Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme

In a culturally diverse country like India, inter-caste marriage remains a challenging issue. Recognizing this, the State of Andhra Pradesh launched the Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme in April 2018, aimed at fostering a secular environment by promoting inter-caste marriages. This state initiative provides financial assistance to brides from different castes, specifically targeting those from economically weaker sections.

Aspects of Chandranna Pelli Kanuka

The scheme offers economic support to brides under the categories of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and Backward Class. The financial assistance details are as follows:

Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe

For couples where both the bride and groom belong to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, a subsidy of Rs.40,000 is provided. In cases where the bride belongs to an SC/ST community and the groom belongs to a different community, the Government awards Rs.75,000 to the couple.

Backward Class

Couples belonging to the same backward class community receive financial assistance amounting to Rs.30,000. A bride from a backward class marrying a groom from a different community is eligible for Rs.75,000.

Physically Challenged

If either partner in the couple is physically challenged, the Government provides Rs.1,00,000 to support the union.

Eligibility Criteria for Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme

To qualify for the Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme, brides must meet the following criteria:

Be a resident of Andhra Pradesh.
Belong to SC / ST or a backward class.
Be 18 years or older at the time of marriage.
The groom must be 21 years of age at the time of marriage.
The marriage must have taken place on or after 01.01.2018, and the bride must belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
The bride’s family should possess a BPL category certificate or a white ration card.
The scheme does not apply to divorcees.

Note: This scheme is open to applicants regardless of educational qualifications.

Documents Required:

Birth or SSC certificate of the bride and groom indicating date of birth.
Caste/community certificate for both bride and groom.
Nativity certificate.
AADHAR card of both bride and groom.
Income certificate of both families not older than 6 months from the marriage date.
Wedding invitation card.
Passport-sized photos of both bride and groom.
Copy of bank passbook.
White ration card/BPL certificate.
If applicable, SADAREM certificate or disability certificate from Meeseva.

Note: Meeseva also issues an ‘Integrated Certificate’ (covering nativity, caste/community, and birth certificate), which is accepted.

Applying for Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme:

Applicants can register for this scheme through two channels. The registration service is available at Meeseva centers or Samakhya Offices, and candidates must register at least 15 days before their wedding.

Online Application Procedure:

Eligible applicants can follow these steps to apply online:

Visit the official Chandranna Pelli Kanuka portal.
Log in and select the bride or groom option.
Enter the Aadhar number and get an OTP sent.
Submit the OTP to access the online application form.
Fill and verify all essential details before submission.
Note the reference number for future application status checks.

Chandranna Pelli Kanuka App

The Andhra Pradesh Government has launched the Chandranna Pelli Kanuka App, available on the Google Play Store. This app allows smartphone users to easily apply for the scheme by entering their Aadhar number, with the additional option of logging in via face detection. Once logged in, the process mirrors the online application.

Offline Mode of Application:

Applicants can apply offline by visiting the nearest Meeseva centers and submitting the required documents. Additionally, eligible applicants can call 1100. Residents in tribal areas should visit the nearest Mandal Samakhya Office for registration.

Note: The bride or her family receives 20% of the amount before marriage, with the remaining 80% disbursed post-marriage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme.

The Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme is an initiative by the Government of Andhra Pradesh that provides financial assistance to encourage inter-caste marriages. The scheme aims to promote a secular society by offering monetary incentives to brides belonging to different castes who marry across caste lines.

The scheme is open to brides belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Backward Class (BC) communities in Andhra Pradesh. The bride must be a resident of the state, and the marriage should have taken place on or after January 1, 2018. The bride's family must also possess a Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate or a white ration card.

The amount of financial assistance varies based on the caste of the bride and groom. For an SC/ST bride marrying an SC/ST groom, the couple receives Rs. 40,000. If the bride is SC/ST and the groom belongs to a different community, the couple receives Rs. 75,000. For a BC bride marrying within the same community, the assistance is Rs. 30,000, and for a BC bride marrying outside her community, it is Rs. 75,000.

Yes, the scheme provides an additional benefit for couples where either the bride or the groom is physically challenged. In such cases, the couple receives Rs. 1,00,000 as financial assistance from the government.

According to the eligibility criteria, the bride should be 18 years of age or above at the time of marriage, and the groom should be at least 21 years old.

Applicants can apply for the scheme through various modes, including online through the official portal or mobile app, or offline by visiting Meeseva centers or Mandal Samakhya offices in tribal areas. The application must be submitted at least 15 days before the marriage date.

The required documents include birth certificates or SSC certificates, caste/community certificates, nativity certificates, Aadhaar cards, income certificates, wedding cards, passport-size photos, bank passbook copies, and white ration card/BPL certificates. For physically challenged applicants, a SADAREM or disability certificate issued by Meeseva is also required.

No, the Chandranna Pelli Kanuka Scheme does not have any educational qualification requirements. Both educated and uneducated individuals are eligible to apply for the scheme.

No, the scheme is not applicable for divorcees. It is specifically designed to provide financial assistance for first-time marriages across caste lines.

The financial assistance is disbursed in two installments. Before the marriage, the bride or her family will receive 20% of the total amount. After the marriage, the remaining 80% of the assistance will be disbursed to the couple.