Jamshedpur : Tata Steel Foundation ( TSF) is empowering youth to pursue careers in uniformed services through its coaching programme. Many youth in Jamadoba and Sijua, who aspire to serve the nation through careers in the defence forces, police, paramilitary services, and other uniform professions, are shaping their future through the Uniform Services Coaching Programme.
Limited access to quality coaching, structured physical training, and career guidance often used to prevent them from realising their ambitions. To bridge this gap, Tata Steel Foundation ( TSF) launched the Uniform Services Coaching Programme in November 2022 at Jamadoba and Sijua for youths from the core operational areas.
The programme provides focused academic coaching, physical fitness training, career counselling, mock examinations, and continuous mentorship to prepare candidates for recruitment into defence, police, and paramilitary services. Initially designed as a one-year programme, it has been restructured from the current financial year into a six-month intensive coaching model based on learnings from previous batches. Even after the formal coaching period ends, candidates continue to receive support through written tests, doubt-clearing sessions, and physical fitness assessments until suitable recruitment opportunities arise.
The programme prepares candidates for a wide range of opportunities, including the Indian Army, Agniveer, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, NDA, SSC GD, CAPFs, RPF, State Police, and other paramilitary services. Training covers Mathematics, Reasoning, English/Hindi, General Science, Polity, and Defence Awareness, aligned to recruitment examination requirements.
Each centre is staffed by three instructors, including one physical training instructor and two faculty members for theoretical subjects. Classes are conducted from Monday to Friday, with physical training in the morning followed by classroom sessions in the afternoon.
Since its inception, the programme has enrolled 93 candidates across Jamadoba and Sijua. To date, 17 candidates have secured government jobs, including positions in CISF, ITBP, BSF, SSC GD, Agniveer, and Bihar Police. Of these, 12 are male and five are female. Successful candidates belong to villages such as Patia Basti, Bhelatand, Malkera, Jorapokhar, Sijua 6 No., Sijua 12 No., Bhowra, and Lahargora.
Further strengthening these achievements, 21 candidates have qualified the Home Guard recruitment examination and completed their medical tests, and are currently awaiting the final merit list. Notably, six of them are women, reflecting the increasing participation of female candidates in uniform service careers.
Encouraged by its success, the programme has been replicated in West Bokaro, with plans to expand it to other locations in the future, creating greater opportunities for local youth to build meaningful careers in public service.
Anand Kumar, ITBP, Chandigarh from Pasitand ,Malkera said: “I had always dreamed of serving in the armed forces, but after missing the SSC GD selection by just a few marks, I felt discouraged. Joining the Tata Steel Foundation’s Youth Uniform Coaching Classes gave me the guidance, discipline, and confidence I needed. With my mentors’ and family’s support, I worked harder than ever and finally achieved my goal. Today, serving in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a source of pride for my family and me.”
Asha Mahato from Sijua 12 No., currently pursuing: “Wearing the Army uniform has always been my dream. Every day of training brings me one step closer to that goal. With the help of Uniform Coaching class and the discipline, guidance, and support I receive here motivate me to work harder and stay focused. I am confident that with dedication and perseverance, I will turn my dream into reality.”
