The IAS Service Meet 2025, underway since December 19 in Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal, witnessed an action-packed day filled with sports, fitness activities and cultural programmes. The day began with an 18-kilometre cyclothon, reflecting the spirit of teamwork, wellness and family participation among senior administrative officers.
18 km Cyclothon Sets the Tone for the Final Day
The Cyclothon started from Arera Club, passing through CM House and Van Vihar, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from IAS officers along with their family members. A total of 40 cyclists took part in the event, making it one of the most engaging highlights of the Service Meet.
The youngest participant, 11-year-old Aranya Chauhan, drew special attention and admiration, adding an inspiring dimension to the event and reflecting the inclusive spirit of the meet.
Record-Breaking Performance and Unique Celebration
Pariki Pandla Akshar delivered an exceptional performance by completing the 18 km stretch in just 38 minutes, securing first place and registering the best timing of this year’s IAS Service Meet Cyclothon. Fellow officers celebrated her achievement in a distinctive manner by performing push-ups as a mark of respect and camaraderie.
Additional Commissioner (Bhopal) Shivraj Singh Verma and Abhay Singh jointly finished second, clocking 45 minutes, while Ishan Suman Singh claimed third place with a timing of 47 minutes.
According to the organisers, participation and enthusiasm were significantly higher this year compared to the previous edition, with family involvement adding warmth and motivation.
Sports and Competitions Continue at Arera Club
Throughout the day, a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports competitions were organised at Arera Club, including:
- Quiz
- Dumb Charades
- Tug of War
- Badminton and Table Tennis
- Pool and Billiards
- Bridge
- Rapid Chess
The closing ceremony and prize distribution will be held in the evening, honouring winners from various houses.
Boat Race and Fun Events Highlight Second Day
The second day of the IAS Service Meet was equally vibrant, marked by a 200-metre boat race at the Boat Club, Upper Lake. IAS officers and their family members participated enthusiastically amid DJ music and loud cheers from spectators.
Four teams—Green, Orange, Blue and Red—competed in the race.
- Green Boat emerged as the overall winner
- Orange Boat finished second
- Red Boat secured third position
- Blue Boat came fourth
In the second round, the competition was extremely close, with Blue Boat finishing at 55.30 seconds, narrowly ahead of Green Boat at 55.55 seconds.
Cultural Events, Cooking Battle and Family Participation
Apart from sports, a cooking competition was organised at Arera Club, where IAS officers and their family members showcased their culinary skills. Cultural programs, fun games, painting, poetry, antakshari, kite flying and extempore performances highlighted the lighter side of administrative life.
On the opening day, officers and their families also presented songs, music, and dance, while Chief Secretary Anurag Jain actively participated in sports, enjoying a cricket match and impressing participants with his batting shots.
A Celebration Beyond Administration
The IAS Service Meet 2025 successfully blended fitness, family bonding, creativity, and leadership, offering officers a platform to unwind, compete, and connect beyond their official responsibilities.
