More than power, fame or money it is the opportunity to touch lives and bring about change that is the driving reason for many students to venture into the highly competitive field of civil services, say many candidates who are all set to take the preliminary examinations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Sunday. And Thiruvananthapuram has proved to be a Mecca for those aspiring for the examinations. The consistent high level of success achieved by candidates from the city has attracted aspirants from all over India.
Thangkhokai Haokip, who hails from Manipur, is currently preparing for the examination at the Kerala State Civil Service Academy. “I am the son of a village chief and from childhood I have always felt the need to give back to society. I felt that in a corporate job my canvas would be limited to me and my family. I want to become an officer of the Indian Administrative Service and help in putting my state on a par with states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” says Thangkhokai.
Jasmine George, a MSW postgraduate who did her schooling in Malayalam medium from Idukki, also sees the civil services as a way to bring about positive change.
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“My mother is a local politician and I have been inspired by her since childhood to bring about a positive change in the society. The childhood dream was further cemented when I did my M.Phil project, staying with the Muthuvan tribe for about a month to understand their plight.”
However students are also aware that preparation for the UPSC examinations is no bed of roses. “The UPSC is often referred to as the Unpredictable Public Service Commission since it never fails to throw a surprise to the candidates.
The unpredictability is compounded by the fact that the competition keeps rising – around nine lakh students are estimated to have applied for the exams this year,” says Jithin Krishnan, who quit his job at Mahindra Satyam to appear for the civil services exam.
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“Even if I don’t get through this year I would not have any regrets but I am sure I would have regretted it if I did not ever try this exam. My back-up plan in case I am not able to clear in two attempts is to do a rural management course,” continues Jithin, making it clear that it’s a conscious and well thought out decision.
It is the same tough decision that Shammi P. Madhu took when the Delhi-based youngster took the train to the city to train for the examination. “It was a tough decision for me since I had also cleared the national trials to represent the Indian Women’s Football team. However, I have always looked up to India’s diplomats and really want to join the Indian Foreign Service. Even though I understand it is slightly risky”” I am confident and my parents were also fully supportive of my decision,” explains Shammi who did her Philosophy Honours from Delhi University.
All of them are in the city to avail themselves of the coaching services provided in the city, coaching that has seen many candidates break into the top ranks of the PSC.
“Being a long drawn process there is bound to be some low points for everyone when they doubt their decision. Everyone needs to find a support system to keep the motivation levels high and my source of inspiration is my teachers and friends,” responds Jasmine when asked about maintaining the tempo of studies for more than a year.
“After completing my B.Tech from RIT, Kottayam, I was planning to join some institute in Delhi for my preparation but in 2013 three of the top four ranks were cornered by Keralites, which is when many of my friends suggested preparing from the city,” says Thangkhokai.
Many of the candidates point out the importance of a group of like-minded people to motivate each other and study together. For instance, Deepak Jacob, who secured 57th rank in 2014 and had studied in Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram as part of his preparation for the IAS, elaborates: “There is no special advantage of going to Delhi or any other place since all facilities in terms of books and faculty are easily available. The key to success is finding likeminded people with same degree of determination and the chances of finding such a group is more in the city since it has many coaching institutes.”
K.P. Noufal, Director of Kerala State Civil Service Academy, says the most important quality needed for a civil service aspirant is passion to succeed.