educational institutes, where academicians, scholars and students would enrich and advance studies and research to understand, assess, disseminate and implementthe ideas and thoughts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The Chairs also aim to conduct advanced research and teaching on the present and past of the deprived sections of Indian society to provide justice and empower them. The specific areas of research and learning in the concerned disciplines will be spelt out in the Memorandum of Understanding to be signed jointly by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and the concerned University/Institute.

The DAF has revised the amount of grant-in-aid to Dr. Ambedkar Chairs from the present Rs. 35.00 Lakh to Rs. 75.00 Lakh.

To facilitate the establishment of the Chairs, a one-time grant of Rs. 10.00 lakh is released to each Chair at the time of the ‘Initial Establishment’ of each Chair.

MG/RNM