Karnataka Incentive For The Intra Caste Marriage Within Scheduled Tribe Community 2025–26

The Government of Karnataka, through the Tribal Welfare Department, has introduced a progressive scheme titled “Incentive for Intra Caste Marriage within the Scheduled Tribe Community” to encourage social inclusivity, reduce caste-based discrimination, and promote harmony within the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The scheme provides financial assistance to couples belonging to the ST community but from different sub-castes. It aims to foster unity, eradicate caste barriers within tribes, and support newly married couples financially as they begin their married lives.

Launched in 2018, the scheme plays a vital role in breaking caste-based stigmas and encouraging intercultural acceptance among sub-castes within the Scheduled Tribe category. Under this scheme, couples who have married on or after 1st April 2018 and fulfill all eligibility conditions can receive an incentive of ₹2,00,000/-.

Objectives of the Scheme

The Incentive for Intra Caste Marriage within Scheduled Tribe Community has been designed with several key objectives:

1. To Promote Social Integration – By incentivizing marriages between different sub-castes within the ST community, the scheme aims to minimize caste barriers and promote unity.
2. To Provide Financial Support – The scheme provides a substantial financial incentive of ₹2,00,000/- to couples, ensuring economic security at the beginning of married life.
3. To Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination – Encouraging intra-caste marriages reduces prejudices associated with sub-caste differences.
4. To Support Tribal Development – The scheme contributes to the social upliftment of Scheduled Tribe families by fostering equality within the community.
5. To Encourage Formal Marriages – By linking the benefit to official marriage registration, the scheme encourages couples to legally register their marriages.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Implementing Authority – Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka.
• Target Group – Couples belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community but from different sub-castes.
• Financial Incentive – A one-time incentive of ₹2,00,000/-.
• Marriage Date Requirement – The marriage must have taken place on or after 1st April 2018.
• Application Deadline – Couples must apply within one year of marriage.
• Income Limit – The combined annual income of the couple must not exceed ₹2,00,000/-.
• Mode of Benefit Disbursal – Incentive amount will be credited directly into the couple’s joint bank account after successful verification.
• Verification Process – Spot verification will be conducted by officials of the Tribal Welfare Department before approving the incentive.

Incentive Amount

• Eligible couples receive a one-time incentive of ₹2,00,000/-.
• The amount is credited to the couple’s joint bank account to ensure equal ownership and security.
• The incentive provides financial support for establishing a household, meeting marriage-related expenses, or beginning new ventures together.

Eligibility Criteria

To avail the benefits of the scheme, the couple must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Residential Requirement – Both partners must be permanent residents of Karnataka.
2. Community Requirement – Both partners must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category but from different sub-castes.
3. Income Requirement – The combined annual income of the couple must not exceed ₹2,00,000/-.
4. Marriage Date Requirement – The marriage should have taken place on or after 1st April 2018.
5. Time Limit for Application – Couples must apply within one year from the date of marriage.
6. Marriage Proof – The marriage must be legally valid and registered under the relevant laws.

Reservation Policy

This scheme is exclusively for Scheduled Tribe communities in Karnataka. Since it is targeted to remove caste-based discrimination within the ST community, only couples belonging to ST sub-castes are eligible. No separate reservation within categories applies, as the scheme itself is dedicated to ST couples from different sub-castes.

Distribution of Incentives

• The Tribal Welfare Department is responsible for reviewing, verifying, and approving applications.
• After successful verification, the incentive amount of ₹2,00,000/- is transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the couple’s joint bank account.
• Spot verification ensures authenticity of the documents, marriage status, and caste details.
• The process ensures transparency and prevents misuse of funds.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Online Process

Couples can apply online by following these steps:

1. Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
   Go to the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka official website.
2. Step 2: Navigate to Scheme Section
   On the homepage, click on “Incentives for Marriage” and select “Incentives to Intra-Caste Marriage” scheme.
3. Step 3: Registration
   • Scroll down and click on “Registration”.
   • Fill in the required details such as couple’s names, caste details, marriage date, income, and contact information.
4. Step 4: Upload Documents
   Upload scanned copies of all required documents, such as Aadhaar card, caste certificate, income certificate, and marriage certificate.
5. Step 5: Submit Application
   Carefully review all the information and click on “Submit”.
   • A confirmation message will be sent via SMS.
   • An acknowledgement form will be generated for future reference.
6. Step 6: Spot Verification
   The Tribal Welfare Department officials will conduct on-site verification to confirm the marriage and verify documents.
7. Step 7: Incentive Disbursal
   Upon successful verification, the incentive amount of ₹2,00,000/- will be transferred into the couple’s joint bank account.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Aadhaar Card of both partners.
2. Joint Bank Account Details.
3. Marriage Certificate/Proof of Marriage.
4. Marriage Photograph.
5. Caste Certificates of both partners (confirming ST status and sub-castes).
6. Income Certificate (showing combined annual income less than ₹2,00,000/-).
7. Resident Proof (ration card, voter ID, or other government-issued address proof).
8. Any other documents required by the department.