The post ignited a renewed debate on the rigorous demands of the exam, with a former IPS officer raising concerns about the lengthy preparation period.
The announcement of Shakti Dubey as the topper of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 was celebrated nationwide, but it also sparked a new debate on the exam’s demanding preparation cycle. A former IPS officer raised concerns about the length of the process, questioning whether it was taking a toll on the youth.
Dubey’s path to securing Rank 1 took six years and five attempts, with Political Science and International Relations as her optional subject. This lengthy journey led former IPS officer Yashovardhan Jha Azad to voice his opinion on social media.
“Congratulations to Shikha Dubey for ranking first in the UPSC exam. But five attempts mean six years of struggle—the best years of youth spent in coaching? The exam and interview process should be revamped. We are regulators at best, and to be one, you need leadership, integrity, and common sense. Best to limit the number of attempts to two, with an age limit of 25,” Azad wrote on X, tagging prominent civil service bodies.
He further added, “This obsession with UPSC is costing the nation a fortune, wasting the youth’s potential for 5 to 6 years. Coaching institutes are reaping huge profits.”
The post received mixed reactions. One user argued, “Success in any field requires time and money. Someone from a humble background may not be able to become a lawmaker, but with dedication, they can become a civil servant.”
Another commenter warned, “Imposing an age limit as some elites wish would harm the poor the most.”
A third individual added, “Who benefits from more attempts? The coaching industry. But the candidate also needs proper training, which the current syllabus and system may not provide.”
Despite the debate, Dubey’s achievement remains inspiring. Her success highlights the diverse representation of candidates in this year’s results, with UPSC data showing that of the 1,009 candidates recommended for appointment, there is strong representation across General (335), EWS (109), OBC (318), SC (160), and ST (87) categories. Currently, 241 candidates are on the provisional list, with one result still pending.
The final stage of the 2024 UPSC process, the interview round, was conducted for 2,845 candidates and concluded in April. Initially, the commission announced 1,056 vacancies, which were later increased to 1,132 positions across the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other Group A and B roles.
