Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2026

This scheme, started in 1987, aims to help bright Scheduled Caste students from Gujarat get financial aid Read More... for Commercial Pilot License training, especially those who can't afford it. Read less

Details

Aspiring to fly high as a commercial pilot? If you're a Scheduled Caste student from Gujarat with the dream but not the means, this scheme could be your wings.

What Is This Scheme?

This initiative by the Government of Gujarat provides loan assistance to Scheduled Caste students who wish to undergo training for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Launched in 1987, its core purpose is to remove financial barriers for deserving SC students wanting to enter the aviation sector as pilots.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is designed for bright students who belong to the Scheduled Caste category and are native to Gujarat. It's for those who have cleared their matriculation or higher secondary exams and meet the academic and technical entry requirements of pilot training institutes, but face economic challenges in funding the extensive training.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Flying is an expensive profession. This scheme recognizes that talent should not be grounded due to financial constraints. By offering a substantial loan at a low interest rate, it opens doors for aspiring pilots from the Scheduled Caste community, promoting economic upliftment and representation in a prestigious field.

Objective

This scheme, started in 1987, aims to help bright Scheduled Caste students from Gujarat get financial aid for Commercial Pilot License training, especially those who can't afford it.

Benefits

Sanitary napkins are distributed to adolescent girls/women at a cost of ₹6/-.

Sources and references

Guidelines (Page No. 36)

Eligibility Criteria

You must be a permanent resident of Gujarat.
You must belong to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community in Gujarat.
You should have passed Matriculation or Higher Secondary Certificate (or equivalent) and meet all admission criteria for the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training institute.
The institute offering the training, whether in India or abroad, must be officially approved and have the necessary permissions for admitting trainees.
If training abroad, the institute must be government-approved in that country, and the pilot license obtained should be valid there. You'll need to complete a legal process to get this license recognized in India.
Loan approval is subject to receiving a consent letter from the training institute and submitting the cost estimates for your training.
If you have relatives living abroad, they cannot be the financial sponsors for your training.
You are welcome to repay the loan amount earlier than the due date.
Using the loan for any purpose other than pilot training will lead to recovery of the amount with penal interest from the date of diversion.
You will need to provide two valid sureties for the loan.

Important Notes:

After completing your training, you must commit to serving in India for at least five years. If you decide to settle abroad, the full loan amount with interest will need to be repaid to the Gujarat Government. The loan amount will cover actual training costs, including tuition fees and other necessary expenses. The Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare, has the final say on the assistance amount. For training abroad, the loan amount and trainee allowances will be processed based on the exchange rate fixed by the Reserve Bank of India. You must start your training within one month of the loan disbursement and submit quarterly progress reports. If you default on loan repayment, a penal interest of 2.5% per annum will be charged. Loan recovery begins one year after disbursement, with the total amount (principal and interest) to be repaid over 10 years in monthly installments.

How To Apply

Eligible candidates can apply online through the e-Samaj Kalyan Portal.
Visit the official portal: https://esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in/
Fill out the application form carefully and upload all required documents.
Submit the application before the deadline, if any.

Documents Required

Recent passport-size photograph
Aadhaar Card
Proof of Residence (e.g., Ration Card, Electricity Bill, Rent Agreement)
Caste Certificate
Educational Qualification Certificates (Matriculation, Higher Secondary, etc.)
School/College Leaving Certificate
Proof of Family's Annual Income
Copy of the first page of Bank Passbook or a Canceled Cheque (in applicant's name)
Valuation certificate of property for sureties
Acknowledgment letter (on ₹50/- stamp paper)
SSC or Marksheets/Certificates of previous studies
Student's Affidavit (available for download from the official portal: Affidavit)
Eligibility Pattern for Loan Repayment
Passport (if training abroad)
Visa (if training abroad)
Written guarantee (on ₹100/- stamp paper) undertaking to serve in India for at least five years after training abroad.
Surety bond (Annexure-C, available for download from the official portal: Annexure-C)
Any other documents as may be required by the department.

FAQ’s

What is the repayment period for this loan?

The loan needs to be repaid within a total of 10 years, with recovery starting after one year from the loan disbursement date. This includes a two-year period for repaying the principal and interest.

Can I get this loan if I'm not from Gujarat?

No, this scheme is specifically for individuals who are natives of Gujarat and belong to the Scheduled Caste category within Gujarat.

What if I stop paying the loan installments?

If you default on your loan installments, a penal interest of 2.5% per annum will be charged on the outstanding amounts. The government can also recover all dues through revenue collection methods.

When did this pilot training loan scheme begin?

This scheme for loan assistance to Scheduled Caste students for Commercial Pilot Training was started back in 1987.

Can I use the loan money for something other than pilot training?

Absolutely not. The loan is strictly for Commercial Pilot License training. If the funds are used for any other purpose, the entire loan amount will be recovered along with penal interest from the date you diverted it.

How do I start the application process?

You can apply for this loan assistance by visiting the e-Samaj Kalyan Portal at https://esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in/ and filling out the online application form.

What is the maximum loan amount available?

The scheme provides a loan assistance of up to ₹25 lakhs to eligible candidates for their pilot training.

What's the interest rate on this loan?

The loan is offered at a very concessional interest rate of 4% per annum.

Do I have to work in India after my training?

Yes, a key condition is that after completing your training, you must work in India for a minimum period of five years. If you choose to settle abroad, you'll have to repay the entire loan amount with interest to the Gujarat Government.

What happens if I want to repay the loan before the due date?

You are absolutely free to repay the loan amount earlier than the scheduled due date. There's no penalty for early repayment.

What if my training is in a foreign country, how is the money handled?

For training abroad, the loan amount and trainee allowances are subject to approval by the Reserve Bank of India, using their fixed rate of exchange. This covers tuition fees, subsistence allowance (up to six months), and initial equipment costs.