The Karnataka Social Welfare Department has introduced an incentive scheme to encourage inter-caste marriages. This initiative aims to reduce caste-based discrimination and promote a more inclusive society by supporting Scheduled Caste (SC) individuals who marry outside their caste, particularly with Hindu non-SC individuals.
Benefits
- Incentive Amount:
- SC Men: Receive ₹2,50,000/- when marrying a woman from another caste.
- SC Women: Receive ₹3,00,000/- when marrying a man from another caste.
- Subsidy Disbursement:
- 50% in Cash: Direct cash incentive.
- 50% as Fixed Deposit: Credited as a fixed deposit with a minimum term of 3 years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Religious Requirement:
- Both the bride and groom should belong to the Hindu category.
- Residency:
- The couple must be residing in Karnataka.
- Caste Requirement:
- The marriage should be between a Scheduled Caste individual and a person from another community.
- Income Limit:
- The combined income of the couple should not exceed ₹5,00,000/-.
- Age Criteria:
- Bride: Must be between 18 to 42 years at the time of marriage.
- Groom: Must be between 21 to 45 years at the time of marriage.
Application Process (Online)
- Access the Portal:
- Visit the official website and click on “Incentives to Marriages”.
- Register:
- Select “Incentives to Inter-caste Marriages” and click on “Register”.
- Aadhaar Authentication:
- Register using your Aadhaar Card Number and provide all required information.
- Document Upload:
- Upload all relevant documents as per the guidelines.
- Acknowledgment:
- After registration, an SMS will be sent to the couple, and an acknowledgment form can be printed as proof of application.
- Verification & Disbursement:
- The Social Welfare Department will conduct spot verification of the provided details.
- Upon successful verification, the incentive will be credited to the joint account of the couple.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Number
- Caste Certificate
- Income Certificate
- Marriage Proof
- Marriage Registration Certificate
- Marriage Photograph
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the incentive amount for SC men marrying outside their caste?
SC men receive ₹2,50,000/-. - How much incentive do SC women receive when marrying outside their caste?
SC women receive ₹3,00,000/-. - How is the incentive amount distributed?
It is disbursed in two installments: 50% in cash and 50% as a fixed deposit (minimum term of 3 years). - Who is eligible for this scheme?
The scheme is available to Hindu couples residing in Karnataka, where one partner is from the Scheduled Caste marrying a person from another community, with a combined income not exceeding ₹5,00,000/-. - What is the age eligibility for women under this scheme?
The bride must be between 18 to 42 years. - What is the age eligibility for men under this scheme?
The groom must be between 21 to 45 years. - Can the couple be from any religion to avail this scheme?
No, both partners must be from the Hindu community. - Does the marriage need to have occurred after a specific date to be eligible?
Specific date criteria, if any, would be detailed in the official guidelines. - What is the residency requirement for this scheme?
Both partners must be residing in Karnataka. - What happens after the application is submitted?
The department conducts a spot verification, and upon successful verification, the incentive is credited to the couple’s joint bank account.