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DIMAPUR — Imkongnukla Ao, who has cleared both the national and state-level prestigious competitive examinations, opines that ‘it is not always the brainiest who clears the exam but the average student who does not give up on their dream’.
With no luxury of time or money at her disposal to pursue post-graduation, Imkongnukla, who did her entire schooling in Nagaland, took the Nagaland Public Service Commission - Civil Services Examination (NPSC - CSE) right after completing her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Patkai Christian College. She secured the position of Secretariat Assistant in her first attempt and has been dedicatedly serving in the Secretariat since March 2020.
She went on to clear the NPSC CSE in 2021 and was allotted the post of EAC (Extra Assistant Commissioner), before clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC CSE) in 2022, for which she was allotted the position of IPS (Indian Police Service). She is currently serving as an EAC (probationer) in Wokha, Nagaland.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Imkong, who enjoys reading autobiographies, setting off on long drives and engaging in public speaking, besides pursuing her passion for serving the community, gives an insight into the NPSC examination and more, in an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror.
What is your take on the NPSC exam, and how did you prepare for it?
The NPSC CSE exam is quite fair and I have seen only the deserving ones getting selected. I simultaneously prepared for both UPSC and NPSC, so it was an integrated preparation. Since I also was targeting the EAC post, I had to put extra effort into the NPSC CSE mains.
Could you share a concise overview of the key strategies, resources, and techniques that played a pivotal role in your success on the NPSC exams, recognizing that individual study styles vary?
I referred to the standard books such as M. Laxmikant for Indian Polity, Spectrum for Indian History, Sir M. Tungoe, IPS book for Nagaland, Competition in Focus for Current Affairs, Ramesh Singh book for Indian Economy, YouTube channels like Unacademy and CivilsTap for CSAT, NCERT for geography. I normally studied for 3-4 hours as I had to go to the office and studied for 18 hours when I got leave for the exams, when the mains examination approached.
What are the fundamental principles you would offer to aspirants looking for a holistic approach to their preparations?
Focus on standard books and revise one book 30 times instead of reading 30 different books for one subject. The journey is long because it takes more than one cyclic year. Also, I have seen aspirants going to interview and not qualifying in the final exam so patience and perseverance are needed. We should always have faith in God and wait for God's timing to clear the exam.
Are there any particular qualities or skills that you believe are crucial for success in your position and the civil services in general?
We need to be determined and humble and make a lot of sacrifices. It is not always the brainiest that clears the exam but the average student who does not give up on their dream. I also am a slow learner but I was determined to clear the exam no matter how long it took. So with perseverance, single-minded focus and a lot of patience, we can clear the exam.
As a top ranker in the NPSC exam, what fundamental advice would you provide to beginners on starting their exam preparation to establish a strong foundation for success?
Start reading the newspapers, revise the standard books and practice writing the answers. It is important to be consistent to study at least 4-5 hours every day and use the ‘Pomodoro Technique’ for the management of time.
Could you provide an insight into the selection and the interview process?
There are basically three stages of the examination. 1st stage is the prelims which mostly focus on MCQ, second stage is the mains which comprises three papers which is Essay, GS1 (MCQ) and GS2 (Descriptive). Interview marks have been reduced from 75 to 55 marks. The interview panels are very friendly and they will check your overall personality rather than just your knowledge.
What advice do you have for balancing one’s academic and personal life while preparing for a competitive exam like NPSC?
It depends from individual to individual. There needs to be a balance between personal life and preparing for exams. But there is a need to sacrifice your social lives to have less distraction.
Now that you are working as an EAC (probationer), can you describe a typical day in your role, focusing on the powers and duties?
An EAC is mainly posted either in the headquarters or in the outpost. Life is busier in the headquarters because we directly work under the Deputy Commissioner and are responsible for coordinating all the departments and overall administration of the district.
What opportunities for career growth and advancement are available after becoming an EAC?
At the district level, we enter the service as an EAC, then promoted to SDO (Civil), and then ADC and DC. At the secretariat level, the undersecretary is the same rank as an SDO. Then we can be promoted to deputy secretary, joint secretary and so on. If we enter the service quite early, then we can retire at the Commissioner and Secretary Level.
Is there anything you would like to add that I did not ask?
Yes, I always feel that clearing the exam is not the end. Rather it is just a means to use the platform to serve society. Today, we need God-fearing officers who think beyond tribalistic lines and who also empathize with the common people and understand their pain and suffering. So, we need to encourage young people not just to clear the exam but to use the platform to bring positive changes in society.
Rapid Insights:
Three things you are grateful for today
I am grateful – To God for bringing me to this world, for being alive, and for giving me an opportunity to come this far.
View from your window
I can see two churches, a view of Tsumang Lake and Wokha town.
If you had the power to establish one law that everyone in the world must follow, what would it be?
If I had that power, I would want humanity to be more kind. If only 8 billion of us can spread more love and positivity and treat each other as a family. I feel that all human beings in this world are temporary travellers and therefore we should help each other have a happy stay on this earth when we are alive.