New Delhi:

 Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal has said that 5-8 years of preparation for civil services examination by lakhs of students is a ‘waste of youthful energy’.

Mr Sanyal said one should only attempt UPSC or other such examinations if one wants to become an administrator.

“As mentioned, it (is) perfectly fine to attempt the UPSC or other such exams, but only if the person wants to be an administrator.

“The problem is that lakhs of people are spending 5-8 years repeatedly doing this exam as a ‘way of life’. This is such a waste of youthful energy,” he said in a series of posts on social media platform X.

Mr Sanyal further said it may come as a surprise, but his view is shared by most bureaucrats, who cleared the exam at some point.

“An attempt or two is fine for those who really want this path, but spending your entire 20s for it…is unhealthy,” he said.

The economist pointed out that an entire industry “indeed entire cities like Kota” is dedicated to taking an exam where less than 1 per cent of applicants will succeed.

“And this is (happening) every year. Imagine this huge effort being directed at other fields,” he said.

UPSC conducts the civil services examination every year in three stages – preliminary, mains and personality test (interview) – to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday postponed the civil services preliminary examination to June 16 from May 26 due to the Lok Sabha elections.

The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

“Due to the schedule of the impending general election, the commission has decided to postpone the civil services (preliminary) examination-2024 which also serves as a screening test for the Indian Forest Service examination, 2024, from 26-05-2024 to 16-06-2024,” it said.

EXAMINATION NOTICE No. 05/2024 CSP

Re-scheduling of CS(P)-IFoS(P) Examination, 2024

Details : https://t.co/fgXX8mm5ot#UPSC@PIB_Indiahttps://t.co/Aa2RV2agNz

— Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (@upsc_official) March 19, 2024

The number of vacancies to be filled through this year’s examination is expected to be approximately 1,056, according to a UPSC notification issued last month.

The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes will be on June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Cracking the UPSC Civil Services exam remains a coveted goal for many in India, and IAS officer Sonal Goel has shared her UPSC marksheet to inspire and motivate people “to believe in their abilities”. Ms Goel, who cracked the UPSC Civil Services exam in 2008, recounted her initial setback in 2007 when she fell short of qualifying for the interview stage due to low marks in General Studies papers.

“However, this setback fueled my determination to leave no stone unturned in achieving my goal,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday and emphasised the importance of dedication and relentless effort.

“I then devoted myself entirely to mastering the General Studies paper and improving at other aspects of Mains emphasising on Notes making, repeated revisions and #AnswerWriting. I poured my heart and soul into every aspect of the syllabus , alongwith pursuing my LLB from Delhi University and doing a part time job as CS – Company Secretary.

“In my second attempt, I not only cleared the exam but also achieved the highest marks in General Studies compared to my optional subjects—Commerce and Public Administration,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Ms Goel conveyed a valuable lesson for aspirants, stating, “It’s a reminder that with dedication and relentless effort, no obstacle is insurmountable.”

Encouraging aspirants to learn from setbacks, she urged them to view every failure as an opportunity for learning, improvisation, and ultimate triumph.

“Believe in your abilities, pursue your goals with passion, and never lose sight of your dreams. It is through perseverance that greatness is achieved,” the IAS officer wrote.

Along with the long note and a picture of her marksheet, Ms Goel said, “Nostalgic moment as I came across my #UPSC Civil Services 2007 #Mains marksheet, reminding me of the trials and triumphs that led to final selection.”

Nostalgic moment as I came across my #UPSC Civil Services 2007 #Mains marksheet, reminding me of the trials and triumphs that led to final selection in #May2008 Results ????????

I just want to share with the aspirants that in my first attempt, I fell short of getting an Interview call… pic.twitter.com/9VY8k6sFqQ

— Sonal Goel IAS ???????? (@sonalgoelias) February 21, 2024

The post has garnered instant attention online, resonating with aspirants from various backgrounds.

A user commented, “Congratulations. Very nice and motivating for all UPSC aspirants specially students taking Commerce and Law as their educational curriculum.”

Congratulations. Very nice and motivating for all UPSC aspirants specially students taking Commerce and Law as their educational curriculum. Can you please share your complete educational qualification which I think will further encourage aspirants.

— ratnesh nandkeolyar (@ratnesh_123) February 21, 2024

Another wrote, “Great to see. Currently children don’t have many role models and are worshipping/following “self serving only” individuals and are away from reality. This post is a great one to start!”

Gr8 to see. Currently children dont have many role models and are worshipping/following “self serving only” individuals and are away from reality. This post is a great one to start!

— San_Jeev (@Sanjeevuniverse) February 23, 2024

Sonal Goel’s story serves as a powerful reminder that with self-belief and hard work, individuals can overcome challenges.

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday announced giving financial assistance of Rs 7,500 to civil service aspirants as a stipend.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for for Youth Welfare and Sports Development said, “Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Indian Bank service, Railways job, our Dravidian model’s aim is to get those jobs. Karunanidhi wanted first-family graduate students. Periyar Anna and Karunanidhi worked for the upliftment of youths. In the same way, our Chief Minister (MK) Stalin is also working.”

“Our Naan Mudhalvan scheme is a great one from which 13 lakh students benefited and 1.5 lakh students got jobs. Youths should get central Government jobs. This Naan Mudhalvan scheme will help fulfil the dream of youths,” he added.

The minister said that there are many facilities in Tamil Nadu provided by the state government but the participation of youths from the state has decreased.

“There are many facilities in Tamil Nadu provided by the state government but the pass percentage of our state youths in UPSC exams is very low which is shocking. Once there was 10 percent of TN youths in central government jobs but after 2016, now it has decreased to just 5 percent. That’s why we started training centres for the youths on UPSC aspirants and now we distribute financial assistance to those. Through this we are going to give Rs 7,500 to 1,000 students for 10 months,” Udhayanidhi Stalin said.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)