Waqf Board to Provide Intermediate Education with IAS/IPS Coaching in Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh State Waqf Board has announced a new initiative where selected students will be offered Intermediate education along with IAS/IPS coaching. This move aims to support students from underprivileged backgrounds, particularly those from minority communities, by helping them prepare early for civil services exams. The idea is to start grooming students from the

The Andhra Pradesh State Waqf Board has announced a new initiative where selected students will be offered Intermediate education along with IAS/IPS coaching. This move aims to support students from underprivileged backgrounds, particularly those from minority communities, by helping them prepare early for civil services exams. The idea is to start grooming students from the intermediate level itself so they can later compete confidently in exams like UPSC, Group-I, and Group-II.

I felt it was important to write about this because many students in India dream of becoming IAS or IPS officers, but only a few can access proper guidance and coaching—especially at an early stage. Most coaching centres are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. So, when a government-backed body like the Waqf Board steps in with a plan like this, it gives students real hope. It’s not just about academics; it’s about breaking barriers and building confidence in students who may otherwise think civil services is out of reach for them. This kind of support system has the power to change lives and even entire communities.

What the Waqf Board Is Planning

The Waqf Board, in collaboration with the Minority Welfare Department, will identify deserving students who can benefit from this integrated education-plus-coaching model. These students will be provided:

Admission into Intermediate courses (MPC, BiPC, MEC, etc.)
Specially designed IAS/IPS foundation coaching along with regular classes
Study materials and guidance from experienced faculty
Access to guest lectures, motivational sessions, and mock exams

Initially, the programme is expected to begin in a few select colleges in Andhra Pradesh, with the possibility of expanding later based on its success.

Who Can Apply and How It Will Work

As per early updates, the scheme will be open to meritorious students from minority communities, especially those who show potential in academics but face financial challenges. Students will be selected based on:

Class 10 marks or entrance tests (to be announced)
Family income and background verification
Interest in civil services and public administration

The goal is to create an early pipeline of motivated students who are serious about cracking UPSC and state-level services. By combining their regular Intermediate syllabus with early UPSC basics like Indian polity, economy, geography, and current affairs, the programme gives them a strong head start.

Why This Matters for Students

This move is important for several reasons:

Most students only start preparing for UPSC after graduation, often too late without foundation
Coaching for civil services is expensive and mostly limited to big cities
Minority students are underrepresented in civil services; early exposure can change this
It gives confidence to families who otherwise don’t think of civil services as a reachable goal

It’s also a big step in addressing educational inequality. By offering this at the Intermediate level, the programme may inspire many other state boards and welfare departments to launch similar initiatives.

Government’s Role and Community Involvement

The success of such a programme depends not just on coaching but also on consistent support—mentors, role models, counselling, and follow-ups. The Minority Welfare Department and the Waqf Board plan to involve:

Experienced civil servants as mentors
NGOs and educationists for planning and feedback
Community outreach to inform families and students

Officials have also hinted that hostel facilities, scholarships, and career guidance will be provided, making it a holistic support system rather than just a classroom coaching model.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.