Can Civil Services Aspirants Work in the Public Policy Sector? Career Options for UPSC Aspirants

Government jobs in India are considered prestigious since they are directly related to serving the public.

UPSC conducts Civil Service Exams for vacancies in the Federal Government, while the Public Service Commission in each state fills those vacancies in the State Government. The UPSC conducts an annual Civil Services Examination every year for about 24 services. The services included in this category are IAS, IFS, IPS, etc.

Here are those career options for civil service aspirants after qualifying for the UPSC exam.

Career Options for Civil Service Aspirants

There are three types of civil services jobs in India:

All India Civil Services

#. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

#. Indian Police Service (IPS)

#. Indian Forest Service (IFoS)

Group ‘A’ Civil Services

#. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

#. Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)

#. Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)

#. Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)

#. Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)

#. Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)

#. Indian Information Service (IIS)

#. Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)

#. Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS)

#. Indian Postal Service (IPoS)

#. Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)

#. Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)

#. Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)

#. Indian Revenue Service (IRS)

#. Indian Trade Service (ITS)

#. Railway Protection Force (RPF)

Group ‘B’ Civil Services

#. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service

#. DANICS

#. DANIPS

#. Pondicherry Civil Service

#. Pondicherry Police Service

Nevertheless, only a few thousand students clear this examination out of lakhs of applicants. Thus it’s important to have a backup plan, and choosing some other career options and prioritising is a great way!

Here we have listed some great career options (You can consider taking some of these jobs even amid your UPSC preparation)

What are the Other Options for UPSC Aspirants?

Educating

Candidates who are passionate about teaching and who are committed to helping others can pursue it as an alternative career choice. With the necessary educational qualifications for TET / NET and having good grades in your graduate studies, you can take up teaching as a formal career in schools and colleges.

In addition to teaching at the IAS coaching institutes, there is also another opportunity to help other aspirants realize their IAS dreams. Your experience in attempting IAS exams multiple times, combined with your preparation for the IAS exams, will make you a valuable guide when it comes to helping others.

GATE Exam

A UPSC aspirant who wants to join a PSU and pursue M.tech can take the GATE exam. By doing so, they can enjoy another prosperous future.

Positions at State Public Service Commissions

A candidate seeking to serve the government can look into state public service commission positions if they are not interested in the UPSC. Despite not being at par with IAS or other civil services profiles, PCS is still an appealing option for candidates, thanks to low competition (primarily because of domicile restrictions) and easy exams.

The format and syllabus of the civil service exam and the state PCS exam are also relatively the same.

Banking

Candidates who have exhausted all other options or have no interest in joining the government bureaucracy are ideal for the banking sector. Banks regularly post vacancies related to the clerk and probationary officers, for which they hold competitions.

As Bank Jobs are still highly competitive, recruitment exams are concentrated on sections covering finance, economy, accountancy, general awareness and logical reasoning.

Higher Studies

The majority of graduates appear for UPSC examinations, and this is the minimum requirement to appear for the exam, so pursue higher studies if you do not pass UPSC examinations. Furthering your education can help you build a successful future.

You can pursue an MBA, M.tech or any other post-graduation course to change your career path.

Can Civil Services Aspirants Work in the Public Policy Sector?

Yes, absolutely! It is also a great option for having a successful career. Although, you will need to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy for your higher studies. By studying MPP, you learn to understand political, social, and economic issues on a broad spectrum and analyze policies that can address them. Also, Public Policy is helpful for critically analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.

In Public Policy Programs, What will You Study?

Typically, a Master’s program in Public Policy is designed to prepare future public leaders and leaders of policy to work in challenging environments. Besides gaining quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, you also gain exposure to the real world policy-making process and enhance your managerial skills.

To help you understand Indian politics more thoroughly, you will study:

#. The process of public policy and its economics

#. Public Policy and Socio-Cultural Theory

#. Philosophy of Politics

#. Analyzing and assessing global policy scenarios

#. Law

#. Governance

#. Statistical and Data Analysis

#. Qualitative Research

Where You Can do Your Masters of Public Policy From?

To study public policy, you need a Bachelor’s degree in any field. However, students with a track record in Public Administration, Political Science, Statistics, Economics and other Humanities fields are the most likely to find success in this course.

Few educational institutions which are involved in Public Policy research are:

#. Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

#. Indian Institute of Management Kashipur

#. Jawaharlal Nehru University

#. Jamia Millia Islamia

#. Aligarh Muslim University

#. University of Lucknow

#. Indian Institute of Public Administration

#. Institute of Public Policy, Gurgaon

#. Centre for Public Policy Research

#. Public Policy Research Institute

#. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs

#. Indian School of Business

#. Jindal School of Government and Public Policy

#. St Xavier’s College, Mumbai

#. NLSIU, Bangalore

#. Azim Premji University, Bangalore

#. TISS, Mumbai

#. ISB, Hyderabad

#. IIT, Bombay (M.Tech in Public Policy)

#. Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule University, Jaipur

#. Stella Maris College, Tamil Nadu

#. Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru

#. TERI School New Delhi

#. Adamas School of Social Sciences, West Bengal

How Do Public Policy Makers Work?

Policymakers are responsible for performing the following essential functions:

#. Evaluating the effects of government programs and policies

#. Campaigning or persuading

#. Monitoring the effects of changes in public policies

#. Researching and analyzing the market

#. Exploring areas for policy development and identifying issues

#. Addressing existing problems by creating new policies

The Scope of Indian Public Policy

Increasingly, the government, research institutions, non-profit organizations, consulting firms, and international organizations demand graduates in Public Policy.

Students can become ambassadors, founders of non-profit organizations and social enterprises, and consultants at international organizations after graduation. Additionally, they can hold leadership positions in private firms, as well as engage in research and scholarship.

#. Graduates in Public Policy are in great demand in the following areas:

#. Sector of Education

#. Government and public utilities

#. Think Tanks

#. Private Sector: Multinational organizations need governance and policy experts, not just #. MBAs. In particular, the private sector is now playing a larger role in welfare functions where once only the state acted.

#. Management

#. Foreign Ministry diplomats or ambassadors

#. The research and development process

#. Consultancy

#. The healthcare industry

#. Non-governmental organizations

#. Construction/Manufacturing Sector

Let UPSC Pathshala Help You Achieving Your Dream Career

Sure, now you have a backup plan, but your priority is cracking the UPSC exam, right?! So, check out our website for your accelerated UPSC preparation. Our personalised courses can help you prepare for the exam with ease and ensure quality preparation in the future. Your doubts and weaknesses will be solved by us through regular checkups on your progress. Depending on your comfort level, you can choose the language and practice with an expert.

Don’t miss UPSC Pathshala’s free demo class for a first-hand look at our class methods. More than 15000 students have been trained throughout the country!

Summary

Article Name

Can Civil Services Aspirants Work in the Public Policy Sector? Career Options for UPSC Aspirants

Description

With high competition, it’s important to have a backup plan if you fail to clear the UPSC exam. Read this article to know what are the other options for UPSC aspirants.

Author

Shilpa Dutta

Publisher Name

UPSC Pathshala

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