An entrance exam for the “Super IAS 40” programme, through which the Mizoram government would support the coaching of 40 hopefuls for the UPSC civil services examination, attracted more than 500 applicants on Friday, according to officials. According to them, the Mizoram government has agreed to support the preparation of 40 state-based UPSC candidates for the civil services examination due to a severe scarcity of IAS personnel.

The state government will cover the cost of coaching at reputable colleges in Delhi for those who pass the entrance exam, they added. The initiative is being managed and carried out by the Mizoram Youth Commission (MYC).

At a news conference on Thursday, MYC chairman and MLA Vanlaltanpuia revealed that 575 people have enrolled to take the admission exam. Five locations throughout the state, including Delhi, hosted the exams. On June 27, the written test results will be announced, and on June 28 and 29, there will be personal interviews. Based on that, the final list will be revealed on July 1. According to Vanlaltanpuia, applicants would be shortlisted for the personal interview if they receive at least a 50% on the written test.
After being accepted into the programme, candidates won’t be permitted to sit for additional competitive exams held by the federal government or a state government unless they have taken at least two UPSC preliminary exams, the official added. According to the chairman, the MYC would carefully monitor their development and, if their behaviour was unsatisfactory, the government would stop sponsoring them or even demand a refund.

Only deserving students would be chosen for full funding, and if suitable candidates cannot be identified, the government may not fill all 40 seats, he warned.

By the proposal, the government would fully support 40 applicants for one year as they receive coaching at Delhi’s Vajiram & Ravi, Vision IAS, and ALS IAS.

To fund individuals for a six-month intensive training programme in Delhi, the Mizoram government introduced the “Super IAS 20” initiative in 2020–2021. However, none of the chosen applicants passed the 2021 civil service tests.

Even though Mizoram is the second-most literate state in the nation, it hasn’t produced many IAS officers. The last state resident to pass the exams was Grace Lalrindiki Pachuau, a former state chief secretary and her daughter. The year 2014 saw her join the IAS.

Outrage was caused when, despite Chief Minister Zoramthanga’s desire to designate a Mizo official for the position, the Centre appointed senior IAS officer Renu Sharma of the AGMUT cadre as the state’s chief secretary.