Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students
The scheme aims to upgrade the merit of Scheduled Caste students by providing them with facilities for all round development through education in residential or non-residential schools, addressing their educational deficiencies that prevent them from taking advantage of reservation quotas.
About This Scheme
The scheme “Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students” was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme aims to upgrade the merit of Scheduled Caste students by providing them with facilities for all round development through education in residential or non-residential schools, addressing their educational deficiencies that prevent them from taking advantage of reservation quotas in technical and professional courses. The scheme provides remedial coaching to remove deficiencies in school subjects and special coaching to prepare students for competitive examinations for entry into professional courses like Engineering and Medical.
Benefits
Package Grant
âš25,000/- per student per year with the following breakdown:
âš15,000/- per student per year comprising –
Boarding and Lodging Charges: âš900/- per month for 10 months = âš9,000/- (for residential school students only)
Pocket Money: âš300/- per month for 10 months = âš3,000/-
Books and Stationery: âš3,000/-
âš10,000/- per year per student –
For honorarium to Principal, Experts and other incidental charges.
Additional Benefits for Students with Disabilities
Reader Allowance: âš200/- per month for blind students in classes IX to XII.
Transport Allowance: âš100/- per month for disabled students not residing in hostel within educational institution premises.
Special Pay: âš200/- per month for hostel employees assisting severely orthopaedically handicapped students.
Escort Allowance: âš100/- per month for severely handicapped day scholar students with lower extremity disability.
Allowance: âš200/- per month towards extra coaching for mentally retarded and mentally ill students in classes IX to XII.
Conditions
*Students must maintain regular attendance and academic performance as monitored by school authorities.
*Students must complete the full coaching program from Class IX to XII to derive maximum benefit.
*Compliance with the transparent selection and monitoring process established by State Governments.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be a Scheduled Caste student.
The applicant must be studying in classes IX to XII.
The applicant must be enrolled in schools selected by the State Government under the scheme.
The applicant may be enrolled in class X or XI if he/she has shown excellent performance in the previous examination and missed entry at class IX level for any reason.
The applicant must be from districts selected based on highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts (for new selections from 2014-15 onwards).
Preference
Girls students are given equal preference with awards allocated in 50:50 ratio between boys and girls.
Unutilized awards by girls may be used by boys and vice-versa.
At least 3% representation for disabled Scheduled Caste students wherever possible.
Application Process
Apply Offline
Step 1: Identification of Eligible Districts and Schools
State Governments select 2-3 districts having highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts, with priority given to districts with lower literacy rates.
Step 2: School Selection Process
States select schools with necessary facilities for all-round development, adequate hostel facilities, and consistent good academic results, particularly in rural areas including Kendriya Vidyalayas with hostel facilities.
Step 3: Student Selection Process
State Governments conduct transparent and fair selection of Scheduled Caste students studying in classes IX to XII, with provision for enrollment in classes X or XI for students with excellent previous performance.
Step 4: Application Processing
Selected students are enrolled through the State Government’s established process ensuring equal opportunity for boys and girls (50:50 ratio) and at least 3% representation for disabled students.
Step 5: Monitoring and Database Creation
State Governments prepare database of beneficiaries integrated with Unique Identification Authority of India by embedding Aadhaar numbers and using Unique Identification Authority of India enabled bank accounts for scholarship crediting.
*The admission and selection process is left to the discretion of concerned State Governments who ensure total transparency and fairness in identification of coaching institutions and beneficiary students.
Grievance Redressal / Help & Support
State and District level Grievance Redressal Officers are designated to address scholarship-related grievances of students.
Official Source: View on myScheme.gov.in
Benefits
Package Grant
âš25,000/- per student per year with the following breakdown:
âš15,000/- per student per year comprising -
Boarding and Lodging Charges: âš900/- per month for 10 months = âš9,000/- (for residential school students only)
Pocket Money: âš300/- per month for 10 months = âš3,000/-
Books and Stationery: âš3,000/-
âš10,000/- per year per student -
For honorarium to Principal, Experts and other incidental charges.
Additional Benefits for Students with Disabilities
Reader Allowance: âš200/- per month for blind students in classes IX to XII.
Transport Allowance: âš100/- per month for disabled students not residing in hostel within educational institution premises.
Special Pay: âš200/- per month for hostel employees assisting severely orthopaedically handicapped students.
Escort Allowance: âš100/- per month for severely handicapped day scholar students with lower extremity disability.
Allowance: âš200/- per month towards extra coaching for mentally retarded and mentally ill students in classes IX to XII.
Conditions
*Students must maintain regular attendance and academic performance as monitored by school authorities.
*Students must complete the full coaching program from Class IX to XII to derive maximum benefit.
*Compliance with the transparent selection and monitoring process established by State Governments.
Application Process
Apply Offline
Step 1: Identification of Eligible Districts and Schools
State Governments select 2-3 districts having highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts, with priority given to districts with lower literacy rates.
Step 2: School Selection Process
States select schools with necessary facilities for all-round development, adequate hostel facilities, and consistent good academic results, particularly in rural areas including Kendriya Vidyalayas with hostel facilities.
Step 3: Student Selection Process
State Governments conduct transparent and fair selection of Scheduled Caste students studying in classes IX to XII, with provision for enrollment in classes X or XI for students with excellent previous performance.
Step 4: Application Processing
Selected students are enrolled through the State Government's established process ensuring equal opportunity for boys and girls (50:50 ratio) and at least 3% representation for disabled students.
Step 5: Monitoring and Database Creation
State Governments prepare database of beneficiaries integrated with Unique Identification Authority of India by embedding Aadhaar numbers and using Unique Identification Authority of India enabled bank accounts for scholarship crediting.
*The admission and selection process is left to the discretion of concerned State Governments who ensure total transparency and fairness in identification of coaching institutions and beneficiary students.
Grievance Redressal / Help & Support
State and District level Grievance Redressal Officers are designated to address scholarship-related grievances of students.
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students |
| Short Title | CSS-UMSCS |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Categories | Education & Learning, Social welfare & Empowerment |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Age Range | 3 â Any years |
| Caste/Category | SC, PwD |
| Area | Rural |
| Source | myScheme.gov.in â |