Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme with the objective of supporting economically disadvantaged students appearing for competitive examinations.

The Scheme is reviewed from time to time. At present, it is being implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) through Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) established in 19 empanelled Central Universities across the country. The list of these Central Universities is given at Annexure-I.

The Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme, and therefore funds are not allocated State-wise or District-wise. However, details of funds sanctioned to empanelled Central Universities, including the Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, during the Financial Year 2024–25 along with the number of beneficiaries are given at Annexure-II.

Empanelled Central Universities select eligible SC and OBC students through their own screening process, while beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme are exempted from the screening process. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation coordinate with the Universities to ensure timely commencement of courses and submission of proposals for release of course fees and stipends.

To ensure equitable access, timely release of funds and effective utilisation, the Department has undertaken several measures including advertisements in national and regional newspapers, social media campaigns, uploading of scheme guidelines on the Department’s website, and continuous follow-up with States/UTs and empanelled Central Universities for popularisation of the Scheme. The Scheme is also regularly monitored through regional review meetings with stakeholders and inspections of randomly selected Central Universities.

[This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.]

Annexure-I

List of empanelled Central Universities implementing the Free Coaching Scheme

S.No.	Name of Central University
1.	Allahabad University, Allahabad
2.	Manipur University, Imphal
3.	Central University of Tamilnadu, Thiruvarur
4.	North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
5.	Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala
6.	Central University of Kerala, Kasargod
7.	BHU, Varanasi
8.	Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh
9.	Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
10.	Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer
11.	Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Vardha
12.	Central University of Gujarat, Gandhi Nagar
13.	Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P.
14.	HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand
15.	Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University (BBAU), Lucknow
16.	Central University of Odisha
17.	Tezpur University, Assam
18.	Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Madhya Pradesh
19.	Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh

Annexure-II
Funds sanctioned and beneficiaries under the Free Coaching Scheme (FY 2024–25)

S.No.	Name of Central University	Funds Sanctioned (Rs. in crores)	Beneficiaries
1.	Allahabad University, Allahabad	0.62	100
2.	Manipur University, Imphal	1.10	100
3.	Central University of Tamilnadu, Thiruvarur	0.82	73
4.	North Eastern Hill University, Shillong	No proposal received	No proposal received
5.	Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala	0.95	85
6.	Central University of Kerala, Kasargod	No proposal received	No proposal received
7.	BHU, Varanasi	1.21	100
8.	Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh	1.01	93
9.	Central University of Punjab, Bathinda	1.04	100
10.	Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer	1.08	93
11.	Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Vardha	No proposal received	No proposal received
12.	Central University of Gujarat, Gandhi Nagar	1.18	96
13.	Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P.	0.98	91
14.	HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand	1.50	193
15.	Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University (BBAU), Lucknow	0.96	93
16.	Central University of Odisha	0.96	78
17.	Tezpur University, Assam	0.78	66
18.	Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Madhya Pradesh	1.01	94
19.	Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh	No proposal received	No proposal received

 

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S.M

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