Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government’s free IAS/PCS coaching scheme has received an encouraging response from civil services aspirants across the state, with a total of 5,513 candidates registering for the programme as of June 1. The scheme, being implemented by the Social Welfare Department, aims to provide quality coaching, study materials and expert guidance to deserving students aspiring to join the civil services.
According to information released by the state government on Tuesday, 2,848 candidates have completed and locked their applications, while the registration process remains open until June 18, 2026.
Applications Open Till June 18
Officials said interested candidates can continue submitting applications over the next two weeks. Following the closure of registrations, the department will conduct a competitive entrance examination on July 5, 2026, to select candidates for admission into the coaching programme.
The initiative is designed to support talented students who may face financial challenges in accessing high-quality coaching for prestigious examinations such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination and the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) examinations.
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865 Seats Allocated Across Uttar Pradesh
Speaking about the programme, Sanjeev Singh, Director, Social Welfare Department, said that a total of 865 seatshave been earmarked for IAS/PCS coaching centres operating across Uttar Pradesh.
The coaching programme will provide selected candidates with:
- Free classroom coaching
- Comprehensive study material
- Expert mentoring and guidance
- Examination-oriented preparation support
The department aims to ensure that aspirants from economically weaker sections receive the same opportunities as those who can afford expensive private coaching institutes.
25% Seats Reserved Under Lateral Entry Category
A notable feature of the scheme is the reservation of 25 per cent of the available seats for candidates who have already cleared the preliminary stage of the civil services examination.
This “lateral entry” provision is intended to assist serious aspirants who have demonstrated their capability by qualifying the preliminary examination and are now preparing for the more demanding main examination stage.
Officials believe that providing specialized support to such candidates can significantly improve their chances of success in the subsequent stages of the examination process.
Focus on Transparency
The Social Welfare Department has emphasized that the entire selection process will be conducted with complete transparency.
Preparations are underway to ensure a fair entrance examination and a merit-based selection process for admission to the coaching centres.
According to officials, maintaining transparency in both admissions and coaching delivery remains a top priority for the department.
Supporting Aspirants from Economically Weaker Sections
The scheme forms part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s broader efforts to promote educational and career opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Officials said the primary objective is to ensure that financial limitations do not prevent talented students from pursuing careers in the civil services.
By offering free coaching, quality study resources and expert academic support, the government aims to create a level playing field for aspirants preparing for some of the country’s most competitive examinations.
With applications continuing until June 18 and the entrance examination scheduled for July 5, the programme is expected to attract even more candidates in the coming days.
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