On November 7, 2024, the Nischaya Civil Service Society hosted an orientation session for newly admitted students at the University of Hyderabad. The esteemed speaker for the event is Mr. Makarandu Manda, IAS, currently serving as the Project Director for the CMRO Project at CCLA under the Telangana Government; the presence of our faculty coordinator, also graced the session, Dr. Krishna Reddy, Associate Professor from the School of Economics.
Dr. Krishna Reddy commenced the session with a formal welcome to the guest speaker and attendees. Following this, an overview of Nischaya’s past initiatives, such as Topper Talks, debates, and film screenings, was presented. Mr. Makarandu Manda delivered a detailed discourse on “What it Takes to Become an IAS Officer.” He emphasized that the journey transcends merely achieving a position on the UPSC recommendation list; it critically involves the preparation process defined by certain essential competencies.
The “being” aspect encompasses the selection and preparation stages, while “becoming” relates to the requisite competencies: efficiency (speed), equity (kindness), ethics (resilience), and ethos (impact and integrity). These competencies are vital for excelling in the IAS and apply to various high-ranking bureaucratic roles. Mr. Manda illustrated these points with anecdotes from his UPSC preparation, providing insight into the mindset and motivation necessary for success in the Civil Services Examination (CSE). He addressed common misconceptions related to the UPSC CSE during an interactive Q&A session, enriching attendees’ understanding of the realities of civil service. The session facilitated a dynamic interaction on “Career in Civil Services,” where Mr. Manda elaborated on his transition from an IITian to a graduate of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and his experiences in service. An engaging dialogue ensued as students posed pertinent questions regarding the examination process and preparation strategies.
Nischaya has a history of organizing talks and workshops with successful candidates to support students in their preparatory journey. Recruitment for the new organizing committee of the society will commence in the upcoming semester. Interested students are encouraged to follow our social media channels for updates on joining the committee. The event was a resounding success, and we anticipate more such inspiring sessions.
The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks to the guest speaker and a token of appreciation in the form of a plant. Sampoorna Phanigrahi skillfully anchored the event from the School of Life Sciences, and Anugraha delivered the presentation from the Department of Political Science.