Civil servant Jerry the savior

Free Thinker *

Jerry Lalhratthang Buongpui is perhaps the only one from Manipur who qualified in the Civil Services Examination 2024 (declared on 22 Apri1 2025). Indeed he saves us from national ignominy by a whisker. His proud parents are Mr Buongneikung Buongpui, father and Mrs Thansingpui, mother. They are from Churachandpur and belong to the Hmar community—certainly not from Mizoram.

When the UPSC final result was uploaded a few days back —I simply circulated to my friends and editors, thinking that few candidates must be there from the State. When I went through the list of the selected candidates no one was there from the State, except the 999 rank holders —Jerry Lal Pui.

The ranking represents pure gold (999 means 99.9 pure). It is just like 24 carat gold. Jerry, our 999 gold rank holder, studied in Shillong . He did his graduation from St Edmund's college and Masters from NEHU. St Edmund's College is one of the best colleges in the Northeast comparable with Cotton College & DM College (now suffering as Universities).

We were very confident that at least some candidates will be qualified this time too. Last year (2023 CSE final result), if I remember correctly, 10 candidates were selected from Manipur. That was perhaps the best performance so far. Whether we agree or not the fragile situation in the State certainly disturbed the psyche of our students including the civil servant aspirants.

This year's result proves that. The UPSC has declared the Civil Services final result of CSE 2024 completing a tedious process for almost one year from Prelims to Interview. CSE is considered to be the toughest exam in the world. UT aspirants may not agree but they have to, because majority carries the vote in a democracy.

Another toughest exam is the Chinese `Guokao' (National Civil Service Examination). One former IPS officer congratulated his year's topper in a very ironic style — "Congratulations to Shakti Dubey, ranking first in UPSC result. But 5 attempts means 6 years of toil — the best years of youth gone in coaching ?

There are lakhs who tried and keep trying . Should we subject our precious youth to waste years and years on an exam ? The idea is ponderable. People have ignored one important fact that Ms Dubey is from the most popular and prestigious part of this country. In fact she is from Prayagraj, Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency.

Her father is a dedicated police officer who perhaps did excellent service during the Maha Kumbh Mela . Her mother is a home-maker — doing everything for the family — the most hard-working person in their family. Shakti has a very inspiring journey; she gave 5 attempts and failed UPSC prelims three times. Then she qualified Mains in her fourth attempt but could not make it to the final list.

In her fifth attempt she has qualified all three stages of the Civil Service Exam — and became the rank one holder. In other words she tops the CSE 2024. WoW!

In the result sheet it is indicated that one result is kept on hold; let us pray that result belongs to Manipur. At least we can be proud of having two. Jerry has saved our skin but we still hope that we can have more successful candidates when the supplementary list is out.

It reminds me of a supplementary list where children of national leaders are included — of course on merit. So anything can happen. If the UPSC Or the Government of India gives the Civil Service aspirants from Manipur some grace marks on the basis of the devastating and mind-blowing situation of Manipur in 2023-24, their prospects to get into the supplementary list is brighter.

Yesterday a friend of mine came to me and offered me sweets — I asked about the occasion — he said "my niece has become an IPS officer - Mona Jakhar at 490". I congratulated him profusely as it reminds me of an on-going family saga. One of the most inspiring posts of this year's CSE result is the 'viral X' of Kunal Virulkar who had made 12 attempts so far- not selected this time too.

In his 12 attempts he cleared Mains 7 times, attended interviews but was not selected. His post has 2.4 million viewers and triggered a nationwide discussion on willpower or wastage. This exam does not select the brightest but the most enduring ones. Keep going — aspirants - never give up.

At the end I would like to congratulate Mr Vishvesh Chikara at 1009, last position holder and Ravinder on his 13th attempt at rank 860. This is perhaps the best example for resilience and endurance.

A few decades ago I also made 2 Civil Service attempts but failed miserably. I could not even clear the Prelims. Then I gave up. When I last visited LBSNAA (IAS Academy), Mussoorie , I enquired the security person , can I see the campus with my family ?

Security at the gate asked me — Sir, which Batch? I said "Prelims failed". He had a hearty laugh and said "me too". He gave me an unrestricted pass for all — fraternity matters.