SHILLONG, April 23: Cracking national level exams like the UPSC is a far-fetched dream for the youth of Meghalaya, or so it appears, as they seem to not connect with the national and international standards, both physically and mentally, explained Education Minister Rakkam Sangma to media persons on Tuesday.
Reiterating what the Education Minister had explained last year, wherein only one Swapnil Bhattacharya could crack the UPSC exam last year with All India Rank 344, the minister acknowledged this as a concern, terming it a wake-up call, for all stakeholders, including institutions, academicians, and the youth.
This year, none from Meghalaya could make it to the list.
“We believe that the students of the state are second to none, however this trend is very concerning,” the Minister said.
Fearing that Meghalaya would have a dark future if the state is unable to produce Civil Service Officers, he urged the youths and aspirants to have self-motivation.
Meghalaya has seen dismal performance in the civil services examination.
In recent times, the names that come to mind when talking about UPSC civil services exam are Isawanda Laloo and Daribha Lyndem, who cleared the examination in 2013. Besides, Ankur Das, who secured AIR 52 in 2022, brought in a ray of hope for the state, following which Meghalaya again rejoiced as Shillong boy Swapnil Bhattacharya brought laurels to the State in 2023.
This year too, while many from the Northeastern states, even in conflict-stricken Manipur cleared the UPSC exam, none from Meghalaya could make it to the list.
“As a government, we are trying our best by giving training to aspirants but I don’t understand where we are lacking,” mentioned Sangma.
