Free civil services coaching launched at Dronacharya Govt College

The programme offers free classes, mentoring and study support, with adequate academic and infrastructural resources made available to enrolled students, said college authorities on Thursday.

Published on: Jan 30, 2026, 04:44:07 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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In a bid to provide structured guidance, mentoring and academic support without any financial burden to its students, the Dronacharya Government College in Gurugram has launched a free Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) preparation programme.

The coaching programme is being coordinated through the college’s placement and career guidance cell. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

The programme offers free classes, mentoring and study support, with adequate academic and infrastructural resources made available to enrolled students, said college authorities on Thursday.

The initiative, launched on Monday, is intended to ensure that talented students, particularly those from modest backgrounds, are not deprived of civil services preparation due to the high cost of private coaching, they said, adding that the initiative is being run as a special project to prepare aspirants in a systematic and focused manner.

According to principal Pushpa Antil, the student selection is being conducted through a multi-stage assessment process. “This includes a written aptitude test, interaction rounds and evaluation of academic interest and long-term commitment. The selection is not based solely on marks, but on overall aptitude and motivation for civil services,” she said.

The coaching programme is being coordinated through the college’s placement and career guidance cell.

In addition to UPSC preparation, students will receive training in soft skills, communication, time management and alternative career pathways to enhance overall career readiness. Faculty members, along with subject experts and administrative professionals, will mentor students throughout the programme, said officials.

Students said the programme would reduce both financial and logistical challenges.

“Many of us travel to Delhi for coaching, which is very expensive and not affordable for everyone. This programme will help us prepare here and move closer to achieving our goal of joining the civil services,” said Rohit Yadav, a final year B.A (Pass) student of the college.

College principal Antil said the motive is to support students holding potential to succeed in competitive examinations but lack access to costly coaching. “Through this initiative, we want to ensure that no deserving student is left behind due to financial constraints,” she said.

The programme will also focus on personality development and skill enhancement so that students are prepared for multiple professional opportunities. Nearly 200 students have already joined the classes, the principal added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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