Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes
Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and Other Organizations for Scheduled Castes (SCs)
The “Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and Other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes” is a pivotal initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This scheme is designed to improve the outreach of government development programs and address deficiencies in services within Scheduled Caste-dominant regions. Key sectors targeted include education, health, and vocational training, facilitating socio-economic upliftment and overall development for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Objectives of the Scheme
The primary goal of this scheme is to bridge the gaps in developmental services available to Scheduled Castes in India. By collaborating with voluntary organizations, the scheme aims to:
- Facilitate access to educational resources.
- Provide essential healthcare services.
- Support vocational training initiatives.
- Encourage innovative projects that positively impact the livelihoods of SCs.
Key Benefits of the Scheme
- Educational Initiatives: Establishment of hostels, residential schools, ITIs, arts and craft centers, and other income-generating schemes.
- Tuition Fee Support: Financial assistance for tuition fees for IT training at select reputable institutions recognized by the Ministry.
- Childcare Services: Creation of Balwadies and Bal Kendras (creches) for the care of underprivileged children from SC communities.
- Healthcare Facilities: Development of hospitals or mobile dispensaries for SC communities, with a maximum monthly expense of ₹10,000 for medical specialists.
- Awareness and Support: Promotion of government programs and guidance for accessing various legal and financial aid services.
- Grievance Redressal: Assistance in addressing grievances through appropriate judicial and administrative platforms.
- Coaching and Advocacy: Establishment of coaching centers for competitive exams and advocacy for human rights and consumer protection.
- NGO Capacity Building: Training opportunities for NGOs in management, accounting, and application procedures.
- Related Activities: Any additional activities that align with the scheme’s objectives.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this scheme, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or any relevant state/union territory legislation.
- A public trust registered according to applicable laws.
- A charitable company licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
- Affiliation with the Indian Red Cross Society or its branches.
- Any other public body or institution with a legal status.
- Voluntary organizations must have a minimum of three years of registration but may receive exceptions as determined by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- At least 60% of beneficiaries served must be from Scheduled Castes.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Voluntary Organizations (VOs) must have maintained an operational bank account for the past three years. Profit-making is not permissible, except for recognized training institutions.
Selection Criteria for New Organizations
- Minimum two years of experience in relevant fields.
- Proven aptitude for welfare work aimed at weaker sections.
- Proposed projects should be located in:
- Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs),
- Service-deficient blocks with over 40% SC population,
- Backward districts as identified by the Planning Commission, or
- Integrated Action Plan Districts recognized by the Government of India.
- Financial viability to support its share of project costs and sustain operations without immediate Ministry assistance.
- Well-established reputation and credentials.
- Ability to mobilize community support.
- Networking capabilities with other institutions for effective resource utilization.
Application Process
To apply for the scheme, organizations must follow these steps:
- Application Preparation: Complete the application in the prescribed format (Application-cum-Monitoring Form) as per the Ministry’s guidelines.
- Submission Timing: Submit applications for new or ongoing projects to the Social Welfare Department or the department managing Scheduled Caste affairs within the state/UT, ideally during the first quarter of the financial year.
- State Committee Review: The relevant State Government will evaluate the proposal at the field level, followed by presentation to the multidisciplinary “State Grant-in-aid Committee.”
- Recommendations to the Ministry: The State Committee will forward its recommendations to the Ministry for final approval.
Necessary Documents
Organizations must prepare and submit relevant documents, including:
- Proof of registration under applicable laws.
- Financial statements demonstrating operational sustainability.
- Project proposals detailing objectives and expected outcomes.
- Any other documentation as specified by the Ministry.
This scheme plays a critical role in enhancing the welfare of Scheduled Castes through collaborative efforts, ensuring that necessary services reach those who need them the most.
Eligibility Criteria
For the Organization
Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860) or any relevant State/Union Territory Act.
A public trust registered under the applicable law.
A charitable company licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
Indian Red Cross Society or its branches.
Any other public body or institution with legal status.
Voluntary organizations should have been registered for at least three years when applying for a grant under the scheme. However, the Secretary, of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment can waive this requirement in exceptional cases with written reasons.
The number of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries should be at least 60% in the case of voluntary organizations.
Other organizations or training institutions approved by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Voluntary Organizations (VOs) must have maintained and operated a bank account in the name of NGOs/VOs for the last three years.
It should not operate for profit for any individual or body of individuals, except in the case of training institutions of repute.
The following criteria would be kept in view while selecting the new VOs/NGOs
Experience of at least two years in the relevant field.
Aptitude and experience in welfare work pertaining to weaker sections.
The location of the Residential and non-residential School Projects proposed by the organization should be in:
Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs); or
Service Deficient blocks with 40% SC population; or
Backward Districts identified by the Planning Commission or
Integrated Action Plan Districts identified by the Govt. of India.
1. The Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs).
2. Financial viability of the organization to contribute its share and ability to continue the work for limited periods in the absence of assistance from the Ministry.
3. Good reputation and credentials.
4. Capability to mobilize the community.
5. Networking with other institutions for optimum utilization of resources allocated and assets created.
Benefits
Educational Initiatives: Opening of Hostels and Residential Schools, ITIs, Arts and Craft Centers, or Any Other Income Generating Scheme.
Tuition Fee Support: Meeting the Cost of Tuition Fees for Training in Information Technology at Institutions of Repute Selected by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Childcare Services: Organizing Balwadies and Bal Kendras, i.e., Creches, to Look After the Deprived Children of Scheduled Castes.
Healthcare Facilities: Providing Medical Facilities to Scheduled Castes through the Establishment of Hospitals or Mobile Dispensaries. For a ten-bed hospital, a visiting specialist (paediatrician/gynaecologist) is recommended. The maximum expenditure per month for this purpose will be restricted to ₹10,000, subject to payment of ₹1,000 per visit/day.
Awareness and Support: Creating Awareness Regarding Government Programs and Facilities, and Providing Assistance and Guidance in Accessing Various Government Facilities like Legal Aid, Scholarships, Loans, Various Grants, and Client Services.
Grievance Redressal: Providing Assistance for Grievance Redressal at Appropriate Judicial/Administrative Fora.
Coaching and Advocacy: Coaching Centers for Various Entrance Examinations and Tests and Other Service-Related Competitive Examinations, which are not covered in the Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes. Addressing Human Rights Issues, Environmental Issues, and Issues Related to the Protection of Consumers' Rights.
NGO Capacity Building: Training of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Accounts, Management, and Application Procedures, etc.
Related Activities: All Such and Related Activities that are in Harmony with the Objectives Listed Above.
Accountancy Support: Accountancy for Maintenance of Accounts in MGNREGA and More.
Application Process
Apply OfflineStep 1: Application Preparation
The organization shall submit the application in the prescribed format (Application-cum-Monitoring Form) following the procedure and guidelines provided by the Ministry.
Step 2: Submission Timing
Applications, for both ongoing and new cases, should be submitted by the organization to the Social Welfare Department or the department responsible for Scheduled Castes matters in the State/UT, preferably in the first quarter of the relevant financial year.
Step 3: State Committee Review
The State Government (State Social Welfare Department or the department dealing with Scheduled Caste matters) will verify the organization's genuineness and the project at the field level. Proposals are then presented before the multidisciplinary "State Grant-in-aid Committee" (State Committee).
Step 4: Recommendations to the Ministry
The State Committee forwards its recommendations to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment by 30th April. The State Committee must provide reasons for recommending or rejecting the proposals.
Step 5: Inspection Report
If proposals or recommendations from the State Governments/UTs are not received within a reasonable period, the Ministry may obtain an inspection report from the National Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation (NSCFDC)/National Safai Karmachari Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC)/Ambedkar Chairs under Dr. Ambedkar Foundation nearby or by deputing a suitable officer from the ministry for inspection.
Step 6: Ministry's Acceptance
No application will be accepted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment directly. All applications must be recommended by the State Committee or following the prescribed procedure.
Step 7: Document Submission
State Government/UT Administrations, while forwarding the recommendations of the State Committee and the proposals of VOs/NGOs, should submit the required documents as per the provided checklist and Time Schedule, which is uploaded on the website.
Step 8: Evaluation of Proposals
The Ministry evaluates the received proposals and recommendations.
Step 9: Fund Transfer Procedures
The Ministry follows procedures to issue a sanction order, transfer funds, and handle internal fund transfers.
Step 10: Fund Allocation
Funds are allocated based on the accepted proposals and recommendations to facilitate projects related to Scheduled Castes.
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes |
| Short Title | SGIAVOOWSC |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Categories | Social welfare & Empowerment |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Age Range | 60 — 18 years |
| Caste/Category | SC, OBC |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
Deepika Raikwar · 📅 27 Jun 2026
Deepika Raikwar is an Education Analyst and scholarship researcher who focuses on public welfare and merit-based scholarships. She simplifies complex eligibility rules, deadlines, and application processes to help common people access reliable funding opportunities worldwide.
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