There is a ‘fire’ in all the toppers, fire of wanting to be of some use to the society, intense urge to lead a meaningful life and above all make the country and parents proud. To crack the Civil Services is no mean thing and all these youngsters who seem to be seething with raging desire to ‘make it’ say so. They defy all the so called norms of the society, the gender bias, the economic divide, and surpass all hurdles to achieve what they believe makes sense and meaning.

The state topper was Bharat Gupta, an MBBS graduate from Kurnool medical college, who secured 17th rank in this years civil service examination. Bharat, who hails from Anantapur district, completed his medicine course in February this year and cleared the UPSC examination in his first attempt.

In a tete‘a tete‘ with The Career Guide, Bharat Gupta opens his heart about his passion….

When was the IAS ‘seed’ sown? What was the starting point of your interest?
The ambition to prepare for IAS was sown right from my schooling itself. But the strong determination to move in this direction was taken in the second year of my MBBS. Initially I was more inclined towards making money right from my joining of medicine as I came from an ordinary middle class family and more inclined towards experiencing the luxuries of life. But it was on a casual discussion over a tea that my father told me that money was nothing and even a tea shop person can earn more than you.

It is the fame and name that remain immortal assets for you. It is not a mere philosophy, but a reality. These words moulded my life and decision. In addition to that regular interactions with the problems of the patients during my work indeed made my commitment stronger.

Is there anybody in particular who’s inspired you to set IAS as your goal?
My parents and senior Dr. Vamsi Krishna inspired me to set IAS as my goal.
 
Whom would you attribute your success to?
Three persons: the almighty God, my family, and Dr. Vamsi Krishna my senior. All of them played their part in driving me towards what I am now.

How was your education/ schooling as well as College?
I was a nerd! My educational as well as other academic credentials made me a good student and my results prove the same. I can better put my college or schooling life as UNEVENTFUL.... so nothing special...
 
What do you think is a role of teacher in shaping up an individual and inspire him to set higher goals?
Teacher in specific is the person other than the parents who can identify the talent of the kid and mould him from the beginning. Indeed the belief of the teacher in the student should be reciprocated by the student by reposing all the faith in him/her. But this relation works well only when the teacher and student are sincere. Moulding from the beginning makes the student society oriented, goal conscious and sensible to the problems of the public at large. This is true not only in case of civils but also other occupations as well...

How was your preparation for IAS? How many hours of study in a day did you have to invest?
My preparation for IAS was blissful. I enjoyed what I read. I loved it. I lost count of the hours