Success in Civil Services Exam is not the end of lifetime goal, but a beginning

Experience from Inspiring IAS / IPS Officers show that the real success is when social goals and developmental objectives are best achieved. Success of the IAS / IPS officer lies in the success of the society and not just the exam. Speaking to The Young Hans Thejaswaroop, Director - Pragnya IAS Academy points the strategy for the sound preparation of the exam.

What is the right age to start preparation for Civil Services Exam?
On average candidates succeed the exam at around 28-30yrs. This must be brought down to 22-23 yrs to infuse youthful vigor, energy and innovation into civil services. Therefore preparation should start while perusing graduation or immediately after graduation. This is the main reason why Pragnya IAS Started providing Integrated Degree with IAS Coaching.

What Degree should candidateschoose if they have to become IAS / IPS Officer?
Candidate from any degree will have almost equal opportunity. What is required is students with sound mind and motivation. The below data shows the diversity of graduation and civils is not favorable to any one field.

What strategy does Pragnya IAS adopt to train candidates?
‘Tell the students, and they will forget’ – ‘show them and they may remember’ – ‘Involve them and they will learn’–Pragnabelieves and practices this principle. Our coaching integrates the principles that focus on the student's needs and to harness their inner wisdom so that they can understand to the fullest. Also, weconstantly need to question the traditional approaches to education and embrace new modes of learning to help create the next generation of leaders. We have been consistently working to provide Live Interactive streaming classes, 24 X 7 Recorded lectures, accessible to students at the time of needy with least possible price. Pragnya IAS has been focusing to fully reap the benefits of multiple ways of learning and teaching.

How educational technology can be used at the graudation level?
Despite its importance, Education seems to have been missed by the Internet revolution. Not much seems to have changed since I was a student some 15-20 years ago, may it be at the secondary school or pre-university or the graduation levels. Technological developments if well integrated at all levels, will close the gap between higher education and the labor market and usher in a new era in human capital. I believe that the market for competencies will ultimately put unprecedented pressure on colleges and universities to unbundle the degree and integrate education driven by technology

There are Some Contemporary Educational Paradoxes Engineering, or Medical or Charted accountancy or other courses have been literally unaffordable without Government support. Less than 40% of students work in the same field they studied. 70-80% of the Graduates believe their college did not prepare them well for employment. Students are doing their Graduation because they were told that it is “the right thing to do” Often without basic thought on Job Industry or the skills needed for the economy. These paradoxes can be addressed by leveraging on the online platforms at universities to help drive down the cost of a degree and increase access to new skills. Only then Youth will be a productive capital asset and not a burden on the economy.

Do Pragnya IAS Academy have plans to make South India compete with North India in the field of UPSC preparation?
There is good training already available in South Indian cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai. What is needed is to consistently strive to deliver the best quality training. Another issue need to be addressed is affordability. Our Satellite Technology based online classes can address this problem. The below graph shows the difference, Karnataka is under-represented and same is the case with few other south Indian states. We are also planning to launch more regional centres in Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu and telangana States. This can help us to produce more IAS / IPS Officers from these states.

Do you think Civil Services are making progress on gender diversity ?
The Women Leaders Index shows that most G20 countries are improving gender equality amongst civil service leaders. With respect to Indian Civil Services, the representation is not satisfactory. Around 80-85% of civil services is male represented and only 15-20% by the female. In Indian society, the age 22 – 26 is very important for women as need to get settled in terms of career and marriage. So they cannot afford 3 to 4 years of preparation during this period. Pragnya IAS leverages on Satellite Tech based training so that they can prepare while graduating or while working and can crack the exam in the first attempt.

There has been positive signs towards addressing other challenges like patriarchial tendencies, political and bureaucratic culture etc. This can significantly engender administration. Pragnya IAS aims to double the Female representation in the next 5 years.

Are there any changes in the pattern or the eligibility criteria?
Many of the Government appointed committees have proposed on the reduction on age limit and removal of optional subject. Reduction of Age limit will lead to political unrest. If it really happens, government might provide ventilation period for the candidates who are in the Margin of the current age limits. Also Universities might resist the removal of optional subject, as it reduces the importance of social sciences. Even in that case, I view that even to excel in general studies, one need to study social sciences.

Any special scholarships for weaker sections at your organisation?
At Pragnya IAS, we provide scholarships solely based on Income status irrespective of religion, caste or other community. Annually we provide scholarships to 300-350 students who are financially week. We do this without any government support.

What other information should a beginner know about the exam?
Candidates should perfectly understand the syllabus, and its changing trends. Exam notification dates, previous year question paper analysis, books and websites to refer etc. Candidates should know what to read and most importantly what not to read as time is very limited and syllabus is very vast. All this information is clearly discussed in our website www.pragnyaias.com or helpline no: +91 7288081111.