The Rajasthan government today formulated rules for providing financial assistance to students appearing in competitive examinations under Special OBC category, which includes Gujjars.

The measure would keep such communities on a par with scheduled tribe and scheduled caste beneficiaries, an official spokesman said here.

In his budget speech for 2010-11,chief minister Ashok Gehlot had announced financial assistance from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh to students of such communities under Special OBC category appearing for examinations of the state, Central services and sub-ordinate services.

With the framing of rules, aids as 'encouragement package' would be paid to deserving students in three instalments.

For qualifying students in preliminary exam, the state government would provide Rs 25,000 while Rs 20,000 would be extended after qualifying the main examination in any of the state service competitive exams. If selected, they would be eligible for a grant of Rs 5,000.

For the UPSC and other allied competitive examinations, the state would provide Rs 65,000 to students who pass preliminary examination, Rs 30,000 to those qualifying main examination and Rs 5,000 for successful candidates.

The Special OBC category consists of four communities -- Banjara, Raika, Garadia Lohar and Gujjars.