Puducherry: Pondicherry University(PU) has launched a free coaching programme for differently-abled aspirants preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams, becoming the first Central University to introduce such an initiative.

The programme is organized by the Enabling Unit and the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion in collaboration with the Department of Management Studies and other university departments.

It was inaugurated on Friday in the presence of Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. Prakash Babu presided over the event.

Aggarwal praised the university for setting a benchmark and urged candidates to make full use of the opportunity. He noted that although 4% of government jobs are reserved for persons with disabilities, many posts remain vacant due to a shortage of qualified applicants.

Chief Guest Dr. S. Govindaraj, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the importance of training programmes for creating employment opportunities and called for equitable reservation across all disability categories.

Prof. Prakash Babu reaffirmed the university's commitment to conducting such initiatives throughout the year to ensure real empowerment for differently-abled individuals. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. G. Madan Mohan.