Some successful case studies
“Breaking Chains: How Career Counseling Transformed Rupa’s Life”
Rupa’s story
unveils the impact of education in bridging the gap of social stratification in rural India.
Family Background
| Lead Name | Rupa Kumari |
| Age | 23 years |
| Fathers Name | Shri Bahadur Ram |
| Fathers’ occupation | Farmer |
| Mothers name | Smt Devanti Devi |
| Mothers Occupation | Homemaker |
| Brothers name | Kuldeep Kumar 21 years |
| Occupation | Pursuing Graduation (Philosophy)Dropout education in middle to economically support the family but again rejoin to complete the graduation |
| Brothers Name | Dhiraj Kumar 18 years Completed Graduation in Philosophy |
| Address | Revar Village Hazaribagh |
Education Qualification
| Matric | V T C High School, Pauta |
| Inter | St Columbus College, Hazaribagh |
| Subject | Arts |
| Graduation | St Columbus College, Hazaribagh |
| Subject | Hindi Honors |
| Post Graduation/ Masters | St Columbus College, Hazaribagh |
| Subject | Hindi |
Breaking Barriers: Rupa’s Journey Towards Empowerment Through Career Counseling
Introduction
Rupa, hailing from the marginalized Chamar community in Revar village, Jharkhand, has overcome significant barriers on her path to higher education and civil services. She is a remarkable example of how access to career counseling and guidance can break the cycle of social and economic deprivation, especially for women from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
The Struggle of SC/ST Communities in India
In India, certain caste communities, especially SCs and STs, continue to face systemic discrimination and lack of equal opportunities, particularly in the realm of education and employment. A recent report by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reveals that while reservations exist in education and employment for SC/STs, the success rates of these communities in competitive exams remain disproportionately low.
For example, a 2019 study on the performance of SC/ST students in competitive exams such as the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) and JPSC (Jharkhand Public Service Commission) found that despite the reservation system, the success rate for SC/ST candidates was significantly lower than their counterparts from general categories. In the UPSC, SC candidates had a success rate of 4.3%, while ST candidates had only a 2.3% success rate, compared to 6.7% for general category candidates. This disparity highlights the structural challenges faced by SC/ST communities, such as inadequate preparation resources, lack of access to quality coaching, and social barriers.
The High Cost of Competitive Exam Preparation
One of the primary reasons behind the low success rates among economically disadvantaged SC/ST communities is the prohibitive cost of coaching for competitive exams. The average fee for a coaching center in urban areas ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 for a year, depending on the program. This cost is often out of reach for families from low-income backgrounds, especially those in rural areas.
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-2020, less than 10% of students from SC/ST communities attend coaching centers for civil services exams, compared to over 40% from general categories. The unavailability of coaching institutes in rural areas further exacerbates this divide. In addition, many SC/ST families cannot afford to send their children to cities where these institutes are located, further limiting their chances of success.
The Impact of Career Counseling Centers
Career counseling centers, like the one Rupa attended, offer more than just academic coaching. They provide an environment where students can receive guidance on how to approach competitive exams, understand the syllabus, and gain confidence in their abilities. For many students from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, these centers become the only place where they can access such resources.
Rupa’s experience at the counseling center illustrates this. Coming from a family that struggled with subsistence farming and wage work, she had never considered civil services or higher education as viable options. However, when she joined the career counseling center, she was not just provided with study material but also given a sense of hope and belief in her abilities. The counseling center helped Rupa understand the complexities of competitive exams such as JPSC, guiding her through the syllabus and explaining the reservation policies and selection criteria.
Statistical Evidence of Disparities in Access and Success
The stark disparity in access to educational resources is evident when examining data on SC/ST student success rates in competitive exams. According to a 2020 report by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, only 3-4% of SC/ST students successfully clear the JPSC each year. This is in stark contrast to the success rate among students from general categories, who make up the majority of successful candidates.
The factors contributing to this include not only the high cost of coaching but also the lack of proper guidance in rural areas, as well as deep-rooted social and cultural barriers. In many villages, girls, particularly from SC/ST communities, are discouraged from pursuing higher education, let alone appearing for competitive exams.
Rupa’s Journey of Transformation
Rupa’s path to success was not easy. She faced constant societal pressure, with many in her community questioning her decision to pursue education beyond the traditional roles assigned to girls in her caste. But Rupa was determined. She completed her Master’s in Hindi in 2023, and despite the pressures to conform, she decided to challenge herself by preparing for the prestigious JPSC examination.
At the career counseling center, Rupa was given clear insights into the examination process. She learned about the syllabus, the reservation system, the number of vacancies, and how many seats remained vacant each year due to a lack of suitable candidates. This information was crucial in motivating her to not only understand the process but also take the first step towards a future she had once thought unattainable.
Rupa faced immense pressure from her community, with elders questioning her motives for education and the family being socially ostracized due to their refusal to adhere to traditional caste roles. Despite this, she pursued her dreams, first appearing for the JPSC exam and later setting her sights on the NET exam, which would qualify her to become a college professor.
The Support of the Counseling Center: A Lifeline for Girls
The counseling center where Rupa studied is unique not just because it provides academic coaching but because it creates a space of support and encouragement—something many girls from SC/ST families lack at home. Many girls, particularly from rural areas, are deprived of a conducive study environment due to family responsibilities, social pressures, and limited access to educational resources. At the center, Rupa found a safe space to ask questions, interact with peers, and gain the confidence she needed to pursue her aspirations.
For Rupa, the center’s fee-free structure was especially important, as her family’s financial situation made it impossible for them to afford private coaching. This accessibility to education has been a game changer for many girls like Rupa, who might otherwise have remained excluded from the opportunity to pursue competitive exams.
A Ray of Hope for the Future
Rupa is not just an inspiration to her community but also a symbol of hope for other girls from SC/ST backgrounds. She is the first girl from her village to dare to appear for a competitive exam like JPSC, and her success in even reaching the exam stage is a monumental achievement.
Her story reveals that despite the systemic barriers faced by SC/ST communities, there is hope for change. With the right support systems—like career counseling centers that offer free, accessible resources—more girls from these communities can dream beyond their limitations and strive to become future leaders in administration, education, and beyond.
Conclusion
Rupa’s journey from an isolated village girl to an aspiring civil servant and professor highlights the importance of career counseling and equal access to opportunities for marginalized communities. It is essential that we continue to support initiatives that provide education, mentorship, and encouragement to SC/ST students, particularly girls, who are often left behind in the race for success.
As Rupa prepares for the NET examination, her story serves as a powerful reminder that with the right resources and guidance, even the most disadvantaged can break through the barriers of caste, gender, and poverty.
Sources:
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, “Annual Report 2019-2020″
- All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2019-2020
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes, “Report on the Education and Employment of SC/ST Students in India,” 2020