“As mentioned, it is fine to attempt the UPSC or other similar exams.”
New Delhi:
Former bureaucrats on Wednesday termed the Economic Advisory Council’s comments to Member Prime Minister’s Office (EAC-PM) Sanjeev Sanyal that five to eight years of preparation for the civil service exam by lakhs of students is “absurd” and “avoidable”. waste of youthful energy”.
They said millions aspire to be part of the sought after government services to contribute to nation building.
Sanyal has said that you should only take UPSC or other similar examinations if you want to become an administrator.
“As mentioned, it is fine to take the UPSC or other similar exams, but only if the person wants to become an administrator. The problem is that a lot of people take this exam repeatedly for 5 to 8 years 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.
Reacting to his comments, former IAS officer G Sundaram said, “It is absurd. India is a huge country. We are interested in a united India and that is why Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, (the first Home Minister of Independent India) established these services. such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. It’s all working well.” There may be certain shortcomings that can obviously be remedied, he said.
Sundaram, a 1962-batch IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre, who had quit his post as Tourism Minister, said, “His (Sanyal’s) comments were completely avoidable.” The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the civil service examination every year in three phases: preliminary test, main test and personality test (interview) to select officers for various central services.
SK Sarkar, former secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and Training, said Sanyal’s allegation was avoidable.
“It is not a waste of youthful energy or resources. I don’t agree with his statement,” said the 1979-batch IAS officer from West Bengal cadre.
He said many people aspire to be part of the government services. “These are the best services in India to contribute to nation building and development. His comments were avoidable.” Former IAS officer Sanjeev Chopra said Sanyal is entitled to his opinion but it is not in good taste to be critical of young people who want to become civil servants.
“Not everyone aspires to be an Ambani. People also want to be poets, painters and theater makers. Many want to work for the government. And in the government, there is no job more satisfying than a district assignment, or a post like JS (Joint Secretary ) in which you cover the entire domain,” he says.
“Sanyal is of course entitled to his opinion, but criticizing young women and men who want to become civil servants is not in good taste,” said Chopra, a 1985-batch IAS officer and also director of Mussoorie. based on Lal Bahadur Shastri of the National Academy of Administration – the country’s premier training institute for civil servants.
Another former bureaucrat, Kiran Puri, said preparing for the civil service exam “is not a waste of youthful energy”.
“Those who are academically strong and knowledgeable only join the civil service. Civil servants are needed to run this country,” the 1983 Central Secretariat official said.
If talented people do not devote their energy and attention to becoming part of the government services, how will the development of the country be ensured, she stated.
“We need the best minds to be part of the government services to contribute to the growth of the country and ensure further ease of governance,” said Puri, who has served as Secretary, Ministry of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. served. the Union Ministry of Human Resources.
However, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi partly agreed with Sanyal’s comments.
“He’s partly right. Young people spend seven to eight years preparing for the civil service exam. Some people are leaving lucrative jobs and high salaries to be part of these services,” he said.
Quraishi, a former IAS officer, suggested limiting the number of attempts to appear in the civil service exam.
“Excess attempts have been provided for the civil services exam. It may be limited to a maximum of three attempts as before. There may be some additional attempts for people belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and other backward classes. ” he said.
IPS officer Pankaj Chaudhary also disagreed with Sanyal’s comments.
“The civil services exam and UPSC act as role models for many youth. These comments were completely avoidable,” said Chaudhary, a 2009 batch IPS officer from the Rajasthan cadre.
He said the entire process of investigation by officials is transparent and provides a level playing field.
“I was a topper in Hindi in the Civil Services exam in 2008. Someone like me from a Hindi background could be a part of this service as the UPSC and Civil Services exam show that it is very credible and is unbiased,” said Chaudhary, who is the Superintendent of Community Police in Rajasthan.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by WhatsNew2Day staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)