• Lal Kothi, Darjeeling
• Aug 14, 2024

Free UPSC Coaching Programme by GTA and Darjeeling Welfare Society: Empowering Aspirants from the Hills

The Darjeeling Welfare Society (DWS) and The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), have proudly launched a free UPSC coaching programme, aimed at equipping aspiring civil servants from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and surrounding remote areas with high-quality preparation resources. This initiative follows the recent success of Darjeeling candidates in the 2024 Civil Services Examination and is driven by a commitment to nurture local talent, especially for those who may lack access to premium coaching due to financial constraints.

The coaching programme draws students from every corner of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills, including those from remote locations, tea gardens, and villages. This inclusivity ensures that all deserving candidates, regardless of their geographic or socio-economic background, are provided with a level playing field to recognize their dreams of joining the civil services.

Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary of India and President of the Darjeeling Welfare Society, who was present during the inauguration, stressed the importance of creating opportunities for deserving candidates. He highlighted that this programme would level the playing field for UPSC aspirants from the hills, including those from far-flung and underserved regions. His vision is to ensure that top-tier coaching is within reach for all, regardless of their background.

The coaching programme is designed with a blend of online and offline learning, offering rigorous academic content, live online lectures, and special sessions led by successful UPSC candidates and serving officers. The initiative includes visits from experienced educators from renowned training centres in Delhi, who will provide in-person coaching at select intervals to further enrich the students’ learning experience.

Spanning over 15 months, the programme provides comprehensive coaching, preparing students not only for the preliminary exams but also supporting them through to the interview stage. This holistic approach ensures that students are well-prepared at every step of their UPSC journey.

To enhance accessibility, two coaching centres have been established at Southfield College and St. Joseph’s College in Darjeeling, offering a conducive and resource-rich environment for the students. Additionally, an MoU has been signed between Darjeeling Welfare Society and these colleges, granting students access to college libraries for borrowing books and utilizing printing facilities—further supporting their academic needs.

Offline CSAT classes are conducted by Mr. Eugesh Narayan Pradhan, a retired mathematics teacher from Darjeeling Municipal Boys Higher Secondary School. These classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at St. Joseph’s College, where students are taught all key chapters. Tests are regularly conducted to assess their understanding and simulate real exam conditions, helping them build both knowledge and confidence.

The programme goes beyond traditional coaching by offering students access to all necessary study materials, which are provided by the coordinators at each centre. Weekly online tests are conducted on every subject the students are currently studying, ensuring consistent evaluation of their progress. This thorough system of monitoring, feedback, and support aims to help each student stay on track toward success.

The students are also visited by top educators and eminent government officials, whose motivational sessions boost their morale and confidence. These interactions give the students a sense of purpose and strengthen their resolve as they prepare for one of the country’s toughest competitive exams.

This initiative, spearheaded by Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, is visionary in its scope and deeply rooted in a desire to empower local youth. By bridging the gap in access to quality education, the programme aspires to nurture the next generation of leaders and public servants from the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills.

DWS is committed to ensuring that every deserving student from even the most remote areas has access to the support and guidance they need to achieve their aspirations, making this programme not only a milestone in education for the region but also a beacon of hope for countless young minds.