Entrepreneurship Development by SC & ST Women in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

Key facts

Benefit	₹20 lakh yearly
Who	Unemployed SC/ST women in Kerala
How paid	Directly to host institution
Implemented by	Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment
Official portal	kscste.kerala.gov.in
Application window	Annual window — confirm dates on the official portal

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive financial support of up to ₹20 lakhs for one year, which includes fellowship, project costs, and institutional overheads.

Who can apply

Age up to 50
Women / girls only
For: unemployed
Category: SC, ST
Resident of Kerala
not income tax payer
no government employee in family

Eligible applicants are Indian women from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe backgrounds, aged 50 or below, who are unemployed. They must reside in Kerala and should not be income tax payers or have any government employees in their family.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted online through the KSCSTE website during the designated call period.

Check the KSCSTE website for the call for applications.
Prepare the required documents as per the guidelines.
Submit the application in PDF format through the provided web links.
If nominated, ensure the Head of Institution submits the necessary documents to KSCSTE.
Wait for evaluation and selection based on the proposal's merit.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

Identity proof of applicant
Technical Document (Maximum 3-4 pages only)
Biodata of the applicant
Endorsement Letter from Head of Institution
Consent Letter from Mentor and Co-Mentor if any
Undertaking of Project Scientist (after joining)
Age proof Certificate (Class X mark sheet or birth certificate)
SC/ST Certificate from Tahsildar
Letter from the Head of Institution (if applicable)

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Application rejected	Ensure that the application follows the submission guidelines and includes all required documents.
Delay in grant release	Contact the host institution to confirm that all necessary evaluations and documentation have been submitted to KSCSTE.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are required for application?

Applicants need to provide identity proof, a technical document, biodata, endorsement and consent letters, age proof, SC/ST certificate, and a letter from the head of the institution if applicable.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

Yes, applicants must be 50 years old or younger to be eligible for the scheme.

Can I apply if I have a government employee in my family?

No, applicants cannot have any government employees in their family to qualify for this scheme.

What is the duration of financial support?

The financial support is provided for a period of one year, with specific phases for disbursement based on project milestones.

How is the selection process conducted?

Selection is based on the evaluation of proposals by an Expert Committee, considering factors like need, social potential, technical viability, and business plan.

Key terms explained

SC / ST / OBC: Official social categories — Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes — used for reservations and targeted welfare schemes.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.