Navigating the Journey Between CAPF AC and Civil Services: A Personal Narrative
My journey to transitioning from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Assistant Commandant (AC) position to the Civil Services of India is a blend of personal ambition, competitive examination preparation, and career planning. It's a story that highlights the challenges, decisions, and aspirations that each individual faces in their professional life.
The Path to CAPF AC
While preparing for the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE), I also started taking other exams with similar syllabi, a practice that proved beneficial for testing and securing a job. The Civil Services Examination is highly competitive, and the additional exams served as a benchmark for my preparation.
Without any extra preparation, I successfully cleared the UPSC CAPF AC in 2016 with an all-India rank of 12. The joining process was to take place in November 2017. However, as I prepared for the CSE, I decided to take a one-year extension in joining the CAPF AC. The decision was made to focus on the CSE, knowing the competitive nature of the examination.
The Call for Civil Services
As the year 2019 approached, I cleared the UPSC Civil Services Mains in my third attempt, receiving my first interview call. The CAPF AC joining was scheduled for mid-February 2019, and despite my best efforts, I was not allowed to take another one-year extension. This was a pivotal moment that influenced my career path.
My ambition was always the Civil Services, and I found myself at a crossroads. At this juncture, I made the decision not to join the CAPF AC for several reasons. Firstly, my dream had always been to join the Civil Services, and reaching the interview stage for the Civil Services Examination bolstered my confidence. Secondly, the career progression in the CRPF was significantly slower, leaving me uncertain of my future prospects.
In the event that I had joined the CRPF and failed to clear the CSE interview, I knew it wouldn't be easy to prepare for another UPSC CSE attempt from the CRPF training academy due to the time constraints. When the UPSC Civil Services result was announced, I was disappointed not to see my name in the list. Although I was among the top 450 candidates, the General category posts were the lowest that year, with less than 400 selections.
The Pivot to Civil Services Preparation
Since then, I have focused on various state civil services examinations and have continued to prepare for the Civil Services Examination. This period has been fulfilling, but also challenging. Despite setbacks, I have cleared three more mains examinations and am committed to my preparation.
A Personal Perspective
From a personal standpoint, my journey is a blend of career aspirations and real-world challenges. Navigating the complexities of career transitions and the pressures of competitive exams has been both rewarding and difficult.
My experiences in the CRPF were invaluable. They provided a unique perspective on public service and trained me for a career in law enforcement. However, the decision to switch to the Civil Services was driven by a desire for better career opportunities and faster progression.
Ultimately, the decision to leave the CAPF AC job and pursue the Civil Services was with a heavy heart, but one that was made with confidence and conviction. This transition has allowed me to align my career path with my long-term aspirations, and I continue to move forward with a sense of purpose and determination.
Keywords: CAPF AC, Civil Services, Career Transition