Yes, the Central Government, led by PM Modi, provides a financial incentive through the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages.
As of 2026, the incentive amount is ₹2.5 lakh. This scheme is managed by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.+1
1. Key Highlights of the “Modi Scheme”
This is not a general “wedding gift” but a social integration fund. Here is how it works:
- The Amount: ₹2.5 lakh total.
- The Payment: Usually, the money is transferred via RTGS/Direct Benefit Transfer to a joint account. In many cases, a portion (or the full amount) is kept in a Fixed Deposit for 3 years to ensure the marriage’s stability before it is fully accessible.+1
- Objective: To appreciate the “socially bold step” of an inter-caste marriage and help the couple settle down initially.
2. Who is Eligible?
To get the money from the Central Government, you must meet these strict criteria:
- Caste Requirement: One spouse must be from a Scheduled Caste (SC) and the other must be from a Non-Scheduled Caste (General/OBC) Hindu.
- Legal Registration: The marriage must be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
- First Marriage: It must be the first marriage for both the bride and the groom.
- Income Limit: While the central foundation previously had a ₹5 lakh income cap, recent updates have seen this removed to encourage more couples to apply (though some state-level versions of the scheme might still have caps).
- Timely Application: You must apply within 1 year of the date of marriage registration.
3. How to Apply (The Process)
The central scheme requires a specific “recommendation” to ensure the application is genuine:
- Step 1: Get your marriage registered and obtain a digital certificate (via JanSugam in J&K).
- Step 2: Download the application form from the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation website.
- Step 3: Get the application recommended by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).
- Step 4: Submit the completed file to the District Magistrate (DM) or the Social Welfare Department, who will then forward it to the Foundation in New Delhi.
4. State vs. Central Money
It is important to distinguish between the two:
- State/UT Schemes: J&K has its own implementation where the Social Welfare Department gives the incentive directly.
- Central Scheme: The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation gives the money at a national level.
- The Rule: You generally cannot take money from both. If you have already received an incentive from the J&K State Government, you are not eligible for the Central Foundation’s ₹2.5 lakh.
5. Documents Needed
- Marriage Certificate.
- Caste Certificates (Bride and Groom).
- Age Proofs (10th Marksheet/Birth Certificate).
- Joint Bank Account details (Aadhar-linked).
- Joint Affidavit (Notarized).
A Note on Religious Diversity: This specific scheme is for marriages within the Hindu framework (which includes Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists). For inter-religious marriages (e.g., Muslim-Hindu), the criteria are different and usually handled under the Special Marriage Act without this specific SC-based incentive.
Does either the bride or the groom already have a valid SC certificate issued by the government?