About 10-20 years ago, for many students in Bihar, joining the Civil Services wasn’t just a choice, but a necessity for those who aimed to achieve big dreams. With limited career opportunities in the state, most young people aspired to secure public sector jobs for a better and more stable life. However, while many sought government jobs for personal stability, some aimed to make a positive change in their home state. One such person is Mr. Subrat Kumar Sen.
An IAS officer from the 2013 batch, Mr. Sen achieved an All India Rank of 93 in the 2012 UPSC Civil Services Exam and was assigned to his home cadre of Bihar. From a young age, he was determined to take this path, making focused decisions to prepare for and succeed in the exam. His journey reflects both personal ambition and a commitment to contributing to the betterment of Bihar.
In an interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Sen shared, “Not long ago, we struggled with necessities like electricity. Growing up in a small town in Supaul district, we sometimes went months without power due to a faulty transformer. Back then, it was rare to see women in police or other sectors. Thanks to various efforts, more girls are attending school and college, and their presence in both public and private sector jobs has significantly increased. We’ve made tremendous progress.”
He also pointed out that female voters have been increasing significantly in every election. This isn’t just due to migration; it’s also because more women are becoming independent and stepping forward to participate on their own, which was rare in the past.
In a conversation with Indian Masterminds, the current collector of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, shares his journey in civil service and emphasizes the significance of securing a home cadre.
MOTHER GOT ANGRY
After finishing primary school in his neighborhood, Mr. Sen attended Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya starting in the sixth grade and completed his 12th grade there. He considers this a turning point in his life, saying that without this experience, he wouldn’t have understood the concept of a career or known about civil services. The excellent teachers and mentors at Navodaya introduced him to the idea of civil services and the impactful role of an IAS officer. This idea stuck with him, and by the 8th grade, he decided to aim for the UPSC CSE. Despite this, he chose science for his 12th-grade studies.
“During that time, the trend was to pursue engineering or medical fields. Not choosing science would have labeled you as a weak student. So, under peer pressure, I opted for it,” explains Mr. Sen.
After finishing his 12th, Mr. Sen became determined to pursue his dream of becoming an IAS officer. He didn’t want to stray onto the engineering path only to return to prepare for the UPSC CSE later. When he discussed this with his father, who ran a small hardware shop, he received support. However, his mother reacted with anger. “I wouldn’t say angry, but perhaps worried. She wanted me to have a good and respected job. Engineering would have provided that, but my aspirations were different. I had to persuade her to let me pursue Arts for my graduation,” explains Mr. Sen.
After graduating from Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Delhi, with a degree in Geography in 2009, Mr. Sen attempted the civil services exam for the first time in 2010. However, just before the prelims, he fell ill. “I remember it vividly. Despite being prepared, my health started deteriorating, and Delhi wasn’t agreeing with me much. Nevertheless, I went ahead with the attempt, but unfortunately, I couldn’t clear the prelims,” Mr. Sen recalls.
CLEARED FIVE BANK EXAMS
“In 2011, after clearing Prelims and Mains, my aspirations for civil services were strong, but I also desired to relocate from Delhi and stabilize my financial situation,” recalls Mr. Sen. “During the gap between Mains and the interview, I applied for Probationary Officer positions in several banks and was fortunate to secure offers from five of them. Opting to join the Bank of India, I embarked on a rural posting in Khandwa, MP,” he narrates.
“Not securing a seat in 2011 prompted me to resume preparation while working full-time at the bank,” he continues.
“It was challenging to juggle both responsibilities, but my strong foundation helped me manage,” reflects Mr. Sen. “After returning from the bank, I devoted all my time to preparation. With minimal distractions, I could focus entirely,” he explains. In 2012, Mr. Sen achieved an impressive rank of 93 in the exam and was allocated his home cadre, Bihar. Subsequently, he served as the District Collector of Saran and Bhagalpur. He gained recognition for spearheading numerous infrastructural developments in both districts.
ON HOME CADRE
Answering a question on the importance of getting a home cadre, the officer explained, “When it comes to getting your home cadre, there’s a certain sense of connection and responsibility that comes with it. While many from other states have also contributed significantly, there’s an inherent understanding and familiarity that those of us in our home cadre possess. We’ve grown up here, faced similar challenges, and understand the local issues intimately. So, we must pave the way for future generations and make their journey smoother.”
