Gujarat Government Raises Financial Aid for UPSC Aspirants: Women Candidates Now Eligible for Up to ₹2.05 Lakh
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has significantly increased the stipend and incentive amounts available to candidates preparing for the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, in a move aimed at encouraging more aspirants from the state to enter the civil services. The revised rates apply to candidates studying at the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA), Ahmedabad, and its regional training centres. The General Administration Department has issued an official resolution formalising the changes.
Monthly stipend for exam preparation
Under the new rules, all SPIPA candidates preparing for the UPSC preliminary examination will receive a monthly stipend of ₹4,000. This support will continue for a maximum of seven months, or until the UPSC prelims are held, whichever comes first.
Candidates who clear the preliminary exam will receive ₹35,000 (male candidates) or ₹50,000 (female candidates), with the stipend already paid to SPIPA candidates deducted from this amount. Those who go on to clear the Mains examination will receive a further ₹45,000 (men) or ₹55,000 (women) in incentive support.
Aid disbursed by examination stage
Gujarat candidates who secure a place in the final selection to the Civil Services will receive ₹75,000 (men) or ₹1,00,000 (women). Taken together, a successful male candidate stands to receive up to ₹1.55 lakh across the entire process, while a successful female candidate can receive up to ₹2.05 lakh.
The state government has also made special provision for non-domicile candidates studying or working in Gujarat. Such candidates enrolled in SPIPA’s personality test (interview) training programme who go on to secure final selection will receive an incentive of ₹25,000 (men) or ₹35,000 (women).
Finance Department approval
The General Administration Department approved the revised rates following consent from the Finance Department. The state government said the decision is intended to provide financial support to students preparing for competitive examinations like the UPSC, and expressed hope that it would encourage more candidates from Gujarat to secure places in the civil services.