Former Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu R. Christodas Gandhi sought reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in premier educational institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs).

Speaking at an inaugural of free coaching classes for students appearing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)- 2019, organised by the SC/ST Cell of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Tadepalligudem, Mr. Gandhi said these classes would benefit aspirants.

The classes are being conducted for final year students of BE/B.Tech from NIT and SC/ST students who have enrolled from other engineering colleges located in West Godavari district.

Mr. Gandhi, along with NIT Director C.S.P. Rao and State general secretary of A.P. Scheduled Castes Associations B. Ramakrishna, distributed free study material to the students.

The coaching classes are being held on Saturdays and Sundays.

Earlier, after inaugurating the programme, Mr. Rao said students must utilise the opportunity to achieve success in the exam that could fetch them a good job.

The SC/ST Cell coordinator Vinoth Kumar Raja and others were present.