Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday unveiled a free residential coaching scheme for Scheduled Tribe students aspiring to crack medical and engineering entrance examinations, marking a major step toward inclusive education in Jharkhand.
The programme will be conducted through the newly established Dishom Guru Shibu Soren Engineering and Medical Coaching Institute in Hindpiri, Ranchi, in collaboration with a reputed coaching institute from Kota, Rajasthan.
Speaking at the launch event, CM Soren said the initiative reflects the government’s long-term vision to nurture talent among tribal youth and remove economic barriers to professional education. He urged students to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to achieving their goals.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for comprehensive campus facilities, directing officials to ensure the development of sports and recreational amenities along with academic infrastructure.
Under the first phase, 300 selected ST students have been enrolled in the institute, which is being managed by the Welfare Department. The students will benefit from high-quality classroom coaching, expert faculty, printed and digital study resources, tablets with preloaded e-content, library access, and modern digital learning tools.
The scheme is entirely free and residential, offering separate hostel facilities for boys and girls. Officials said it has been launched under the Jharkhand Scheduled Tribe Educational Upliftment Programme to support capable tribal students who lack the financial means to pursue medical or engineering education.
Only permanent residents of Jharkhand belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category are eligible, provided their parents are not in regular government employment.
Welfare Minister Chamra Linda, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh, and senior departmental officials were present at the inauguration ceremony.
Officials added that the state is also working on rolling out a similar free coaching scheme for meritorious students from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and minority communities, which is expected to begin from the next academic year after budgetary allocations are finalised.
With inputs from IANS