‘Civil service exam tests emotional fortitude rather than intellectual capability’

Benjo. P. Jose, a 2024 batch IAS officer, cautioned civil service aspirants against falling in survivorship bias by blindly following the toppers’ strategies. He was speaking at a session during the two-day The Hindu Civil Service Gateway 2026 held at Jimmy George Indoor Stadium here on Sunday. “Whenever you are given a strategy, test it to see whether it is beneficial for you in your particular context,” he advised.

He emphasised that managing the emotional dimension of the examination is as important as the intellectual aspect. “The civil services examination tests your emotional fortitude rather than intellectual capability. Quite a few aspirants face depression due to repeated failures. People can bank on their parents and friends for emotional support,” he said.