BENGALURU: The Indian Civil Service exams have always been hard to crack and coaching is essential for all aspirants. Many seek guidance from those who have succeeded in the field.
P Gopakumar, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, mentors aspirants at the IAS Academy at Kerala Samajam. Being coached by experienced teachers can provide one with a better insight on the test itself and later, the responsibilities they would have post qualification.
The Kerala Samajam IAS Academy in Bengaluru has helped young aspirants fulfill their dream of becoming civil servants.
Hindustan Aviation Academy has provided space and amenities to the institute. “We charge a nominal amount of Rs 5,000 during registration and Rs 5,000 later on. The intention is to make the students take the course seriously,” says Gopakumar, who has been teaching here since 2011.
The students at the institute are not spoonfed as in schools. Suitable candidates for the programme are chosen through a rigorous screening process spanning two months. They are given a number of assignments to test their ability, skills and endurance. Only those who show promise are admitted to further training.
“The trainers are all from IAS, IPS and Civil Services backgrounds from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Delhi. The ongoing batch has a strength of 60 students from various states,” says Gopakumar.
People from all communities, states and religions are given admission based on merit and nothing else, he adds.
This year, a whopping 18 aspirants from the institute passed the exams: four took up IAS, two IPS and the rest IRS and other Group A services.
Kumar Ashirwad from Jharkhand topped the Academy with 35th rank, followed by Sreenivasa Gowda from Bengaluru (105th rank). The total selection from the academy stands at 41 within five years since its inception.