In the early 2000s, a committee of 44 MPs, led by the then-MP and current President, Pranab Mukherjee, proposed a report to the Union Government suggesting that engineers and doctors should be barred from undertaking the UPSC civil service exam. The committee's rationale was that allowing these professionals to take the exam was leading to a brain drain from the engineering and medical fields, and their technical expertise was not needed for an administrative position. However, many engineers and doctors who have become IAS officers would argue that their technical knowledge has greatly aided them in their roles, particularly in the development work they perform in their assigned regions. This article provides useful tips and information for engineering students who are interested in serving their country as IAS officers.
"Don't ask what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." – John F.Kennedy
UNDERSTANDING THE UPSC EXAM
The first step in your preparation should be to fully understand the UPSC exam. What are the different posts and services you can aspire to after clearing the UPSC civil services exam? When is the exam held? What does the UPSC Syllabus entail?
For a comprehensive IAS Exam pattern and syllabus, click here.
ENGINEERING AS AN OPTIONAL SUBJECT IN UPSC EXAM
In the IAS mains exam, which you can take upon clearing the UPSC Prelims , there are nine papers, two of which are optional. One of the optional subjects you can choose is engineering.
ENGINEERING SYLLABUS FOR UPSC EXAM MAINS OPTIONAL PAPERS
UPSC offers three engineering optional subjects – civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.
You can find the syllabus for these engineering optional subjects in the links below:
- IAS Civil Engineering Syllabus
- IAS Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
- IAS Electrical Engineering Syllabus
SELECTING THE RIGHT OPTIONAL SUBJECT FOR IAS FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS
Choosing the right optional subject for the IAS mains can be challenging for many aspirants, especially those with an engineering background, as engineering subjects are not included in the General Studies papers. If you are currently pursuing or have recently completed your degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, it would be beneficial to select your graduation subject as your optional subject as the concepts will still be fresh in your mind. This can save you a significant amount of time, which you can then devote to preparing for the other GS papers.
However, if you feel that you have lost touch or interest in your engineering subjects, it might be more beneficial to opt for other subjects.
ALTERNATIVES TO ENGINEERING SUBJECTS
If you are not interested in choosing an engineering subject as your optional, you could consider mathematics or physics/chemistry, depending on your interests and knowledge level. Although these subjects can be challenging to study from scratch, if you have a strong foundation in them, you could refresh your knowledge relatively easily.
Mathematics is a recommended optional subject for those with an engineering background as it can be tackled with relative ease.
Lastly, you could also consider studying arts subjects like history, public administration, political science, etc., if you have an interest in them and are open to learning something new. These subjects can also be beneficial for your GS papers.
It is important to remember that while a student with a science background can learn arts/humanities subjects, the reverse is not always true. However, the human potential is unlimited, so nothing is impossible.
Finally, it is highly recommended that you review the UPSC SYLLABUS before deciding on an optional subject.
So, if you are an engineering student aspiring to serve the nation by becoming a civil servant, don't let your background hold you back! The country needs good engineers for its progress. Dedicate yourself to your IAS preparation, work hard, and your efforts will surely pay off. Good luck!
