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Mother of all services, i.e. IAS is a hard nut to crack and success belongs to those who are physically, emotionally, and psychologically competent enough to handle the stress and failures. It is a journey of determination, hard work, and perseverance. In the middle of insurmountable pressure, aspirants of civil services deal the cut-throat competition. Long study hours, handling expenses, living alone, health concerns, and peer pressure has a devastating effect on the minds of civil services aspirants. They feel physically, emotionally, and psychologically drained. The present study included 90 aspirants randomly selected from old Rajendra Nagar and Mukherji Nagar areas of Delhi, which is a hub for civil services aspirants. Results indicate that moderate amount of stress was prevalent in second or third attempt aspirants, as compared to high examination stress in first attempt of aspirants and maximum in last attempt of IAS aspirants. The case studies depict the areas of concern, hardships, and the sufferings of these aspirants in their journey of an aspirant to a civil servant.
Keywords: stress, physical and mental health, aspirants, civil services
Civil services exam in India happens at both state as well as centre level. Whether it is Haryana Civil Service, Punjab Civil Service, or UPSC (centre), the students finally land to the areas like old Rajendra Nagar and Mukherji Nagar, Delhi in order to prepare for civil services. Here, homes to hotels are occupied with the students from different states who are there for preparation. A typical aspirant is seen walking in flat kohlapuri chappals with a side bag and pile of books in hand, wearing a long kurta on denim. Some of them can be spotted at the books shop buying chronicle or wizard magazines, some holding The Hindu newspaper with a cup of tea, some might be spotted enjoying a puff of smoke in a short study break near the tea stall. IAS/HCS/PCS institutes and academies, PGs, newspaper and books shop, tiffin boy, tea stalls, and the aspirants make these places of Delhi as hub for civil services aspirants.
Stressful life of an aspirant can't be defined in words. Leisure, fun, health, lifestyle, everything is at stake when they are preparing. They have a small place to stay in, even if they belong...