MINISTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR TO LAUNCH DR. AMBEDKAR CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (DACE) ON 22ND APRIL, 2022

VARANASI: Keeping its commitment to uplift, empower and strengthen people belonging to scheduled caste, Government of India under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has come up with a new scheme that will pave way for better and bright future for students belonging to the SC category. The Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, through the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is launching Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence to provide free coaching to Scheduled Caste students for Civil Services Examinations. The scheme will be launched from Banaras Hindu University on 22nd April, 2022, by Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment & Chairman, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Dr. Virendra Kumar and Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, in the august presence of Shri A. Narayanaswamy and Km. Pratima Bhoumik, Ministers of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Padma Shri, Prof. Sudhir K Jain will be present on the occasion of the launch of Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence.

Addressing a press conference at the Committee Room No. 1 of BHU, about the launch programme, Vikas Trivedi, Director, Dr. Ambedkar foundation, New Delhi, said that DACE are being set up in 31 Central Universities from all across the country, Banaras Hindu University being one of them, to empower Scheduled Caste students by providing best coaching facilities for competitive exams. Each Centre will have 100 seats for coaching out of which 33% be given to eligible female candidates of SC category. He informed that the funding (Rs. 75 lakh annually) for these centers will be provided by the Government of India through the Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Three faculty members shall be appointed in each Centre which will be equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities like separate classrooms, Library, Hi-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, for smooth teaching & learning. Admission to avail free coaching will be made through an entrance test conducted by the university, said Vikas Trivedi. He told the media persons that Sh. Anand Kumar, renowned educator and founder of Super 30 educational group will be the special guest during the launch programme. He will be sharing his ideas on best practices of coaching to achieve the best results. Sh. R. Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, will be attending the launch event in BHU, said the Director, DAF.

Prof. R. N. Kharwar, Nodal Officer for DACE in BHU, said the launch program will take place at the Shatabdi Krishi Prekshagrih, Institute of Agricultural Sciences. Vice-Chancellors of all the other universities, where the Centre is to be set up, will also be present on the occasion. Prof. Kharwar added that Two MoUs will be signed between the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and implementing universities for setting up the Centres of Excellence and Dr. Ambedkar Chairs. He said that for better preparation of civil services examinations of students, DACE will also have lectures and sessions from specialised experts and professionals. The curriculum and preparatory material shall be prepared keeping in mind the changing pattern of civil services examinations.

The scheme to establish Dr. Ambedkar Chairs in various Universities/Institutes was first put in place in the year 1992 by the sub-committee on education which was set up by Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centenary Celebrations Committee. This scheme was instituted for envisioning a befitting tribute to this illustrious son of India. This was done in association with the original spirit of the clarion call “Baba Saheb Amar Rahe” invoked by the Government of India. The latest move to set up DACE is in confluence with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM).