(An updated version of this article can be read here).At least eight law graduates, five from the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (NUJS), two from the National Law Institute University, and one from National Law University Jodhpur, have cleared the Civil Services (Main) Examination conducted by the Union Public Services Commission. The five from NUJS are Shruti Ojha, Mansi Loiwal, Sucheta Chatterjee, Harssh A Poddar, and Aparajita Rai while Ananya Agarwal, who was ranked 27, is a graduate of NLU Jodhpur. The two students from NLIU are Adwait Singh (Ranked 92) and Harshita Mathur (Ranked 112).Bar & Bench spoke to five of the successful candidates and this is what they had to say:.Shruti Ojha (Rank 82).Bar & Bench: Congratulations. Initial reaction?.Shruti Ojha: Thank you. I was thrilled and overjoyed. It is a dream come true..B&B: Which year did you graduate in?.Shruti: I graduated in 2012. I did not join work, was preparing for the exam since I had to write it in the same year itself. This was my first attempt..B&B: Which Service will you opt for?.Shruti: First preference is IAS..B&B: Why?.Shruti: It provides a platform to work at the grassroots level, and offers great diversity in work, take part in decision-making and in future, an active role in policy making..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Shruti: Yes, it played a major role. Law schools provide an excellent platform to write this exam as evident from the number of law school graduates who clear it. The study of law is helpful in general studies as well..B&B: Any advice for those trying to crack the UPSC?.Shruti: Most importantly, have self-belief. You will need determination and patience to take you through the long, drawn-out process. And also, lots of good luck..Mansi Loiwal (Rank 83).B&B: Congratulations. Initial reaction?.Mansi: Thank you! I was filled with a sense of achievement after knowing the results. My aim was to be within the top 100. In a lighter vein, I felt relieved that I won’t have to give another attempt!.B&B: Which year did you graduate in? What have you been doing post-graduation?.Mansi: I graduated in April 2012 and gave the prelims and mains that very year in May and October respectively. After graduating from NUJS, I was selected for a judicial clerkship at Supreme Court; the clerkship ends in another three days..B&B: IAS/IPS/IFS or any other? .Mansi: My first preference is Indian Foreign Services. It is a unique career option as you serve not just one district or state, but your country. I think lawyers can be good diplomats as negotiation is an art they are well equipped to handle. Further, they can understand the intricacies of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy where international law is an important factor. We have had lawyers like Nani Palkhivala, LM Singhvi and Justice MC Chagla who were Ambassadors to the US, UK etc. Another factor, women are doing extremely well in South Block. We have many women ambassadors at important embassies like US, Germany, Japan etc..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Mansi: Yes, law school education definitely gave me an edge in the written exams as I took law as my optional. It also helped me immensely in General studies which tests your general awareness about socio-economic and legal issues. In fact, the first question I was asked by the interview board was about my law school experience..Although, the number of law students clearing civil services is very less when compared to engineering or medicine backgrounds, I think a law graduate can definitely do well in administration or diplomacy..B&B: Any advice for those trying to crack the UPSC?.Mansi: My tip for the aspirants is to start preparing early, preferably in last year of college itself. The earlier you start, the lesser the need for external coaching. Secondly, take each stage of this exam seriously as there is elimination at each step. The type of preparation required for prelims is extensive and for mains its more intensive. Finally, there is no single strategy for success at this exam but what is necessary is clarity of purpose and consistent preparation..Sucheta Chatterjee (Rank 84).B&B: Initial reaction?.Sucheta Chatterjee: Overwhelmed. That about describes it. And later, I felt humbled by the fact that I was being chosen to be of service to the country..B&B: Which year did you graduate in? What have you been doing since then?.Sucheta: I graduated in 2007 and since then, I have been working with SEBI. Currently I am an Assistant Legal Advisor..B&B: Is this the first time you have attempted the examination?.Sucheta: This is my first attempt. (This answer was changed following a clarification from Sucheta- Ed)..B&B: IAS/IPS/IFS or any other? .Sucheta: IFS is my first choice because international affairs and foreign relations have always intrigued me. I think we live in exciting times where India has emerged as a major player in global affairs and it would be quite an experience to be in the midst of all the developments worldwide..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Sucheta: Law was one of my optional [papers], apart from Political Science. NUJS really helped me build my base and get a grasp over some basic concepts of law and legal theory. In the UPSC exams, it’s your understanding of concepts which helps, not rote learning because the pattern of questions has changed over time..B&B: Any advice for those trying to crack the UPSC?.Sucheta: UPSC preparations do not have to be about grueling hard work and long hours of study. What truly counts is how much knowledge you’ve accumulated over the years since you began schooling as a toddler. Somehow people tend to assume that the exams require loads of preparation and years of dedication. From my personal experience, I can tell that it’s not necessarily true. While working full time, I barely had any time or even the inclination to put in a lot of hard work. What really helps is reading newspapers regularly over years and years, even though this is somewhat of a cliché. Answers which are argumentative and analytical tend to score more than ones that are filled with factual details bereft of analysis..Aparajita Rai (Rank 358).B&B: Initial reaction?.Aparajita Rai: I was not too happy with the ranking initially. But then I saw the number of allotments for all India services (IAS IFS IPS) and I realized I would make it to IPS for sure. So that has made me quite happy..B&B: Which year did you graduate in? .Aparajita: I graduated in 2009 and started preparations soon thereafter. I took the exam in 2009 with no success. Then I appeared in 2010 and got a rank of 768, and joined the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS). I am now posted in Kolkata as Assistant Controller of Accounts- Ordnance Factories..B&B: Which Services would you like to join and why?.Aparajita: IPS preferably because I honestly believe that a major reason for crimes against women (which in itself constitutes a major chunk of the crime pie) is the low presence of women in uniform..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Aparajita: I realised the significance of my legal background during preparation, training and even now when I’m actually working. A subject like law exposes you to the problems present in the society as well as the solutions that are or could be made available. Plus a cosmopolitan environment like in a law school broadens ones mind..B&B: Any advice for those trying to clear the Civil Services exam?.Aparajita: Follow your passion, don’t pursue this because you want “a job”. You need to figure out your strengths and your limitations, chart out a workable plan and then just go for it! Also, for unnecessary gyaan, pep talks etc there are always people like me who can be reached on Facebook any day!.Harssh A. Poddar (Rank 361).Bar & Bench: Initial reaction?.Harssh Poddar: It’s obviously overwhelming to know that one has been able to clear an exam of such a scale. More so, because the UPSC is an exam where there are so many possible slips at every stage of its elaborate structure. Compound that with the fact that one is competing with 6-7 lakh other aspirants. It’s intimidating to begin with, challenging while one is in it and humbling when one clears it..B&B: Which year did you graduate from law school? What did you do after graduating?.Harssh: I graduated from NUJS in 2008. After Law School I completed the BCL in International Law at the University of Oxford as a Chevening Scholar. While in Law School I received an offer from Clifford Chance London, which I deferred to write the UPSC. In my first attempt I was selected for the IRS, which I joined after leaving Clifford Chance. I’ve been in the IRS since 2011 now..B&B: Have you chosen which service you will be joining?.Harssh: No not as yet. I think I’ll be choosing between the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparation?.Harssh: The rigour of premier law schools like NUJS and Oxford assures a certain academic discipline that goes a long way in ensuring success..However having served in the IRS I find that a legal education is even more useful AFTER one joins the government. As a hard skill, so much of what we do in every service requires an aptitude for law. As a soft skill, a great law school gives one unparalleled exposure, holistic development and people skills, which is much appreciated at all echelons of government..B&B: Any advice for those trying to clear the UPSC exams?.Harssh: I would recommend signing up for something as arduous as the UPSC only after being assured of a viable Plan B. Nothing can be said with certainty about an exam with a success rate of 0.001 percent. A bright career after law school could easily be nipped if one were to take off 2-3 years for preparation and not meet success.
(An updated version of this article can be read here).At least eight law graduates, five from the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (NUJS), two from the National Law Institute University, and one from National Law University Jodhpur, have cleared the Civil Services (Main) Examination conducted by the Union Public Services Commission. The five from NUJS are Shruti Ojha, Mansi Loiwal, Sucheta Chatterjee, Harssh A Poddar, and Aparajita Rai while Ananya Agarwal, who was ranked 27, is a graduate of NLU Jodhpur. The two students from NLIU are Adwait Singh (Ranked 92) and Harshita Mathur (Ranked 112).Bar & Bench spoke to five of the successful candidates and this is what they had to say:.Shruti Ojha (Rank 82).Bar & Bench: Congratulations. Initial reaction?.Shruti Ojha: Thank you. I was thrilled and overjoyed. It is a dream come true..B&B: Which year did you graduate in?.Shruti: I graduated in 2012. I did not join work, was preparing for the exam since I had to write it in the same year itself. This was my first attempt..B&B: Which Service will you opt for?.Shruti: First preference is IAS..B&B: Why?.Shruti: It provides a platform to work at the grassroots level, and offers great diversity in work, take part in decision-making and in future, an active role in policy making..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Shruti: Yes, it played a major role. Law schools provide an excellent platform to write this exam as evident from the number of law school graduates who clear it. The study of law is helpful in general studies as well..B&B: Any advice for those trying to crack the UPSC?.Shruti: Most importantly, have self-belief. You will need determination and patience to take you through the long, drawn-out process. And also, lots of good luck..Mansi Loiwal (Rank 83).B&B: Congratulations. Initial reaction?.Mansi: Thank you! I was filled with a sense of achievement after knowing the results. My aim was to be within the top 100. In a lighter vein, I felt relieved that I won’t have to give another attempt!.B&B: Which year did you graduate in? What have you been doing post-graduation?.Mansi: I graduated in April 2012 and gave the prelims and mains that very year in May and October respectively. After graduating from NUJS, I was selected for a judicial clerkship at Supreme Court; the clerkship ends in another three days..B&B: IAS/IPS/IFS or any other? .Mansi: My first preference is Indian Foreign Services. It is a unique career option as you serve not just one district or state, but your country. I think lawyers can be good diplomats as negotiation is an art they are well equipped to handle. Further, they can understand the intricacies of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy where international law is an important factor. We have had lawyers like Nani Palkhivala, LM Singhvi and Justice MC Chagla who were Ambassadors to the US, UK etc. Another factor, women are doing extremely well in South Block. We have many women ambassadors at important embassies like US, Germany, Japan etc..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Mansi: Yes, law school education definitely gave me an edge in the written exams as I took law as my optional. It also helped me immensely in General studies which tests your general awareness about socio-economic and legal issues. In fact, the first question I was asked by the interview board was about my law school experience..Although, the number of law students clearing civil services is very less when compared to engineering or medicine backgrounds, I think a law graduate can definitely do well in administration or diplomacy..B&B: Any advice for those trying to crack the UPSC?.Mansi: My tip for the aspirants is to start preparing early, preferably in last year of college itself. The earlier you start, the lesser the need for external coaching. Secondly, take each stage of this exam seriously as there is elimination at each step. The type of preparation required for prelims is extensive and for mains its more intensive. Finally, there is no single strategy for success at this exam but what is necessary is clarity of purpose and consistent preparation..Sucheta Chatterjee (Rank 84).B&B: Initial reaction?.Sucheta Chatterjee: Overwhelmed. That about describes it. And later, I felt humbled by the fact that I was being chosen to be of service to the country..B&B: Which year did you graduate in? What have you been doing since then?.Sucheta: I graduated in 2007 and since then, I have been working with SEBI. Currently I am an Assistant Legal Advisor..B&B: Is this the first time you have attempted the examination?.Sucheta: This is my first attempt. (This answer was changed following a clarification from Sucheta- Ed)..B&B: IAS/IPS/IFS or any other? .Sucheta: IFS is my first choice because international affairs and foreign relations have always intrigued me. I think we live in exciting times where India has emerged as a major player in global affairs and it would be quite an experience to be in the midst of all the developments worldwide..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Sucheta: Law was one of my optional [papers], apart from Political Science. NUJS really helped me build my base and get a grasp over some basic concepts of law and legal theory. In the UPSC exams, it’s your understanding of concepts which helps, not rote learning because the pattern of questions has changed over time..B&B: Any advice for those trying to crack the UPSC?.Sucheta: UPSC preparations do not have to be about grueling hard work and long hours of study. What truly counts is how much knowledge you’ve accumulated over the years since you began schooling as a toddler. Somehow people tend to assume that the exams require loads of preparation and years of dedication. From my personal experience, I can tell that it’s not necessarily true. While working full time, I barely had any time or even the inclination to put in a lot of hard work. What really helps is reading newspapers regularly over years and years, even though this is somewhat of a cliché. Answers which are argumentative and analytical tend to score more than ones that are filled with factual details bereft of analysis..Aparajita Rai (Rank 358).B&B: Initial reaction?.Aparajita Rai: I was not too happy with the ranking initially. But then I saw the number of allotments for all India services (IAS IFS IPS) and I realized I would make it to IPS for sure. So that has made me quite happy..B&B: Which year did you graduate in? .Aparajita: I graduated in 2009 and started preparations soon thereafter. I took the exam in 2009 with no success. Then I appeared in 2010 and got a rank of 768, and joined the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS). I am now posted in Kolkata as Assistant Controller of Accounts- Ordnance Factories..B&B: Which Services would you like to join and why?.Aparajita: IPS preferably because I honestly believe that a major reason for crimes against women (which in itself constitutes a major chunk of the crime pie) is the low presence of women in uniform..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparations?.Aparajita: I realised the significance of my legal background during preparation, training and even now when I’m actually working. A subject like law exposes you to the problems present in the society as well as the solutions that are or could be made available. Plus a cosmopolitan environment like in a law school broadens ones mind..B&B: Any advice for those trying to clear the Civil Services exam?.Aparajita: Follow your passion, don’t pursue this because you want “a job”. You need to figure out your strengths and your limitations, chart out a workable plan and then just go for it! Also, for unnecessary gyaan, pep talks etc there are always people like me who can be reached on Facebook any day!.Harssh A. Poddar (Rank 361).Bar & Bench: Initial reaction?.Harssh Poddar: It’s obviously overwhelming to know that one has been able to clear an exam of such a scale. More so, because the UPSC is an exam where there are so many possible slips at every stage of its elaborate structure. Compound that with the fact that one is competing with 6-7 lakh other aspirants. It’s intimidating to begin with, challenging while one is in it and humbling when one clears it..B&B: Which year did you graduate from law school? What did you do after graduating?.Harssh: I graduated from NUJS in 2008. After Law School I completed the BCL in International Law at the University of Oxford as a Chevening Scholar. While in Law School I received an offer from Clifford Chance London, which I deferred to write the UPSC. In my first attempt I was selected for the IRS, which I joined after leaving Clifford Chance. I’ve been in the IRS since 2011 now..B&B: Have you chosen which service you will be joining?.Harssh: No not as yet. I think I’ll be choosing between the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service..B&B: Any way in which law school helped in your preparation?.Harssh: The rigour of premier law schools like NUJS and Oxford assures a certain academic discipline that goes a long way in ensuring success..However having served in the IRS I find that a legal education is even more useful AFTER one joins the government. As a hard skill, so much of what we do in every service requires an aptitude for law. As a soft skill, a great law school gives one unparalleled exposure, holistic development and people skills, which is much appreciated at all echelons of government..B&B: Any advice for those trying to clear the UPSC exams?.Harssh: I would recommend signing up for something as arduous as the UPSC only after being assured of a viable Plan B. Nothing can be said with certainty about an exam with a success rate of 0.001 percent. A bright career after law school could easily be nipped if one were to take off 2-3 years for preparation and not meet success.
