Tumakuru DC Shubha Kalyan interacts with students on UPSC preparation, public service and administration
Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Shubha Kalyan, IAS, interacted with students at Yuva Samvada at Tumkur University, discussing UPSC preparation, public service, district administration, technology, youth participation and social issues.
Tumakuru: “Whatever you see, wherever you go, ask yourself why, what, where, when and how, and try to find the answer for yourself,” Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Shubha Kalyan, IAS, told students during the Yuva Samvada programme held at Tumkur University on Monday.
The programme was organised by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Tumakuru district unit, in association with Tumkur University and other supporting institutions and organisations. Conducted under the theme “Achieve, Compete, Leadership,” the Yuva Samvada programme provided students an opportunity to interact directly with the Deputy Commissioner on UPSC preparation, public service, administration and issues concerning society.
During the interaction, Shubha Kalyan spoke about the need to question information, understand its context and develop independent analytical thinking. While discussing UPSC preparation and public service, she said students should develop the habit of examining information instead of accepting it immediately.
She also spoke about the role of technology and artificial intelligence in education. According to her, AI and other digital tools should be used to support learning but should not replace independent thought and analysis.
The discussion covered several areas, including choosing the IAS, district development, time management, stress management, family responsibilities, UPSC preparation and the importance of learning Kannada while serving as an administrator.
Highlighting youth power, Shubha Kalyan said the central message of Yuva Samvada was connected to the role of young people in bringing social change.
“Youth power is not merely strength; it is the power to bring change, the power to dream, the power to face challenges and the power to change the direction of society.”
The programme placed students at the centre of the discussion and enabled them to seek information directly from an officer serving in the district administration.
Students subsequently raised questions about UPSC preparation, civil services, administration and issues affecting society and ordinary people. Their questions covered the structure and purpose of the UPSC examination, reasons for choosing the IAS, development priorities in Tumkur district, balancing family responsibilities with public service, study schedules, stress management and learning Kannada as an administrator.
UPSC Preparation Requires Understanding & Analysis
Responding to a student who sought an explanation of the UPSC examination, Shubha Kalyan said the examination assesses how clearly and deeply a candidate understands a subject rather than simply testing specialised knowledge in one particular field.
She said candidates from different educational backgrounds can prepare for the civil services examination and that an academic background in engineering or medicine is not a prerequisite for entering the field.
According to her, UPSC preparation requires an understanding of general studies, current affairs and political, social and economic developments. Candidates also need to learn how different issues are connected and develop the ability to analyse them.
The Deputy Commissioner also discussed the availability of digital resources for the present generation. Referring to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, she said young people have access to platforms such as artificial intelligence that can provide information quickly.
She advised students to understand how such technologies can be used in learning while ensuring that dependence on technology does not replace their own ability to think and analyse.
“Whatever you see, wherever you go, ask yourself why, what, where, when and how, and try to find the answer for yourself.”
The advice centred on curiosity and analytical thinking. Students were encouraged to question the information they encounter, examine its source, understand its context and attempt to establish the reasoning behind it.
She also referred to instances in which students have claimed to have passed examinations by studying through ChatGPT. She used the example while discussing the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and stressed that such tools should be used appropriately.
IAS Service Offers Direct Public Interaction
When asked why she chose the IAS and what motivated her towards the service, Shubha Kalyan pointed to the opportunity to work directly with the public.
She explained that an officer entering the administrative service can receive responsibilities such as an Assistant Commissioner or a sub-divisional posting at an early stage. Such positions provide an opportunity to interact directly with citizens, understand their problems and work towards resolving issues through administration.
For students considering civil services, she explained that public interaction and service delivery form part of administrative responsibilities.
The discussion then moved from individual career choices to questions concerning development and administration in Tumkur district.
Tumkur District Development Discussed at Yuva Samvada
Students raised questions concerning development priorities in Tumkur district and sought the Deputy Commissioner’s views on issues affecting people in the district.
The interaction allowed students to connect their questions about public administration with the responsibilities handled by the district administration. Questions also covered ordinary citizens’ concerns and the ways in which administrative officers interact with people while addressing issues.
The programme therefore combined discussions on civil services preparation with questions related to public administration and district-level development.
Tumakuru Medical College Question Addressed by DC
A student questioned the focus on opening another medical college in Tumkur city and asked why similar healthcare infrastructure could not be developed in villages and taluks.
Responding to the question, Shubha Kalyan explained that individual taluks have populations of around two lakh, while Tumkur city has nearly six lakh people.
She also pointed to Tumkur’s location on the route used by people travelling from other districts towards Bengaluru for serious medical treatment.
According to her explanation, the location of a medical college also has to take into account access for people from neighbouring taluks. The response addressed the student’s question in the context of population and accessibility to healthcare facilities.
Shubha Kalyan Explains her UPSC Preparation Routine
Speaking about her own UPSC preparation, Shubha Kalyan said she studied for around 18 hours a day during her preparation period.
She recalled waking at 4.30 am and reading The Hindu newspaper for about five hours before breakfast. Her preparation then included current affairs, general studies and her optional subject, geography.
She advised students preparing for competitive examinations to maintain discipline and consistency in their study routines.
She also suggested spending time before going to bed recalling what had been studied during the day. According to her approach, reviewing the day’s learning can help students keep track of their preparation and organise their study process.
The Deputy Commissioner also addressed questions about stress management. She advised students to organise their responsibilities, maintain a diary and assign timelines to tasks rather than allowing work to accumulate.
Her advice connected time management with preparation, daily organisation and handling responsibilities in a planned manner.
Yuva Samvada Focuses on Youth and Public Service
The Yuva Samvada programme was organised under the theme “Achieve, Compete, Leadership” by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists, Tumakuru district unit, in association with Tumkur University and supporting institutions and organisations.
The programme focused on UPSC preparation, public service, youth participation, social concerns, education, discipline and the role of young people in addressing social issues.
The direct interaction with the Deputy Commissioner enabled students to ask questions about civil services preparation while also discussing administration and issues connected with people and society.
The programme was attended by H. Nagabhushan, Vice-Chancellor, Tumkur University; G. Dakshayini, Principal and Coordinator, University College of Arts, Tumkur; L. Yogesh, President, KUWJ Tumakuru district unit; and Shashidhar Donihaklu, President, Press Club, Tumkur.
Supporting organisers included Tumkur University, KUWJ members, Mahila Adhyayana Kendra, Press Club and University College of Arts, Tumkur.
