In a historic first for Telangana’s prison system, 78 inmates have successfully passed their SSC exams through the National Institute of Open Schooling, NIOS. Prisons Director General Dr. Soumya Mishra announced special remission as a reward for their achievement.
Under an agreement between the Telangana Prisons Department and NIOS, 108 prisoners from Central Prison Charlapally, Central Prison Nizamabad, and the Special Prison for Women, Hyderabad enrolled for SSC. Government and private teachers were arranged, with the prisons department covering their salaries. After a year of regular classes and mock tests, 78 prisoners cleared the exam – 56 from Charlapally, 15 from Nizamabad, and 7 from the women’s prison.
Dr. Mishra handed over certificates and praised the prisoners’ determination and discipline. Several inmates shared how lack of education had affected their lives, with one expressing hope to become a lawyer and offer free legal aid to poor prisoners.
Encouraged by this success, the department will now help these prisoners pursue senior secondary education and later join undergraduate courses. Another 47 prisoners have newly enrolled for SSC. The successful candidates are also eligible for technical courses at the ITI inside Charlapally prison to build skills for a better future.
