Government of India under the leadership of Modi ji after BJP government came to power in 2014 every marriage in which one party belongs to SC or ST community then the married couple will be given an incentive amount of Rs 2.5 lakh. Prior to this, the scheme was mainly for married couples whose income was less than Rs 5 lakh. However, to encourage inter-caste marriages involving Dalits, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to allow the scheme for all without income condition.
As per the new changes in the scheme, couples marrying in another caste, one of whom is a Dalit, can get a one-time incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh.
Also, many states have similar plans without income limits. The scheme was launched with the intention of helping and supporting those couples in the initial phase of their married life who have taken this step by breaking social norms and going against their families.
State Government Intercaste Marriage Scheme
The Government of Rajasthan was the first to provide incentives to couples ignoring social differences under the Dr. Savita Ben Ambedkar Intercaste Marriage Scheme in the year 2006. Initially the incentive amount was Rs 50 thousand, which has now increased to Rs 2 lakh.
However, later the Rajasthan government put certain conditions under the fake marriages to prevent the increase in the number of fake marriages and divorces. The government put a condition that the couple would be entitled to get only half of the incentive amount, and the remaining amount would be deposited in a fixed deposit and could be claimed only after 8 years of marriage.
In order to get the incentive, the central government schemes provide that both the parties to the marriage must first register their marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act and apply within one year of the marriage. Also the couple will have to submit their Aadhaar numbers and details of the joint bank account linked to their Aadhaar.
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for 2.5 Lakhs after Inter Caste Marriage
1- One of the husband and wife shall be of Scheduled Caste and the other shall be of General Caste.
2- The marriage will be valid and registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
3- No incentive will be given in case of second marriage.
4- If presented within one year of the marriage, the proposal will be valid.
5- In case of any fabrication in the filled application form, the competent authority may take action as per law.
Process to get 2.5 Lakhs after Inter Caste Marriage
The incentive amount for legal inter-caste marriage will be Rs 2.5 lakh. The eligible couple will get Rs 1.50 lakh in their joint account, while the amount of Rs 1 lakh will be kept in a fixed deposit for three years.
The scheme was started from the year 2014 on a trial basis for a period of 2 years. However later it was regulated after the year 2015.
