Inter-caste marriages are still taboo in many parts of India, especially in rural areas. However, some states like Odisha have taken steps to promote social integration and remove untouchability by encouraging inter-caste marriages. One such initiative is the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme, which provides a financial incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh to couples who have recently tied the knot in inter-caste marriage.

The scheme aims to help inter-caste couples settle down in the initial phase of their married life by offering them monetary assistance for purchasing land, household items, or starting a business. The yojana also seeks to spread the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity in society and reduce caste prejudices and discrimination. To avail of the benefits of the scheme, the couples have to meet certain eligibility criteria and submit the required documents online on the official portal sumangal.odisha.gov.in. In this article, we will discuss the details of the Inter Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme 2023 and how to apply for it.

What is Inter Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme in Odisha?

The Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is a government initiative that aims to promote social harmony and reduce caste discrimination by encouraging inter-caste marriages among Hindus. The scheme provides a financial incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh to eligible couples who have recently tied the knot in inter-caste marriage.

The yojana was launched by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, in 2017, when he increased the incentive amount from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. The scheme is implemented by the Scheduled Caste Welfare Advisory Board under the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Benefits & Features of Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme

The Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme has several benefits and features that make it a progressive and inclusive initiative. Some of them are:

• It provides a financial incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh to eligible couples who have recently tied the knot in inter-caste marriage. This helps them to purchase lands/essential articles for households or start a business with the incentive amount.
• It promotes social integration and reduces caste discrimination by encouraging inter-caste marriages among Hindus. Inter-caste marriages can be one of the significant steps to spreading the value of liberty, equality, and fraternity in society.
• It fosters a broader perspective and higher acceptance of different kinds of people with different ideologies. Inter-caste marriages also help to break the so-called Indian taboo and challenge the rigid caste system.
• It enhances the compatibility and understanding between the spouses, as most the inter-caste marriages are the output of a love relationship. Inter-caste marriages also lead to a blend of different cultures and traditions, which enriches family life.
• It contributes to the genetic diversity and health of the offspring, as inter-caste marriages reduce the chances of genetic disorders and diseases that may arise from inbreeding. Inter-caste marriages also result in smarter kids, as they inherit the best traits from both parents.
• It improves the parenting skills and values of the couples, as they have to deal with different opinions and beliefs from both sides of the family. Inter-caste marriages also teach children to respect and appreciate diversity and differences in society.

The Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is a commendable scheme that supports inter-caste married couples and helps them to settle down in their married life. The scheme also aims to create a more harmonious and tolerant society by eliminating caste prejudices and untouchability.

Eligibility Criteria Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme Odisha

To avail of the benefit of the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme, the applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The marriage should be valid as per the law and duly registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, of 1955.
• Both spouses should be citizens of India, permanent residents of Odisha, and professing the Hindu religion.
• One of the spouses should belong to the scheduled caste as defined under Article 341 of the Constitution of India.
• The grant shall be given only once i.e. persons marrying for the first time only will be entitled to the grant except in the case, where the bride is a widow or the bride-groom a widower and this should be mentioned in the marriage registration certificate.
• The marriage should be solemnized after the date of issue of Resolution issued by Govt. from time to time.

The Inter-Caste Marriage Yojana 2023 is a scheme that provides an incentive to couples who have recently gotten married in an inter-caste marriage. The scheme helps couples settle down in their married life by offering financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh. The scheme also aims to promote social harmony and reduce caste discrimination by encouraging inter-caste marriages among Hindus.

Necessary Documents Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme Odisha

To apply for the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme, the applicants need to submit the following documents:

• Scanned photo copy of the registered marriage certificate. This document proves the validity and legality of inter-caste marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act, of 1955.
• Scanned photo copy of the caste certificate of both spouses stating therein the community and the sub-caste to which they belong. This document verifies the eligibility of the couple for the scheme, as one of the spouses should belong to the scheduled caste as defined under Article 341 of the Constitution of India.
• Couple’s joint photo (husband and wife). This document confirms the identity and relationship of the couple who have applied for the scheme.
• ANNEXURE II & IV have scanned photocopies of the Declaration form. This document contains the declaration and undertaking of the couple regarding their inter-caste marriage and their consent to receive the incentive amount.
• Scanned photo copy of the joint bank passbook of the couple in any Govt./Nationalized Bank. This document provides the bank account details of the couple where the incentive amount will be deposited by the government.
• Scanned photo copy of the Date of Birth certificate of both spouses. This document establishes the age proof of the couple and ensures that they are marrying for the first time, except in the case of widowhood.

The applicants need to upload these documents on the official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in while filling up the online application form. The documents should be clear and legible and should match with the personal and marriage details provided by the applicants. The applicants should also ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria for availing of the benefit of the scheme.

How to Apply Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme Odisha

To apply for the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme, the applicants need to follow these steps:

• Visit the official website of https://sw.kar.nic.in/swincentive/HAhome.aspx. This is the online portal where the applicants can register and apply for the scheme.
• Click on the “Register here” link and create an account by filling in the required fields. The applicants need to provide their name, email, mobile number, password, and captcha code to create their accounts.
• Fill in the personal details and marriage details, such as applicant name, Aadhar card number, district, and block name. The applicants need to provide accurate and authentic information that matches their documents.
• Upload the necessary documents, such as marriage certificate, caste certificate, declaration form II and IV, joint bank passbook front page, and date of birth certificate of both spouses. The applicants need to upload clear and legible scanned copies of these documents in the prescribed format and size.
• Submit the details to successfully submit your application. The applicants need to review their application before submitting it and ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria for availing the benefit of the scheme.

The Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is a scheme that provides an incentive to couples who have recently gotten married in an inter-caste marriage. The scheme helps couples settle down in their married life by offering financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh. The scheme also aims to promote social harmony and reduce caste discrimination by encouraging inter-caste marriages among Hindus.

Contact Details Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme

If you have any queries or doubts regarding the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme, you can contact the following authorities:

• The Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare Advisory Board, Odisha. Phone: 0674-2391780, Email: dirscwab@gmail.com.
• The District Welfare Officer of your respective district. You can find the list of District Welfare Officers and their contact details on the official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in.

The Block Development Officer of your respective block. You can find the list of Block Development Officers and their contact details on the official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in.

Important Links Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme 

Here are some important links that can help you to know more about the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme and apply for it online:

• Official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in. This is the online portal where you can register and apply for the scheme, check the eligibility criteria, upload the required documents, and track the status of your application.
• Official notification of the scheme. This is the official document that contains the details of the scheme, such as the objective, scope, eligibility, incentive amount, procedure, and contact details.
• Declaration forms II and IV. These are the forms that you need to fill out and sign to declare your inter-caste marriage and consent to receive the incentive amount.
• List of District Welfare Officers. This is the list that contains the names and contact details of the District Welfare Officers who are responsible for implementing the scheme at the district level.

List of Block Development Officers. This is the list that contains the names and contact details of the Block Development Officers who are responsible for implementing the scheme at the block level.

FAQs Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme Odisha

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme and their answers:

What is the Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme?

The Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is a scheme that provides an incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh to eligible couples who have recently gotten married in an inter-caste marriage among Hindus. The scheme aims to promote social harmony and reduce caste discrimination by encouraging inter-caste marriages.

Who can apply for the scheme?

To apply for the scheme, the applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

The marriage should be valid as per the law and duly registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, of 1955. Both spouses should be citizens of India, permanent residents of Odisha, and professing the Hindu religion. One of the spouses should belong to the scheduled caste as defined under Article 341 of the Constitution of India.

What are the documents required for applying for the scheme?

To apply for the scheme, the applicants need to submit the following documents:

Scanned photo copy of the registered marriage certificate. Scanned photo copy of the caste certificate of both spouses stating therein the community and the sub-caste to which they belong. Couple’s joint photo (husband and wife). ANNEXURE II & IV have scanned photocopies of the Declaration form. Scanned photo copy of the joint bank passbook of the couple in any Govt./Nationalized Bank. Scanned photo copy of the Date of Birth certificate of both spouses.

How to apply for the scheme online?

To apply for the scheme online, the applicants need to follow these steps:

Visit the official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in. Click on the “Register here” link and create an account by filling in the required fields. Fill in the personal details and marriage details, such as applicant name, Aadhar card number, district, and block name. Upload the required documents, such as marriage certificate, caste certificate, declaration forms II and IV, joint bank passbook front page, and date of birth certificate of both spouses. Submit the details to successfully submit your application.

When will the incentive amount be deposited in the bank account?

The incentive amount will be deposited in the joint bank account of the couple within two months of successful registration. However, for fraud prevention, the couple can only withdraw the money after three years of marriage.

Whom to contact in case of any query or doubt regarding the scheme?

In case of any query or doubt regarding the scheme, you can contact the following authorities:

The Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare Advisory Board, Odisha. Phone: 0674-2391780, Email: dirscwab@gmail.com. The District Welfare Officer of your respective district. You can find the list of District Welfare Officers and their contact details on the official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in. The Block Development Officer of your respective block. You can find the list of Block Development Officers and their contact details on the official website of sumangal.odisha.gov.in.

Conclusion

The scheme promotes social integration and reduces caste discrimination by encouraging inter-caste marriages. The yojana is implemented through the online portal of sumangal.odisha.gov.in, where the applicants can register and apply for the scheme, check the eligibility criteria, upload the required documents, and track the status of their application. The Yojana also has a dedicated helpline and contact details for resolving any queries or doubts regarding the scheme. The Odisha Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme is a commendable scheme that supports inter-caste married couples and helps them to create a more harmonious and tolerant society by eliminating caste prejudices and untouchability.