'Absurd And Avoidable', Ex-Bureaucrats React To Sanjeev Sanyal's 'UPSC Is Waste Of Time' Comment

Several former bureaucrats have said that the comment of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal that youths were wasting time preparing for the UPSC Civil Service Exam, was 'avoidable'.

It is absurd: G Sundaram IAS

"It is absurd. India is a vast country. We are interested in a united India and that is why Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, (the first home minister of Independent India) created these services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. It is all working well," former IAS officer G Sundaram said.

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"It is not a waste of youthful energy or resources. I don't agree with his assertion," said the 1979-batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

Avoidable: SK Sarkar IAS

"These are the best services in India to contribute towards nation-building and development. His comments were avoidable," SK Sarkar, former secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training, said.

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Entitled to his views: Sanjeev Chopra IAS

Former IAS officer Sanjeev Chopra said Sanyal is entitled to his views but to be critical of youths who wish to be civil servants is not in good taste.

"Not everyone aspires to be an Ambani. People also want to be poets, painters and thespians. Many want to work for the government. And in the government there is no job more fulfilling than a district assignment, or a posting as a JS (joint secretary) in which you cover the entire domain," he said.

Not a waste: Kiran Puri IAS

Another former bureaucrat, Kiran Puri, said preparing for the civil services examination "is not a waste of youthful energy".

"Those who are academically strong and knowledgeable, they only join the civil services. Civil servants are needed to run this country," the 1983-batch Central Secretariat Service officer said.

If talented people do not devote their energy and attention towards becoming a part of the civil services then how will the nation's development be ensured, she posed.

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Partially right: SY Quraishi

Former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi, however, partially agreed with Sanyal's comments.

"He is partially right. Young people are putting in seven to eight years preparing for the civil services examination. Some people leave lucrative jobs and hefty salaries to be a part of these services," he said.

What sanyal said

Earlier, Sanyal had said that pursuing UPSC exams should be a choice made only by those genuinely interested in becoming administrators.

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"I still think way too many young kids who have so much energy are wasting their time trying to crack the UPSC. I'm not saying you don't want people to take the exam,¡± Sanyal said.

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