Why One Should Prepare for Civil Services Examination?

Some people adapt to the mould of time’ but some people transform the frame of time.

In fact, these poetic lines reflect the aim of life to a certain extent. In fact, every aspirant tries to find the purpose of one’s life, i.e., to select a good and suitable career according to one’s own inclination, talent, interest and ability., to achieve one’s ambitions and attain satisfaction through perfection and to find meaning in life as well as earn a respectable living. To develop one’s own personality and to do something unique and great, is the inherent desire of every aspirant. Their tendency of dreaming big ultimately tales the aspirants to the zenith of achievement. Dr Kalam aptly says, “Dream dream dream! Conduct these dreams into thought, then transform them into action”.

          If an aspirant achieves great in life, he/she becomes a role model in one’s own field through an expression of creativity and unprecedented performance in the field of literature, music and arts, engineering, medicine, cinema, sports, politics, administration and social service.

          The Fundamental Duties of our Constitution states,

          “To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of Endeavour and achievement.”

The basic idea of this constitutional fundamental duty is that every citizen, irrespective of the field he/she is engaged in, should improve his/her personal as well as social life and achieve success through continuous efforts.

To clear the Civil Services Examination of Union Public Services Commission, or State Public Service Commissions, and become a part of the Indian Civil Service can be a great option for those who are searching for a meaning in their lives. The  pertinent question is that why one should choose the Civil Services (I.A.S., I.P.S., I.F.S., I.R.S. etc.) , when there are hundreds of other options for finding meaning in one’s life and earning a respectable living. Undoubtedly, before starting the preparation for any examination, one should know very well why one wants to be in that particular field.

In my view, there always some motivational factors for the young aspirants of the Civil Services. Let us have a brief discussion on some of these factors.

For performing well in any field or examination, a strong desire, dedication, devotion and brio are the pre-requisites, as without a certain level of motivation and enthusiasm, the aspirants may abandon their aim or get diverted from the path of success. Thus, a certain level of motivation and positive thinking is mandatory prior to and during the preparation of Civil Services Examination.

I feel that the Civil Services, by following the values of Constitution of India and the Law, provide a huge opportunity to contribute meaningfully and effectively. These Services are known as the ‘Steel Frame’ of the country, because they contribute to the implementation and regulation of the plans and schemes in the field of agriculture, industry, employment, law and order, railways and posts, information technology, power, science, education, health, land, revenue, culture and welfare of the marginalized class etc. which are directly or indirectly linked to the lives of the common man.

Another important feature of the Civil Services is the diversity of its work. There is hardly any field in a citizen’s life where the Civil Services do not contribute to. The civil servants, by using their talent and ability and by performing well in their respective work-field can play an effective role in the building of the society and country.

The feeling of self-satisfaction and the dense of achieving the meaning of our existence are the motivational factors behind becoming a Civil Servant.  Have you ever imagined the level of happiness and satisfaction when you are able to transform the life of a poor and helpless old woman by getting her pension rereleased, which has been stopped for quite some time; or when you succeed in bringing about a positive change in the lives of people from the marginalized class, scheduled caste/Scheduled tribe, backward class, minority, differently abled persons, women, children, senior citizens, landless farmers and laborers from the unorganized sector by implementing the Public Welfare Schemes? Following the principles and values of the Constitution of India, we should work towards the implementation of ‘Rule of Law’ and become an integral part of the campaign to provide a better environment for the upcoming generations. In the twenty-first century, we need to take an inspiration from the passion of our freedom fighters, and contribute towards the developmental process of the country to make it a ‘superpower’.

The teachers, doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, architects, advocates, journalists, artists, bankers, managers, businessmen, industrialists, and social-workers etc. play their respective roles in the various areas of life while Civil Servants contribute directly or indirectly towards the policy-making at the medium to higher level, decision-making and implementation at a magnanimous platform. Let’s take the instance of Shree Rajesh Patil, an I.A.S Officer of Odisha cadre„ who worked as a child-labur in a small village in Maharashtra, but when he became a Collector, he made the district, under his jurisdiction free from Child Labour.

The Civil Services can be a better medium for working on the lines of the key teachings of Gandhiji. Gandhiji used to say that, “I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man (woman) whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him (her). Will he (she) gain anything by it. Will it restore him (her) to a control over his (her) own life and destiny?”

Even a single step taken to fulfill the dream of Gandhiji, can give an immense satisfaction and immeasurable pleasure. The Civil Services provide with such opportunities on a daily basis, when we can take a small but definite step towards fulfilling the dream of Gandhiji.

Undoubtedly, the Civil Services are the highly prestigious and respectable career options for any young aspirant, if he/she longs for the prestige and social recognition. In fact, this 24 x 7 job is a service, not merely a job. The preparation of Civil Services can not be done only because of these reasons. If you dream of joining the Indian Administrative Service, and you possess the requisite enthusiasm, dedication and devotion; then you ought to be keen about the incidents happening all over the world, feel the concern and empathy towards your society and country, and put all your efforts to fulfill your dream. A sky full of hopes awaits you.