Committed to quality'

G. Hariprasad Reddy, the director of Spardha Chaitra IAS Institute, says the institute has produced very good results right from its inception in 2001. Founded by B.S. Vasanth Kumar, it is one of the earliest institutions in Karnataka providing coaching for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) examinations. Excerpts from an interview:

What coaching method does Spardha Chaitra follow?

Since 2002, we have been publishing a monthly magazine and books meant for candidates appearing for competitive examinations. In the case of KPSC exams, we conduct coaching for candidates wishing to join the A, B or C Grades. We also coach candidates interested in appearing for examinations conducted for appointments in nationalised banks.

How successful have your students been in clearing the examinations?

Our results have been very good right from the time we started. In 2011-12, in all 23 candidates cleared the UPSC exam and some even made it to the Indian Administrative Service, while 36 students have been selected for the KPSC.

Eight and six candidates from Spardha Chaitra cleared the UPSC exam in 2011-12 and 2008 respectively, which only goes to show that our results are improving. This year, we are expecting even better results as more than 500 students who attended coaching have cleared the preliminary and are training for the main examination. All our successful students are from Karnataka, mainly from the smaller towns.

What is your strength?

Our strength is the coaching we provide in subjects such as Kannada Literature and Public Administration.

What is your main advantage?

Our major advantage is that we are committed to quality. Our resource persons have a good academic background and are familiar with the civil services exam. All our faculty members have more than 25 years of experience.

The fee charged by the coaching institutes in Delhi for the subjects taught by the same people who visit our institute is astronomical, whereas we charge a nominal fee, keeping in mind the fact that our students come from rural backgrounds.

How should one go about preparing for the civil service examinations?

This exam requires only common sense and hard work. Any person with any background can apply and, with some effort, clear the exam. At Spardha Chaitra, we tell students not waste their time reading unnecessary things. We teach them how to prepare for the exam in a scientific and methodical way.

How do you keep the morale of the students high through the stressful preparatory phase?

Candidates need to be motivated for the entire duration of their preparation, and it is possible to clear the exam in the first attempt.

A Special Correspondent