Civil services still top career pick of Indian youth: Assocham study

The dream to become a civil servant, specifically an IAS officer, remains the preferred choice of the youth, according to a recent paper released by industry body Assocham.

The report released by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) said the IAS remained the top most choice for the aspirants who are enamoured by the power, salaries and perks, and above all, the social status that goes with the civil servants.

As many as 11,35,943 candidates applied for the civil services preliminary examination in 2016 as compared to 9,45,908 in 2015 – the number of aspirants increasing by almost two lakhs, as per the data sourced from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

As per the official data, a total of 4,65,882 candidates actually appeared for the preliminary examination in 2015.

A body carried out a field survey of over 650 candidates appearing for the civil services examination.

Traditionally, the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) has been the second best choice for aspirants because of the “cool and intellectual” nature of the job but more candidates are now aspiring for the Indian Police Service (IPS), if they cannot make it to the IAS.

“Power, position and social status are the driving forces, though the job involves security risks especially in some of the troubled regions, requiring a different kind of personal commitment,” the paper reported.

It also found there has been an increased intake in the civil services from some of the economically backward states like Bihar and Odisha.

“This may also be possible because more aspirants from advanced states like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra are opting for highend private jobs either in India or abroad after completing engineering and MBAs from global educational institutions,” said deputy director of Assocham Manju Negi.

It has also been noted that some of the students from business schools and engineering colleges are also opting for civil services.

“Here, more than anything else, the driving force is the desire to make a difference in the society,” Negi said.

AS MANY AS 11,35,943 CANDIDATES APPLIED FOR THE CIVIL SERVICES PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION IN 2016 AS COMPARED TO 9,45,908 IN 2015, IN INCREASE OF BY ALMOST TWO LAKHS