Even though there is no acceptance among a section of the society regarding inter-caste marriages, the government promotes it. For social integration, the central government also provides financial assistance to people doing such marriages. Under Dr. Ambedkar Yojana, Rs 2.5 lakh is given to a married couple. Keep in mind that the benefit of this scheme is given only when one of the boys or girls belongs to the Scheduled Caste and the other person belongs to some other community. In the last few years, more than Rs 10 crore has been spent by the Central Government on this scheme and hundreds of people have benefited from it.
To end the caste discrimination that has been going on for decades in Indian society and to create a sense of equality at the social level, the government encourages people who marry people considered 'Dalit' in the society. Under this, these couples who are starting a new life are given financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh. Also, the district administration is given Rs 25,000 for every such marriage so that they can also organize programs for such couples.
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What all came to light?
BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha asked a question related to this in Parliament on August 12. Social Justice Minister Ramdas Athawale has said in his reply that Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for social integration through inter-caste marriages and Dr. Ambedkar National Relief for SC/ST victims have been canceled from March 31, 2023. Now under these schemes, money is given to the state and union territory governments and it is their responsibility to implement the schemes.
A total of Rs 10.66 crore has been given to 457 couples who performed inter-caste marriages in the last 3 years. Money has been given to 68 beneficiaries in 2023-24, 11 in 2024-25 and a total of 378 beneficiaries in 2025-26 under this scheme.
Who gets its benefit?
The first condition of this scheme is that one of the bride or groom should be from a Scheduled Caste and the other from some other caste. For example, its benefit will be available only if one person is from Scheduled Caste and the other is from General Category or OBC Category. For this it is necessary to have a marriage certificate. Also, it is mandatory that this is the first marriage of both of them and their combined annual income should be less than Rs 5 lakh.
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People who have taken advantage of the scheme once cannot avail it again. Its application has to be sent to Dr. Ambedkar Foundation. After all the conditions and paperwork are completed, the first 50 percent amount is given to the couple in joint form as DD. The remaining 50 percent money is given after 5 years. Only 500 people can get its benefit in a year. For this, a target is fixed for every state. This target is decided according to the population of the state and the population of SC there.