THE MONEY MAY BE FAR ALESS BUT GRADUATES OF THE PREMIER ENGINEERING INSTITUES SAY JOB SATISFICATION AND A CHANCE TO MAKE A REAL-WORLD IMPACT MAKE CIVIL SERVICE AN ATTRACTIVE CAREER CHOICE.
SATISFICATION, RESPECT:
A rising number of IITians are now showing keen interest in switching to a career in govt. Over 300 of the over 2,600 students – comprising BTech, MTech, Diploma, MSc, MBA, and other streams — who graduated from IIT-Delhi.
At IIT-Bombay revealed that 8.3% of its students (both undergraduate and postgraduate), had joined public services. Money was not a driving factor and seven-figure packages did not sway them, perhaps also because they came from well-off families.
“The opportunity cost is very high for IIT and IIM graduates.” The job involved interacting with secretaries in the Union govt and other stakeholders. But the policy-level work and on-ground implementation, including the wide impact they were making. Immediately saw it as a fruitful career opportunity.
A CHANCE TO LEAD:
IITIAN UPSC aspirants belong to three categories: the first is made up of those focused on joining civil services from day one, the next being the ones who begin considering it after graduation while the third comprises those w ho work at private firms for a while before deciding to switch.
The job not only offers satisfaction but is also more complex. “The fact that you can create impact at scale is more remarkable. We are told that it takes us 20 years to become CEO of a company, but as an IAS officer, you are holding a leadership position at a very young age.”
EASY-PEASY:
IITIANs, or even engineers, are used to cracking tougher exams in a short period and, therefore, the UPSC exam is probably easier for them. “A lot of smart study is required for the preparation and we are pro at that.”
“There is also a domino effect of play. We see seniors clearing the exam and that culture trickles down to the junior batches.”
You master the markets, do trading the whole day, and earn a good package. But all this did not seem meaningful to me at the time.
FIGURING IT OUT:
The reasons why IITians were increasingly opting for govt service are not hard to see. “Peer pressure and the success stories of friends or seniors who have cracked these exams often play a big role, along with the perception of better stability, leadership opportunities, societal respect, and a direct platform to contribute to the nation.” But the move has to be well thought out.
“It is essential that such decisions come from genuine interest and not misconceptions or external influences. These career choices carry long-term implications, not just for individuals but also for the larger innovation and technology ecosystem.”
“For a developed India, we must deglamourise certain professions and broaden the narrative around nation-building. It is equally important to educate our youth about the immense opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation, and emerging technologies. Nation-building needs diverse expertise and every sector has a role to play.”
