Expressing concern about students investing excessive time in preparation, Ranjan spoke on the need for dedicated study periods. “Being one of the toughest examinations, it needs your full dedication for at least one year. You can have a job and simultaneously prepare. It should not be more than three attempts,” he said.Ranjan shed light on the challenges and rewards of a civil services career, acknowledging frequent transfers and political interference as downsides.”Despite completing my MBA from IIM, I opted for a career in civil services, recognising it as a fulfilling journey filled with excitement every day,” shared Ranjan. Shedding light on the challenges, he acknowledged the downside of frequent transfers and potential political interference in the job.“There are more frequent transfers in states like Uttar Pradesh compared to Tamil Nadu. In a democracy, politicians are the masters, and collaboration with them is inevitable. While respecting politicians and acknowledging the necessity of political intervention, one must adhere to the rule of law and the Constitution. Avoiding any inappropriate connections with politicians is crucial to avoid criticism. Simultaneously, maintaining a balance is essential, and complete mistrust of politicians is not advisable,” said Ranjan.Discussing reforms in civil services, Jindal foresaw an increased focus on specialisation and acquiring additional degrees among civil servants.“For example, a lot of civil servants, after a few years of service, go to study and get skilled and come back. Even at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the training is now interdisciplinary,” he added, pointing towards the evolving nature of civil service training.
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