Interview with Bhawani Singh, Director, NIAS Academy, Delhi.
NIAS is one of the earliest institutions preparing aspirants for public administration in India. Its director Bhawani Singh's extensive notes, both in English and in Hindi, are a boon for many students.
Excerpts from an interview he gave Frontline:What gives you an edge over other coaching centres in the country?
The USP of NIAS is its capability and commitment to deliver the best and the latest as per the changing pattern of the examination.
Here a candidate gets conceptual clarity, updated content and support for the development of effective writing skills.
How does NIAS update itself on the changing pattern of UPSC examinations?
Information is extracted from diverse authentic sources; then it is analysed thoroughly. After careful screening, the institute delivers the latest content with clarity. For developing an effective presentation technique, written tests are organised and evaluation is done.
What are the subjects that your institute specialises in?
The institute at present offers classes in public administration for the main examination.
What has been your success rate over the past few years?
Over the past several years, our students have regularly featured in the top 10 or 20. Many other students of our institute have also made it to the civil services.
Is there a convergence of management studies and civil services after the initiation of the CSAT?
Aptitude testing for civil services and management studies differs a lot in the nature and content of the questions. The Civil Services Examination focusses on policy formulation and implementation, facing serious challenges such as naxalism and insurgency, and social security issues such as health and education, and official support to democratic institutions.
It is here that civil service aptitude testing differs from management aptitude testing. Yet government establishments increasingly make use of management in areas such as financial management, public personnel management and technology management. Still, government and business can never be one and the same.
Is there any possibility for change in the main examination?
There is a need for and possibility of reforms in the main examination. If India is to become a global leader, then it must upgrade civil service capability, make optimal use of skilled and specialised workforce, ensure world-class infrastructure and infrastructural productivity, and convert population to human capital.
