Colleges as civil service coaching hubs

Both arts and science and engineering colleges running their in-house academies/ study circles that serve as a pathway to a career in civil services is not a new trend, just that the number of institutions offering this option has been on the increase over the years.

From government colleges to self-financing institutions, a focused group or centre providing coaching, mock tests, inviting expert speakers and offering personalised guidance for success in examinations conducted by UPSC and TNPSC has become an important talking point.

While a majority of institutions offer these classes at no cost, some levy a nominal fee. Many of them do not promise intensive coaching, just a launch pad. This academic year, A.M. Jain College in Meenambakkam opened two study circles, one for careers in armed forces and the other for UPSC coaching, both offered free of cost.

“In a class of 40 if one cracks the exam then it motivates the others. The preparation for the exam is such that there is greater collaboration among students and there is a plenty of resources available on the campus for students to get much out of it. We only see students gaining by preparing for such examinations,” says M. Ramya, dean, AM Jain College. A faculty related to the subject is asked to handhold the students. “We ensure there is separate remuneration for any value-added course a faculty takes up,” she says.

For those keen on intensive training, A.M. Jain College has a MoU with an external academy that comes to the campus to train students at a cost.

For students focused on cracking the exam, the college grants them on-duty leave to prepare before exams or gives a re-test if they have missed an internal exam, says the Dean of A.M. Jain College.

Colleges opening their doors for external coaching academies and roping in guest speakers means students save on the additional travel they would have to undertake to access these resources.

Last year, Guru Nanak College set up a committee to support students keen on a career in the civil services.

The website of KCG Tech says its Civil Service Aspiration Club conducts classes every alternate week for two hours, which includes exam preparation and talks from UPSC achievers and high-ranking civil servants. Easwari Engineering College calls its programme Civil Services Training Programme. CTTE College in Perambur is increasingly focusing on helping its students excel in Group II and IV exams.

Janani G, a Union Public Service Commission aspirant and a tutor at academies, says, “When I graduated from engineering college 12 years ago, we did not have such avenues being opened to us. There may not be many success stories from colleges, but that is fine as long as students are getting exposure even while pursuing under graduation.”

With government funding

Even before Chennai began to witness a craze for civil services, Queen Mary’s College started providing free training since 2001 for women graduates who are selected through an entrance exam and interview. The free coaching centre is funded by the government of Tamil Nadu.

But more still needs to be done. Despite having Anna Nagar, which is hailed as a magnet for civil service coaching centres and colleges grooming students to think of a career in UPSC, Chennai is yet to see a string of success stories. Delhi continues to see the highest number of successful UPSC candidates.

Fashioning civil servants for 25 years

For the last 25 years, Directorate of Employment and Training has been running ‘Study Circles’ that function at all the district employment and career guidance centres in the State. These centres assist aspirants in various competitive examinations including UPSC, TNPSC and RRB by conducting mock tests and inviting experts to conduct sessions.

According to www.tnvelaivaaippu.gov.in, free coaching is offered to the differently-abled aspirants by engaging sign language interpreters and Braille assistance is given to the visually challenged.

Candidates take a mock test at the Study Circle

Coaching classes are also conducted at various universities and affiliated arts and science colleges to help economically weak students studying in the final year. In 2024 and 2025, at least 10 students who attended classes at the Study Circle have cleared TNPSC examinations. One can avail these classes on all weekdays (between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.). They also have a library with a good collection of books.

The Study Circle is located at Alandur Road, Thiru-vi-ka Industrial Estate, Guindy. For details, call 94999 66026.

Published – December 28, 2025 10:56 pm IST