Jammu: Apart from maintaining law and order, this 32-year-old superintendent of police (SP) from south Jammu has become a beacon of hope for many youth in the region riddled with unemployment and chaos.

Sandeep Chaudhary is helping as many as 150 youth in preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), J&K sub-inspector, banking and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams. Chaudhary is training the youth for free with an intention of providing them a stable career.

Chaudhary began the initiative on May 30 with just 10 students. However, within a week’s time the number of students rose to 150.

“I never spent a penny on my education. I studied through IGNOU [Indra Gandhi National Open University] under the guidance of my friends and seniors. Now, I want to reciprocate by doing the same for the society,” the 2011 batch IPS officer told IndiaToday.in.

In 2011, before cracking the UPSC exams, Chaudhary cleared the bank probationary officer exam after six attempts.

Chaudhary, who is a resident of Ferozpur in Punjab, has an exceptional academic record. Apart from UPSC, he has also cleared Border Security Force’s assistant commandant test and University Grants Commissions National Eligibility Test.

“My aim is not only to help aspirants crack the exams, but also to democratise the state of education. I don’t want the youth to only appear for clerical exams,” said Chaudhary who cleared UPSC without the help of coaching classes.

The IPS officer firmly believes that expensive coaching classes are not necessary for getting through competitive exams.

Chaudhary teaches the students between 8 am and 10 am at a banquet hall in the Nai Basti area of Jammu. According to the SP, the education system in the country does not provide equal opportunity to students. He said that there is a stark difference between standard of education in the metropolitan cities and small cities.

I want the youth here to participate in national discourses as this would help them mould their life in one or the other way, said Chaudhary.

Apart from assisting the youth in achieving their goals, Chaudhary believes that his initiative is also a good counter measure against the drug menace in the region.

This initiative will help youth stay away from drugs. Providing a direction to the youth will help in decreasing drug consumption in the region,” said Chaudhary who hopes that his initiative will help in improving the image of police in the state