Is the job of an IAS officer impactful? Can an officer bring about change for the better?
When we think of transformative change, we often envision a rapid and dramatic impact during an officer’s tenure. We all aspire to make a significant, positive difference in our domain, but it’s essential to recognise that immediate results are not the norm.
Think of the last time you wanted to change some aspect of yourself for the better. It might be exercising every day or eating healthy or cutting down on social media use. How difficult was it? We try to inculcate good habits, but we often relapse. And then we try again. It’s a long struggle against ourselves.
Now imagine how difficult it would be to change a set of populace for the better. It is possible, but it is often slow, painful, and difficult.
Throughout history, meaningful and lasting change has always taken time. We have not eliminated polio in one day or one year. It took the relentless effort of countless health workers across the country to reach that milestone. No one invented the iPhone from nothing. It was a yearly refinement of ideas that led to Steve Jobs unveiling the smartphone.
It’s the same in the government. Radical changes and cult personalities happen only in the movies. If you enter the service and think you can transform everything overnight, you are going to be disillusioned. To be an effective public servant is to understand the limits of one’s power.
Rather on a day-to-day basis, what you need to work on are the small wins. It can be about solving a chronic land acquisition problem that’s been pending for years. Or ensuring 100% safe, institutional deliveries in a Gram Panchayat. Or it’s about providing a digital classroom for a remote school that improves the learning outcomes of 50 children. That’s 50 lives transformed.
It’s about notching these small victories along the way. I have immense respect for the countless and invisible officers who are working their way towards these improvements. Like a river that cuts through a mountain, it’s the collective push over years that results in meaningful change.
You may not be able to overhaul the entire system, but you can transform the lives of people in your limited sphere of influence. The impact might not be felt by everyone, but for those lives you touch through your work, it’s deep.
Personally, I keep a running note of all my accomplishments that I am proud of, no matter how small or insignificant. Every now and then, I go through the list and it inspires me. It’s these little successes that make the job of an IAS officer impactful and fulfiling.
I’m a doctor, but I came across one of your interviews where you mentioned about knowing our limitations and also accepting our failures , accepting that we were not good enough, that’s why we didn’t qualify . But also learning to not give up through the tough phase . Quite an insight
Really liked this article as well👏
Ilike it when you mention -I go through the list and it inspires me. It’s these little successes that make the job of an IAS officer impactful and fulfiling.
Sir , my humble request to put your best reads of 2023 . Last time you recommended some books out of which my favorites were 1) Make it stick 2) Food Rules .Please do tell us your best reads of 2023 . Thank you 🙂
Reading your blog is absolute happiness for me sir….I just came here read this blog for fifth time just to feel happy when I am alone
I have read all yours blogs atleast thrice and few blogs even more..
I feel as if I am talking to you when I read your blog..
Please keep writing regularly sir.. This is the only means of happiness for me as of now..
Would like to see a blog from you on the following topics sir
•Team India’s loss in cricket world cup 2023
•About all your memories and learnings from your journey at bhadradri kothagudem (our district)
•How is working as collector of Hyderabad different from being collector of a rather remote district like bhadradri kothagudem
Thank you so much all the inspiration and happiness you have given me sir..
The way you conveyed how success take time
those who really working hard for their dreams. Thank you sir.
Thank you sir
Thank you, sir, for your valuable insights. Small wins add up to larger changes over the course of time.
Yes, coming soon! Post on my favourite books will be up in December!
I don’t agree. At every phase of UPSC exam, you would hear bad takes like these. I used to tell myself the same— that the exam is all but a gamble (during the years I didn’t get through). It was my way of soothing my pain of failure. But in the long term, such negative thinking kills our drive and motivation. Ignore them and give your best.
Thank you Ajju!