Minister for Social Welfare Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy on Friday said the government was committed to taking SC, ST and BC students to greater academic heights by strengthening infrastructure in Social Welfare hostels and residential schools on an unprecedented scale.

Addressing a felicitation programme organised by the Social Welfare Department at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada, Mr, Veeranjaneya Swamy said the government was focusing on providing quality education, improved sanitation, nutritious food and better facilities in welfare hostels and gurukul institutions.

He noted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had been conducting weekly reviews on hostel conditions, while HRD Minister N. Lokesh introduced a ‘100 Days Action Plan’ that helped students secure excellent SSC and Intermediate results.

The programme was organised to honour students, teachers, principals and staff of Social Welfare hostels, residential schools and welfare institutions for outstanding performance in the 2025–26 SSC and Intermediate examinations. A total of 297 awards were presented, including 165 to residential school students and 132 to hostel students.

The Minister announced that CCTV cameras were being installed in hostels to improve student safety and that construction of RO drinking water plants in all hostels would be completed by June. The government had also introduced outsourced sanitation services, modern healthcare facilities and an Artificial Intelligence-based monitoring system at the department headquarters, he added.

Mr. Veeranjaneya Swamy said the government released ₹917 crore for the welfare of 3.53 lakh SC students and ₹320 crore for 2.51 lakh pre-matric students. Besides, hundreds of crores were also allocated for hostel repairs, construction of additional toilets and new buildings.

Coaching centres

Highlighting educational initiatives, he said the number of IIT and NEET coaching centres had been increased to 10 and new Centres of Excellence established. This year, 187 students qualified in various national-level entrance examinations. In collaboration with GITAM Institutes, free higher education, accommodation and fee support were being provided to 600 students from Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare institutions, he said.

Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare, M.M. Naik, urged students to make use of government facilities and shape successful careers through education. State-level toppers received cash awards of ₹20,000, ₹15,000 and ₹10,000 for first, second and third ranks respectively, along with certificates and mementoes.

Secretary of the A.P. Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society V. Prasanna Venkatesh, Director of the Social Welfare Department B. Lavanya Veni and others participated in the programme.