Nai Udaan is a Government of India scheme to provide financial support to minority candidates for increasing the representation of minorities in Civil services. Under this scheme, students belonging to minority community who cleared preliminary examination conducted by Union public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs) are offered a one time financial support of up to Rs. 50000 (Fifty thousand).
Background:
The National Commission on Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which submitted it’s report in 2007, highlighted the need of equal share in economic opportunities and employment for all communities. It anticipated proactive measures for those communities that lag behind. During the 11th Five Year Plan, a scheme for minority communities was launched to provide pre-examination coaching for different competitive exams. But, the representation of minorities in Civil Services continued to be lower. So, government felt the need of policy intervention in the form of special support for minorities to clear the Civil Services Exams. In the year 2014-15, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt of India, started the Nai Udaan scheme. Under this minority development scheme, direct financial support or one time scholarship is provided to candidates from minority communities who clears Prelims exam conducted by UPSC, SSC, SPSCs etc. As per the scheme, every year up to a maximum of 800 candidates (Muslims – 568; Christians – 96; Sikhs – 80; Buddhists – 32; Parsis – 7 and Jains – 17) will be given financial support. Selection of the candidates will be based on merit.
Objectives:
The main goal or objective of ‘Nai Udaan’ scheme is to provide financial support to the minority candidates to adequately equip them to compete for the Civil Services examinations conducted by the Union and the State Governments and thus increase the representation of the minority in the Civil Services.
Benefits:
One time cash benefit or scholarship for clearing Preliminary round of Group A and B (Gazetted and non-Gazetted posts of UPSC, SSC, SPSCs etc) Civil services exam. Financial assistance will be maximum of Rs. 50,000 for Gazetted Post and Rs. 25,000 for Non-Gazetted Post. The benefit can be availed only once and the candidate may not opt for any other similar scheme of the Central / State Government or UT Administrations. If a candidate decides to avail other schemes, he/she must forgo the claim and refund the amount (if already availed) with 10% interest.
Implementation and Eligibility:
Nai Udaan is a 100% Central Sector Scheme. The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements it. Fund is provided through a nationalized bank. To be eligible, a candidate must belong to any of the six notified Minority Communities (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi) and he/she must clear the Prelim examinations conducted by UPSC, SPSC or SSC etc. are eligible. Also, total annual income of the family must not exceed Rs. 4.5 lakh.
How to apply:
To avail the financial benefit under the Nai Udaan scheme, interested and eligible candidates are required to submit an application to the Ministry of Minority Affairs in the prescribed format. The application must be accompanied by the proof of passing of the preliminary examination (roll number, identity card, result etc). Candidates are also required to submit a self declaration of annual family income.
References:
Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India