What is Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC?
Free Coaching Scheme for SC/ST/OBC Students is the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment's central scheme providing FREE coaching at top private institutes for SC/ST/OBC students preparing for: UPSC Civil Services, IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT, GATE, Bank PO/Clerk, SSC, Railway, NDA, CDS. Plus monthly stipend ₹6,000-₹8,000. Family income ≤ ₹8 lakh. Empanelled institutes include Akash, Vajiram & Ravi, FIITJEE, Career Launcher etc. Aim: bridge coaching access gap for marginalised students.
Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | Free Coaching Scheme for SC/ST/OBC Students 2026 — Central Free Coaching for UPSC, JEE, NEET |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2007 |
| Benefit | FREE coaching at top institutes (UPSC/JEE/NEET/CAT/CLAT/SSC) + ₹6,000-₹8,000/month stipend for SC/ST/OBC students |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | 31 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://coaching.dosje.gov.in |
Benefits of Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC
FREE coaching at top institutes (UPSC/JEE/NEET/CAT/CLAT/SSC) + ₹6,000-₹8,000/month stipend for SC/ST/OBC students
Who is Eligible for Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC?
- ✓SC, ST, or OBC student (Non-Creamy Layer for OBC)
- ✓Indian citizen
- ✓Family annual income ≤ ₹8 lakh
- ✓Class 12 / Graduation completed depending on exam
- ✓Aadhaar mandatory
- ✓Selection based on entrance test conducted by Ministry
Documents Required for Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC
How to Apply for Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC Online?
- 1Apply online at coaching.dosje.gov.in, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment's dedicated coaching portal.
- 2Upload your SC/ST/OBC caste certificate, with a Non-Creamy Layer certificate required for OBC applicants.
- 3Submit Class 10/12 or Graduation marksheets matching your target exam (UPSC, JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT, GATE, SSC, etc.).
- 4Attach an income certificate confirming family annual income does not exceed ₹8 lakh, plus a bank passbook for stipend transfer.
- 5Appear for the entrance test conducted by the Ministry to be shortlisted for an empanelled institute like Akash, Vajiram & Ravi, FIITJEE, or Career Launcher.
- 6Selected candidates receive free coaching at the empanelled institute plus a monthly stipend of ₹6,000-₹8,000 credited to their bank account.
Official Government Portal
The single official window for this scheme is coaching.dosje.gov.in. Filing is free, so steer clear of touts promising guaranteed selection.
🔗Apply on coaching.dosje.gov.inReal-Life Examples — Are You Eligible for Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC?
Match your own situation against these sample Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC applicants:
Anil, an SC student preparing for UPSC, family income ₹5 lakh
Eligible — SC with income within the ₹8 lakh limit — free coaching plus stipend
Sunita, an OBC (non-creamy layer) NEET aspirant, income ₹4 lakh
Eligible — OBC-NCL within the income limit
Ravi, an OBC student in the creamy layer
Not eligible — OBC applicants must be non-creamy layer
Meena, a general-category student
Not eligible — the scheme is only for SC/ST/OBC students
Karan, an SC student with family income ₹10 lakh
Not eligible — family income must be ₹8 lakh or below
Pooja, eligible but she did not clear the Ministry's selection entrance test
Not eligible — selection is through the Ministry-conducted entrance test
These scenarios are indicative; the official eligibility rules always take precedence.
Common Mistakes — Why Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC Applications Get Rejected
- ✗OBC applicants without a Non-Creamy-Layer certificate — it is mandatory.
- ✗Family income above ₹8 lakh.
- ✗Missing the Ministry's selection entrance test — selection is test-based, not first-come.
- ✗A wrong or expired caste certificate.
- ✗Applying on the wrong portal — it is coaching.dosje.gov.in.
- ✗Not meeting the exam's education prerequisite (e.g., Class 12 for UPSC).
Insider Tips for Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC
- →Apply at coaching.dosje.gov.in and prepare for the Ministry's selection entrance test — that is the real gate.
- →OBC: get your Non-Creamy-Layer certificate ready (income ≤ ₹8 lakh).
- →You also get a ₹6,000–₹8,000/month stipend during coaching — factor that in.
- →Selected students attend top empanelled institutes (Vajiram, Allen, FIITJEE, etc.) for free.
- →It is 100% free — the scheme pays the coaching fee; never pay anyone yourself.