Free Coaching for SC & OBC Students
The objective of the Scheme is to provide coaching of good quality for economically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) candidates to enable them to appear in competitive examinations and succeed in obtaining an appropriate job in Public/Private Sector.
The empowerment of the weaker sections has been a priority area of concern for the Government since independence. A number of plans and programmes are being implemented for assisting them so as to enhance their skills and capabilities for ensuring rapid economic development and integration in the national mainstream. ii) A scheme for providing free coaching to students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) was started during 6thFive Year Plan. Similar schemes were also being implemented to provide free coaching to students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Minorities. With a view to ensure effective implementation and monitoring and to assist the students in a better manner, the separate coaching schemes for SCs, OBCs and Minorities were amalgamated and a combined Scheme, namely, 'Coaching and Allied Assistance for Weaker Sections' including Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities was introduced with effect from September, 2001. iii) After creation of a separate Ministry to handle matters relating to the Minorities viz. the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Scheme underwent further revision in April 2007 for removing the minority component from the ambit of the scheme and to accommodate other changes deemed necessary at that point of time. The last revision of the Scheme came into effect from 01.04.2016.