Abhijnan Hazarika, who cleared the UPSC examination 2023 with all-India ranking of 172, shares his journey with Sidharth Bedi Varma of GPlus and recalls some of his memories.
GPlus: Tell us about your Guwahati connection.
AH: Prior to 2011, the connection would have been mostly through periodical visits or sometimes for some work. But since 2011 when I did my higher secondary in Srimanta Sankardev, Dispur, I have been mostly staying in Guwahati and my family too has settled here. And of course now I can say that since the past 12 years I am a resident of Guwahati. Now, due to my studies or work, I had also been travelling but deep down majorly, my identity has always been that of a Guwahatian.
GPlus: How do you identify and understand the tag of a Guwahatian?
AH: I feel it is probably the lifestyle of this place compared to most rural areas, even like Dergaon, from where I belong, makes Guwahati different. The culture here is that of an urban area be it the restaurants or cafes, hotels, people and in fact the entire aura of this city is completely different, and that is what I think is the identity of Guwahati and being a Guwahatian.
GPlus: How has life been after UPSC results?
AH: I think life has drastically changed. Ever since the results were declared, I haven’t had the time to sit back and think. The amount of love and respect I am getting from everyone, including the people from my village, in Guwahati and from places where I have previously worked like at the Directorate of Accounts and Treasury, where I was undergoing training, is so overwhelming. This love and affection I have received is something I would like to pay back through my work someday.
GPlus: You have done engineering and also cracked the state civil service exams too. Did you plan this progression or was it all natural?
AH: Well, I think most things in my life have happened naturally. Even when I was pursuing my engineering at NIT Silchar and passed out in 2017, I got hired at Power Grid Corporation Limited which for any electrical engineer is a good offer. But back then, I had not started preparing for any exam; it was only in 2019 when I started planning my preparations. I also started my preparations late; I was already about 26 years old when I started my preparations. However, I was determined to attempt 2-3 times and, also kept a backup plan of clearing APSC. Upon clearing the state civil services, I got the position of a sub register, but I eventually decided to prepare for UPSC instead. So, I think that rather than me planning everything for myself, God had planned it all for me.
GPlus: Since you have already had a brush with the government machinery what is your perspective of an ideal government servant?
AH: Well, I have not been in the government for long and so have limited knowledge. But from what I know, being approachable is very important as it is our responsibility to listen to people, and within the laws what we can do to meet the needs of people and if we can maintain our integrity within the government circle, it will make us a good civil servant.
Also, courage is one factor that plays a vital role in our service towards our duties and people.
GPlus: Do you think it is tough to be a civil servant with all the political and public pressures that come with it?
AH: I won’t be able to say that with my experience as of now, but from what my seniors and colleagues have told me, I think, there is always, of course, some amount of stress and pressure in any job that is associated with the public. What matters is us being right and maintaining our integrity and if that is done right, anything can be ruled out.
GPlus: What do you think you will achieve as a civil servant that you can’t in any other profession?
AH: When I was with Power Grid, I felt strongly that if I would remain in such a core sector, I would not be able to work closely with the public. Even if I could make an influence in the society, it would be very indirect and I realised that civil service is a way through which I can contribute more directly to the society.
GPlus: Do you think in Assam government jobs are given priority?
AH: Not jut Assam, but generally in whole of India there are people who emphasise on government jobs, especially in north India. I remember friends who were academically good and well-travelled, but favoured government service. I also feel that now people have started changing their perspective of only fetching a government job to doing jobs that they want to pursue personally.
GPlus: Tell us something about your study routine given it was your fourth attempt.
AH: My first attempt in 2019 was very casual. In 2020, I decided to study dedicatedly. Since 2020 June I have been studying for 8-10 hours. Initially I did not know much about the exams as I had no such friend who was preparing for the exams. I think hard work is the key to success any day.
GPlus: Do you think coaching makes any difference?
AH: Honestly, I have been confused about coaching institutes as prepared all by myself in Guwahati and only this year in January I went to Delhi, to get an insightful idea on cracking the mock interviews which I think requires a lot of mental and smart preparations. I remember taking an online coaching service which definitely directed me towards the idea of the examinations and about its dynamics. It directed me on how to start off.
GPlus: Would you recommend aspirants to take coaching and visit Delhi?
AH: I think yes. It is always an advantage to learn from a surrounding where people are already preparing for the exams. I would not recommend going there and taking a 3-4 year course, but getting a close insight is always helpful. I think we can very well prepare from Guwahati as well.
GPlus: What did you do different in your fourth attempt?
AH: I always reflected on my previous results and tried to improve. For instance, the last time I reflected on my interview which could have been better. I also added new notes, focused more on current affairs and probably my minute detailing and improvements helped me clear in my 4th attempt.
GPlus: How can someone determine if they are worth cracking the civil services?
AH: You need to have determination and work hard; this isn't an exam of intelligence. When you start preparing very minimal intelligence is required. It's about a different kind of aptitude. Even I had felt low at some point of time but I always believed that I would be able to do it and I think that is the major attribute that is required.
GPlus: Please say a few words for all the aspirants…
AH: You need to have a never-give-up attitude; forget the past results and prepare for the next. If we do that and continuously improve ourselves, then it can be done. Also, those who are planning to clear this exam must start a little early, maybe in their early 20s, and then the ratio of success, especially in Assam, may definitely increase.