Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhaya Hastham Scheme: ₹1 Lakh Financial Aid for UPSC Aspirants

The scheme was officially launched by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on 20th July 2024. Its goal is to provide financial assistance to candidates who have cleared the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary exam and are appearing for the Mains exam.

• ₹1,00,000 is granted to each candidate who qualifies for the Mains examination.
  
  
• Candidates who clear the Mains and qualify for the Interview round may receive an additional ₹1,00,000.
  
  
• The scheme is administered by SCCL, which allocates CSR funds for this purpose.

రాజీవ్ గాంధీ సివిల్స్ అభయహస్తం పథకం ద్వారా రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం, యూపీఎస్సీ సివిల్‌ సర్వీసెస్‌ ప్రిలిమ్స్‌ పరీక్షలో ఉత్తీర్ణత సాధించిన అభ్యర్థులకు ఒక్కొక్కరికి రూ.1 లక్ష ఆర్థిక సహాయం అందిస్తోంది. ఈ సహాయం ద్వారా మెయిన్స్‌ మరియు ఇంటర్వ్యూ వంటి తదుపరి దశల్లో అభ్యర్థులు మరింత కృషి చేసి… pic.twitter.com/k8mvO9u5SC

— Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu (@Bhatti_Mallu) August 13, 2025

Why the Scheme Matters

Every year, 13–15 lakh candidates apply for UPSC Civil Services across India. But only about half of them appear for the Prelims, and around 10% qualify for the Mains. From Telangana and Andhra Pradesh together, about 400–500 candidates typically qualify for Mains annually.

Due to lack of resources, many aspirants from economically weaker sections are unable to afford coaching, accommodation, and study material. The Abhaya Hastham Scheme directly addresses this gap, ensuring that talented students are not forced to abandon their dream of becoming civil servants.

Eligibility Criteria

To benefit from the scheme, candidates must meet the following conditions:

• Must be a resident of Telangana.
  
  
• Should have qualified the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary exam.
  
  
• Belong to SC, ST, OBC, or EWS categories.
  
  
• Annual family income should be less than ₹8 lakh.
  
  
• Should not have availed this scheme earlier.
  
  
• Preference is given to children of SCCL employees and residents of SCCL operational areas.
  
  

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following:

• UPSC application form and Prelims admit card.
  
  
• Aadhaar card.
  
  
• Telangana domicile certificate.
  
  
• Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS).
  
  
• Income certificate.
  
  
• Bank account details and bank mandate form.
  
  
• First page of bank passbook.
  
  
• Passport-size photographs.
  
  

Application Process

1. Applications must be submitted online through the official SCCL website: https://scclmines.com.
   
   
2. Candidates must first register with a valid mobile number and email ID.
   
   
3. Fill in the application form and upload required documents.
   
   
4. Applications are invited every year, and official notifications are released via the website and media outlets.
   
   

Benefits of the Scheme

• ₹1 lakh support for aspirants appearing for the UPSC Mains examination.
  
  
• Additional ₹1 lakh for those who qualify for the Interview round.
  
  
• Can be used for coaching fees, hostel charges, study material, or exam preparation costs.
  
  
• Reduces financial burden on underprivileged students.
  
  
• Encourages greater participation of Telangana youth in the Civil Services.
  
  

Recent Implementation

• 2024: Financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each was given to 140 candidates; 20 of them cleared the Mains and qualified for the Interview.
  
  
• 2025: A total of 178 candidates received aid under the scheme. Telangana Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka handed over cheques, while SCCL CMD N. Balaram encouraged aspirants to make the best use of this opportunity.
  
  

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the scheme?
   Only candidates from Telangana who clear the UPSC Prelims and belong to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories with a family income below ₹8 lakh are eligible.
2. Can the financial support be used for coaching outside Telangana?
   Yes. Candidates may use the amount for coaching, books, or hostel facilities anywhere in India, including Delhi.
3. Does the scheme cover Prelims preparation?
   No. It is applicable only after qualifying Prelims and becoming eligible for the Mains exam.
4. How many times can a candidate receive support?
   The benefit can be availed only once per candidate.

Conclusion

The Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhaya Hastham Scheme is a significant step by the Telangana government to empower underprivileged youth with the resources they need to crack the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination. By providing direct financial aid, the scheme ensures that lack of money does not become a barrier for deserving candidates.