Nothing wrong in the system, says UPSC state topper

Nakul hails from Kushalnagar and is the son of S K Satish and Shobha. He has an engineering degree from SJCE, Mysore. He was already selected for the Indian Revenue Service and is presently undergoing training at the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics in Faridabad.

Even though he had entered the IRS, Nakul wanted to give one final shot for better ranking. “I am absolutely ecstatic with the result. I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” Nakul gushed. He managed to study for the exams along with the field training he was undergoing in various places including North East and Srinagar.

Asked about his priorities as an officer, he said: “I do not believe there is anything wrong with the system, but I think it needs to be fine tuned and made a little more efficient.”

Making tangible change

Yeshwanth G V, 107th rank, is from Bangalore and completed his BE from National Institute of Technology, Suratkal, and was working with Strand Life Sciences. “But I was not satisfied with my job,” he says.

As someone who had been involved in a lot of student activities, he could not reach out to the people or help make a tangible change in their lives. He quit his job and immediately started preparing for Civil Services. Yeshwanth is happy with his result and has turned down final calls from IIM-Ahmedabad and IIM-Kolkata.

Beating her Dad

Another student from an agricultural background who cleared the exams is Deepa S Mudhol, who secured the 87th rank. Daughter of a Municipal Commissioner, Deepa was motivated by her father’s work. “But I had a secret wish to be in a more senior position than my father,” laughed Deepa.

When she called her mother to tell her the news, the only thing she was able to say was, “Mom, you are now the mother of an IAS officer!” Deepa hails from Jhamkhandi taluk in Bagalkot.

Priya Buddi (391st rank) of Hubli attributes her success to the unstinting support given by her family. Priya was drawn towards Civil Services, while she was pursuing MSc Agriculture in Delhi.

Though her parents were worried about her being posted to remote places, her husband stood by her all the way. Priya said: “I was a little worried since I come from Kannada medium. But my seniors helped me with guidance and material.” Priya is presently an agricultural scientist in Hyderabad.