7500 Rupees Not Given As Money But Confidence To Future IAS Officers

An incentive of Rs.7500 is provided by the Tamil Nadu government under CM Stalin's regime for the UPSC aspirants who are willing to write Prelims, for 10 months. For aspirants going to write UPSC Mains, 25000 rupees is given by the government. The intention behind the introduction of the incentive program is to help the poor students fulfil their IAS dream.

Viewpoint of the beneficiaries:

Sabariswaran, who moved from Kallipatti village in Namakkal district to Chennai for IAS preparation said, "My father is a weaver, whose earnings are the only source of income for our family. My dream of becoming an IAS officer sprouted after seeing U. Sagayam IAS, who came to our village for a function when he was the District Collector of Namakkal district.

Seeing Sagayam IAS, I realised for the first time the powers and duties of an IAS officer visually which served as a stimulus for my dream. I studied day and night but couldn't crack the exam. Finally, on my 4th attempt I cleared Prelims and wrote Mains. Throughout the duration of my preparation my family couldn't support me financially.

The'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme reduced my financial burden and provided 25000 rupees as incentive for my preparation. When my family was forced to stop the financial aid, CM Stalin's scheme provided money which helped my studies."

Udhaya Bharathi, another beneficiary from Cuddalore district said, "From my childhood, my only dream was to become a doctor. The NEET exam was introduced when I was in 12th standard. Without proper guidance about the application process, I couldn't pursue the medical course. Seeing my stressful behaviour, my parents and relatives cheered me up and encouraged me to pursue civil services.

After completing my graduation at Anna University, I started writing the civil services exam in 2021. The initial days of UPSC preparation will be a smooth sail, both financially and mentally. Family members will provide their unconditional support but after a failure there will be second thoughts in providing financial support which happened to me as well.

When I was standing helpless, CM Stalin's 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme helped me to overcome the barriers in my path. The financial strength given by the government gave me confidence which led to the continuation of the preparation."

"During the Muthalipatti firecracker factory explosion in 2012, we as students flocked to the accident zone and helped many people. Despite great efforts 40 people died in the accident. It was then, the District Collector came to visit the place and he announced many welfare schemes for the family members of the affected persons.

The District Collector also issued an order to provide houses for the affected persons within 6 months. We students wandered from street to street and door to door to collect funds but with just a signature Collector sir changed the fate of the entire victim's family. The whole event and the actions of the District Collector acted as a catalyst for the growth of civil services dream in me.

The'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme, a scheme considered as the dream project of CM Stalin, was introduced when I completed my engineering course. The scheme and the financial incentive given under the scheme gave me strength and confidence to continue my civil services preparation. Help received at the right time and at the right circumstances is invaluable, such help was given by the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme introduced by CM Stalin", said a youngster.

Abinesh from Mugaiyur village in Viluppuram district said, "I completed my under graduation in 2018 in a government college and became the first graduate in my family. Initially my father served in the army and later went on to do farming.

Students like me with a village background return to their villages unable to cope with the financial crisis faced during the preparation. In my case, I had 2 sisters which increased my responsibility as an elder son of the family, so I couldn't ask for money from my parents who had to take care of my sisters.

In this embarrassing situation, I came across the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme which was introduced by CM Stalin after understanding the needs of persons coming from a background like mine. Providing 7500 rupees per month is way better than providing the total amount of 75000, which could be spent for other purposes. This way the monthly incentive of 7500 rupees will be spent judiciously for study purposes alone."

A married woman with children going to school, advanced to the Mains exam with the financial help provided under the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme. According to her, Stalin's scheme is the sole reason for the continuation of her studies because there is no need for her to rely on her family for money anymore.

Another beneficiary who had attempted the civil services exam 9 times said that the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme gave him a mental and financial boost which was the need of the moment considering the failures he faced.

A student from Chennai said, "After my father died of cancer when I was studying in 12th standard, my mother single-handedly took care of the family. I couldn't financially burden my mother for civil services preparation after my graduation. When CM Stalin introduced the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme, I managed my needs on my own with the money given under the scheme."

Another student said, "The 7500 rupees provided under the scheme should not be considered as money, it is the courage and confidence for the families who are financially suffering after the Corona lockdown. The scheme shows the paternalistic attitude of CM Stalin who gave hope to millions of aspirants through the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme."