Care of elderly, environment, get top priority

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Environment, garbage disposal and problems of elderly need urgent focus opined two of the eight female candidates who had cleared the 2015 civil service exams. Bhavya I.V., engineering graduate in electronics from CET here who cracked the UPSC code securing the 296th rank in her first attempt itself, said she was hopeful of making it to administrative services. “I  stand high chances of getting placed in revenue sector,” she added.

She said if she got into administrative service, her main focus would be on the elderly population. “It goes without saying that the elderly are one of the most neglected sections of our society. We need to create an environment where they are able to spend meaningful and healthy time for the rest of their lives,” she added.

On her preparations for the exam, Bhavya said apart from current affairs, selecting an optional subject of personal interest was equally important. “Regular reading of government publications and different newspapers also helps one to get hold of various aspects of different issues,” she said.

Ahead of  preparations for the mains, she took coaching at the NSS Academy for prelims, Neo IAS for interview and attended training classes for her optional subject Malayalam at Pala. Sreya A.S. who secured the 299th rank in her third attempt at the civil service exams, said it was comparatively easier this time. “I was an experienced player this time,” she said adding that sociology was her optional subject.

Having graduated from LBS Institute of Technology for Women, Poojappura, with a BTech in IT, she had attended coaching classes at Kerala State Civil Service Academy and Civil Service Institute Pala before appearing for the mains.   

According to her, environmental problems need to be resolved on priority to ensure better living for citizens. “Waste management, water scarcity and environmental degradation are some of the problems which need immediate answers,” she said and added that collective efforts were required to solve social issues.

She advised civil service aspirants to prepare differently for each stage. “Be confident in presenting facts at the prelims, build strong opinions for the mains and focus more on the native state to clear the interviews,” she said. Even though she is confident of getting placed as an IRS officer, she hopes
to improve her rank appearing for another attempt at the exams.