Shopian district administration, in collaboration with the department of higher education, has started 'HADAF' -- free coaching for IAS and KAS aspirants -- at a government degree college here.
The free coaching for civil services aspirants kick-started at the Model Degree College here on Sunday.
"It is a short-term course in a government degree college. We have received a very good response. Around 100 aspirants were selected out of 500 applicants for the initiative," District Development Commissioner (DDC) Chaudhary Mohammad Yasin told reporters here.
He said that the administration has arranged competent faculty for the classes.
According to officials, the coaching aims to facilitate the civil services aspirants to prepare for the examinations. Regular classes will be held between 2 pm to 4 pm for a period of six months.
"I would like to thank the administration for the initiative. This is a very good initiative. Attempts were made for similar initiatives in the past but the situation did not allow it. I want this coaching to continue," Feroz Ahmad, an aspirant, told ANI.
Another aspirant, Shabir Malik, said that he had never thought that such a good initiative will be taken in his district.