On October 1 this year, the UPSC will enter its centenary year. UPSC Essentials magazine, which has also completed two years of guiding and informing civil services aspirants, marks the occasion with a special conversation in its Expert Talk series featuring Dr. Sanjeev Chopra — a veteran civil servant whose career spans policy-making, training, and administrative reform. An IAS officer of the 1985 batch, he is also a former Director of the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. A distinguished figure in Indian public administration, Dr Chopra offers an unflinching look at the evolving demands of civil services, the importance of initiatives like Pratibha Setu, and why every aspirant must consider professional stability before chasing the dream of a career in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). In this exclusive interview, he speaks about optimism, reform, and the need to understand not just policies, but the context that drives them. 🚨 Anniversary Special: Read the UPSC Essentials September 2025 special edition, celebrating two years of the magazine! 🚨 Q. The UPSC has recently introduced the Pratibha Setu feature, aimed at opening up new opportunities for civil services aspirants who reach the final interview stage but do not make it to the final merit list. What is your opinion about the initiative? Sanjeev Chopra: I believe Pratibha Setu is a very positive step. In my opinion, all those who clear the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination are at par in terms of merit and capability. In fact, even those who clear the Prelims should not be considered any less. If private sector organisations and PSUs can absorb candidates from the pool of UPSC aspirants, it will be mutually beneficial. This initiative acknowledges the years of hard work and preparation these candidates invest, ensuring that their efforts do not go in vain. I would even go a step further and suggest that the essence of Pratibha Setu should be extended to other examinations, like the UGC-NET (University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test). Those who qualify UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains are undoubtedly capable of qualifying NET as well. Q. There are often debates about reducing the age limit or the number of attempts for candidates appearing for the UPSC CSE. Currently, a general category candidate can attempt the exam up to six times till the age of 32. What do you think? Sanjeev Chopra: I have suggested earlier too that Prelims should be limited to two attempts (for general category candidates and specify corresponding limits for other categories based on the applicable criteria), but each Prelims qualification should be valid for two Mains attempts. This would mean that if a candidate clears Prelims in the first year, they can appear for Mains the following year without writing the Prelims again. Essentially, this gives four opportunities for Mains while reducing the repeated stress of Prelims. This model would not only lessen the pressure but also allow candidates to focus more deeply on Mains preparation. After four such chances, if one doesn't qualify, it is perhaps a signal to explore other avenues that may align better with their strengths and aspirations. Q. Given that only 1 in 1,000 candidates successfully clears the UPSC CSE each year, do you believe aspirants should consider having an alternative career option or a 'Plan B' while preparing for the exam? Sanjeev Chopra: It is absolutely essential. In fact, I often say Plan B should actually be Plan A. Given the intense competition and limited vacancies, aspirants must first become self-sufficient by pursuing a professional degree, gaining employment, and achieving financial independence. Only then should they consider preparing for the UPSC. This approach removes the guilt or emotional burden of depending on family finances and helps build real-world skills. It also provides a practical backup in case the examination journey doesn’t materialise as hoped. Q. How have the challenges for civil servants evolved, and what do you see as the next major area of focus for the administrative machinery? Sanjeev Chopra: Challenges are an inherent part of the system, and they tend to evolve every five years. After Independence, civil servants faced the monumental task of nation-building, which included integrating princely states, establishing democratic institutions, and addressing widespread poverty and illiteracy. In the 1970s, structural reforms such as the separation of executive and judicial powers significantly redefined administrative roles. Every major reform, from the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments to the implementation of RTI (Right to Information Act) and MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme), brought with it a new set of challenges in implementation. Change is a constant in governance, and the nature of challenges continues to evolve alongside it. Today, for instance, while we have largely addressed the issues of roti (food) and kapda (clothing), the focus has now shifted to makaan (housing), especially in both rural and urban contexts. The next major administrative challenge will likely be ensuring access to affordable and sustainable housing for all. Q. So do civil servants need new skill sets to meet emerging challenges? Sanjeev Chopra: Administrators must be able to synthesise inputs from various sources and formulate policies aligned with the political leadership’s vision. Think of an editor in a newsroom — not an expert in every subject, but skilled at producing a quality product using diverse inputs. That is how a civil servant should operate. We are not domain specialists. We are context specialists. We understand the ecosystem and connect the dots. For example, the agriculture secretary may not be a crop expert, but must understand the agricultural context to ensure effective implementation of policies. Execution of a scheme like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana might sound simple on paper, but understanding who needs it, ensuring budget availability, plugging leakages, and ensuring last-mile delivery requires the nuanced skill set of a seasoned civil servant. Q. How does one stay optimistic despite the challenges and occasional disillusionment with the system? Sanjeev Chopra: Optimism is essential — for personal growth and national progress. Every country has problems; none is "problem-proof". But problems exist only until solutions are found. Our role as civil servants is to identify these issues, devise solutions, and assess whether we are progressing or repeating mistakes. Have I been frustrated by situations? Yes. In a 36-year career, it is natural to face setbacks. But I have never been disillusioned with the system itself. During tough times, I have found solace in reading, engaging in philosophy, and maintaining personal interests. These help restore perspective and motivation. Q. Recently, the LBSNAA in Mussoorie, which is the training institution for higher civil services in India, issued guidelines for recruits, advising them to be mindful of social media. What do you have to say about this? Sanjeev Chopra: I fully support the guidelines. Civil servants are not celebrities or film stars. Cracking an examination does not make one a public figure. A few interviews after selection are fine, but cultivating a celebrity image can be harmful, especially for the individual. Positive attention is often followed by scrutiny. I advise young officers to refrain from overusing social media for self-promotion. Having an official Twitter handle as a district magistrate to share updates or emergency information is different. Social media by civil servants must be used to benefit the institution, not the individual. Q: How much autonomy and discretion do civil servants have in decision-making? Sanjeev Chopra: It depends on the context. As a district magistrate, you enjoy considerable functional freedom. However, the extent of autonomy often correlates with your competence and how effectively you present your case. If you are clear, well-informed, and grounded in the Constitution and the law, then in nine out of 10 cases, you can bring the political leadership onto the same page. Your responsibility is to ensure that political directives are feasible, legally sound, financially viable, and ready for implementation, especially when viewed through the lens of judicial scrutiny. However, discretion in administration, if left unchecked, can become problematic. It may lead to arbitrariness, bias, and even corruption. While some level of discretion is necessary to deal with complex situations, it should not become the norm. Administrative decisions must be guided by transparency and fairness. Q: What reforms do you think are still needed in the bureaucracy? Sanjeev Chopra: Reforms are ongoing, but certain areas need more focus. Training and Posting Linkage: The correlation between training and field postings needs to be stronger. Exposure to Diversity: Every officer should be posted at least once in the Northeast or Jammu and Kashmir. Without such exposure, an officer’s understanding of India remains incomplete. Similarly, officers from remote cadres should have the opportunity to serve in more urbanised, industrial states. Lateral Exposure: By the time an officer becomes a joint secretary, they should be allowed to opt for ministries that align with their interests and expertise. This would enhance productivity and job satisfaction. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on UPSC section of The Indian Express on Instagram and X. For your queries and suggestions write at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com.
