AGIA

The scheme aims to provide schooling, boarding and lodging to Scheduled Tribe students at a single location, enabling better employment opportunities and competitive equality with other sections of society. The scheme offers residential education with complete support including free education.

The scheme "Ashramshalas (Grant in Aid)" was launched by the Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat. The scheme aims to provide comprehensive educational support to Scheduled Tribe students who cannot afford education due to weak economic conditions, addressing the issue of children being forced into traditional occupations or other jobs to support their families instead of attending school. The scheme provides residential schooling facilities with complete boarding and lodging arrangements, where tribal students receive free education, hostel facilities, books, food, and items of daily necessity through 100% grant-in-aid to Non-Governmental Organizations operating these schools across standards 1st to 12th.

##### For Ashramshalas (Educational Institutions)

• The Ashramshala must enrol a minimum of 15 boys and 15 girls for the first time on inception.
• The Ashramshala must enrol a minimum of 10 boys and 10 girls every year till 7th standard after the inception year.
• The Ashramshala must be operated by a Non-Governmental Organization working in tribal areas.
• The Ashramshala must be located within any district of Gujarat.
• The Ashramshala must provide education for standards 1st to 8th (Ashramshala), standards 9th to 10th (Uttar Buniyadi Ashramshala), or standards 11th to 12th (Uchchattar Uttar Buniyadi Ashramshala).

##### For Students (Beneficiaries)

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe category.
• The applicant must be seeking admission to an Ashramshala for education from standard 1st to standard 12th.

##### Financial Grant to Ashramshalas

A grant of ₹1,500/- per month is provided to the Ashramshala for every enrolled child to cover all expenses related to education, boarding, and lodging.

_*The grant is provided on a monthly basis to the Ashramshalas for continuous support of enrolled students._

##### Benefits Provided to Students

• Free education without any tuition fees.
• Free hostel facilities and accommodation.
• Free books and educational materials.
• Free food and meals.
• Items of daily necessity free of cost.

_*All benefits (education, boarding, lodging, food, books, and daily necessities) are provided continuously throughout the academic year._

##### Conditions

• The Ashramshala must maintain the minimum enrollment requirements as specified in the eligibility criteria.
• The Ashramshala must continue to provide all stipulated facilities (education, boarding, lodging, food, books, and daily necessities) to the enrolled students.
• The Ashramshala must comply with all regulations and guidelines set by the Tribal Development Department, Government of Gujarat.