In a significant initiative to support civil service aspirants from Ganjam, the district administration’s flagship coaching programme, Lakshya Niketan, conducted mock interviews on Tuesday evening for candidates who have qualified in the main examination of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).
At least five candidates, including one woman, participated in the mock interview session held in Berhampur. All five aspirants are from Ganjam district and had enrolled with Lakshya Niketan to prepare for the final stage of the Odisha Civil Services Examination.
IAS and IPS Officers Guide Aspirants
A distinguished panel of six senior officers, including four IAS and IPS officers, interviewed the candidates and provided detailed feedback on interview techniques, confidence-building, and effective communication.
Each mock interview lasted approximately 45 minutes.
According to Avinash Kumar, the exercise was designed to familiarize candidates with the personality test format and help them refine their responses.
The interview panel included:
- V. Keerthi Vasan
- A. Sasya Reddy
- Saravana Vivek M
- Two senior officers of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS)
OPSC Personality Test Begins from May 14
The Odisha Public Service Commission will conduct the personality test and document verification for the Odisha Civil Services Examination from May 14 to May 20 at its office in Cuttack.
The personality test is the final stage of the state civil services recruitment process.
Lakshya Niketan: Free Coaching for UPSC and OPSC Aspirants
Lakshya Niketan was established by the Ganjam district administration to provide free coaching to meritorious students preparing for the UPSC and OPSC examinations.
Currently, the programme supports 170 aspirants through coaching centres located in:
- Berhampur
- Bhanjanagar
- Chhatrapur
Notably, 50 percent of the selected aspirants are women, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on gender inclusion and equal opportunity.
The district administration has partnered with a New Delhi-based coaching institute to deliver high-quality training and mentorship.
Boosting Civil Service Success from Rural Odisha
Lakshya Niketan has emerged as a model initiative for empowering talented students from smaller towns and rural areas by offering structured guidance, expert coaching, and direct mentorship from serving officers.
The mock interviews are expected to significantly enhance the confidence and performance of candidates appearing for the OPSC personality test.
