UPSC aspirant? Now, pursue BA and MA in civil services in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: Since 1992, 311 candidates from Gujarat were successful in cracking the coveted UPSC exam for civil services. Of these, 50 candidates cleared the exam in 2024 and 2025 alone! Over the past decade and a half, business-minded Gujaratis increasingly started seeing civil services as a formidable career option. In fact, a state-based social organisation has collaborated with two local universities to offer the first-ever BA and MA in civil services from the current academic year.Vishwa Umiya Dham (VUD), a socio-religious organisation of the Patidar community, collaborated with Kalol-based Swaminarayan University and Gandhinagar-based Institute of Advanced Research (IAR) to provide the BA (civil services) course from 2025-26. The course curriculum and faculty members will be provided by VUD, while infrastructure will be provided by the partnering institution. Degrees will be awarded by the respective universities. RP Patel, president of VUD, told TOI that the idea behind the move is to create a steady stream of candidates for the civil services both at the state and national level. "Compared to a couple of decades ago, the youth today are more aware and aspirational towards the civil services as a career option. While we were already providing IAS/IPS coaching, we realised that a structured degree course would help the aspirants start preparation right after class 12," Patel said.It needs mention that a growing number of socio-religious organisations are already providing coaching to civil services aspirants. Organisations like Umiya Mata Sansthan, Unjha, the Khodaldham Vidyarthi Samiti, and Modh Vanik Samaj, among others, provide coaching for GPSC, UPSC candidates complete with residential facilities, canteens, libraries with resource materials, and digital connectivity.VUD's degree initiative, which will be open to students of all communities, is a step further to accelerate aspirants' journey. Students will be required to appear for an entrance test for admission in the BA (civil services) degree course, said Swaminarayan University officials. The course topics will include Polity and Governance, History, Geography, Public Policy, Economics, and Current Affairs, among others. There will be an intake of 100 students each for both institutions with annual fees of around Rs 80,000.Prof Rupesh Vasani, Provost of the university, said that generally the preparations for civil services start after graduation, but such an initiative will give students an early kickstart. "It is not just about govt jobs – we aim to provide skilled human resources to the private sector, too, with candidates who are exposed to public affairs and administration," he said. "It is for the first time in Gujarat that such a course is planned. We are also thinking about internship opportunities for students."The trend of civil services is catching up in Gujarat. In fact, the state garnered national laurels after two women from the state were among the top five in India in the UPSC result declared recently. Harshita Goyal from Vadodara secured All-India Rank (AIR) of 2, and Ahmedabad's Margi Shah was AIR 4. Hareet Shukla, Director General of state govt-run Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA), said that the institute trains about 650 students annually. "Students are now viewing civil services as a viable career option. Many local students topped at the national level in past years, which is encouraging," he said.