(Disclaimer: The following content is based mostly on my own perception, observations and limited experience whatever I have gathered so far as a rookie Civil Servant: still too young to make these sweeping observations though).
I had been seriously pursuing Civil Services as a career option right from Senior Secondary (School) days. The zeal and urge for becoming an IAS went on increasing thereafter so much so that I still remember, during our first (official) introduction at College, I straightaway introduced myself as an aspirant whose dream is to become a Civil Servant (read IAS). I hope, now you can relate to what must have been going through my mind when I said those words! Anyways, I kept on pursuing this dream of mine from college days and joined a Coaching in Delhi straightaway after graduation (B.Tech.) in 2016, though I had a placement offer of TCS in my kitty then.
Fast forward to 5 attempts at UPSC so far (2 Mains, 1 Interview) and 2 attempts at state (now UT) PCS, when I successfully qualified the JKAS exam in 2020 and officially entered into the world of Civil Services. It has really been a roller-coaster ride till now. Then came (arguably) the most earnestly desired part: TRAINING. Starting from 'Foundation Course' at JKIMPA&RD which was almost how we had expected it to be. Young Officer Trainees from three services (JKAS, JKPS, Accounts) striving to build their foundation with healthy interactions, games, unofficial outings (unfortunately we didn't get a chance for official trips until the FC was almost over, thanks to the 'fear' of COVID). To get the real feel of how our training days were, you may check-out this video made by one of our JKPS batchmates Mr. Vikram Nag:
Thereafter, as per our training policy, OTs from two services (JKPS, Accounts) went to their respective academies for further training, and we remained at IMPA&RD Jammu for year long Phase-I training (where our batch-mates from Kashmir also joined us- we were separately undergoing training at Jammu & Srinagar until then, again all thanks to COVID). Hardly, two months had passed when the dreadful second-wave of COVID arrived in April(2021) end and we were posted out of JKIMPA&RD to various districts and places (Airport, Railway Station, Lakhanpur entry point etc.) to support in COVID mitigation efforts. Meanwhile, our batch-mates from Police and Accounts continued their respective trainings. This was a learning phase for almost all of us as we got some on-field first-hand experience into the world of administration, man-management, and basic office-ethos etc.
Later, when the COVID situation improved and we were expecting our 'training' to be resumed, we were posted in Rural Development Department (September end) for our services to be utilized as Block Development Officers. Getting independent charge as BDOs even without substantial training, we naturally found it very difficult to survive in these 'challenging' postings. However, with time, as we are familiarizing with the set-up, understanding basic nuances of RDD, we are slowly settling in.
But, we still miss the training part, we still earnestly wish that our academic training at JKIMPA&RD is resumed so that we have some predictability in the foundational years of our career. When I see my friends who qualified UPSC and are undergoing training at the coveted LBSNAA (FC) and other academies, I feel what separates IAS (& other Central, AIS services) from State Civil Services is the robust Systemic set-up in the former which has institutionalized these services as compared to relatively less-systemic and less predictable State Civil Services.
But, how's the life of IAS (other AIS & Central Service) officers different from those of State (read J&K) Civil Service Officers. First thing that separates the two is the degree of recognition and acceptability where the former surpasses the latter substantially. Secondly, the degree of predictability in terms of Career progression where again the former is a clear winner. Thirdly, the field level connect, wherein the latter (State Civil Services) has a clear edge over the former.
However, as they say, with power comes responsibility. Hence, greater the degree of power/authority, the more are the responsibilities. Moreover, as rightly said, Comparison is the thief of Joy. The more one is involved in comparisons, the more unsatisfied s/he is likely to be. Both services have their own flavor
and charm unique to themselves.
The first and foremost duty of the Civil Servant is to do justice to whatever role and duty one has been assigned. Striving to do justice to THE DUTY.
ADIOS!
Thank you for your post. This is excellent information.
ReplyDeleteDon Mains