AT PU CENTRE IN CHANDIGARH, PRELIMS IS THE MAIN AIM

CHANDIGARH: Since the inception of the centre for Indian administrative services (IAS) and other competitive examinations at Panjab University in 1996, the focus has been entirely on the preliminary exam.

The centre is approved by the UT social welfare department for assistance to economically weaker sections and reserved categories. It has also been providing coaching for competitive examinations other than the IAS.

Director of the centre, Ashutosh Kumar said, “We do not offer any training for the mains exam. We are like a finishing school. We also offer mock interview sessions after the applicants clear the mains.”

The centre, he said, has never maintained any record if any of the students cleared the IAS. “None of our students has got back to us to on that either.” From memory, though, he informed, “Two years ago, one of our students had cleared an Indian Foreign Service exam. In 2016, of the 70 students, five cleared the prelims. On an average, one or two manage to clear the prelims. Every year, 300-400 students apply for the admission. We hardly charge them. It’s only Rs 10,000 for the reserved category students.”

When asked why the centre does not offer training for the mains exam, the director said that it largely attracts PU students who are still pursuing courses and wish to take training for the mains “from somewhere else”. However, the centre has planned to increase seats from 70 to 80 this year, considering the demand.

We do not offer any training for the mains exam. We are like a finishing school. We also offer mock interview sessions after the applicants clear the mains. ASHUTOSH KUMAR, centre for Indian administrative services (IAS) and other competitive exams, PU