The number of meritorious candidates from weaker sections qualifying for the government-sponsored training for Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) civil services in reputed private coaching institutes is likely to go up during 2015–16.
Candidates from backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and minorities, who plan to appear for the civil services exams, will not only be provided with training in reputed coaching centres in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Belagavi for seven to nine months, but will also get a monthly stipend.
Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary, Department of Backward Classes Welfare, said the entrance test to select suitable candidates from backward classes is likely to be conducted in May.
“We plan to double the number of candidates to undergo pre-examination coaching for civil services this year. About 250 candidates were selected last year. This year, we are targeting 500,” she said.
Archana, Director of Pre-Examination Training, Social Welfare Department, said the number of SC and ST candidates undergoing civil services coaching is expected to go up this year.
Akram Pasha, Director, Directorate of Minorities, told The Hindu that nearly 80 candidates from minority communities were selected for coaching last year, out of the 1,200 who appeared for the entrance test. The Directorate is seeking to add more numbers this year.
All three departments — Backward Classes Welfare, Social Welfare, and Directorate of Minorities — are shortly expected to invite online applications. Exams may be conducted by the Centralised Admission Cell of the Education Department.
Interested candidates can contact — 080-22374836 (backward classes), 080-22253783 (SC, ST), 080-22863617 (minority community).
