Having knowledge in social sciences will be an advantage in civil services

Unable to realise the need for pursuing civil services at a young age is one of the major disadvantages of civils aspirants, and one gets a rare opportunity of getting exposed to the prospects of the responsible career, said Assistant Collector in Puducherry P. Abhishek.Mr. Abhishek, an IAS ranker in 2017, was addressing a gathering of students and parents at the civils awareness meeting organised by The Hindu in association with Dr. Lakshmaiah’s IAS Study Circle at the SRR & CVR Govt. Degree College.

“None of my friends in IIT believed that one from engineering background would crack civils until I did it two years ago in the third attempt. Now they want to pursue civils but in vain. Early realisation among the aspirants is important. Those who are getting the opportunity of pursuing civils along with BA are lucky and will have plenty of time to prepare and succeed unlike others,” Mr. Abhishek said.“Every aspirant must understand that one needs to continue the pace of understanding concepts while preparing and presenting them in the required way in toughest way possible for the rest of the life as a civil servant. In fact, a candidate is intentionally tested during the exam to ensure that he or she is capable of coping in situations in service,” he said.

Mr. Abhishek said that having knowledge in social sciences will be an advantage in civil services and the fact that he had bagged IAS in the fourth attempt with anthropology as optional proves the same. Study Circle chairman P.V. Lakshmaiah said that there has been a myth that civil services is the forte of only a section of people in society. “It can be cracked by any person with proper knowledge and guidance. Understanding the nature of examination before taking it is a key. Also, aspirants need to have a different approach towards preparation as the examination is different from all other competitive examinations,” he said. “It is not just hard work but smart work plays a key role in success in civil services examination,” Mr. Lakshmaiah said.

After the awareness meeting, Mr. Abhishek, Mr. Lakshmaiah along with SSR & CVR Govt. College principal Velaga Joshi inaugurated the Study Centre facility for the unique BA + Civils course that would begin in the college from coming academic on the college premises. Dr. Lakshmaiah’s Study Circle in association with the college is going to train 50 students in BA and UPSC exams. “The syllabus of civils exams will be incorporated into the syllabus of BA semester wise. The curriculum will ensure that students finish both the syllabuses after three years and get ready to appear for the civils examination after one-time revision,” Mr. Lakshmaiah said. As many as 50 students will be given the opportunity to get admission into the special course.