The Delhi government’s Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Vidya Shakti Mission is currently providing free competitive exam coaching to 2,200 students studying in government schools. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood reviewed the progress of the scheme on Monday and shared this update with senior officials of the education department, calling it a strong step towards equal learning opportunities.
Preparing for exams like JEE, NEET, CUET or CA often requires years of coaching, regular tests and expert guidance, which can cost lakhs of rupees. Not everyone can afford that. When the government steps in to support students through free, structured coaching, it changes the entire playing field. It gives confidence to students who might otherwise feel left behind just because of financial limitations. Knowing how this scheme is progressing also helps parents and students understand the opportunities available to them right now.
Review Meeting Held on Scheme’s Progress
During the review meeting, Education Minister Ashish Sood assessed how the Vidya Shakti Mission is being implemented across selected government schools. He was briefed by the Directorate of Education about student enrolment, attendance, teaching methods and performance tracking under the scheme.
Officials confirmed that 2,200 students are currently enrolled in different coaching streams and are receiving regular academic support from trained faculty members. The minister stressed the need for consistent quality, timely completion of syllabus and personal attention to each student.
What the Vidya Shakti Mission Offers to Students
The mission is designed to support meritorious students from Delhi government schools who want to appear for national-level competitive exams but lack access to private coaching. Under this programme, students get:
- Free classroom coaching by experienced teachers
- Subject-wise study material
- Regular mock tests and evaluations
- Doubt-clearing sessions
- Academic counselling and mentoring
The idea is to provide the same level of preparation that students get in expensive private institutes, without charging a single rupee.
Exams Covered Under the Free Coaching Programme
Students enrolled under the mission are being prepared for a wide range of competitive exams, including:
- JEE for engineering courses
- NEET for medical education
- CUET for central university admissions
- CA for commerce and accounting careers
- Other major national-level entrance tests
Coaching modules are aligned with the latest exam patterns, and students are tested regularly to track their progress.
How Students Are Selected for the Scheme
Students are generally selected based on their academic performance in school and their interest in competitive exams. In some cases, screening tests are also conducted. School principals and teachers play a key role in identifying deserving candidates and recommending their names for enrolment.
Once selected, students are allotted to nearby coaching centres so that travel does not become a problem. Attendance and performance are monitored closely by the department.
Why This Initiative Is Important
Private coaching for competitive exams can cost between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh or even more over a couple of years. For students from low-income families, this often becomes an impossible dream. The Vidya Shakti Mission helps break that financial barrier.
More importantly, it gives talented students from government schools the confidence to compete with peers from well-funded private schools. Over time, this can improve the overall representation of government school students in top colleges and professional courses across India.
What the Government Plans to Do Next
Officials have indicated that the government is exploring ways to expand the reach of the Vidya Shakti Mission in the coming months. More students may be included, and additional coaching centres could be added based on demand and results.
There is also a focus on improving digital learning support so that students can revise and practise even outside classroom hours.
