Haj Committee revives coaching programme for Muslim UPSC aspirants

According to the notification dated May 22, which was issued by HCI CEO Shanavas C, out of the total 100 seats, 80 per cent are reserved for candidates from the Muslim community, while the remaining 20 per cent will be for other minority groups, including SCs, STs and OBCs. While non-Muslim candidates were previously provided accommodation informally during exams, this is the first time HCI has formally included seats for other minorities in its selection process.

Shanavas C said, “This decision was taken by the committee last year to make the institute more inclusive. It is also expected to encourage a competitive atmosphere and healthy learning environment for civil services aspirants.”

The institute was established in 2009 to provide affordable residential coaching to Muslim students — the only one of its kind run by the Haj committee. Since then, sources said, about 1,500 students have undergone coaching here with 25 of them getting selected for the civil services. The coaching is funded by donations the Haj Committee receives from pilgrims going for Haj.

Following a cut in student intake that led to protests in 2022 and an admissions cycle delayed by the pandemic, the residential coaching institute in Mumbai was closed in December 2023. The Indian Express had reported it in July 2024. The HCI at that time had maintained it was only a temporary suspension along with assurances that it will restart soon.

In preparation for the new academic cycle, several meetings have been held. Shanavas C said, “The government has expressed its support. In fact, we are considering starting similar centres in other states where necessary infrastructure is ready.”

While accommodation and coaching will be provided free of cost, food will be subsidised. Deputy CEO Sadafat Ali said, “We are currently working on formalising a policy for food-related expenses.”

The decision to reopen the institute has been welcomed by many. Shahebaj Maniyar, a senior research scholar at Mumbai University and former Haj House student, said, “The institute has been instrumental in helping many Muslim candidates, especially girls, to pursue their dream of joining the civil services. Families trusted the institution, which played a big role in their decision to allow daughters to stay and study there.”

The age limit for applicants has been capped at 30 years, even though UPSC allows age relaxation up to 35 for OBC and 37 for SC/ST candidates. In response, HCI said the age limit has been intentionally set to support younger aspirants and not to align with UPSC age-limit.