Women Scientist Scheme-A 2026

This central government scheme provides financial aid to fishermen for building homes, community spaces, and installing tube Read More... wells. It aims to improve their living standards and provide essential facilities. Read less

Details

The National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen is a significant initiative by the Indian government to support the fishing community. It offers various forms of assistance to help fishermen improve their living conditions and working environment.

What Is This Scheme?

This scheme is designed to provide financial help to fishermen. They can use this aid for building their own houses, constructing community halls for work and recreation, and setting up tube wells for clean drinking water. The goal is to ensure fishermen and their families have access to basic amenities and a better quality of life.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is primarily for registered fishermen who depend on fishing for their livelihood. This includes both inland and marine fishermen, provided they meet certain age, income, and licensing criteria set by their respective states or union territories.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Fishing is a crucial livelihood for many coastal and inland communities. This scheme plays a vital role in enhancing their social and economic security. By providing housing, community facilities, and access to clean water, it directly addresses basic needs. Additionally, it aims to equip fishermen with knowledge about advanced fishing techniques, helping them adopt scientific methods and improve their overall profession.

Objective

This central government scheme provides financial aid to fishermen for building homes, community spaces, and installing tube wells. It aims to improve their living standards and provide essential facilities.

Benefits

₹ 55,000/- pm (and HRA as applicable) for Ph.D. or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 30 lakh)

₹ 40,000/- pm (and HRA as applicable) for M.Phil./MTech or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 25 lakh)

₹ 31,000/- pm (and HRA as applicable) for M.Sc. or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 20 lakh)

This grant will cover the fellowship of the applicant and cost of small equipments, contingencies, travel, consumables, etc.The benefits are provided for a period of maximum three years.The payment of the scholarship will be through DBT.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

For Inland Fishermen:

Must be officially licensed by their respective State or Union Territory.
Age should be below 60 years.
Must belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
Must be engaged full-time in inland fishing activities.

For Marine Fishermen:

Must be officially licensed by their respective State or Union Territory.
Must be actively involved in fishing at sea full-time.
Must be a member of a registered Welfare Society, Federation, or Cooperative Society.
Fishermen registered with FISHCOPFED can only avail benefits under the insurance component.

How To Apply

Interested fishermen should apply through their respective State Fisheries Departments or designated authorities. The application typically requires filling out a specific format and submitting it along with the necessary documents. For the insurance component, applications may need to be routed through FISHCOPFED.

For official details and application forms, please refer to the links provided by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India.

Documents Required

Completed application form in the prescribed format.
Photograph of the applicant (and spouse, if married).
Vessel registration certificate (issued by the Directorate of Fisheries).
Receipt for current net license payment.
Professional cum residential certificate.
Copy of Ration Card.
Income certificate.
Passport-size photograph.

FAQ’s

What financial support is available for building a house under this scheme?

The scheme supports house construction with a base area of 35 sq. mt., and the cost should not exceed ₹75,000. There's no limit on the number of houses a village can have built through this scheme.

If I am a fisherman but also earn from other small businesses, am I eligible for this scheme?

No, the scheme is strictly for individuals whose primary livelihood is fishing. If you are engaged in other income-generating activities, you might not be eligible.

What happens to my savings if I can't make the full payment for the Savings cum Relief scheme?

If you fail to make the complete payment for the Savings cum Relief scheme, the amount you have already paid will be returned to you with interest at the end of the fourth month.

How much insurance cover do fishermen get in case of an accident?

Under the Group Accident Insurance, fishermen receive ₹50,000 for death or permanent total disability and ₹25,000 for partial permanent disability. This cover is for 12 months.

What is the age limit to apply for the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen?

For inland fishermen, the age limit is below 60 years. Specific age criteria for marine fishermen may vary based on their affiliation with FISHCOPFED or other societies.

What is the purpose of the community hall built under this scheme?

The community hall, built with a base area of 200 sq. mt. and costing up to ₹2 lakh, can be used by fishermen as a mending shed for their nets or as a drying yard for their catch.

How is the premium for the Group Accident Insurance paid?

The annual premium is ₹15 per fisherman. The Central and State Governments each contribute 50% of this premium. For Union Territories, the Central Government covers the entire premium.

If a fishermen village has more than 10 houses but less than 20, how many tube wells will be provided?

For a fishermen village with more than 10 houses but fewer than 20, one tube well will be installed to ensure access to clean drinking water.

Who decides the duration and amount for the 'lean months' relief?

The 'lean months' provision, which defines the period and the relief amount, is decided entirely by FISHCOPFED, considering the specifics of different coastal and marine areas.