Dr. Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is an incentive programme associated with promoting inter-caste marriages and social equality. The name is especially used for the Rajasthan government’s state-level scheme, while the Government of India has also operated the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages.
Because the rules, incentive amount and application process differ between the central and state schemes, it is important not to treat them as the same programme.
Below is an updated guide based on government sources and recent official information.
What is the Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme?
The Dr. Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme is intended to encourage marriages between people belonging to different castes and support the broader objective of social equality.
In Rajasthan, the scheme provides a financial incentive to eligible couples where one spouse belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and the other belongs to an eligible non-SC category.
The Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Department currently describes the scheme as providing an incentive of ₹5 lakh to eligible couples.
The scheme should not be confused with the earlier central Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages, which had its own eligibility conditions and a ₹2.50 lakh incentive.
Savita Ben Ambedkar Scheme 2026: Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Dr. Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Main objective | Encourage inter-caste marriages and social equality |
| Incentive | ₹5 lakh, according to Rajasthan government information |
| SC requirement | One spouse must belong to Scheduled Caste |
| Other spouse | General/OBC/SBC as specified by Rajasthan |
| Marriage | Must be registered |
| Application period | Generally within 1 year of marriage |
| Age | Maximum 35 years under the Rajasthan FAQ |
| Minimum marriage age | Groom 21 years; bride 18 years |
| State requirement | Both applicants should belong to Rajasthan |
| Implementing department | Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Department |
The Rajasthan government’s FAQ states that the marriage must be registered before applying, the application should be made within one year of marriage, both applicants should belong to Rajasthan, and one spouse must be SC while the other belongs to General/OBC/SBC.
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How Much Money is Given Under the Scheme?
According to the current Rajasthan government FAQ, eligible couples can receive an incentive of ₹5 lakh under the Dr. Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme.
However, applicants should verify the amount applicable to their case before submitting an application because inter-caste marriage incentives are also available under state-specific programmes and the centrally sponsored framework.
This distinction matters because older online articles often mention different amounts.
Who Can Apply for the Savita Ben Ambedkar Scheme?
The Rajasthan government lists the following basic eligibility conditions:
- The marriage must be an eligible inter-caste marriage.
- One spouse must belong to the Scheduled Caste category.
- The other spouse must belong to the eligible General, OBC or SBC category.
- Both applicants should belong to Rajasthan.
- The marriage must be legally registered.
- The application should generally be submitted within one year of marriage.
- The maximum age specified by the Rajasthan FAQ is 35 years.
- The minimum age is 21 years for the groom and 18 years for the bride.
Applicants should check the latest departmental instructions before applying because administrative requirements can change.
Is Marriage Registration Necessary?
Yes. Marriage registration is an important requirement.
The Rajasthan government specifically states that the marriage should be registered before applying for the scheme.
Therefore, couples should keep their valid marriage registration certificate ready before beginning the application process.
Documents Required
The exact document list can depend on the application process and current departmental requirements. Applicants should generally be prepared with documents such as:
- Marriage registration certificate
- Aadhaar cards of both spouses
- Caste certificate of the SC spouse
- Residence/domicile proof
- Age proof
- Bank account details
- Passport-size photographs
- Identity documents
- Jan Aadhaar-related details, where applicable
- Other documents requested by the Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Department
A recent Rajasthan High Court case illustrates why applicants should keep the required digital and identity documents ready. In January 2026, the court dealt with an application issue involving a couple who had been unable to submit the online application because they did not have a Jan Aadhaar Card. The court directed them to submit the required documents and allowed an offline application route if the online application was not accepted.
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How to Apply for the Savita Ben Ambedkar Scheme?
The application procedure may be handled through the Rajasthan government’s designated online system and the concerned Social Justice and Empowerment authorities.
A typical process is:
Step 1: Complete Marriage Registration
First, make sure the marriage is legally registered and obtain the marriage certificate.
Step 2: Check Eligibility
Confirm that:
- both applicants satisfy the Rajasthan residence requirements;
- one spouse belongs to SC;
- the other belongs to the eligible non-SC category;
- the age requirements are satisfied; and
- the application is being made within the permitted period.
Step 3: Arrange Documents
Keep the marriage certificate, caste certificate, Aadhaar, residence details, bank information and other required documents ready.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Use the designated Rajasthan government application facility or approach the concerned department/authority if instructed to apply through an offline process.
Step 5: Verification
The submitted information and documents are examined by the concerned authorities.
Step 6: Approval and Incentive
If the application satisfies the scheme conditions and is approved, the eligible couple receives the applicable financial incentive according to the prevailing government rules.
What If the Online Application Cannot Be Submitted?
Applicants should not immediately assume that they have lost their entitlement if there is a technical or documentation problem with online submission.
A January 2026 Rajasthan High Court order involved a couple seeking the benefit of the Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Protsahan Yojna. The court directed the authorities to accept a fresh online application with the required documents and also provided for an offline application if the online application could not be accepted.
This does not mean every applicant automatically has an offline application option. It means applicants facing such an issue should contact the concerned authority and follow the applicable instructions rather than abandoning the claim.
Central Dr. Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme vs Rajasthan Scheme
This is an important distinction for anyone searching for the scheme online.
The Government of India’s earlier Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages defined an inter-caste marriage as one where one spouse belonged to Scheduled Caste and the other belonged to a non-Scheduled Caste. Its historical scheme guidelines included registration under the Hindu Marriage Act and a one-year application window.
The earlier central scheme provided an incentive of ₹2.50 lakh per eligible marriage. The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation FAQ also stated that the couple’s combined annual income should not exceed ₹5 lakh and that couples who had already received an incentive from a State/UT scheme were not eligible for the Foundation’s incentive.
However, there has been an important change.
What Happened to the Central Dr. Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme?
The Government of India states that the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages was merged with the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, with effect from 31 March 2023.
This means older websites saying that couples can simply apply directly to the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation for a new ₹2.5 lakh central benefit may be outdated.
The current centrally sponsored framework provides assistance to States and Union Territories, including incentives for inter-caste marriages, and implementation is handled by the respective State/UT governments.
The Government also reported in August 2026 that the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation continued processing pending cases originating before the 2023 merger. It said ₹10.66 crore had been released to 457 beneficiaries during 2023-24 to 2025-26 in such pending cases.
Is the Scheme Available Across India?
Inter-caste marriage incentives can be available through government programmes, but the eligibility rules and incentive amount can vary by state.
Therefore, someone living in Rajasthan should check the Rajasthan scheme, while applicants from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh or another state should check their respective government’s current rules.
For example, Gujarat’s official Social Justice and Empowerment Department lists its own Dr. Savita Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Encouragement Scheme, with its own eligibility and assistance structure.
Similarly, Maharashtra’s Social Welfare Department lists the Dr. Ambedkar Integrated Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme as a centrally sponsored programme.
Important Points Before Applying
Keep these points in mind:
- Do not rely solely on old articles mentioning ₹2.5 lakh.
- The Rajasthan Savita Ben Ambedkar scheme is a state-specific programme.
- Check whether your marriage falls within the eligible inter-caste definition.
- Make sure the marriage is registered.
- Check the one-year application period.
- Keep caste and residence documents ready.
- Verify the latest application procedure on the official Rajasthan government portal.
- Do not assume that receiving a state incentive and a central incentive is allowed.
- If online submission fails, contact the responsible department rather than submitting incorrect information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme?
It is a Rajasthan government scheme intended to encourage eligible inter-caste marriages by providing a financial incentive to qualifying couples.
How much money is given under the Savita Ben Ambedkar Scheme?
The Rajasthan government’s current FAQ states that the incentive is ₹5 lakh for eligible couples.
Can an SC and OBC couple apply?
The Rajasthan government FAQ specifies that one spouse must belong to SC and the other may belong to General/OBC/SBC, subject to the other scheme conditions.
Is marriage registration compulsory?
Yes. Rajasthan’s scheme information states that the marriage should be registered before applying.
How soon should I apply after marriage?
The Rajasthan government states that eligible couples can apply within one year of marriage.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. The Rajasthan FAQ states a maximum age of 35 years, with the minimum marriage age being 21 for the groom and 18 for the bride.
Is the old ₹2.5 lakh central scheme still open for new applications?
The earlier central Dr. Ambedkar scheme was merged into the centrally sponsored framework from March 31, 2023. The Foundation has continued processing certain pending pre-merger cases.
Can a couple receive both state and central incentives?
Under the older Dr. Ambedkar Foundation rules, a couple that had already received an incentive from a State/UT was not eligible for the Foundation’s incentive.
For a new application, applicants should follow the current rules of the applicable government programme.
The Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is primarily important for Rajasthan applicants searching for financial assistance after an eligible inter-caste marriage. The current Rajasthan government information lists a ₹5 lakh incentive, along with conditions relating to caste, residence, marriage registration, age and the application period.
At the same time, readers should be careful with older articles about the ₹2.5 lakh Dr. Ambedkar Foundation scheme. The Government of India has confirmed that the central scheme was merged into the centrally sponsored framework from March 31, 2023, while pending older cases continued to be processed by the Foundation.