Scheme for Pre-Examination Training of Scheduled Castes Candidates for UPSC and State PSC Examinations, Haryana

What is the Haryana pre-examination training scheme for Scheduled Castes?

The Scheme for the Pre-Examination Training of Scheduled Castes Candidates for taking Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commission Examinations is run by the Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes under Haryana's SEWA department. Rather than paying a private coaching centre, the state runs its own training centres and puts eligible candidates through them.

According to the department, six Pre-Examination Training Centres are functioning, at Ambala, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Hisar, Rewari and Karnal. These centres impart one-year training to Scheduled Caste students in typing and shorthand in Hindi and English, and also train Scheduled Caste, Backward Class and minority candidates for competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the State Public Service Commission and the Banking Recruitment Board.

The department states the aim of the scheme as improving candidates' "ability to employability", so that they can secure suitable employment in either the public or the private sector. The scheme is often referred to locally as the poorv-pariksha prashikshan kendra scheme.

What training do the centres actually provide?

The centres run two distinct tracks.

Track 1 to Stenography and typing (one year). The course covers typing and shorthand in both Hindi and English, and runs a full academic session from 1 August to 31 July. This track exists because a large share of Haryana state government clerical vacancies, Stenographer, Lower Division Clerk, Upper Division Clerk, Assistant Grade; test typing and shorthand speed.

Track 2 to Competitive examination coaching (2 to 3 months). Shorter batches prepare candidates for the Haryana Civil Service, Assistant Grade, Stenographers, LDC and UDC posts, and any other competitive examination for which sufficient candidates come forward. The published syllabus at the centres includes essay writing, general knowledge and office accounts, supported by specialised lectures on public administration, history, law, economics and the sciences.

Who is eligible for the pre-examination training scheme?

You can apply if:

• You belong to a Scheduled Caste and hold a caste certificate from a competent Haryana authority. The department also trains Backward Class and minority candidates for the competitive examination batches.
• You hold the educational qualification prescribed by the relevant commission for the examination you are targeting.
• For the stenography or typing course, you have passed at least matriculation.
• For those courses you are not below 16 years and not more than 31 years of age, per the department's condition.
• You will still be within the age limit prescribed by the commission when the course is completed, a candidate who will age out of the examination before finishing the course is not admitted.

You cannot apply, or are not eligible, if:

• You are below matriculation and are seeking a place on the stenography or typing course.
• You are outside the 16 to 31 year band for those courses.
• You will have crossed the commission's age limit by the time the training ends, which defeats the purpose of the training.
• You do not hold the qualification demanded by the commission for the examination you want coaching for — for example, seeking HCS coaching without a completed degree where graduation is required.
• You are looking for a cash scholarship. This scheme provides training and a small stipend for one course; it is not a scholarship scheme. Students seeking fee assistance at a private coaching institute should instead look at the department's Financial Assistance Scheme for Higher Competitive/Entrance Examination.

What does the scheme pay?

• Free training at the six state Pre-Examination Training Centres. Candidates do not pay coaching fees at these centres.
• Stipend of Rs 100 per month per student for the stenography course, as recorded by the department.

The stipend is a token amount rather than a maintenance allowance, and it is the only cash element the department publishes for this scheme. Travel, hostel and book costs are not covered, so candidates from distant districts should choose the nearest of the six centres.

What documents are required?

How to apply for admission to a Haryana pre-examination training centre

1. Watch for the admission notice. The department publishes an admission notice as a downloadable PDF on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes / SEWA website before the session begins. The one-year session starts on 1 August, so notices typically appear in the months before.
2. Choose your centre and track. Decide between the one-year typing and shorthand course and the 2 to 3 month competitive examination batch, and pick the nearest of the six centres, Ambala, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Hisar, Rewari or Karnal.
3. Assemble the documents; SC certificate, matriculation certificate, date of birth proof, Haryana residence proof, Family ID and Aadhaar, plus degree certificates if the target examination requires graduation.
4. Fill the admission form exactly as set out in the notice, including the examination you intend to appear for.
5. Submit the form at the training centre named in the notice, or through the District Welfare Officer / Tehsil Welfare Officer of your district, and collect an acknowledgement.
6. Attend the selection or verification step if the centre calls one, taking all originals for checking.
7. Join on the session start date and give your bank account details at the centre so that the stenography stipend can be credited.

How do I check the status of my admission?

1. Keep the acknowledgement or diary number issued when you submitted the form.
2. Contact the Pre-Examination Training Centre you applied to; the admission list for each session is maintained at the centre.
3. Ask the District Welfare Officer of your district, who routes applications and holds the district record.
4. Check the SEWA department website for the admission notice and any subsequent list published as a PDF.

There is no separate online tracker for centre admissions.

Why do applications get rejected?

• Age outside the 16 to 31 year band for the stenography and typing courses.
• Age limit of the commission would be crossed before the training ends, which the department screens for at admission.
• Below matriculation for the typing and shorthand track.
• Caste certificate defects; issued outside Haryana, expired, or in a different name spelling from the Aadhaar and Family ID.
• Applying after the notice window closes. Admissions are tied to the session calendar, and the one-year course begins on 1 August.
• Seats filled at the chosen centre. With only six centres statewide, popular centres fill first; applying to a second centre is often faster than appealing.

Most rejections are corrected by refreshing the caste certificate through saralharyana.gov.in, fixing name and date of birth mismatches on the Parivar Pehchan Patra at meraparivar.haryana.gov.in, and applying again at the next session notice.

How does this scheme fit with other Haryana SC welfare schemes?

Candidates who cannot reach one of the six centres, or who want coaching at a private institute, should look at the department's Financial Assistance Scheme for Higher Competitive/Entrance Examination to SC/BC Students, which pays the coaching fee directly to an institution for students whose parental income is up to Rs 2.50 lakh a year and allows a maximum of two chances per examination. The two schemes are complementary, one supplies state-run training, the other pays a private institution's fee.

Where do I get help or complain?

• Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Bays No. 53-54, Kalyan Bhawan, Sector 2, Panchkula-134109. Phone 0172-2564006 and 0172-2567009, email dbcharyana[at]gmail[dot]com.
• District Welfare Officer / Tehsil Welfare Officer of your district for the admission form and the file.
• Antyodaya Saral helpline 0172-3968400, toll-free 1800-2000-023, for caste, residence and income certificates applied for online.

Admission to the state Pre-Examination Training Centres is free. No payment to any agent is required or authorised for a seat.