The formula for success : Y R Patel IPS(R)

Every year during the month of May, the UPSC announces the results of the previous year's Civil-Services Examination selection list, and, also conducts preliminary examination of the current year. While a microscopic minority clears the exams in their very first attempt a majority do so only in their third or fourth attempts and a few others in their sixth to ninth attempts! Aspirants who have cleared the Civil Services but could not get into the IAS, and aspirants who have missed the selection by a whisker decide to try again.
During the 2006 selection, 525 were selected. Of 525 at the national level, 27 were from Karnataka. Of the 27, four got into the IAS/IFS, four into the IPS and 19 into the Group A and B services. Karnataka’s share was 5.5 per cent. During the 2007 selection 474 were selected. Karnataka’s representation is 4.5 per cent.
For the preliminary examination 2006, about two lakh aspirants appeared. After going through the selection process, in three stages, only 474 got selected finally. The rate of success is about 0.24%. Inspite of this, the number of aspirants is on the increase year after year. The representation of different regions and communities is changing and evolving. Karnataka’s representation in the all India Services was low and continues to be low. A multidimensional approach can help to increase the representation. A study of profiles of successful aspirants can help us get an insight into their success formula.
Self motivation

Muthyal Raju Reva and S Basavaraj both hail from a rural background. Both have experienced lack of infrastructural facilities. Their respective areas are under developed. These deficiencies did not deter them from taking on the civil service examination seriously. They have studied Engineering and Veterinary Science respectively. They dreamt of developing under developed areas. A lofty dream, sincere hardwork and single minded devotion helped them to reach the summit of success. They are real representatives of rural India. In one word they are self made.
Family

K J Divya is the daughter of a medical practitioner. She has also studied medicine. Her brother had cleared the civil service examinations three years back and is in the IFS. Encouraged by her parents and guided by her own brother, she took on herself to clear the exams. At 27 years and in her second attempt she cleared the Civil Service examination. She could easily get into the Indian Police Service, but she opted for the Indian Revenue Service.
Peer pressure

After completing their Engineering examination four friends discussed about which job they should take up. They decided to make up their mind to appear for the Civil Service Examination. They discussed about the scheme of examination, number of papers, number and types of questions, marks, subjects to be chosen and how to prepare for the examination etc. They purchased books together of different publications. They circulated these books among themselves for study. They adopted an interactive study method. After good preparation all of them appeared for the Civil Service examination and cleared them in their first to fourth attempts. Of the four, one is in the IAS, one is in the IPS and two are in group A services. Today they are all senior bureaucrats in different parts of India. Peer pressure and interactive study methods helped each one of them get into the Civil Services. This study method widened their comprehension and sharpened their focusing capacity.
Motivation by teacher

A newly appointed teacher enquired with Class VIII students about what they wanted to do after their education. Most students wanted to become doctors, engineers, etc. One lone girl said she wanted to become the Deputy Commissioner. From that day onwards all her classmates started calling her DC Mamatha. In effect her friends strengthened her resolve to become a Deputy Commissioner. After completing her graduation last year she applied for the Civil Service examination. She was from a rural area, but she came to Bangalore and discussed the scheme of examination, number and types of questions, types of subjects etc with expert. She took the assistance of experts even while filling up the form for the preliminary examination. The expert felt that her humility courage and level of confidence were very high. He is confident that she will clear her civil service examinations in one or two attempts. She thinks it is her teacher who motivated her to take on the Civil Service Examination.