When the results for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), 2013 were declared last month, Arun Kumar V M was a happy man. He had finally cracked the exam in his second attempt securing a rank of 972.
This MBBS graduate from Bangalore Medical College comes from a humble background, but that has never stopped him from dreaming big.
“My father works as security guard and my mom is a housewife. When I wanted to become a doctor my maternal uncle came forward to sponsor my studies,” said Arun.
When he decided to appear for the civil service exam he banked on government scholarships to fund his coaching expenses. He finally enrolled into the Pre-examination Training Centre (PeTC), a free coaching programme for SC and ST students in UPSC and other competitive examinations run by the Social Welfare Department.
“After completing my MBBS, I worked part time to fulfil my goal of cracking the UPSC. My parents fully supported my decision,” said Arun. Although he secured a decent rank, Arun will try for a better rank next year. He along with four other candidates under the same coaching programe cracked the UPSC, 2013 recording the highest number of successful candidates for the programme in recent years.
In 2012, as many as three candidates cracked the exam, with one of them, Lakshmisha G securing a high rank of 275. In 2011, two candidates cleared the exam. Along with successful candidates in the UPSC exams, the programme has also produced a number of aspirants who have cleared the Karnataka Administrative State (KAS) service and other several exams over these years.
Selection procedure
Any SC/ ST candidate who has passed his graduation and has an income below Rs 2.5 lakh per annum is eligible to apply. An entrance exam to get selected into the programme is conducted.
There are seven coaching institutions throughout the country that are empanelled with the programme and candidates who qualify in the test will be selected on a merit cum choice basis and sent to these centres.
The coaching period is for six months and this time the department will bear the cost of the fee and candidates will also get a monthly stipend.
The last date for applying for the coaching program is July 25. For more details contact www.sw.kar.nic.