Worried over the lackluster performance of aspirants in civil service examination in recent years, the Odisha government has proposed to introduce a scheme for providing free civil service (UPSC) coaching to the domiciles of Odisha who are not able to afford decent and quality coaching at home or elsewhere.

Though civil service continues to be one of the most sought after, preferred and potentially satisfying professions in India, in recent years, the state is found lagging behind with less than 1% share whereas states like Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Bihar top with the success rate capturing more than 5% of the posts, each, said officials on Saturday.

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A study of the three stages of civil service examination reveals that starting from the preliminary examination, there is an overriding and urgent need to open a dedicated centralized coaching centre in Bhubaneswar to be run professionally by a reputed coaching agency to improve and maintain the civil service success rate of Odisha, said officials of the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC)

A high-level committee has recommended the establishment of a centralised coaching centre with hostel facilities for the aspirants.

It suggested that all out efforts should be made to create a good study environment in the campus by creating library facilities for the inmates and other logistic facilities like internet facilities etc. to be provided to the students so that they would devote their efforts in a more focused manner.

Emphasis will be laid on creation of the right ambience, availability of professional guidance and continuous mentoring by senior officers to be of absolute necessity for success. Principal Secretary suggested allotment of few acres of Government land in Bhubaneswar for construction of hostel and other infrastructure for civil service aspirants.

The Chief Secretary, who headed the high level committee on UPSC results, suggested taking on lease or rent suitable buildings on a long-term basis in and around Bhubaneswar for opening a civil service coaching institute with suitable accommodation for about 200 civil service aspirants annually.

The students may be allowed to stay in the hostel for a maximum period of two years. The building needs to be equipped with a Library, caféteria, Internet as well as other digital learning facilities for the students. An unused building near Hi-tech Hospital in Bhubaneswar was suggested for the above purpose. The need for constitution of an executive committee for monitoring the coaching institute and its ancillary activities on a continuous basis and securing a mechanism for onsite guidance by serving as well as retired civil servants for Civil Service aspirants were stressed for creation of the right ecosystem.

As regards the entrance Examination for selecting candidates for free coaching, the officials suggested that such Entrance Examination should be conducted on General Studies, English and Odia. Every year 200 students should be selected for such coaching. The performance of the coaching centre should be rigorously reviewed every three years.