For many tribal students in Madhya Pradesh, securing admission to a college is only half the battle. Finding affordable accommodation after failing to get a government hostel seat can often determine whether they continue their education or are forced to drop out.To bridge this gap, the Madhya Pradesh government’s department of tribal affairs launched the Aawaas Sahayata scheme in 2016.The initiative provides financial assistance for private accommodation to eligible tribal students pursuing higher education away from their hometowns, ensuring that a lack of housing does not stand in the way of their academic aspirations.
Who is eligible for the scheme
To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must meet the following conditions:
- The applicant must be a native of Madhya Pradesh and currently enrolled as a student.
- They must have passed 12th grade from either a government or non-government college, and be regularly admitted to a graduate, graduate diploma, or technical/paramedical course.
- Crucially, the applicant must not have secured admission to a government hostel, and must belong to a tribal community pursuing higher education outside their home area.
How to apply
The application process is conducted entirely online through the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs & Scheduled Caste Welfare Automation System, known as the MPTAAS portal.But before beginning the process make sure to be in possession of:
- a passport-size photograph,
- Aadhaar card, domicile certificate of Madhya Pradesh,
- caste certificate,
- previous class passing certificate or marksheet,
- Samagra ID, and bank account details or passbook, along with any other documents the portal may request during the process.
The process takes place in two stages:Registration: Applicants begin by visiting theMPTAAS portal and selecting “New Beneficiary Profile Registration.” They must fill in all mandatory fields, marked with an asterisk, and upload the required documents, including identity proof and relevant certificates. After submitting the form and completing payment, applicants receive a registration number, which they will need for the next stage.Application: Once registered, applicants log in to the MPTAAS portal using their user ID, password, and captcha code. From there, they select the Aawaas Sahayata scheme, enter the required information, and upload any additional supporting documents. The process concludes with clicking “Submit Application.”
Why it matters
Aawaas Sahayata reflects a targeted effort by the state government to remove a practical obstacle, the shortage of hostel accommodation, that can otherwise disrupt the education of tribal students studying far from home. By offering direct housing assistance, the scheme aims to ensure that a lack of accommodation does not become the reason a student’s academic journey is cut short.To answer the queries that may still remain, read the following list of frequently asked questionsIs there an age limit for applying to the scheme?The scheme does not specify an age limit; eligibility is based on educational qualifications and tribal status.Is this scheme applicable to all students in Madhya Pradesh?No, the scheme is specifically for tribal students from Madhya Pradesh pursuing higher education outside their hometown.
