Power shift
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With monotony creeping into the software and BPO sector, attention is now turning back to the rewarding and satisfying Civil Services. Sudhish Kamath surveys the scene.
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Making a difference to society ... a District Collector interacting with farmers. — Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
THE WINDS of change are here finally. If movies reflect the collective consciousness of our society, it is the season of `Swades.' `Pardes' is now passé. Many who went in search of greener pastures abroad have returned home, post 9/11.
It is the era of `Saamy' (where Vikram played an IPS officer, Deputy Commissioner of Tirunelveli) and `Madurae' (Vijay, the IAS officer who takes over as Collector of Madurai.) Not just on film.
For, it is also the month which witnessed Special Task Force chief, Vijay Kumar IPS, and team kill Veerappan.
And, it was also a week when former Chief Election Commissioner T.N.Seshan called for a press conference to express concern over the decline in the number of students appearing for the civil services examinations.
Yes, the civil services are once again in the limelight.
With monotony creeping into the high-paying jobs in the software and BPO (business process outsourcing) sectors, court-battles delaying admissions into medical and engineering courses and abundance of MBA and communication courses, the only competitive, lucrative and yet satisfying job sector today seems to be that of the civil services.
The one big advantage — it will give you the power to bring in the change you want to see in the country.
"There is fear of corruption and ministerial interference which discourages students from considering a career in civil services. But there are many honest IAS and IPS officers who have been doing good work," says Mr. Seshan, who also chairs Pragnya Academy for Career Excellence (PACE), a centre that provides coaching for students interested in the civil services.
"Do not look at it as rotten or unreachable. Civil services will give you much more satisfaction than any other job, apart from an opportunity to serve the country," he tells the youth.
Pay packet
Civil services do provide a reasonably good salary. The perks just make the whole pay packet a lot more attractive -- housing, medical facilities, education etc.
"It compares well with a software job where you start off with a Rs.17,000 salary," Mr.Seshan says.
Educational requirement
Should have completed 21 years of age but not more than 30 years as on August of the year of the examination. He/She should have passed a degree examination or be appearing for the final degree examination by April/May.
Training Institutes
Many institutes provide training for civil service exams. (There are also the rare few free coaching classes. Watch out for announcements in the newspapers).
Coaching classes usually start a year ahead of the examinations and conduct periodic tests to evaluate speed of progress. The first batch at PACE, for example, started on July 1. Another batch will commence on November 15. Mr. Seshan himself conducts classes on Sundays. More details can be had from Ph: 2434 5868.
Anna IAS Academy also has a full-time course starting on November 17. The Academy also has a two-year part-time course for college students and hostel facilities for outstation aspirants. Details are available at Ph: 2245 6892.
Selection Procedure
The preliminary examination is held around May, followed by the main examination around October.
The successful candidates then face an interview panel in the first quarter of the next year.
Last year, only 3.71 per cent of candidates who appeared for the preliminary examination made it to the main examination. Only about 20 per cent were then selected for the final interview and over 35 per cent then get absorbed into the civil services.
So if you wanted to change the world, make a start. Change the country.
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