A parliamentary standing committee report reveals a massive gap in the government's free coaching scheme, with only 2,790 students enrolled against a target of 10,500 over three years.
- Only 26% of the enrollment target was achieved over the last three years.
- The ₹8 lakh annual family income ceiling is a major barrier for eligible students.
- Significant budget underspending reported across multiple fiscal years.
- Scheme is currently restricted to only 14 Central Universities.
A parliamentary standing committee report has highlighted a dismal performance in the implementation of the Union government's scheme providing free coaching to economically disadvantaged students. According to the report, out of a target of 10,500 candidates to be enrolled for competitive exams, the government could only successfully enroll 2,790 students over the past three years, representing a mere 26% success rate.
Budgetary Discrepancies and Underutilization
The report sheds light on significant gaps between allocated funds and actual expenditure. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, against a budget estimate of ₹47 crore, the actual expenditure was only ₹7.76 crore. This trend continued into 2024-25, where the expenditure was just ₹17.68 crore against a ₹35 crore estimate. Such data suggests that the scheme is struggling not just with student outreach but also with effective fund management.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this failure comes at a critical juncture for India's education sector. Following the intense Gen Z protests over the NEET-UG paper leak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised a rollout of "free online coaching" for all students during his Independence Day address. However, the current report indicates that the groundwork for existing free coaching infrastructure is significantly flawed, leaving a roadmap for the promised online expansion uncertain.
The disconnect between high-level policy promises and ground-level implementation is creating a trust deficit among India's aspiring youth.
Structural Barriers: Income and Access
The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment identified the ₹8 lakh annual family income ceiling as a primary hurdle. The committee has urged the Ministry to re-examine this cap to allow more deserving candidates to participate. Furthermore, the committee noted that while SC/OBC students face immense social and economic hardships, they are not being treated on par with PM CARES for Children beneficiaries, who face no income cap.
| Fiscal Year | Target (Students) | Actual Enrollment | Budget (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 3,500 | 223 | 47 |
| 2024-25 | 3,500 | 2,136 | 35 |
| 2025-26 | 3,500 | 431 | 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the enrollment so low?
Low enrollment is attributed to the restrictive income ceiling, limited availability in only 14 Central Universities, and insufficient outreach.
2. Which exams are covered under this scheme?
The scheme covers a wide range of exams including UPSC, SSC, NEET, IIT-JEE, CAT, and NDA/CDS.
