Telangana Boosts Education and Financial Support for Minority and BC Students

The Telangana government is strengthening its support for students from minority and Backward Classes (BC) communities by expanding overseas education opportunities, improving coaching facilities and increasing financial assistance for unemployed youth preparing for competitive examinations.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has directed officials to take steps to improve educational and economic opportunities for minority students. Meanwhile, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced an increase in monthly stipends and book allowances for candidates enrolled in BC Study Circles across the state.

During a high-level review meeting at Praja Bhavan, attended by Minority Welfare Minister Azharuddin, AIMIM Legislature Party leader Akbaruddin Owaisi and senior officials, Bhatti Vikramarka emphasised the government's commitment to helping minority students pursue higher education and build better careers. He instructed officials to give priority to the comprehensive development of the Old City and allocate Rs. 25 crore to complete the stalled multi-storey building adjacent to Nampally Haj House.

He also proposed including Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the overseas scholarship scheme for minority students. Further, he directed officials to establish additional study circles and expedite pending payments to educational institutions.

Separately, Ponnam Prabhakar announced enhanced financial assistance for students preparing for competitive examinations at the state's 12 BC Study Circles. The monthly stipend for UPSC Civil Services coaching has been increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000, while the annual book allowance has been doubled from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000. The monthly stipend for foundation course students has also been raised from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500. These revisions will come into effect from November.

The increased assistance will benefit candidates preparing for Group-I, II, III and IV examinations, as well as banking, railway recruitment and Staff Selection Commission examinations.

In a first for BC Study Circles, former students who received free Civil Services coaching during the past two years will be given another opportunity to enrol after qualifying through a UPSC-pattern screening test. They will receive the same stipend as current candidates.

The minister also announced measures to improve infrastructure, including digital libraries and dedicated study rooms wherever buildings are available. Officials have been asked to display educational material on history, geography, the Indian Constitution, economics and science through maps, charts and paintings across study circle premises.