The target groups for NMDFC with regard to direct benefit are the persons belonging to Minority Communities and living below double the poverty line. At present, Minority Communities as per the National Minorities Commission Act, 1992 are Muslims, Christians, Sikhs Buddhists and Parsis. At present families having annual income less than Rs. 40,000 in rural areas and Rs. 55,000 in urban areas are categorised as below double the poverty line.