| The UPSC race: Don't let the grind get our young As Indians, our obsession with the civil services is a torrid love affair that even the most heartbreaking, tempestuous and star-crossed stories would shudder before. Every year, lakhs of youngsters commit themselves to a punishing grind. This year, the UPSC Prelims 2024 saw an overwhelming response, with over 13.4 lakh candidates participating in the examination held on June 16 over 428 seats (across IAS, IFS, IPS and others). Driven, ambitious and not afraid of sacrifice, these youngsters arrive in the Capital’s many UPSC coaching hubs. In many places, rents range between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000, and this isn’t even for decent accommodation. Somehow, their ambition gets them to adjust in barsaatis, porta cabin arrangements, basements and the like. They flock to hubs like Old Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar, living in cramped, often hazardous conditions, and spending exorbitant amounts on coaching fees and rent. The tragic deaths of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalwin last week have culminated in widespread public anger. But the hazard has been simmering on for much longer. It’s a reminder of the fact that the UPSC race is a breathless marathon that sucks the light and soul out of their lives. The inspirational story of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma and IAS Shraddha Joshi, brought to the screen in last year’s inspirational saga 12th Fail, awed and charmed me and brought tears to my eyes like it did so many others. But what stood out to me was the struggle of the also-rans. Pritam, Manoj’s friend who sticks up for him throughout, brings him to Delhi and arranges shelter and coaching for him, has a knack for telling stories. But his father’s crushing expectations and his own unrelenting persistence with the purported prestige of life as a civil servant, keeps him from working on his true passion for years. Pritam is among the lot that’s still better off. Countless aspirants, regardless of whether they do or do not end up making it, are consumed by this race. Hardship, fruitless toil and loss of youthful exuberance is their lot. Meanwhile, the UPSC coaching industry, worth over ₹3,000 crore, continues to grow, attracting aspirants from across the country. Yet, this growth has come at the expense of student welfare. The unlawful practice of renting out basements as PG accommodations persists, despite clear regulations against such use.  The outpouring of anger following the tragedy has filled the narrow lanes of Old Rajinder Nagar. Despite years of complaints, the mafia-like nexus of coaching institutes, brokers and landlords have thrived, operating with little regard for safety or human decency. Just a week prior to this incident, another aspirant, Neelesh Rai, lost his life due to electrocution while navigating a waterlogged street. Fires have also been a recurring hazard, with incidents reported in hostel buildings and libraries, often with devastating consequences. The deaths of Shreya, Tanya, and Navin should serve as a wake-up call. The authorities must pay heed and enforce regulations and stringent safety standards and ensure that no more lives are lost in the pursuit of the UPSC dream. It's high time we prioritised the well-being of our brightest young minds over the relentless drive for profit. |
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