Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes - Educational Empowerment Component (SEED-EE) 2026: Free Coaching and Stipend

At a glance

About the scheme

The SEED scheme, launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to empower De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes through educational, health, livelihood and housing support. The Educational Empowerment component offers free quality coaching for competitive examinations and monthly stipend support, with special allowances for students with disabilities.

Benefits

• Free coaching fee: actual course fee or prescribed fee by Ministry (whichever is less) as per annexure, paid in two installments via Direct Benefit Transfer.
• Monthly stipend for local students: ₹1,500 per month.
• Monthly stipend for outstation students: ₹3,000 per month.
• Special allowance for students with disabilities (40% or more): ₹2,000 per month towards reader, escort, helper allowance.
• Coaching coverage: UPSC Group A/B, SSC, RRB, State PSC Group A/B, Bank/Insurance/PSU Officer Grade exams, Premier entrance exams (IIT‑JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT), eligibility tests (SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL), Combined Pilot Licence, NDA and CDS entrance exams.
• Disbursement: Direct Benefit Transfer to Aadhaar‑linked bank account; course fee released in two 50% installments; stipend and special allowances paid monthly; stipend paid till course duration or one year, whichever is less.
• Conditions: must join course within 6 months of first installment, deposit first installment to institute, institute must be empanelled under Free Coaching Scheme for SC/OBC, affidavit for admission within six months, upload admission confirmation, benefit available maximum twice in lifetime.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Belong to De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes communities.
• Total family income from all sources ₹2,50,000 or less per annum.
• Not availing similar benefits from any Central or State Government scheme.
• Must have secured minimum marks in the qualifying examination of the competitive exam for which coaching is sought, as per the exam’s guidelines.
• Must have passed Class 12th or be studying in Class 12th for exams requiring that qualification.
• Must have completed a bachelor’s degree or be studying in the final year of a bachelor’s degree for exams requiring graduation.
• Priority given to applicants who have qualified the preliminary examination at least once for two‑stage exams.
• Selection order based on decreasing marks in qualifying exams when applications exceed slots.
• Applicants with a valid disability certificate showing 40% or more disability are eligible for the special allowance.
• Free coaching is available up to two times each for Preliminary and Main examinations of two‑stage competitive exams.
• No restriction on the number of coaching chances for the Interview stage if selected for interview.
• Benefits can be availed maximum twice in a lifetime, irrespective of the number of chances for a particular exam.

Who cannot apply

• Applicants availing similar benefits from other Central or State Government schemes are not eligible.

Documents required

• Income Certificate from Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar (for self‑employed parents/guardians).
• Income Certificate from Employer (for employed parents/guardians).
• Consolidated Income Certificate from Revenue Officer (for employed parents/guardians with additional income sources).
• Community Certificate proving De‑notified, Nomadic and Semi‑Nomadic Tribes status.
• Educational Qualification Certificates (Class 12th marksheet or Degree certificate as applicable).
• Disability Certificate issued by Competent Authority (for students with disabilities, showing 40% or more disability).
• Aadhaar Card.
• Bank Account Details linked with Aadhaar.
• Affidavit stating the applicant has not taken benefit more than twice under the scheme.
• Affidavit stating the applicant is not availing scholarship from any other similar Central or State Government scheme.
• Preliminary Examination Qualification Certificate (if applicable, for priority consideration).
• Admission Confirmation Letter from the selected coaching institute (for benefit disbursal).
• Proof of Joining the selected coaching institute.
• Receipt of First Installment deposit to the coaching institute.

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official portal https://dwbdnc.dosje.gov.in/content/convergence-free-coaching and click “Registration” to create an account.
2. 2Verify your email ID and mobile number via OTP as prompted.
3. 3Log in using the credentials created during registration.
4. 4Fill in the online application form, upload all mandatory documents in the prescribed format and size.
5. 5Review the entered information and uploaded documents, make corrections if needed, then click “Submit” to finalize the application.
6. 6After the portal closes (July or January window), the system prepares merit lists based on qualifying exam marks.
7. 7The Screening Committee evaluates applications in merit order to verify eligibility and credentials.
8. 8Check the merit list uploaded on the Ministry website to confirm selection and receive the Open Assurance Letter.
9. 9Use the Open Assurance Letter to secure admission in a coaching institute that is empanelled under the Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes students.
10. 10Upload the admission confirmation or assurance letter received from the chosen institute on the portal for processing of the first installment.
11. 11Receive 50% of the eligible coaching fee through Direct Benefit Transfer into your Aadhaar‑linked bank account.
12. 12Join the selected coaching course within six months of receiving the first installment and deposit the amount to the institute, obtaining a proper receipt.
13. 13Submit proof of joining the institute and the receipt of the first‑installment deposit to receive the remaining 50% course fee along with the monthly stipend and special allowance (if applicable) via DBT.

Frequently asked questions