More than 200 candidates who'd cleared UPSC in 2023 and 2024 did so again to improve their rank. This time, they are not getting congratulations online.
As the 2026 cadre policy determines allocations for 25 state cadres, parallel state bureaucracies operate under different rules with no all-India dimension.
We select individuals capable of becoming Formula One drivers. Then we give them rickety Maruti 800s on potholed roads and expect championship lap times.
India’s civil services were once called the ‘steel frame’. But steel is forged in fire, not moulded in a coaching class. While dilution has made the exam easier, it has also made it harder to find the game-changers we need.
The story of UPSC isn’t just that of an exam but about how India defines merit, opportunity and fairness. Over the last 100 years, its journey has been one of constant churn, reforms and resets.
The new and improved Pratibha Setu portal isn’t just a lifeline for UPSC candidates. It also offers ministries, PSUs, and private companies a database of talented individuals.
This is the transcript of Ep 1830 of Cut the Clutter, where Shekhar Gupta explains why strategic petroleum reserves are a national necessity & how India compares with China, US & Japan.
Tracked and wheeled variants, built in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge, carry 30mm turrets, cross water using hydro jets, and are 65% indigenous.
American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.
I think it’s petty to be personal but I also hate the bureaucracy. All these people who say “I am doing it to serve my country” – NO, most of you are not. You only care about power and status and i am so happy that some of us are more vocal about it. I will always celebrate good officers who have done great things but a lot of them are corrupt, power hungry evil people who need to be dealt with in a harsh way.
I think it’s petty to be personal but I also hate the bureaucracy. All these people who say “I am doing it to serve my country” – NO, most of you are not. You only care about power and status and i am so happy that some of us are more vocal about it. I will always celebrate good officers who have done great things but a lot of them are corrupt, power hungry evil people who need to be dealt with in a harsh way.