Kisan-Vaigyanik Sangoshthi 2026
The Grant In Aid Hostels scheme by the Gujarat Tribal Development Department provides free accommodation and meals Read More... to tribal students from standards 5th to 12th, helping them continue their education. Read less
Details
Many tribal students face challenges continuing their education beyond primary school, especially when schools are far from their homes. To tackle this, the Gujarat government, through its Tribal Development Department, offers a vital support system.
What Is This Scheme?
The 'Grant In Aid Hostels' scheme, running since 1969, is designed to ensure that tribal students can pursue their studies without worrying about food and shelter. It allows registered NGOs to provide free boarding and lodging facilities to students. This initiative aims to boost literacy levels among Scheduled Tribe communities by enabling students to attend secondary and higher secondary education comfortably.
Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?
This scheme is primarily for students belonging to Scheduled Tribes who are currently studying in standards 5th to 12th. Their families must meet specific annual income limits. Additionally, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that are registered and meet certain criteria can apply to run these hostels.
Why This Scheme Is Important
The scheme addresses a critical need by removing financial and logistical barriers that often force tribal students to drop out. By providing free lodging and meals, it ensures that students can focus on their studies, access better educational opportunities, and improve their future prospects. It also supports the development of backward and remote tribal areas by ensuring educational access.
Objective
Benefits
Through Kisan-Vaigyanik Sangoshthi, the Council provides technical guidance from subject matter experts to the state’s farmers, helping to address challenges in biotechnology-based agriculture and animal husbandry. The Council also continuously works to improve farmers’ livelihoods and promote self-employment by sharing technical knowledge on hydroponics, soilless farming, kiwifruit cultivation, fish farming, beekeeping, vegetable production, and floriculture.
Sources and references
Eligibility Criteria
For Students:
- Must be a student.
- Must belong to a Scheduled Tribe.
- Must be studying in standards 5th to 12th.
- Family's annual income should not exceed ₹1,20,000/- for rural areas.
- Family's annual income should not exceed ₹1,50,000/- for urban areas.
For Institutions:
- Must be a registered voluntary institution.
- Must be registered under the Public Trusts Act 1950 or the Societies Registration Act 1860.
- Must have a bank balance (liquidity/working capital) certificate showing over ₹15,000/-.
- The building must be suitable, well-equipped with water and electricity, and located at the intended hostel site.
Preference/Priority:
- Hostels should ideally be established in places that currently lack any hostel facility.
- Priority should be given to backward and remote areas for hostel selection.
How To Apply
Applications for this scheme are accepted at the district level. Interested organizations should submit their applications to the office of the concerned Project Administrator/Assistant Commissioner (Vigilance).
Documents Required
- Copy of the Organization's Constitution.
- Copy of the Organization's Registration Certificate.
- Original Bank Balance Certificate (dated after the advertisement date and before the application deadline).
- List of Office Bearers' Names and Full Addresses.
- Copy of the resolution by the Managing Committee or General Meeting specifying the office bearer responsible for financial correspondence.
- Copy of the resolution by the Managing Committee agreeing to comply with current and future rules for Backward Class Hostels and directives from the Tribal Development Department.
- Proposed Site Map with full details.
- Building Assessment Letter Copy (excerpt from Panchayat Register for the hostel building).
- Landlord's Consent Letter (if the building is rented).
- Property Card Copy (for urban areas).
- Relevant Municipality Assessment Bill Copy (for urban areas).
- Copy of the Organization's Last Year's Audit Statement.
- Statement detailing other social welfare or educational activities run by the organization (even if none).
- Statement detailing school facilities at the proposed location (school name, education levels, number of Scheduled Tribe students).
- Details of other Scheduled Tribe/Other Caste Hostels run by the organization (location, sanctioned strength).
- Undertaking to admit 10% economically backward class students of the sanctioned strength.
- Certificate with an undertaking confirming the availability of a suitable building with water and electricity at the proposed location.
FAQ’s
If an institution is already registered under the Public Trusts Act, is it still required to register under the Societies Registration Act to apply?
No, if the voluntary institution is already registered under the Public Trusts Act 1950, that is sufficient. Registration under the Societies Registration Act 1860 is an alternative requirement.
What is the maximum annual income limit for a student's family if they live in a city or town?
For students residing in urban areas, the family's total annual income should not exceed ₹1,50,000/-.
Can a student apply if they are in the 4th standard or the 13th standard?
This scheme is specifically for students studying in standards 5th to 12th. Students in lower or higher standards are not eligible.
What happens if the bank balance certificate submitted is older than the advertisement date?
The bank balance certificate must be dated on or after the date the advertisement was published and before the final date for accepting applications. If it's older, it might not be accepted.
Does the institution need to prove it can manage finances, and how is this shown?
Yes, the institution needs to show it can manage finances. This is partly demonstrated by providing a bank balance certificate showing over ₹15,000/- and by submitting a resolution indicating which office bearer will handle financial correspondence.
Is there a specific requirement for the building where the hostel will be set up?
Yes, the building must be suitable, fully equipped with water and electricity, and available at the proposed hostel site. The institution needs to provide an assessment letter or similar proof for this.
What happens if the application form is incomplete or missing some details?
Applications that are submitted with incomplete required details or missing information will not be considered for processing.
What are the basic criteria for students to qualify for free lodging and boarding?
Students must be from a Scheduled Tribe, be studying in standards 5th to 12th, and their family's annual income must be within the specified limits (₹1,20,000/- for rural, ₹1,50,000/- for urban).
Will my application be considered if I submit it after the last date?
No, applications received after the official deadline for submission will not be taken into consideration.
Are there any special considerations for the location of the hostel?
Yes, preference is given to hostels in areas where no such facility currently exists. Additionally, backward and remote areas are prioritized during the selection of hostel locations.
Does the institution need to commit to following government instructions in the future?
Yes, the applicant institution must submit a resolution agreeing to adhere to all current rules for Backward Class Hostels and any future administrative or other instructions from the Tribal Development Department and the Director, Tribal Development.
What is the minimum amount of money an organization must have in its bank account?
The applicant organization must provide a certificate showing that its bank balance or available liquidity/working capital exceeds ₹15,000/-.
What if the required original documents are not attached with the application?
If the application is not accompanied by the necessary original or properly certified documents, it will be considered rejected.
What is the annual family income limit for students living in villages?
For students residing in rural areas, the family's total annual income must not exceed ₹1,20,000/-.
Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Sign in with Google