Last updated: December 17th, 2019 5:07 PM

Dr. Ambedkar Scheme

The Union Government launched the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for social integration by incentivising inter-caste marriage. The main objective of the scheme is to appreciate the socially bold step of an inter-caste marriage. To promote such inter-caste marriage, the Government provides incentive and financial support to the married couple to empower them to settle down in the initial phase of their life. Thus, the purpose of  Dr. Ambedkar Scheme is improve social integration and to bring about equality amongst all people. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme is considered as a supplementary scheme to employment generation or poverty alleviation scheme.

Amount of Incentive

An incentive of Rs.2.50 lakh for a legal inter-caste marriage is provided under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme. The incentive amount of 50% in the form of a DD in joint name of the couple and the balance 50% after 5 years will be provided to eligible couple. The scheme covers incentives for 500 marriages in one year. Each state has the fixed target in proportion to the percentage share of SC population, as per Census 2011. Further, an amount of Rs. 25,000/-, for each marriage, would be released to the District Authorities for organising a befitting programme in which the incentive would be handed over to the couple.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for claiming incentive under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme:

• Either the bride or groom must below to the Scheduled Caste Community and the other person to a different community.
• As per the law under the Hindu Marriage Act, the marriage should be duly registered. A document of their being legally married and even the matrimonial alliance can also be submitted by the couple.
• The valid documents should be submitted within one year of marriage.
• In case of second or subsequent marriage, no incentive is available.
• The total annum income of the newly married couple should not be more than Rs.5 lakh, if both put together.
• A couple who have already received an incentive from the state or UT government is not eligible again.

Required Documents

• The Certificate that one of the spouse belongs to Scheduled Caste Community.
• The Marriage Certificate duly registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
• The Caste Certificate issued by the Competent Authorities in respect of the bride and bridegroom.
• The application should be within one year of marriage.
• A certificate to the effect that it is the first marriage of both bride and bridegroom.
• The income certificate of the both husband and wife issued by competent authority.

Application Procedure

• To submit the complete application with the recommendation of a sitting MP/MLA direct to the Dr Ambedkar Foundation.
• The state Government / District Administration which in turn will forward the same to the DAF with their recommendation assisted with the application.
• All complete applications are examined on file and submitted for the orders of Chairman, Dr Ambedkar Foundation & Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• On approval, the total amount (Rs 2.50 lakhs) will be transferred to the beneficiary through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS).