Lawyers In Executive: Recent UPSC CSE 2022 Result

This year alone, approximately 23 candidates with Law optional UPSC have successfully qualified in the UPSC examination. While this figure may initially seem small, a comparative analysis indicates that Law is indeed the most successful optional subject, not just in the current year, but consistently over several years. This claim is substantiated by data on the success rates of various optional subjects in the UPSC examination.

It is noteworthy that some of these successful candidates have been with De Facto IAS, which further affirms the potential of Law as a viable and promising optional for UPSC aspirants. These developments have undoubtedly stirred the landscape of civil services in India, prompting a reevaluation of optional subject choices amongst potential candidates.

As per UPSC 72nd Report(at page -123) it says, Amongst the subjects opted by 100 or more candidates, the highest percentage of successful candidates had opted for Law (13.8 percent) followed by Economics 13.1 percent) and Commerce & Accountancy (12.9 percent).

The hard-earned skills they've sharpened over years of legal studies and practice are just the right ingredients they need to spice up public service. In this little chat, we'll uncover this nifty trend, dive into why these legal eagles are making a big splash in administrative roles, and discover how their wisdom in law is adding a fresh twist to policy-making and governance.

TREND OF LAWYERS CONQUERING EXECUTIVE ROLES THROUGH UPSC EXAMS.

Recent trends in the legal profession in India have indicated an intriguing divergence from the traditional career path. A significant number of learned individuals, particularly those graduating from top law universities, are increasingly drawn towards the Indian Civil Services. This shift in focus is largely influenced by the opportunities presented through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations.

The transition of legal professionals towards administrative roles may seem sudden. However, a closer examination reveals a myriad of compelling reasons driving this change. The motivations and aspirations behind this trend are as diverse as the individuals who comprise this group of law aficionados. Here are a few key insights gathered to elucidate this phenomenon:

1. Skills match: It turns out, the fine art of law and administration have a lot more in common than we might think. A lawyer's toolkit is filled with critical thinking, problem-solving, persuasive communication, and, of course, a deep-dive knowledge of legal frameworks. Sounds like the perfect combo for a role in civil services, right?

2. Seeking new frontiers: Traditionally, you'd expect to find lawyers in courtrooms, hashing it out amidst high-stakes litigation. But today, they're breaking free from the norm and realizing that law and governance have a compelling and complex relationship. They're looking beyond the courtroom, and the UPSC exams are their ticket into this intriguing world of policy-making and administrative governance.

TIPS FROM A SUCCESSFUL LAW OPTIONAL TOPPER.

Here are the list of topper’s with law optional in UPSC, and based on interaction with them, key points they submitted are summed up:-

Kritika Goyal: AIR- 14(NLU, Gujrat Grad) - Revision is the key, Writing as many tests as possible. Complete assignments promptly and include comprehensive responses when addressing comparative questions. Prioritize clarity in handwriting to facilitate understanding. Once a task is selected, remain focused, avoiding distraction from other pending tasks. Lastly, rest after all tasks are completed rather than intermittently. These guidelines will enhance productivity and ensure high-quality outcomes. (Detailed interview)

Chaitanya Awasthi AIR-37, (NUJS Kolkata) - Time management and making extremely short notes for revision at end time. Be patient and make god routine (Detailed Interview)

Pallavi Mishra AIR-73 (NLU Delhi) - Enjoy college life, Don't restrict yourself to a room. Treat it like any other exam. Practice PYQ a lot and write lot of previous year mains question for law optional especially repeated ones (Detailed interview)

BREAKDOWN OF THE UPSC syllabus and its alignment with law studies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is known for its vast and comprehensive syllabus. However, for candidates with a background in law, there's a significant alignment between their academic studies and various aspects of the UPSC syllabus. Let's break this down:

1. Preliminary Examination:

• General Studies Paper I: Includes topics such as Indian Polity, which aligns well with the constitutional law, Environmental laws, Different acts studied in law schools.
• General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Comprises comprehension, decision-making, and analytical questions, skills that are routinely honed in legal education.

2. Main Examination:

• General Studies II (Polity, Governance, Constitution, Social Justice): This paper is heavily aligned with law studies, covering topics such as constitutional articles, the functioning of the judiciary, and social justice - areas lawyers are well-versed in.
• General Studies III (Economic Development, Technology, Environment): Understanding of various laws pertaining to these sectors can be beneficial in this paper.
• General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude): The ethical underpinnings of law can provide insights for handling case studies in this paper.
• Optional Subject: Law itself can be chosen as an optional subject, where the syllabus overlaps substantially with subjects taught in law school, including constitutional law, criminal law, and international law, among others.

3. Interview: Lawyers, with their excellent argumentation and presentation skills, can excel in this stage which tests personality and mental acuity.

While the UPSC syllabus is broad-based, encompassing various subjects, the understanding of law, constitution, public policies, and rights gained in law studies provides a considerable advantage. By harnessing this edge and supplementing it with comprehensive preparation in other areas, lawyers are well-placed to successfully navigate the UPSC examinations.

CHALLENGES FACED BY LAWYERS IN PREPARING UPSC

The UPSC Civil Service Examination is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams in India. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance to crack it. Lawyers who aspire to become civil servants face some unique challenges during their preparation, such as managing their time between work and study, dealing with the vast syllabus and the changing pattern of the exam, and coping with the stress and pressure of both the professions.

However, these challenges can also be turned into opportunities if they adopt some effective strategies and techniques. Here are some of the ways that lawyers can overcome the hurdles and achieve their dream of joining the civil service.

• Plan your schedule wisely:

As a lawyer, you may have a hectic and unpredictable work schedule that can interfere with your study plan. Therefore, you need to plan your daily and weekly routine in advance and allocate sufficient time for both your work and study.

As a lawyer, you have an advantage over other candidates in terms of your legal knowledge and skills. You can use them to enhance your performance in the exam, especially in the general studies papers, the essay paper and the personality test.

You can also draw examples and case studies from your work experience to illustrate your points and arguments. This may help in ethics papers as well. You should also keep yourself updated with the latest developments and judgments in the field of law and governance, as they can be useful for both your work and the exam.

• Join a coaching institute or a study group

Joining coaching is not necessary per se but, if you may find it difficult to study alone or to find suitable guidance and feedback for your preparation. Therefore, you may consider joining a coaching institute or a study group that can provide you with the necessary resources, materials and mentorship.

You can also interact with other aspirants and learn from their experiences and tips. However, you should be careful not to blindly follow what others say or do, but rather develop your own style and strategy that suits your strengths and weaknesses.

• Practice mock tests and previous year papers:

As a lawyer, you may be well-versed in writing and presenting your arguments in a logical and coherent manner. However, you also need to practice writing answers within the given time limit and word limit, as well as adapting to the different types of questions and formats in the exam.

Kritika, AIR- 14 a law optional topper, in her interview , stressed a lot on writing practice, she said she apart from 20 tests with me wrote more than 200 questions on her own.

Therefore, you should practice mock tests and previous year papers regularly to improve your speed, accuracy and confidence. You should also analyze your performance and identify your mistakes and areas of improvement.

• Maintain a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle

As a lawyer, you may face a lot of stress and pressure from both your work and the exam preparation. Therefore, you need to maintain a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle to cope with them.

Pallavi, AIR - 73, in her interview  was very forthright on the fact that one should have a good life and enjoy the preparation. You should avoid negative thoughts and emotions that can affect your motivation and concentration.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

If you are an aspiring lawyer who wants to pursue a career in public service through UPSC, you should know that you have chosen a noble and rewarding path. Public service is not only a profession, but also a calling that requires dedication, integrity and passion. As a lawyer, you have the skills and knowledge to uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of citizens and serve the nation with justice and fairness.

However, you may also face many challenges and difficulties along the way. The UPSC exam is one of the most competitive and rigorous exams in the country, and it requires a lot of hard work, preparation and perseverance. You may have to sacrifice your time, money and personal life for your dream. You may also encounter failures, setbacks and disappointments that may shake your confidence and motivation.

But do not give up on your vision. Remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Remember that every failure is a stepping stone to success. Remember that every disappointment is a test of your resilience and determination. Remember that you are not alone in this journey. You have the support and guidance of your mentors, teachers, peers and family. You also have the inspiration and example of many eminent lawyers who have served the country with distinction and honor through UPSC.

You have what it takes to become a public servant of excellence. You have the talent, the potential and the aspiration. All you need is to believe in yourself, work hard and stay focused on your goal. You can do it. You will do it. You will make yourself proud, your profession proud and your country proud.

Author: Aditya Tiwari - Teaches Law Optional UPSC at De Facto IAS, Delhi. He is NIT, Allahabad Graduate and holds Degree in law from Delhi University and PGDM in Cyber Law from ILI, Delhi