Aizawl: In its fervent search for the next IAS officer from the state, the Government of Mizoram has decided to provide full sponsorship, including coaching expenses, to students from the state who aspire to become civil servants.
A top-level meeting, headed by the Chief Minister Zoramthanga, on Tuesday took the resolve to partner with reputed coaching centres in New Delhi to facilitate the civil service aspirants to join coaching classes. The government initiative is expected to prove a major reprieve to the students, as these coaching packages usually cost upwards of Rs. 1 lakh.
In the meeting, the Mizoram government representatives also agreed to conduct entrance exam to select eligible candidates from the state. A maximum seat limit and other important criteria shall be decided upon at the earliest.
This decision has been taken amid concerns over the declining number of civil service officers. Mizoram has not produced any IAS officer since 2015.
Grace Lalrindiki Pachuau, a Tamil Nadu cadre, was the last person from the state to crack the UPSC exams. She cleared in 2014. Somewhat surprisingly, only five aspirants from Mizoram have cleared the UPSC exams since 2000.
At yesterday's meeting, the Chief Minister Zoramthanga pointed out that the number of educated youths from Mizoram joining central service is gradually declining and massive efforts should be made in this regard.
The Mizoram government is making efforts to enable students to join civil services, central services, commercial banks, and corporates through the Mizo Youth Commission (MYC), a body that was set up by an Act of the Mizoram State Legislature in 2008. It has been given statutory responsibility for promotion, exploration and embracement of youth welfare.
The MYC gives cash incentive awards ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh to students who clear various exams (prelim & main), including UPSC, SSC, NDA, and state services.