GMR Varalakshmi Foundation selected Kanaka Rao under the Gifted Children (GC) scheme in 2003. Under the scheme he was admitted in LKG at GMRV DAV Public School, Rajam. The Gifted Children Scheme seeks to identify, encourage and financially support the education of meritorious under-privileged children from GMRVF's target communities to enable them to realize their full potential.

The selection of Kanaka Rao under GC scheme came as a boon to his family. All his educational expenses were managed through the Foundation. In addition to this the Foundation staff counselled Kanaka Rao and his parents on his regular academic performance and career development. Being a good student, Kanaka Rao achieved 9.8 GPA in Std. X Public Examinations and secured admission in IIIT being offered by Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies located at Basar town in Telangana State. IIIT is an integrated 6-year B.Tech. course being offered by the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for the toppers of Std. X public examinations.

Kanaka Rao continued his good academic performance at IIIT and secured 7.8 CGPA in his 10+2 course. Kanaka Rao completed his engineering in August 2021 and was offered a job in a reputed firm as Assistant System Engineer-Trainee through campus interviews at a handsome salary. Kanaka Rao and his family are very thankful to GMRVF for shaping his life from the early stages to enable him realise his potential and reach his career goals.