India's Civil Service Exam: A Ruthless Battle for Social Mobility Amidst Inequality

India, the world's first populous country, is witnessing an alarming phenomenon as the number of candidates for its Civil Service Examination (CSE) is skyrocketing. With a population of 1.4 billion, the competition for a coveted government job is fiercer than ever. The CSE, often dubbed as the world's toughest examination, has become an obsession for Indian youth, embodying their deep-rooted desire for a better life and social mobility.

In 2022, an astonishing 11.3 million candidates registered for the CSE. Among them, only a lucky 933 were selected, recording a success rate of approximately 0.0008%, a shocking ratio of 1217:1. The Indian civil service examination spans over a year, involving three rounds, including the preliminary exam, the main exam, and a personal interview. The relentless intensity and fierce competition of this examination are not new to the world. However, the escalating number of applicants is creating waves of crisis, forcing the Indian government to tighten its eligibility requirements. For instance, candidates are now limited to participating in the examination six times throughout their lifetime.

As the number of applicants soars, the CSE is being described as a giant bridge crowded with "thousands of armies scrambling over a single log." Candidates are adopting extreme measures to secure their position in this demanding examination. Some spend years in isolation, preparing for the exam, while others sacrifice their high-paying jobs to focus solely on their goal of securing a government post. This overwhelming obsession is even driving people to seek guidance from "guru's" of CSE, who charge astronomical fees for their preparatory courses. For instance, Pradeep Aggarwal, a renowned civil service course provider in India, charges students a whopping 2 million Indian Rupees ( approximately 20,000 USD) for his preparatory classes, yet these classes are often oversubscribed.

The Indian civil service examination is not only challenging but also holds a significant place in Indian cinema and popular culture. The recent movie 'The 12th Man,' a semi-biographical Bollywood coming-of-age story, quickly gained nationwide attention and even bagged a spot in the Oscars' foreign-language film category. The movie narrates the story of a poor man, Manjot Singh, fighting his way into the Indian Civil Services. Just like Manjot, many candidates suffer through years of hardship, isolation, and financial strain to reach their goal.

Preparation for the Indian Civil Service Examination also reflects the country's social inequality. The CSE is often seen as a symbol of hope and social mobility for the poor and the marginalized in India, offering a potential escape from a life of poverty. In a nation plagued by deep-rooted social hierarchies, the case of Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic champion in Javelin Throw, is quite telling. Chopra, after winning the Olympics in 2021, was offered a government job which many regarded as the most coveted prize from the government, signifying the high status a government job holds in Indian society.

The Indian civil service system traces its origin to the British colonial era, having inherited its administrative structure from the British. Even after India's independence, traces of this colonial legacy continue to impact the bureaucratic structure. India's administrative system comprises the All India Services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFoS), and numerous Central Services.

The Indian CSE is divided into two tiers. The first preliminary exam, known as the General Studies Paper, contains a total of 12 subjects - Indian polity, geography, history, economy, art, culture, and administrative laws being a few. The preliminary examination is the gatekeeper of the Main Examination. The Main Examination, conducted a few months after the preliminary examination, is comparatively more in-depth and contains nine subjects.

One of the most intriguing aspects from the movie 'The 12th Man' is its portrayal of a CSE coaching center. In the movie, the character Rishi Sir, a retired assistant secretary, offers free preparatory classes for CSE aspirants. However, after his death, the coaching center's trustees revert to their profit-making ways, completely disregarding Rishi Sir's intentions. This depiction highlights a dark reality in India - the business of CSE coaching.

In recent years, several coaching institutes have come under the scanner for their alleged malpractices. To counter this crisis, the Indian government in 2021 announced a policy that prohibits successful CSE candidates from endorsing any coaching institute after assuming office. This audacious move was met with much criticism from coaching centers, sparking a nation-wide controversy.

The high stakes of the Indian Civil Services Exam create a vicious cycle of social inequality. The existing caste system, which is deeply embedded in Indian social structure, plays a significant role in this inequality. The term 'Dalit,' which is used to describe the untouchable caste, represents approximately 20% of India's population. Despite numerous constitutional provisions promising equality and social justice, the reality is far from it. Caste-based hierarchies continue to impede equality, with the CSE being no exception.

In light of this, the CSE seems to be following from the footsteps of its colonial predecessors. The administrative structure, a relic of the British Raj, continues to perpetuate this hierarchical system of governance, thereby reinforcing the unequal status quo.

The examination's preparatory phase is equally grueling, with the exam season starting in February and continuing throughout the year. Candidates often sacrifice their social lives, physical health, and careers to prepare for the exam. In some cases, families go to extraordinary lengths to support their loved ones in this arduous journey. Aspiring civil servant Nandini Kumari revealed during an interview that her entire family helped her prepare for the exam, with her father subscribing to several daily newspapers to keep her updated on current affairs.

The Indian Civil Services Exam has also seen a surge in online coaching institutes in recent times. The digital revolution has made these online platforms more accessible and affordable, offering a glimmer of hope for aspirants from lower-income and marginalized sections of society.

Nevertheless, the examination's relentless intensity and fierce competition have made it a symbol of a better life, status, and social mobility in India. For millions of Indian youths, the CSE is more than just an examination; it represents a journey of resilience, hard work, and a desire for a better life.

As India battles a growing unemployment crisis, with millions trapped in low-paid, unskilled jobs, the allure of a government job remains as strong as ever. The high status and pay associated with government jobs make them the ultimate dream for millions of Indians. The Indian CSE, with its relentless competition and audacious challenges, continues to remain a symbol of status and social mobility in a country grappling with social inequality and strife. Additionally, a government job in India is not just a position of power and influence but also a badge of honour, status, and respect in Indian society.

In conclusion, the story of the Indian Civil Services Examination is more than just a tale of a brutal examination; it represents the deep-rooted desire for social mobility, status, and a better life amidst a society plagued by inequality, poverty, and a lack of opportunities. As India continues to walk its democratic path, the Indian Civil Services Examination will remain a barometer of the nation's growing aspirations and the crisis of social inequality. Its brutal reality will continue to test the resilience and hard work of millions of young Indians, making it a compelling story of the Indian Dream.

(Word Count: 1763)