IAS: A Quest for Some and Dream for others

Once a great mind said that "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success." It was none other than Swami Vivekananda who is an inspiration to many people, not only in India, but also outside the country.

One of these dreams in our country is the exam held by Union Public Service Commission in India for Civil Service. The exam is by far one of the most challenging exams held in India. As many as five lac aspirants sits for the exam annually from which approximately 1000 most brilliant, hard-working and dedicated aspirants are selected. Though the words "brilliant, hard-working and dedicated aspirants" would be undermining the lakhs of other aspirants who have given their heart and soul for this exam as they are equally talented but unfortunately fall a bit short of luck. As Dream + Hard Work + Dedication + Luck = Success. Luck is also an important factor though not the only factor, which must be remembered.

Bureaucracy in India is a dream job for lakhs of aspirants and without crossing the tough exam procedure held for a year long, one cannot get a direct admission in the bureaucracy. But in my opinion the best possible way to get in is the Civil Service Exam held by UPSC itself as it gives brilliant youngsters the opportunity to be involved in the matters related to the country from within at a very early age and work hand in hand with the nationals.

UPSC has as many as 24 civil services but among them the top priority for the aspirants are the Indian Administrative Services(IAS), Indian Foreign Service(IFS), Indian Police Service(IPS) which are enlisted as the top services under UPSC. Though for me every services is equally important and equally prioritised as no work is small or less important.

The Exam of UPSC CSE Prelims is going to be held in about a month from now and I wish each and every aspirant All The Best and to give your 100%. As Bhagawat Gita preaches

                कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। 

             मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ २-४७

Read as:

                     Karmanye vadhikaraste

                    Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,

                Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma

                      Te Sangostvakarmani

Roughly translated as:

               You have the right to work only

                       but never to its fruits.

        Let not the fruits of action be your motive,

           nor let your attachment be to inaction. 

The Dream that a person can dare to see in their toughest times, is the Dream that makes one the toughest of a person. So, Dare to Dream Big.