UPSC a waste of time? In a candid conversation on ‘The Neon Show’ podcast with Siddhartha Ahluwalia, Indian Economist Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), didn’t hold back on his views regarding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. He boldly stated that he considers it to be a “waste of time,” sparking a debate on the worthiness of pursuing a bureaucratic career through this grueling exam.
Aspiring to be a Civil Servant is Poverty of Aspirations – Indian Economist Sanjeev Sanyal
Sanyal shed light on what he termed as the ‘poverty of aspiration’ prevailing in India for decades. He pointed out examples from states like West Bengal and Bihar to underscore his argument. According to him, the lack of diverse role models leads to a limited scope of aspirations among the youth. Instead of dreaming big and aiming for innovation and entrepreneurship, many end up preparing for the UPSC exam as a means to escape the prevalent socio-political environment.
In Sanyal’s opinion, the obsession with cracking the UPSC exam diverts the energy and potential of the youth from more productive avenues. He stressed that while a bureaucracy is essential for any country, the vast number of aspirants dedicating their prime years to this exam doesn’t align with the nation’s developmental needs. Sanyal urged youngsters to explore diverse career paths and contribute to sectors like sports, entertainment, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and research, where their talents could flourish more effectively.
Sanyal expresses,
“I believe lakhs of young individuals spending their best years and peak time as well as energy trying to crack the UPSC exam is waste of time. Instead of aspiring to become a joint secretary, they should dream bigger, like Elon Musk or Mukesh Ambani.”
Furthermore, Sanyal criticized the bureaucratic system for its dull and monotonous nature, often revolving around mundane tasks of file processing. He emphasized that not everyone is suited for a bureaucratic career, and many individuals end up feeling disillusioned after entering the system.
Ahluwalia, the podcast host, highlighted the changing societal norms in India, where entrepreneurship is gaining prominence, challenging the traditional notion of job security. Sanyal agreed, stating that this shift in mindset signifies a broader change in Indian society, fostering innovation and creativity across various domains.
Moreover, Sanyal criticized the Indian intellectual sphere for its lack of expansion in knowledge boundaries. He pointed out the tendency to rely on past authorities rather than embracing new ideas and evidence-based arguments, hindering intellectual growth in the country.
In essence, Sanyal’s remarks on the UPSC exam sparked a discourse on the aspirations and career choices of Indian youth, urging them to explore diverse paths beyond the bureaucratic realm. His insights underscore the need for a shift in societal perspectives to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and intellectual growth in India.
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UPSC a waste of Time – Sanjeev Sanyal Full Podcast
Meanwhile,
The UPSC recently rescheduled the civil services preliminary examination from May 26 to June 16 due to the Lok Sabha elections. This examination, conducted annually by the UPSC, comprises three stages – preliminary, main, and interview – aimed at selecting officers for prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.
As per a notification issued by the UPSC last month, the anticipated number of vacancies to be filled through this year’s examination is around 1,056. The Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases starting April 19, will culminate in the counting of votes on June.
Sanjeev Sanyal has also written several books including The Indian Renaissance, Land of the Seven Rivers, and Revolutionaries : The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom.
