The “Loan Assistance to Scheduled Castes Students for Commercial Pilot Training” scheme is administered by the Director Scheduled Caste Welfare, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of Gujarat. Launched in 1987, the scheme aims to provide financial support to bright Scheduled Caste students who wish to pursue training for a commercial pilot license. This initiative is designed to help those who, due to economic hardships, cannot afford the high cost of pilot training.
Benefits
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Loan Provision:
Eligible candidates can receive a loan of up to ₹25 lakhs. -
Attractive Interest Rate:
The loan is provided at a competitive interest rate of 4% per annum.
Eligibility
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Residency:
The applicant must be a native of Gujarat. -
Caste Criterion:
The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste category as recognized in Gujarat. -
Educational Qualification:
The candidate must have passed Matriculation, Higher Secondary School Certificate, or an equivalent examination. Additionally, the candidate must meet all the academic and technical requirements set by the training institute for admission to the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training course. -
Training Institution Requirements:
- The institution, whether in India or abroad, must fulfill all the necessary conditions for admitting trainees (e.g., provision of a valid medical certificate, fitness certificate, etc.).
- For candidates opting for training abroad, the institution must be approved by the respective government of that country, and the CPL obtained should be recognized there. The trainee must then undergo a one-year legal process to have the license accepted in India.
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Additional Conditions:
- The loan assistance is sanctioned only after the candidate receives a consent letter from the training institute confirming admission, along with cost estimates for the training.
- The loan is strictly for commercial pilot training; any use for other purposes will result in immediate recovery of the loan along with penal interest.
- The beneficiary must furnish two valid sureties.
- After training completion, the beneficiary is required to render services in India for a minimum of five years. If the beneficiary settles abroad, the entire loan amount with interest must be returned.
Repayment Terms
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Repayment Schedule:
The loan repayment is structured in monthly installments of ₹5,000 for 12 months. -
Repayment Period:
Loan recovery will begin one year from the date of disbursement. The principal and interest must be repaid over a period of 10 years, with the total amount (including interest) repayable over 12 years. -
Early Repayment:
The applicant may repay the loan earlier than the due date without penalty, provided the loan is used solely for pilot training.
Application Process
Online and Offline
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Registration:
- Visit the e-Samaj Kalyan Portal: https://esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in/.
- Under the ‘Citizen Login’ tab, click on “New User – Please Register Here”.
- Enter your full name (as per Aadhaar), gender, date of birth, Aadhaar number, email ID, caste, etc., then click “Register”.
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Profile Update:
- Log in using your User ID and Password.
- Click on “User Profile” to update your details and click “Update” after filling in all mandatory information.
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Application Form:
- Select the “Loan Assistance to Scheduled Castes Students for Commercial Pilot Training” scheme from the home page. The application form will open.
- Fill in all required details and upload the relevant documents.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and click “Save Application”.
- Submit the form and print a copy for future reference. Note down the application number for tracking purposes.
Documents Required
- Photograph:
Recent passport-size photograph. - Identity Proof:
Aadhaar Card. - Caste Certificate:
Valid Scheduled Caste certificate. - Proof of Residence:
Any one of the following: Ration Card, Electricity Bill, Licence, or Rent Agreement. - Educational Qualifications:
Certificates of educational qualifications (Matriculation/Higher Secondary or equivalent) and school/college leaving certificate. - Income Proof:
Document showing the total annual income of the family. - Bank Details:
Copy of the first page of the Bank Passbook or a cancelled cheque (in the applicant’s name). - Additional Documents:
- Valuation certificate of property of the surety.
- Acknowledgment letter on a fixed stamp of ₹50.
- SSC marksheets or previous study certificates.
- Student’s Affidavit.
- For candidates opting for training abroad: Passport and Visa.
- Written guarantee on stamp paper (₹100) stating that the candidate will serve in India for at least five years post-training.
- Surety bond, guarantee sheet, loan repayment agreement, affidavit, property documents of Guarantor-1 and Guarantor-2, and any other documents as required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was the scheme initiated?
The scheme was initiated in 1987. -
What amount of loan is provided under this scheme?
Eligible candidates can receive a loan of up to ₹25 lakhs. -
What are the eligibility criteria?
The applicant must be a native of Gujarat, belong to the Scheduled Caste category, and meet the academic and technical qualifications for CPL training. Additionally, the training institution must be duly approved, and the applicant should not have relatives abroad sponsoring them. -
Can the loan be used for purposes other than commercial pilot training?
No, the loan is strictly for commercial pilot training. Any diversion of funds will lead to immediate recovery of the loan with penal interest. -
What are the repayment terms for the loan?
The loan is to be repaid in monthly installments of ₹5,000 for 12 months, with loan recovery commencing one year from disbursement and complete repayment over 10-12 years. -
Is there an obligation after completing the training?
Yes, the beneficiary must render services in India for at least five years. Failure to do so, particularly if settling abroad, will require the full loan amount with interest to be returned. -
How can one apply for this scheme?
Applications can be submitted online via the e-Samaj Kalyan Portal or through offline channels as per the guidelines. -
What happens if the trainee settles abroad after training?
In such a case, the entire loan amount along with interest must be returned to the Government of Gujarat. -
How is the rate of exchange determined for training abroad?
The amount for training abroad is disbursed at the rate of exchange fixed by the Reserve Bank of India. -
How long is the repayment period?
The principal and interest must be repaid within 10 years, with the total amount (including interest) to be repaid over 12 years. -
What is the frequency of loan recovery?
Loan recovery is done through monthly installments.