The Government of India is providing free coaching opportunities to eligible students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and beneficiaries of the PM CARES for Children Scheme under the Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27. The programme aims to help economically disadvantaged students prepare for competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, JEE, NEET and other professional entrance examinations. Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are listed on the National Scholarship Portal, and the last date for student applications is November 30, 2026. Eligible candidates should check the official guidelines and submit their applications before the deadline.
Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Free Coaching Scheme |
| Academic Year | 2026–27 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Implementing Agency | Dr. Ambedkar Foundation |
| Eligible Categories | SC, OBC and PM CARES beneficiaries |
| Annual Family Income | Up to ₹8 lakh for SC/OBC |
| Coaching | Free competitive examination preparation |
| Annual Selection | 3,500 students |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | August 3, 2026 |
| Last Date | November 30, 2026 |
| Official Portal | scholarships.gov.in |
What Is the Free Coaching Scheme?
The Free Coaching Scheme is a Central Government initiative implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide quality coaching to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scheme supports eligible SC and OBC students and beneficiaries of the PM CARES for Children Scheme who want to prepare for government recruitment examinations and higher education entrance tests.
The programme is implemented through the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) and empanelled Central Universities operating Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE).
The scheme also includes a separate free online coaching initiative in collaboration with the Physics Wallah Foundation, intended to support 5,000 eligible aspirants every year.
Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27 Eligibility Criteria
Students must satisfy the eligibility requirements applicable to their category.
1. Scheduled Caste (SC) Students
- Applicants must belong to the Scheduled Caste category.
- Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
- Candidates must satisfy the academic requirements for their chosen examination.
- Applicants must provide valid caste and income certificates.
2. Other Backward Classes (OBC) Students
- Applicants must belong to the OBC category.
- Annual family income must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
- Candidates must satisfy the educational qualifications required for the selected coaching course.
- Applicants must submit valid category and income certificates.
3. PM CARES for Children Beneficiaries
Children officially recognised as beneficiaries of the PM CARES for Children Scheme can also apply.
They must possess an official beneficiary certificate containing their beneficiary ID.
There is no income or caste restriction for eligible PM CARES beneficiaries under this coaching scheme.
Educational Qualification
The academic requirements depend on the competitive examination selected by the applicant.
- For examinations requiring Class 12 qualification, students must have passed Class 12 or be studying in Class 12 when receiving the benefit. At least 50% marks in Class 10 are required.
- For examinations requiring graduation, applicants must have completed graduation or be studying in the final year of their undergraduate course. At least 50% marks in Class 12 are required.
Candidates should also meet the specific eligibility conditions of the examination for which coaching is requested.
Which Competitive Examinations Are Covered?
Eligible candidates can receive coaching for several competitive examinations and professional entrance tests.
| Examination Category | Examinations |
|---|---|
| Civil Services | UPSC and State PSC |
| Staff Selection | SSC CGL and other eligible SSC examinations |
| Railway | RRB examinations |
| Banking | Bank PO and Clerk examinations |
| Engineering | JEE and GATE |
| Medical | NEET |
| Management | CAT and other approved tests |
| Law | CLAT |
| Defence | NDA and CDS |
| International Tests | GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS and TOEFL |
The availability of each course depends on the approved coaching institutions and courses under the scheme.
Benefits of Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27
The scheme provides financial and educational assistance to eligible candidates.
1. Free Coaching Assistance
Eligible students receive coaching through approved institutions for their selected competitive examinations.
2. Coaching Fee Assistance
The government provides course fee assistance according to the prescribed limits.
Some examples of maximum admissible coaching fees under the scheme guidelines are:
| Examination | Maximum Coaching Fee |
|---|---|
| UPSC / State PSC | ₹75,000 |
| SSC / RRB | ₹40,000 |
| Banking / CAT / CLAT | ₹50,000 |
| JEE / NEET / GATE | ₹75,000 |
| GRE / GMAT / IELTS | ₹35,000 |
| NDA / CDS | ₹20,000 |
These are prescribed fee ceilings, not cash payments guaranteed to every applicant.
3. Monthly Stipend
Eligible beneficiaries under the applicable scheme guidelines can receive a monthly stipend of ₹4,000 for the duration of the approved course, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
4. Additional Interview Assistance
Candidates who qualify the Mains examination of Civil Services and become eligible for interview coaching can receive a one-time incentive of ₹15,000 under the prescribed conditions.
5. Special Assistance for Students with Disabilities
Eligible students with disabilities may receive additional assistance according to the applicable provisions and guidelines.
How to Apply Online for Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27?
Eligible students can apply through the National Scholarship Portal.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/
Step 2: Open the student section and complete the required registration or One Time Registration (OTR) process.
Step 3: Log in using your registered credentials.
Step 4: Select the academic year 2026–27.
Step 5: Find the scheme named “Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and Beneficiaries of PM CARES Children Scheme”.
Step 6: Read the eligibility requirements and scheme guidelines carefully.
Step 7: Complete the application form with your personal, educational, category and bank details.
Step 8: Upload the required supporting documents.
Step 9: Review all the information before submitting the application.
Step 10: Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application number for future reference.
Applicants should also follow any additional instructions displayed on the portal or issued by the implementing authority.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready:
- Aadhaar card.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- SC or OBC caste certificate, as applicable.
- Family income certificate.
- Class 10 marks memo.
- Class 12 marks memo.
- Graduation certificate or marksheets, where applicable.
- PM CARES beneficiary certificate with beneficiary ID, if applicable.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details.
- Active mobile number and email address.
- Other documents requested in the online application.
The exact document requirements may vary according to the applicant category and course.
Selection Process
The selection process is different for SC/OBC applicants and PM CARES beneficiaries.
- SC and OBC applicants are shortlisted by the empanelled Central Universities through their prescribed screening and merit-selection process.
- PM CARES beneficiaries are exempted from the normal merit-selection process under the scheme guidelines.
- Selection depends on eligibility, available coaching courses and the applicable admission process.
A total of 3,500 students are covered annually under the university-based scheme guidelines.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opening date | August 3, 2026 |
| Online application last date | November 30, 2026 |
| Defective application verification | December 15, 2026 |
| Institute verification | December 15, 2026 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO verification | December 31, 2026 |
Applicants should complete their applications before the closing date. Verification dates are for the relevant authorities and should not be treated as an extension of the student application deadline.
Important Official Links
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
| Scheme Application | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
| Scheme Guidelines | https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/guid_3108.pdf |
| Scheme FAQs | https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/faq_3108.pdf |
| Ministry of Social Justice | https://socialjustice.gov.in/ |
| PM CARES for Children | https://pmcaresforchildren.in/ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for the Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27?
The last date for student applications listed on the National Scholarship Portal is November 30, 2026.
2. Who can apply for the Free Coaching Scheme?
Eligible SC and OBC students with annual family income up to ₹8 lakh and officially recognised PM CARES for Children beneficiaries can apply.
3. Is the Free Coaching Scheme available for General Category students?
The scheme is primarily intended for eligible SC, OBC and PM CARES beneficiaries. General Category applicants who do not qualify under these groups are not eligible for this scheme.
4. How much stipend is provided under the scheme?
The applicable guidelines provide a monthly stipend of ₹4,000 for eligible students, subject to the prescribed conditions.
5. Is the application process online or offline?
Applications are accepted online. Students should apply through the National Scholarship Portal.
6. Can students apply for UPSC and SSC coaching?
Yes. The scheme covers approved coaching for UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking and several other competitive examinations.
7. Is there an income limit for PM CARES beneficiaries?
No. Official PM CARES for Children beneficiaries are exempt from the income and caste restrictions applicable to SC and OBC applicants.
8. How many times can a student receive the coaching benefit?
A student can avail the benefit not more than twice under the prescribed scheme conditions.
Conclusion
The Free Coaching Scheme 2026–27 is an important educational opportunity for eligible SC, OBC and PM CARES for Children beneficiaries preparing for competitive examinations. Through coaching assistance, approved course fee support and other benefits, the programme aims to improve access to quality examination preparation.
Interested students should check the official National Scholarship Portal, carefully read the eligibility requirements and submit their applications before November 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared for informational purposes. Scheme conditions, application procedures and benefits are subject to official government guidelines. Applicants should verify the latest information on the National Scholarship Portal before applying.
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