Telangana Govt Extends Unlimited Financial Aid Under Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhaya Hastam Scheme

Hyderabad, December 5, 2025:
In a major boost to civil services aspirants from Telangana, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday announced that financial assistance under the Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhaya Hastam scheme would now be extended to every candidate from the state who qualifies for the UPSC Civil Services Mains and Interview rounds — without any cap on the number of beneficiaries.

The announcement was made at a programme held at Praja Bhavan, where Bhatti distributed cheques of ₹1 lakh each to 50 candidates who have cleared the UPSC interview stage this year. He said the government’s objective is to remove financial barriers that often prevent bright students from economically weaker sections from continuing their UPSC journey.

Unlimited Aid to Aspirants: “No deserving candidate will be left out”

Bhatti stated that the government is committed to ensuring that every talented aspirant gets a fair chance at cracking the civil services examination.

“There is no limit on the number of beneficiaries. If 500 students qualify, all 500 will receive financial assistance,” he declared.

The Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhaya Hastam scheme, implemented through Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), offers:

• ₹1 lakh to candidates who clear the Mains
• ₹1 lakh plus free accommodation in Delhi for those qualifying for the Interview

Bhatti explained that many aspirants struggle to continue preparation due to lack of funds, despite possessing exceptional talent. The government’s intervention aims to bridge this gap and encourage more youth to compete nationally.

Record Numbers This Year

This year, 202 candidates from Telangana cleared the UPSC Mains, out of which 50 progressed to the interview stage, marking a substantial jump from last year’s 20 interview qualifiers.

In the previous UPSC cycle, seven candidates who received aid under the scheme successfully secured positions in the civil services.

Bhatti expressed confidence that the number of interview qualifiers would surpass 100 next year, as awareness of the scheme spreads and more support mechanisms are put in place.

Mock Interview Board to Be Set Up

To further strengthen aspirants’ chances, Bhatti announced that the government, in consultation with the Chief Secretary, will soon establish a mock interview board comprising senior IAS and IPS officers. This initiative is aimed at providing high-quality mentorship and exposure to real-time interview environments.

“Remember the responsibility towards society” — Bhatti to Aspirants

Urging the beneficiaries to uphold social responsibility, Bhatti reminded them that the financial assistance is essentially public money collected through taxes.

“When you enter the services, use your authority to change the lives of the poor. That is the true return to society,” he said.

Singareni Reaffirms Support

SCCL CMD N. Balaram, who played a key role in designing the scheme, said the company is proud to support civil services aspirants as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He noted that the scheme has significantly improved the success rate of aspirants from Telangana.

Other senior SCCL officials — Director (Personnel) Gautham Potru and Executive Director (Coal Movement) B. Venkanna — offered practical guidance to students on interview strategies.

Cultural Promotion and New Mementos Unveiled

On the sidelines of the programme, Bhatti also unveiled:

• A Singareni-branded shawl showcasing Telangana’s cultural identity
• A commemorative memento designed for use in official programmes

These items reflect the company’s commitment to promoting the state’s cultural heritage.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar Felicitates Aspirants

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also attended the event and congratulated the interview qualifiers, expressing confidence that Telangana’s representation in the civil services would grow stronger in the coming years.

CM Revanth Reddy Sends Wishes

Bhatti conveyed the greetings of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who expressed support for the aspirants and encouraged them to strive for excellence. The CM assured that the government will continue expanding initiatives that assist students in national-level competitive examinations.