Nithyakalyani Narayanan. V
Meet Bhargav Vennelaganti, a lawyer, who successfully cleared the UPSC CSE in 2023. With a strong legal background, he offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by first-generation lawyers and provides tips for qualifying for this prestigious exam.
Q1. Sir, can you share your journey and preparation strategy for cracking the UPSC exam, given your law background?
A: My UPSC journey was about three years long, starting from my graduation in mid-2020 until 2023. I believe it takes at least two years to clear this exam due to its vast syllabus. Hence, planning in advance and starting preparation in the final year of college can be very beneficial. As for my strategy, it was based on five pointers –
- Stick to basic books and sources instead of collecting new sources all the time.
- Revise each source 8-10 times before each prelims.
- Practice writing answers to finish papers on time and improve based on feedback.
- Focus on exercise and activities such as meditation or listening to audiobooks etc. to keep motivation high and maintain good mental health.
- Remember that discipline, consistency, hope and patience are the four pillars of this exam. It takes 33% knowledge, 33% revision, 33% practice and 1% luck to clear this exam.
Q2. Maintaining physical and mental health is crucial during preparation. How did you ensure you stayed healthy?
A: Mental health is linked to physical health. So, when feeling low, I prioritize exercise, even if it is not very intense. For example, I went for a quick gym session between two prelims papers in my last attempt to boost my motivation levels. I also meditated daily and listened to self-help books such as ‘Atomic Habits’ and ‘David Goggins’, trying to integrate those learnings into my life.
Q3. How did you manage to balance the extensive range of subjects required for UPSC preparation, and did your approach evolve over time?
A: UPSC syllabus literally covers every topic under the sun. By the end of your preparation, assuming it was an honest effort (regardless of the result), you will be a changed person. That being said, you need to have a detailed strategy and timelines based on factors like
- Subject complexity
- Subject extent and range
- Return on investment (ROI)
For example, world history has a huge syllabus range but a low ROI, hence less time and effort are needed. The case is opposite for ethics and essays – you can score very high with less effort.
Q4. Understanding the law is a crucial aspect of being a civil servant. Can you share what kind of legal training civil servants receive to prepare them for their responsibilities?
A: Law is the language of administration. Civil servants are key protagonists in the process of nation-building, playing essential leadership roles in their respective departments and ensuring this complex democracy functions smoothly.
Knowledge of law is crucial, as officers derive their power from the law and are also limited by its boundaries (e.g. administrative law).
In LBSNAA, Mussoorie, all Group A officers receive basic training. Further training in respective service institutes includes legal education for Officer Trainees. For example –
- IPS officers learn a lot about criminal laws, cyber laws and procedural aspects.
- IRS officers learn about customs, GST, the Income Tax Act, Narcotics (NDPS Act), international frameworks of WTO, etc.
- IAS officers must learn both union laws and the state laws relevant to their assigned cadres.
Learning happens in the academy and also during field postings as officer trainers/probationers.
Q5. What revision techniques did you find most effective as the exam dates approached, Sir? How did you ensure you retained information across such a vast syllabus?
A: Revision is one of the most important parts of the exam. I believe that what is not revised might as well have never been studied. I used to make ultra-short notes as I approached the exam date. This helped me revise the same note 5-10 times. This is especially helpful in law, where we have to remember hundreds of cases, sections across many laws, Latin maxims etc. I used to take out a day in the week (let’s say Sunday) only for revision.
Q6. From your perspective, what legal reforms do you believe are necessary to improve the criminal justice system in India?
A: Frankly, it’s a little premature for me to answer this as my knowledge on this topic is very academic. Once I join the services, I’ll gain firsthand insights into what is lacking and what can be done.
However, one thing that is really concerning is the steady rise in the pendency of cases (from about 3.5 crore to 5 crore in 2024). This trend needs an immediate reversal. Some ways to achieve this include-
- Simplification of laws
- Decriminalization of certain laws
- Each government department must have a Legislative Impact Assessment (LIA) wing to prevent mechanical appeals.
- Promotion of ADR, especially e-ADR including Lok Adalats on a large scale.
All of these efforts must happen parallelly with larger reforms in the collegium system, filling up vacancies and improving judicial infrastructure.
Q7: Finally, Sir, what guidance would you offer to law aspirants considering a career in law enforcement, and how can they effectively leverage their legal expertise in the police force?
A: I would say that UPSC is an excellent choice for lawyers, especially first-generation lawyers. I would advise them to think long and hard about their future during their college years. UPSC gives you many opportunities such as –
- Opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development directly. This provides immense satisfaction of work. No longer will you live just for the weekends.
- It puts you in a leadership position in your 20s, which is rare in law, where climbing the ladder often takes years or decades.
- It gives you the authority to make a change and implement your decisions. It gives you access to sovereign state resources to implement your vision.
Of course, the obvious drawback is that salaries are capped as per the pay commission, which may not match those in the private sector. Hence, it is a personal choice.
I’d urge first-generation lawyers to consider these factors before choosing their path.
In conclusion, whatever your choice, pursue it with honesty and sincerity. If you decide to join us in the bureaucracy, please do so for the right reasons. Our nation needs talented young professionals committed to its service.
You can reach out to me if you require further guidance, especially for law optional. DM me on Instagram at @bhargavvenn.