THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Team India cricketer Sanju Samson has announced a major scholarship initiative aimed at helping talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their civil services ambitions.
Speaking at the Lead India Summit 2026, the wicketkeeper-batter said scholarships would be provided to 1,000 students across India who aspire to join the civil services and serve the country.
The initiative is being jointly launched by the Sanju Samson Foundation and Lead IAS Academy. Under the programme, selected students will receive scholarships to pursue UPSC coaching at Lead IAS Academy.
The scholarship programme is open to eligible students from across the country. It is aimed particularly at talented youngsters who may struggle to afford the cost of civil services coaching.
Special focus on Kerala’s fishing community
While students from across India can benefit from the initiative, special priority will be given to deserving students from the fishing community in Vizhinjam and surrounding coastal areas of Kerala, the foundation said.
The programme is intended to help young aspirants overcome financial barriers and gain access to structured coaching for the UPSC examination.
The initiative comes as Sanju Samson, who has made a mark in cricket, seeks to support the next generation through education and opportunities. The foundation said the scholarship programme is aimed at helping nurture talented youngsters who could eventually contribute to the country’s administration through the civil services.
The announcement at the Lead India Summit marks a significant step by the Sanju Samson Foundation towards supporting aspiring civil servants, particularly those who lack the financial resources required for competitive-exam preparation.
