UPSC Civil Services: List of institutes offering free coaching and scholarships for preparation

UPSC Civil Services: List of institutes offering free coaching and scholarships for preparation


 Each year, over a million applicants from various economic and educational backgrounds take the UPSC civil services test. With a variety of study resources, references, internet portals, and YouTube videos accessible, an aspirant frequently meets difficult concerns regarding how and where to begin. The right instruction is critical in deciphering the preparation plan. However, not everyone can afford to pay a high tuition price to have access to these amenities.

Many public and government-led/funded institutes provide free coaching to such aspiring civil servants in order to assist them follow their ambition. Although the entrance standards for these schools vary, their goal is to provide coaching and advice to everybody. The institutes listed below provide UPSC civil services coaching for free. 

Jamia Millia Islamia residential coaching academy, New Delhi

The Jamia Millia Islamia RCA offers free coaching and a hostel to 200 applicants from minorities, SCs, STs, and women (from all groups) for civil service preparation (preliminary-cum-main). Scholarships of Rs 2000 per month are also available to 20% of accepted students on a means-cum-merit basis.

RCA holds coaching entrance exams in 12 places across the country. A total of 34 RCA, JMI students passed the civil services (mains) 2020 test, which was held in January 2021.

How to applyInterested and eligible candidates can download the application form from the official website – jmi.ac.in. 

State Institute for Administrative Careers, Mumbai

In order to encourage the participation of the state’s youth towards civil services and to enhance their performance, the State Institute for Administrative Careers (SIAC) was instituted in 1976 by the government of Maharashtra. The setting up of the SIAC fulfilled the need for a full-time residential institute devoted to conducting free training programmes round the year equipping the Maharashtrian youth to face confidently the challenges posed by the CSE. 

How to apply: The training program is open for Maharashtra youth and the candidates are selected through entrance tests held once a year. For more information visit their official website: siac.org.in on the entrance dates and forms. 

Sardar Patel institute of public administration, Ahmedabad

The government of Gujarat started central government recruitment study centre in April, 2013 at the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) Ahmedabad for imparting training to the youth of Gujarat who aspire to join central government class 1-2 service. 

There is no coaching fee but candidates have to pay Rs 2000 as library deposit and Rs 5000 as training deposit. The admission for training is through an entrance test and only candidates whose mother tongue is Gujarati or first degree of graduation is from Gujarat or ordinarily a resident of Gujarat will be entitled to apply for admission. 

How to apply: Applicants need to pay Rs 300 as application fees. Candidates can apply at spipa.gujarat.gov.in. 

Jamia Hamdard residential coaching academy, New Delhi

The academy provides free coaching to civil services exam aspirants. This facility is exclusively open for candidates belonging to minority, scheduled caste, and scheduled tribe category. Women candidates are also eligible to avail this opportunity. The selected students are provided free accommodation, library facility, classroom teaching, practice sets, study materials, 24×7 library facility and Wi-Fi. 

The admission is through a written test, and only the shortlisted candidates are called for the test. Upon successfully qualifying the test, the candidates need to appear for an interview. Only candidates with a completed graduation degree are eligible to apply. Admission are expected to begin in September 2021. 

All India coaching for civil services, Chennai

All India civil services coaching centre is a unit of Anna institute of management. Every year, the institute takes in 325 aspirants (225 residential and 100 non-residential) who undergo intensive, free-coaching with free boarding and food for preliminary examination. 225 candidates are trained for main examination conducted by UPSC.

Model personality sessions are also organised for the candidates who have cleared the mains examination. The coaching is exclusively for the youth of Tamil Nadu. To avail the coaching facility, candidates need to qualify an entrance test conducted at 17 centres in Tamil Nadu. To apply for the coaching facility, candidates need to appear for the entrance test. Check the notification on civilservicecoaching.com.

UP Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana 2021, Uttar Pradesh

Abhyudaya Yojana, is a scheme launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to provide free coaching facilities for various competitive exams to the state’s youth. Applicants who are going to apply for this scheme must be the permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh.

Financially weak and students belonging to BPL families are eligible to avail this scheme. The coaching is provided through both online and offline modes. Students need to register at the official website to avail the scheme benefits. For more information visit – abhyuday.up.gov.in.

Aligarh Muslim university residential coaching academy, Aligarh

AMU’s merit-cum-means freeship programme provides free coaching and residential facilities to 100 aspiring students every year. The program is open for minorities, SCs, STs and women candidates only. The selection process is done through a merit based test and family income less than eight lakh per annum. AMU provides library access, separate accommodation to men and women, coaching facilities for all three stages of the civil service exam. Eligible candidates can check the official website of AMU for the registration process. 

Aside from these, there are a number of additional private, sponsored, and government-aided schools that offer scholarships and free coaching to deserving pupils. Many coaching establishments in the nation have stepped in to help financially disadvantaged candidates by offering scholarships based on their financial situation.

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The power of self-study: a Bihar lad clears the UPSC on his first try, scoring an AIR 10

The power of self-study: a Bihar lad clears the UPSC on his first try, scoring an AIR 10

 


Satyam Gandhi, who grew up in a rural family in Bihar, had never heard of momos or sandwiches until being accepted into Delhi University.

But, living in a small room in a Karol Bagh PG, he self-studied his way to a tenth-place finish in the UPSC Civil Services test this year, on his first attempt.The 22-year-old prepared for the UPSC for a year without any coaching and believes that self-study is the key to success.

His little PG room is crammed with literature, and maps and schedules are taped to the walls to aid with his UPSC preparation.He claims to have studied for 8 to 10 hours every day, focusing solely on a plan.

Satyam's father, who came from a low-income family, had taken out a loan to assist his son study in Delhi. And his kid has done him proud by never allowing city life to distract him from his UPSC preparation.Satyam Gandhi claims that it was his exposure to adversity that caused him to develop.

The UPSC top-ranking candidate said he would finally take a break from his studies to visit his home in Bihar and meet his folks. Satyam intends to join the Bihar cadre after becoming an IAS in order to address issues in rural regions.

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Principles of Indian Foreign Policy | UPSC Notes

Principles of Indian Foreign Policy | UPSC Notes

We will discuss in this blog the Principles of Indian Foreign Policy which is part of International Relations syllabus in UPSC Mains. Through this blog, all the International Relations UPSC notes covering Foreign Policy and International Relations of India will be discussed.

What is Foreign Policy?

It is a set of principles that lays out the plan of action for diplomatic dealings with other nations, international bodies and regional groupings.

The foreign policy of a country is dependent upon a lot of different factors. These factors are called the determinants of foreign policy. They are discussed below:

Determinants of Foreign Policy

  1. National Interest
    The national interests of a country can be broadly categorised into two groups, Core Interests and Temporary Interests.
    • Core Interests are the issues related to sovereignty, territorial integrity, protection of diaspora, economic development, energy security, role in world affairs, etc.
    • Temporary Interests for example voting on issues in international fora like UN.
  2. History
    When you study international relations and foreign policy, you will realise that much of the dynamics in international geopolitics is a result of history. The effect of World War II and Cold War is clearly seen in the regional groupings that have formed. Colonial history of many nations also make them suspicious about neocolonial policies of some countries. The tensions in the Korean Peninsula is the result of the Cold War. The Indo Pak relations are also a direct result of the recent history. So history defines foreign policy to a great extent.
  3. Geography
    Geography of a country is critical in determining its foreign policy. For example the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over Crimea is because Russia wants access to warm sea waters so that they can continue trade all year round. Some of the important trade routes in the seas are points of contention between many countries. Many countries are involved in boundary disputes for decades.
  4. Culture
    The cultural influence of a country increases its soft power. For example, Buddhism is always a talking point between India and countries in East/South-East Asia where Buddhism is followed widely. Similarly the influence of Indian civilisation in the neighbouring countries and the Bollywood increase India’s soft power. Often the relations between India and its neighbours are strained because the countries share Indian cultural identity and it creates identity crisis for neighbours.
  5. Polity
    It is much easier to deal with a country which is a democracy rather than the one which is a theocracy or a dictatorship. Thus the kind of political set up modifies the kind of foreign policy towards the country. For example with Pakistan due to the control of military over the elected government, engaging with the PM is not always effective.
  6. Diaspora
    Diaspora means the people who have spread in different countries other than their country of origin. The Indian diaspora is widely distributed across the world. They form some of the most influential classes in the developed countries. Thus they have strong influence on the policies of their host country towards India.
  7. Public opinion
    General public opinion of the country also influences its foreign policy. For example, anti-Vietnam war protests in USA had ultimately forced President Nixon to virtually end the war in 1973. Public perception of friendliness or enmity towards a country has political importance for the government and hence its influence over the foreign policy towards that country.
  8. Leadership or Ideology of the Government
    For most of the last century, there was a divide in the world along ideologies of Communism and Capitalism. These days we see a lot of right-leaning governments are adopting protectionism and nation-first policies. USA under Trump has been making changes to its Visa policy and Trade Agreements.
  9. Objectives of India’s Foreign Policy

    The objectives of India’s Foreign Policy have been clearly defined in the Constitution of India vide Article 51:

    The State shall endeavour to —
    (a) promote international peace and security;
    (b) maintain just and honourable relations between nations;
    (c) foster respect for international law and 
    (d) encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

    Principles of Indian Foreign Policy

    The principles of Indian foreign policy have been the following:

    1. Anti-Colonialism
      India has suffered for a long time under colonial oppression. Hence anti-colonialism has been a core principle in its foreign policy. In this regard, after gaining independence, India had advocated freedom from colonialism for all other countries. India also provided leadership for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to all such countries with colonial history.
    2. Equal Sovereignty
      India believes that all nations, regardless of their size or economic or military power, are equal. They all enjoy equal sovereignty which must be respected.
    3. Non-Aligned
      For a long period, India kept itself distanced from the Capitalist/Communist Blocks led by USA and USSR respectively. This neutrality was called non-alignment. However, in recent times, there has been a slight shift in that policy as China has emerged in the neighbourhood as a world power.
    4. Panchsheel
      The Panchsheel was a set of five principles of foreign policy given by Jawaharlal Nehru. It will be explained below separately.
    5. Gujral Doctrine
      It was a set of five principles adopted by former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral. It is explained below separately.
    6. Panchsheel of Indian Foreign Policy

      The Panchsheel of Nehru was a set of five principles to guide India’s policy in conducting its foreign relations. They were:

      • Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
      • Mutual non-aggression
      • Mutual non-interference in internal affairs
      • Equality and mutual benefit
      • Peaceful co-existence

      Gujral Doctrine

      Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral had adopted a set of five principles to guide the conduct of India’s foreign relations with its immediate neighbours, particularly with Pakistan. Those principles were:

      Principles of Gujral Doctrine

      1. Assymetric favour
        India will show big heart towards its neighbours and extend asymmetric support for their development.
      2. No South Asian country should allow the use of its territory against the interest of other countries.
      3. Non-interference in the internal matters of each other
      4. Respect for mutual integrity and sovereignty
      5. Settle disputes through bilateral negotiations.

      Application of Gujral Doctrine

      1. Mahakali River Project was gifted to Nepal,
      2. Freezing of border disputes with China
      3. Ganga Water sharing agreement with Bangladesh in 1996 allowed it to withdraw more water than even what 1977 agreement allowed
      4. People-to-people contact between India and Pakistan were increased by easing visa restrictions, movements of cultural groups across borders etc.

      Drawbacks of Gujral Doctrine

      1. Though India offered asymmetric support to its neighbours, it is not as resource rich as China. China has often outcompeted India in its neighbourhood, e.g. Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, Nepal’s shift towards China etc.
      2. There are internal security challenges that are promoted by Pakistan in Indian territory. Trusting such a neighbour was dangerous.
      3. Gujral doctrine had weakened RA&W’s intelligence gathering activities in Pakistan as our assets were exposed.
      4. It affected India’s ability to conduct covert strikes against terrorist organisations operating from Pakistan and PoK.
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