India recently celebrated the announcement of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 results. At the top of the list was Shakti Dubey, who secured Rank 1 after a long journey of six years and five attempts, with Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjects.
However, retired IPS Officer, Yashovardhan Jha Azad, congratulated Shakti on her achievement but questioned whether the current UPSC system is fair to aspirants or even to the country.
According to him, six years of preparation means losing the prime years of one’s youth to coaching, mock tests, and endless revisions. He argued that civil servants don’t need to be textbook toppers but people with leadership skills, integrity, and common sense.
“Should we subject our precious youth to waste years & years on an exam. In these years, they could have mastered an area & joined laterally later if they wished – contributing more. Our exam and interview style shd change – we are Regulators at best and for that you need Leadership, spine, integrity and commitment all with common sense. Best to give only 2 chances with age limit 25,” he wrote on X.
Have a look at his full post here:
Congratulations to Shikha Dubey, ranking first in UPSC result. But 5 attempt means 6 years of toil – the best years of youth gone in coaching? There were 5 lakhs who tried and keep trying. Should we subject our precious youth to waste years & years on an exam. In these years,…
— Yashovardhan Jha Azad (@yashoazad) April 23, 2025
This opinion, as expected, received a lot of strong reactions online.
Some agreed with him, pointing out that the current system is unnecessarily long and demanding. Others strongly disagreed, saying that limiting attempts and imposing a stricter age limit would hurt candidates from humble backgrounds who can’t afford expensive coaching or full-time study in their early 20s.
Have a look at some of the reactions here:
Sir,Every field demands time and money to succeed.
In politics and business, if one wants to succeed, he must have money and resources to achieve his targets.
But with the grace of Vidya, if one has time and is willing to work hard, he can accomplish his dream.
Someone from a…— shahid parwez BAS (@andlibsh) April 23, 2025
If age limit is imposed that elitists so wish, it’s gonna hurt the poor the most because rich will send their kids to all coaching anyways!
UPSC isn’t just exam, it’s a power pie long monopolised by rich middle class.Ask govt. to provide quality education in the villages first!
— Anand (@anandnaama) April 23, 2025
Sir we have seen how bogus lateral entry is . Literally Kith and kin of lateral entrants are offered top positions in mnc as bribes for favourable decisions. We can have exam for mid level admin like JS , DS . Without exam it will be Give and Take
— Swarup (@Swarupbanni) April 24, 2025
it’s not about job sir. it’s about service. very few jobs in this nation gives you a direct touch with the masses. to improve their well-being. one can actually see his/her hard work getting paid off in real time. that’s why guys like them choose to give 5 6 attempts.
— Ashok Singh (@iash0ksingh) April 24, 2025
Hello Sir , Britisher also tried to reduce the age limit from 21 to 19 . So that they can discourage Indian for this service .
Core of democracy is to give opportunities to people so that they can develop themselves.— Sachin Verma (@Sachin4Verma) April 23, 2025
Honourable sir, every job requires hardwork and persistence and millions of youth in every sector toil in their best youth years to achieve their dreams. Reducing the attempts and maximum age will crush down the prospects of many candidates who belong to poor families.
— call_me_shruxx (@tiwarishruti12) April 23, 2025
Agreed.
When a system rewards persistence over instinct, we risk mistaking obsession for aptitude. A role that demands intuition, adaptability, and swift decision-making shouldn’t take half a decade of grinding to earn. Sometimes, the concern isn’t criticism it’s caution.
— Ankit Dwivedi (@Stringy_A) April 24, 2025
Totally agree. UPSC aspirants are lost in the world of the UPSC exam for years, thus seriously suffering from a loss of interest, focus and concern for other valuable aspects of their life.
— Serenity (@ShilpiR67327620) April 23, 2025
Absolutely spot on sir!!! Similar is IIT JEE preparation sir. Coaching institutes definitely are the maximum beneficiaries in both the scenario, it being an unregulated industry in itself. Are Psychometric tests a solution, atleast UPSC must ponder on.
— Ingrid Bergman (@Ingrid_Bergman1) April 24, 2025
Very True. Earlier days in during 70s , Max age limit was 26 years with three attempts. Even if one is not successful in UPSC the person could pursue other avenues. Now with max age 35 years and 5 attempts ,it will render the person unproductive if not successful .
— anjan mohapatro (@AnjanMohapatro) April 23, 2025
Absolutely right! The system of exam must change. Just think, in the absence of such an option of long preparation which takes huge time,energy & money, the youth would have turned to some entrepreneurial or other fruitful pursuits, benefiting the Nation in some way or the other.
— Vinayak Singh (@vinayak1555) April 23, 2025
Despite the controversy, Shakti Dubey’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her story stands as proof that perseverance, grit, and hard work can help you rise to the very top, no matter how long the road may be.