Now civil services regain popularity

CHENNAI: A secure but challenging job of the civil services has suddenly become attractive for candidates who were once aspirants of the IT sector. While waiting for the IT companies to intimate their date of joining, a number of engineering students with offer letters have taken the initiative of appearing for competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

“There is an increase in the number of engineering students joining the coaching for civil services examination recently,” said Pattanam Sengodan Ravindran, Director of India’s premier IAS coaching institute Vajiram and Ravi.

“Around 50 per cent of the candidates who have joined our civil services coaching academy recently are engineering graduates,” said D.Shankar, Director of Shankar IAS Academy. J. Jegan, a biotechnology engineer who has been selected by an IT major has not yet been intimated by the company of his joining date.

Many IT aspirants from Bangalore, too, have joined the coaching classes as they now want to become a government official, said Mr. Shankar. Prabhu Roy Mathias, another engineering student who had been selected by an IT major said he had decided not to join the company.
Aloysius Xavier Lopez
Now civil services regain popularity

Comment: In view of the economic down slide, assured promotions and the steep hike of salaries for the IAS and IFS, there is a sudden spurt of candidates opting for civil services. Will the IT bubble burst enhance visibility and attract candidates to choose Military as a career option? MOD has to set its mode to attracting candidates to fill up the 11000 or so officers deficient in the three arms of the Military.