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Sinduja Shankar

Expert

Published on: Jun 24, 2026

Dr. Ambedkar Scheme

The Union Government launched the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for social integration by incentivising inter-caste marriage. The main objective of the scheme is to appreciate the socially bold step of an inter-caste marriage. To promote such inter-caste marriage, the Government provides incentive and financial support to the married couple to empower them to settle down in the initial phase of their life. Thus, the purpose of  Dr. Ambedkar Scheme is improve social integration and to bring about equality amongst all people. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme is considered as a supplementary scheme to employment generation or poverty alleviation scheme.

Amount of Incentive

An incentive of Rs.2.50 lakh for a legal inter-caste marriage is provided under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme. The incentive amount of 50% in the form of a DD in joint name of the couple and the balance 50% after 5 years will be provided to eligible couple. The scheme covers incentives for 500 marriages in one year. Each state has the fixed target in proportion to the percentage share of SC population, as per Census 2011. Further, an amount of Rs. 25,000/-, for each marriage, would be released to the District Authorities for organising a befitting programme in which the incentive would be handed over to the couple.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for claiming incentive under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme:

  • Either the bride or groom must below to the Scheduled Caste Community and the other person to a different community.
  • As per the law under the Hindu Marriage Act, the marriage should be duly registered. A document of their being legally married and even the matrimonial alliance can also be submitted by the couple.
  • The valid documents should be submitted within one year of marriage.
  • In case of second or subsequent marriage, no incentive is available.
  • The total annum income of the newly married couple should not be more than Rs.5 lakh, if both put together.
  • A couple who have already received an incentive from the state or UT government is not eligible again.

Required Documents

  • The Certificate that one of the spouse belongs to Scheduled Caste Community.
  • The Marriage Certificate duly registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
  • The Caste Certificate issued by the Competent Authorities in respect of the bride and bridegroom.
  • The application should be within one year of marriage.
  • A certificate to the effect that it is the first marriage of both bride and bridegroom.
  • The income certificate of the both husband and wife issued by competent authority.

Application Procedure

  • To submit the complete application with the recommendation of a sitting MP/MLA direct to the Dr Ambedkar Foundation.
  • The state Government / District Administration which in turn will forward the same to the DAF with their recommendation assisted with the application.
  • All complete applications are examined on file and submitted for the orders of Chairman, Dr Ambedkar Foundation & Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
  • On approval, the total amount (Rs 2.50 lakhs) will be transferred to the beneficiary through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS).
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Inter.

The main objective of the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme is to promote social integration and equality by incentivizing inter-caste marriages. It provides financial support to newly married inter-caste couples to empower them and help them settle down in the initial phase of their married life.
Under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme, an incentive of Rs. 2.50 lakh is provided for a legal inter-caste marriage. The incentive amount is disbursed in two installments, with 50% given as a Demand Draft in the joint name of the couple initially, and the remaining 50% provided after five years.
To be eligible, either the bride or the groom must belong to the Scheduled Caste community, and the other spouse must belong to a different community. The marriage should be legally registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, and it should be the first marriage for both individuals.
Yes, the total annual income of the newly married couple should not exceed Rs. 5 lakh combined. This income limit is one of the eligibility criteria for claiming the incentive under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme.
The required documents include a caste certificate proving that one spouse belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, a marriage certificate duly registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, caste certificates for both bride and groom, an income certificate for both individuals, and a declaration stating that it is the first marriage for both.
Couples can submit their complete application directly to the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation or through the state government/district administration, which will forward the application to the Foundation with their recommendation.
After the application is approved by the Chairman of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the total incentive amount of Rs. 2.50 lakh is transferred to the beneficiary couple through Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS).
Yes, the scheme covers incentives for 500 inter-caste marriages in one year. Each state has a fixed target proportional to its Scheduled Caste population share, as per the 2011 Census.
No, a couple who has already received an incentive from the state or Union Territory government for their inter-caste marriage is not eligible to claim the incentive under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme.
Apart from the incentive amount, the scheme also provides Rs. 25,000 for each marriage to the District Authorities to organize a befitting program in which the incentive can be handed over to the couple.