Archive · 29 Dec 2025
PM’s Advisor Calls UPSC Pursuit Wasteful
Sanjeev Sanyal, the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisor, said that preparing for the UPSC Civil Services exam is a waste of time.
He thinks that because of new technologies like AI, traditional exams and university education are not as useful anymore.
He suggested that people should learn skills through apprenticeships and start working earlier.
He also said that many people spend too much time trying to pass the UPSC exam, which has a very high failure rate.
Sanyal believes that universities should change their teaching methods to keep up with modern times.
He shared his own college experience, saying he felt he was wasting time in classes.
He is not against civil servants but thinks people should not spend years trying to pass the UPSC exam without success.
Sanjeev Sanyal, PM’s Economic Advisor, calls UPSC exam pursuit a 'complete waste of time'.
He argues that rapid technological advancements and AI make traditional exams irrelevant.
Sanyal suggests focusing on apprenticeships and skill-based learning instead of traditional education.
He criticizes the high failure rate of the UPSC exam and the time spent by aspirants.
Sanyal believes universities should adapt their curricula and teaching methods to modern times.
- Who
- Sanjeev Sanyal, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisor
- What
- Criticism of UPSC exams and traditional education
- When
- Views expressed in August 2025 and March 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- Belief in the irrelevance of traditional exams due to technological advancements
- Person
- Sanjeev Sanyal
- Position
- Prime Minister’s Economic Advisor
- Exam
- UPSC Civil Services
- Failure Rate
- 99.9%
- Proposed Alternative
- Apprenticeships and skill-based learning
- Technology Impact
- AI and rapid advancements
- Historical Context
- Criticism of traditional education systems