Free Coaching and Allied Scheme: An Analytical Study on Upliftment of Minority Communities in India

Abstract

Education is not a privilege but a responsibility that society owes to itself. In a diverse nation like India, the upliftment of minority communities is crucial for ensuring inclusive growth. The Free Coaching and Allied Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, aims at providing structured coaching for professional courses, competitive examinations, private sector employment and remedial learning for students belonging to minority groups. This paper critically analyses the objectives, implementation, eligibility criteria and monitoring mechanisms of the Scheme. While the Scheme has significant strengths—such as targeted financial aid, reservation for women candidates, focus on professional competitiveness and a science-specific component—it also suffers from challenges like ambiguities in student selection, state-level bureaucratic delays, lack of awareness and limited outreach in highly minority-concentrated regions like Jammu and Kashmir. The paper concludes by offering suggestions to improve transparency, accessibility and efficiency of the Scheme, ensuring that its benefits reach the intended beneficiaries and contribute meaningfully to their educational and professional empowerment.