Former IPS officer Yashovardhan Jha's critique sparks a deeper debate on the UPSC system and the real cost of success

Education News: Shakti Dubey of Prayagraj has created history by achieving All India Rank-1 in UPSC Exam 2024. But while the country is congratulating her on the one hand, on the other hand former IPS officer Dr. Yashovardhan Jha has questioned her frequent efforts. He not only congratulated Shakti through social media posts, but has also expressed serious concern over the nature of competitive examinations like UPSC.

former IPS officer Dr. Yashovardhan Jha, who has been an officer of 1976 batch and former special director of the country's intelligence agency IB, raised a question.

5th attempt, 6 -year preparation, and a first place

Shakti Dubey started preparing for UPSC in 2018. Many times faced failure, yet did not lose courage. This was his 5th attempt, and finally he got the dream of millions-AIR-1. But Dr. Jha's eyes were not just on achievement, but on the fatigue and value of that long journey."Is this price valid?".

Comment of former IPS

Dr. Yashovardhan Jha congratulated "Shikha Dubey" through social media. However, his comment caught more attention by the name."Should we let the youth throw our energy, time and life in the same exam for so many years?"

He questioned coaching-culture, UPSC competition and inequality of opportunities. He also said that only a few hundred of the millions of youth are selected, while the rest return frustrated - some break, some are lost.

Dream glow or system scratch?

Shakti Dubey's victory is shiny - but is there a 'silent burning system' behind that glow? Is UPSC now an exam, or has a 'survival test' in which for success, first of all, dreams and sometimes sometimes souls have to be at stake?Should we change the definition of success?
Dr. Jha's comment is actually a deep social concern - should we teach the youth that it is exemplary to make five efforts, or it should be told that there are more ways to reach a place? Is getting selected is the only success?

Shakti's victory, beginning of thinking

Shakti Dubey's success is definitely inspiring. But Dr. Yashvardhan Jha's words are the beginning of a new debate - when will we start looking at our examination system like a human being? Perhaps the time has come that we also look at the unsuccessful faces that were as capable of celebrating the toppers - but returned from the system.