New Delhi: Topping the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination that too in the first attempt is no mean feat. But then, 22-year-old Tina Dabi has been an achiever both in school and college.
Coming from a family of engineers (both her parents are Indian Engineering Service officers), she is the first Dalit (lower caste) girl to top the civil services exams in the general category. Tina did not avail herself of reservations and with her achievement, she has become an inspiration for thousands of students from underprivileged castes and communities, who feel motivated to perform well.
Having graduated at 20, she had a year before she became eligible and used the time to prepare for the exams. Tina took coaching from a private institute for a year and then applied in 2015. Since studying for the exams required total concentration, she said she had to go off social media and deactivate her Facebook account last year, only to activate it recently.
Resident of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Colony on Kali Bari Marg near Gol Market in the heart of New Delhi, Tina has chosen to become an Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer after achieving success in the highly competitive examinations from which India’s administrative, foreign and police service officers are recruited.
Emphasising the need for education she said, “A good education is something that not just broadens your mind but also shapes one’s personality.”
She speaks to Gulf News. Excerpts of the interview:
GULF NEWS: How have you been celebrating your success?
TINA DABI: Since the time the results were declared, we, as a family haven’t had the time to celebrate! The celebrations currently mean meeting ministers and dignitaries. But I guess, soon we will venture out for a family dinner and discuss how our lives have transformed. We might also plan a trip outside Delhi, since I will soon be staying away from family when I go to Mussoorie in Uttarakhand for a two-year training period.
Just out of college and becoming an IAS officer — does it make you feel it’s too much of a job responsibility too soon?
It’s a huge responsibility, but yes I am looking forward to working with my seniors from whom I have to learn a lot. I hope they will support and guide me. Civil services give you a platform to work with people while being a part of the system and I am hopeful it will give me joy and satisfaction.
Since you have been a top scorer in school and college, were the civil services exams a smooth sail?
Not at all. These exams are difficult and demanding and require two years of preparation. Since after college, I had a gap, I invested my time on it. Moreover, I had taken the decision to make a career out of civil services when I was in Grade 11. I was not only focused, but also chose subjects that would help me later. I can say that I laid the foundation early in life and this continuity and link [of subjects] from school to college helped me succeed.
Were you asked any tricky questions during the interview?
The interview went smoothly. My optional subjects — political science and international relations — dominated the 45-minutes interview. It was all based on current affairs. I feel, if I had not been an avid newspaper reader, those questions would have stumped me.
Apart from your own hard work, whom would you attribute your success to?
My parents have provided us [my younger sister, Ria, and me] a very strong support system. When I was in Grade 10, I used to read at least two newspapers daily and our mother inculcated in us the habit of reading by getting us books from the library. An engineer, she took voluntary retirement, sacrificing her dreams, so that mine could be fulfilled. Instead of giving me presents on occasions, it was her presence that mattered the most and that’s why I could devote much time to studies. We have been brought up with very strong values and that has shown results.
Could you provide some tips to civil services’ aspirants?
There’s no substitute to hard work and there’s no short cut. The exams are quite lengthy and preparation is time-consuming, requiring immense focus. It can be very stressful, so patience and discipline are very important and sacrifices have to be made. It took meticulous planning of daily schedule and discipline on my part and I would study for 8-10 hours daily. But human capacity has to be taken into account and how much your mind can imbibe. So, it’s important to also relax and find ways of doing so. The day you feel you need a break from it all, you have to listen to your mind. Every 15 days I would unwind and either go out shopping, watch a movie or meet friends.
Any particular reason for preferring Haryana cadre?
Haryana has developed economically, but on gender equality, there’s much to do. This has always disturbed me. I belong to a modern and progressive family and there’s no space for gender inequality in my life. I wish to work towards issues related to women and children, because despite living in the 21st century, we have not yet made much progress in this space. And no matter how much we work towards these issues, it is always less.
PROFILE
• Tina Dabi was born on May 6, 1994, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh to mother Himali and father Jaswant Dabi.
• She studied in Carmel Convent School, Bhopal till Grade 7.
• She moved to Delhi with the family in 2005.
• She completed her schooling from the Convent of Jesus and Mary, scoring 100 per cent in Political Science and History.
• Pronounced ‘student of the year’, the college top scorer graduated in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women in 2014.
• She topped the 2015 UPSC exams securing 1,063 marks (52.49 per cent) out of a total of 2,025 marks.
