The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission is said to be one of the toughest exams due to its vast syllabus, subjective evaluation, unpredictable question patterns, high competition, and several other reasons.
Every year, lakhs and lakhs of students take part in it, hoping to clear this exam and join the Indian civil services. It is a matter of prestige, or actually achieving success, of making it in the world, of uplifting one’s family honour, and so much more for many of these students across the country.
Given that and how tough it is, students start preparing for it years before they actually have to take it, sticking to strict routines and, of course, spending unimaginable amounts of money on coaching classes.
This is why when these coaching centres become money hungry, only seeing how much cash they can extract from these students and believe they can skirt around all responsibilities on them, such as providing a safe and ethical environment for students, it becomes a problem.
This is also why the recently launched Aarambh libraries across Delhi could be seen as a positive move.
What Are Aarambh Libraries?
In January this year, the ‘Aarambh’ initiative was launched by the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
The concept was to provide safe, affordable, and high‑quality facilities to UPSC students and prevent further tragedies from taking place.
These libraries came about after the tragic death of three IAS aspirants who lost their lives when the basement of a coaching institute, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, flooded.
Although the incident happened almost a year ago, it still remains a very relevant issue, not only due to the importance and prestige given to the UPSC exam but also the shady dealings of coaching centres that want to prey on young students desperate to make it.
Repurposed Delhi Development Authority (DDA) community halls were used to set up Aarambh libraries and will operate round-the-clock, 24×7. By repurposing secure community spaces, it ensures that students have reliable infrastructure that prioritises their well‑being.
Further, according to an India Today report, the libraries are “equipped with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, power outlets at every seat, lockers, a cafeteria, and an inviting outdoor seating area.”
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With a seating capacity of 200 students in total, these libraries operate on eight-hour slots with each slot accommodating 66 students. The membership fee for these libraries is also set at an affordable Rs. 1,000 per person per month.
The interiors are spacious, featuring large glass windows, desks, CCTV coverage, separate washrooms, and even one accessible toilet, and study tables with built-in power sockets. The recently launched Dwarka also has a cafeteria, outdoor seating, an open-air gym, and a running track.
The Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena, after inaugurating Dwarka Aarambh library, posted on his X/Twitter writing, “While the grief can never be bridged, it’s gratifying to have fulfilled a promise made.”
At the inauguration itself, the LG said, “If you remember that last year on July 27… a tragic incident happened at Rajinder Nagar where three students lost their lives. These students were studying in the library when the basement was flooded, and they lost their lives.
In my opinion, nothing can be more tragic than this. I went there immediately and assured the students who were on strike that it would be my endeavour to provide the best facilities to the students. I am happy that within a year, we were inaugurating the third library for them.”
So far, three such libraries have been opened under the initiative, with the first being in Old Rajinder Nagar, the second in Adhchini Village, and the third in Dwarka Sector 16-B. As per the DDA, there are plans to open two more in Vikaspuri and Rohini, along with entering academic hubs like Mukherjee Nagar and Karol Bagh.
Piyush Kumar, a UPSC aspirant, as per a report by The Hindu, expressed appreciation for these libraries, saying, “These libraries feel safer and more respectable than older private ones. Facilities like Wi-Fi, lockers, and even open-air gyms show real support for students.”
Another aspirant, Shreya Kumar, said, “There is a sense of shared struggle here. Even if you come alone, you end up finding people who push you to stay consistent. We motivate each other without even realising it.”
As per media reports, UPSC aspirant Puneet Kumar Sharma also shared his feelings, saying, “In areas that aren’t education hubs, students like us are still willing to risk studying in unsafe basements, not because we don’t care about safety, but because we simply don’t have better options. Aarambh gives us safety, dignity, and affordability. It finally feels like the Delhi government is listening.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Hindu, India Today, The Indian Express
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: UPSC, UPSC coaching center, UPSC coaching center student death, UPSC coaching center basement, UPSC coaching center basement flooding, student, UPSC student, Aarambh libraries, Aarambh libraries delhi, Aarambh libraries UPSC
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