Waseem Ahmad Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, who secured an all-India 7th rank in the coveted Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination 2022, is an inspiration for aspirants.
Hailing from the remote Duru Shahbad in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, he has overcome many challenges to achieve his goals. Having secured rank 225 in 2021 and currently undergoing training for the Indian Revenue Service, Mr. Bhat believes that education is a crucial catalyst for national progress.
With aspirations to contribute to education, health, and skill development sectors, Mr. Bhat in a conversation with Indian Masterminds, emphasized on the significance of personal mentoring and the need for a clear direction when pursuing one’s goals.
Education for National Progress
This B.Tech from National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, recognizes the potential impact he can make by working in the civil services sector, particularly in areas related to education, health, and skill development.
By focusing on these sectors, he aims to contribute meaningfully to the country’s growth and development. “Education plays a pivotal role in transforming society and driving progress,” he said.
Challenges
Mr. Bhat, who chose Anthropology as his optional for CSE, acknowledges the immense challenges associated with this lengthy and demanding examination process.
“The Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams in the world. The emotional toll it takes, as candidates wait for almost a year to complete the various stages, can be exceptional,” he shared.
This Sci-Fi enthusiast, did not depend on any mentorship or guidance during his preparation, being the first person in his family to crack the exam. “Determination and a clear goal can help overcome any challenge,” he said.
Personal Mentoring
While social media provides valuable support, Waseem Bhat emphasizes the importance of personal mentoring during the preparation phase. His experience in Delhi after leaving Srinagar enabled him to find clarity and receive adequate guidance.
Recognizing the need for personal mentors, Waseem encourages aspiring civil servants to seek guidance from experienced individuals who can offer personalized support and insights.
Overcoming Obstacles
Underscoring the significance of establishing clarity and setting goals early on, he suggest,. “In one’s 20s, aspiring civil servants should invest time in understanding their aspirations and charting a clear path to achieve them.”
As someone, who loves reading books on evolutionary anthropology, Mr. Bhat said: “By working tirelessly with a planned approach, one can overcome obstacles and progress towards their desired goals. Hard work, combined with a well-defined direction, becomes the driving force that leads to success.”
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Mr. Bhat is one of the 16 candidates from J&K, who have made it to this year’s final list of UPSC CSE.
The others are Parsenjeet Kour from Poonch (AIR-11), Nittin Singh (32), Naveed Ahsan Bhat (84), Ambika Raina (164), Navneet Singh (191), Manan Bhat (231), Arjun Gupta (228), Manil Bejotra (314), Dwarika Gandhi (505), Irfan Choudhary (476), Anjeet Singh (565), Abhinandan Singh (749), Nimranshu Hans (811), Iram Choudhary (852) and Aadesh Basnotra (888). Thirteen are from Jammu and three from Kashmir region.
