Could you elaborate on the different aspects of a career in the civil services?
A career in the civil services guarantee job and personal enhancement, opportunities to be at the cutting edge of decision making and to play frontline roles to shape India's future. Salaries in civil services today, thanks to the 7th Pay Commission, are almost on par with the private sector if all the official perks and privileges were to be monetised. It allows for job enrichment and encirclement, a feat impossible in the private sector
What is your take on Goans opting for a career in IAS at present?
In states like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, among others where job avenues and employment opportunities in the private sector were minimal or almost absent, opting for a government job post-graduation was the only stepping stone to having a secure career. This primarily was the reason for larger volumes from the aforementioned states.
States in the southern and western pockets of India were relatively better industrialised and advanced in comparison to their northern counterparts and a plethora of career options were available to choose from. It's been awhile since Goa was integrated within the Indian Union but Goans are still in ‘susegad mode' when it comes to approaching the civil services. This is strange because the quality of schools, graduate and specialty post graduate institutions in Goa are par excellence when compared to the rest of India. Though careers in hospitality, tourism, mining and off shore jobs having been the traditional avenues that have attracted the Goan youth, a decline and saturation is bound to necessitate a look towards other greener pastures. The advantages to the Goans in approaching the civil services with a gusto are a plenty.
The command over the English language, strong academic credentials, a cadre that includes Goa, allowing Goans to serve in their home state should be exciting enough to join the UPSC bandwagon
Do you feel that there is enough awareness about careers in IAS among youngsters today?
Youngsters today want quick fix solutions, they believe going abroad is the solution from their myopic understanding of the practical reality. This causes a burnout among many and erratic shift in careers. Whenever you are making a career choice evaluate whether you would be doing the same thing day in and day out for the rest of your life. See your time spent for the UPSC preparation as an investment for a bright future. This is perhaps the only exam among many others that guarantees you a job rather than just giving you a degree or diploma. You must love what you do and do what you love. That's the secret to success
What are the common misconceptions that people have about this career line?
The misconceptions are many, political interference, corruption to name a few. I say these are misconceptions because though they may hold true for 1% of the cases, they seek to taint 99% of the others who are helping run this country. All civic amenities, utilities run because somebody at the back end is fixing them. Issues of interference, glass ceilings, corruption are aplenty in the private sector too. The only difference is visibility because of which they are spoken or heard of less
What are some prerequisites and qualifications required for choosing this as a career?
The UPSC Civil Services exam is an exam for the masses and not the classes. It requires you to be a graduate with 35% passing marks from a UGC recognised institute. You can take the exam six times up to the age of 32 years with a further age and attempt relaxation of 5 years in case you avail the benefit of reservation.
Clarity of thought, brevity, precision, consistent reading and writing habits are the recipe for success
What are some of the biggest challenges that IAS aspirants face during their journey towards their career objective?
I believe the biggest challenge is your mind, the inertia it produces and the barriers that create impediments to work. Aspirants need to see their years of preparation as an investment rather than a sacrifice for a bright, secure and glorious future. As they say, its all in the mind, if you can dream it, you can achieve it!
How has the role of an IAS officer changed over the years?
The IAS officer is no longer in the ‘babu' mode. He is a strategist, a policy formulator and because of large private sector involvement in governance is also a regulator. He is a jack of all traits and master of many
Your observations on the interest level after your recent talk here?
I was invited to Goa through the Bullet Proof Education Initiative (CSR initiative of Madame Rosa), that has been spearheading the cause helping build initiatives in education and healthcare for Goans. The response was very encouraging in all my interactions with students in numerous schools in North and South Goa.
We've decided to launch the second edition of our 14-week foundation programme that begins the second week of April 2018 for all those desirous of joining any government service.
