IAS

“By March 2020, the ultimate objective is to make every school, anganwadi and child care institution in Lawngtlai self-sufficient in local varieties of fruits and vegetables,” says #IAS officer Shashanka Ala, the Deputy Commissioner of Mizoram’s remotest and most backward district. #Respect #Governance #ImpactThatMatters

Literally going the extra mile to perform his duty, #IAS officer Ram Singh walked and rowed his way into inaccessible villages of the flooded #Meghalaya district to ensure the safety of villagers as well as livestock!

Optional papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) of the UPSC Mains examination carry 500 marks. This accounts for almost 25 per cent of the total marks (2025), which is a combination of the written and personality tests.

"There is a common impression that eco-friendly products or initiatives are expensive. But, in the long run, the adverse impact of plastic on the environment is far more costly than any product whatsoever"

"As a woman, I can empathize with their plight. This negative mindset towards menstruation isn't limited to the illiterate, but also affluent and educated families. They don't talk about menstrual health."

"Khushi has been living in jail for five years, since the time her father was convicted. Her mother had passed away due to jaundice when she was just 15 days old", says the district collector, who is now trying to help 17 other kids living in Bilaspur Central Jail.

Today, we bring you stories of five differently-abled Indians who beat all odds to crack one of the toughest examinations in the country, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.

From AIR 2 Anu Kumari to AIR 4 Shreyas Kumat, UPSC toppers share their strategy for cracking that all-important interview.

"Ultimately, integrity, ethics and decisiveness all come from motivation, and if an [IAS] officer is correctly motivated to serve the people, he is bound to be honest and ethical," wrote the #IAS officer who was honoured with India's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.

One of the youngest candidates appearing for the UPSC 2018 exams, Pradeep, the son of a petrol pump serviceman, cracked the exams in his first attempt at the age of 22!