Is UPSC exam a national pass time?

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New Delhi: Nearly 3,00,000 candidates sit for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination every year. Appearing for the UPSC takes endless hours of preparation and innumerable anxious moments.

The list of those who spend valuable time making several attempts to pass the exam, but still success has eludes them is a long one. However, for those who are addicted to experience of preparing for the exam, it is a viscious circle.

"It's like an addiction. First the 'pre', then the 'mains' and then the interview - it is like a viscious circle. If one makes it in one attempt, well and good, if not, one still feels - I have reached somewhere. And one doesn't realise how four to five years are spent in the struggle," says an IAS aspirant.

The UPSC permits four attempts for a general category candidate and seven attempts for OBCs. However, for SC/ST candidates, the Government allows unlimited attempts.

Only a small fraction of candidates crack the UPSC in the first attempt. For most of the others, it's a long road. And for those coming from small towns, it's even more difficult.

"Since the people do not get even the basic information about the examinations, the first few attempts are wasted in understanding the exam knowhow," says an IAS aspirant.

Only one in six hundred makes it and most aspirants find themselves on the wrong side of 30 when they run out of attempts.

"Once you are left behind, nobody takes care of you. By that time, you ultimately miss your attempts and there are very few things that one can do," says another aspirant.

The UPSC is one of the most coveted exam of the country, but for those who are unsuccessful, there are few options. It's time the Government rethink about the way UPSC exams are conducted in the country.