Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme – Every year, lakhs of weddings take place across India, and most families make bookings months in advance. A typical wedding today easily costs anywhere between ₹10–15 lakh, forcing many couples and families to take loans or borrow money.

But very few people know that under a special government scheme, eligible couples can receive ₹2.5 lakh as financial support. Here’s who can apply, who benefits, and how the scheme works.

What is the ₹2.5 Lakh Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme?

The financial assistance is provided under the Dr Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages, run by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation.

Under this scheme, if a non-Dalit individual marries a Palit copartner, the couple becomes eligible for financial assistance of ₹2.5 lakh. The scheme was launched in 2013 during the Congress government and continues to operate even today.

Eligibility: Who Can Receive the Benefit?

  1. To receive the scheme’s benefits, the couple must fulfil the following conditions:
  2. The marriage must involve one partner from the Dalit community.
  3. The marriage must be legally registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
  4. The assistance is provided only for the first marriage of both partners.
  5. The application must be submitted within one year of marriage.

If the couple has already received financial support from a state or central government scheme, that amount will be deducted from the total grant of ₹2.5 lakh.

Of the ₹2.5 lakh assistance, ₹1.5 lakh is transferred directly to the couple’s joint bank account via NEFT/RTGS, while the remaining ₹1 lakh is placed in a fixed deposit for 3 years and released with interest later.

How to Apply for the Scheme?

Couples wishing to benefit from the Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme must submit their application along with a recommendation from an MP or MLA to the Dr Ambedkar Foundation.

Applications can also be submitted through the district administration or the respective state government office. All details and official guidelines are available on the foundation’s website.

To complete the application process, the couple must provide:

  • A marriage certificate registered under the Hindu Marriage Act
  • Caste certificate of the Dalit partner
  • Proof that it is the first marriage for both individuals
  • Affidavit confirming legal marriage
  • Income certificate
  • Details of a joint bank account
  • This scheme aims to promote social integration and support couples who choose inter-caste marriage.