A former civil servant has shared why he decided to leave government service and return to the private sector. Bharani Vlsvss, an IIT Madras graduate who cleared the civil services examination and joined the Indian Trade Service, said his experience made him question whether staying in the system was worth it.
In a detailed post, Vlsvss pointed to differences between various civil services, limited room for specialists and uneven career growth as some of the reasons behind his decision. He said candidates who clear the same examination after putting in similar effort can still end up having very different experiences depending on the service they enter.
Different Services Offer Different Experiences
Vlsvss said the gap between the more highly regarded
services and other civil services is not only about status or benefits. According to him, the differences can also be seen in opportunities, working conditions, institutional support and quality of life.
“To begin with, the disparity between the so-called “elite” services and the others under the civil services umbrella. And I am not talking merely about prestige or perks,” said Vlsvss.
He also raised concerns about how government departments handle specialised knowledge. With government work becoming more complex, he believes there should be more opportunities for people with expertise in specific fields.
“Then there is the question of expertise. At a time when governance is becoming increasingly complex, the need for specialists has never been greater. Yet, the system continues to be dominated by generalists, with limited scope for specialists to shape decisions and rise within the institution,” he said.
He Questioned Job Satisfaction In Government
Vlsvss also spoke about the difference between performance and career growth within government service. He said the amount of work someone does may not always have a clear impact on their position or progress.
“There is also the question of satisfaction in government. A system where work or no work often makes little difference. Where accountability is uneven. Where professional standing and career progression can depend more on your service than on what you actually do.”
According to Vlsvss, while getting into the civil services requires years of preparation and a tough examination, leaving the system and starting over can also be difficult.
Leaving Becomes Harder With Time
Vlsvss said people may find it increasingly difficult to move to a different career after spending several years in government. He added that this can affect people personally and professionally.
“The longer you stay, the harder it can become to step out and start afresh. Over time, these things take a toll. I have enormous respect for the many good people in government who continue to do meaningful work despite the system. But respect for individuals does not require silence about institutional problems.”
He said that after experiencing the system himself, he became less certain that the career trade-off was worth making.
He Has A Message For UPSC Aspirants
Vlsvss also urged civil services aspirants to think carefully before spending several years preparing for the examination. He said candidates should consider other career options instead of treating government service as the only measure of success.
“The years spent preparing are some of the prime years of your life. Locking yourself up for years, postponing life and opportunities in pursuit of an examination, is not a decision to be taken lightly. Do not enter the race merely because everyone around you tells you it is the ultimate destination. It isn’t.”
An Ex-officer’s perspective on why he quit civil services, and why aspirants should think beyond the exam
by
u/Altruistic-Neck6149 in
UPSC
Users Share Different Views On His Post
The post also led to different reactions from users. Some praised Vlsvss for openly discussing his experience, while others argued that people inside the system should work towards changing it.
“The courage and honestly is very evident in this message. Thank you for talking about it,” said a user.
Another wrote: “Quitting does not change anything. You have to fight against the system, change it and make it professional.”
A person said: “Rare courage to say this out loud. Your point about generalists crowding out specialists, just when governance needs depth most, is the one that will stay with me.”
Another added: “If you can clear UPSC, you can do well anywhere. Just maintain your optimism, take momentary setbacks in stride and and keep working hard!”
Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18.
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