THE Civil Services’ Coaching Programme for minority candidates and those belonging to economically backward classes—a key project of the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) here—will be inaugurated by Lt-Governor Tejendra Khanna.

About 50 to 75 students across the country will be selected on the basis on a test and interview, with the programme to commence from August. The faculty will be drawn from coaching centres like Vajiram, Y D Mishra & IAS Academy, Dhyey and Career Plus.

The Cultural Centre will also help the most backward candidates financially. “We will not let dire financial straits come in the way of bright candidates. We have also arranged free accommodation, food and books for them,” Centre president Sirajuddin Qureshi said.

Officials said the process of selecting candidates will begin from next week and exams held at various centres across India. These are most likely to be at prominent universities.

Speaking about the exam pattern Wasi Ahmad Nomani, an advocate who works with the Cultural Centre, said: “We are trying to keep the pattern of exams closer in the line with the civil services exam. This will help us in selecting the right candidates. The exams will consist of two papers – Paper I being General Studies and Paper 2 optional subjects.”

The Cultural Centre hopes to start coaching centres for other competitive exams like the MBA, medical and engineering exams from next year. The Centre also hopes to open other branches outside Delhi so that more candidates can benefit from these programmes. It is acquiring land in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

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