Duvvuri Subbarao Calls for Major UPSC Reform: Fewer Attempts, Mid-Career IAS Entry for Professionals
New Delhi, May 29 (TTP): Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao has sparked fresh debate around the future of India’s civil services by recommending sweeping reforms to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruitment process. Subbarao, in an opinion piece for The Times of India, highlighted the need to reduce both the number of attempts and the age limit for civil service aspirants — while simultaneously proposing a structured mid-career entry path into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for experienced professionals.
A System in Need of Overhaul?
Congratulating the successful candidates of the 2024 UPSC Civil Services Examination, Subbarao lauded their determination in cracking one of the world’s most competitive tests. However, he expressed concern for the thousands who fail year after year despite years of preparation — a process he called “an abysmal waste of productive years.”
He pointed out that under current norms, aspirants can attempt the exam up to six times between the ages of 21 and 32, with some categories allowed even more flexibility. “This levelling has gone too far,” he said, reflecting on his own time in the 1970s when candidates were allowed only two attempts between 21 and 24 years.
“For every successful candidate, there are at least ten others who too have invested years in preparation but have failed to make the grade. They are back at square one,” Subbarao remarked.
The “Sunk Cost Fallacy” and Lost Potential
Subbarao drew attention to the psychological burden on aspirants who continue preparing despite repeated failures. He linked this to the sunk cost fallacy — the idea that candidates feel compelled to continue because of the time and effort already invested.
“Maybe I will succeed this time round,” is the thought process many follow, he noted, even though the odds remain stacked against them.
According to Subbarao, this not only leads to emotional distress but also drains economic productivity during peak working years. He thus proposed capping the number of attempts to three and reducing the upper age limit to 27 years — a measure aimed at encouraging aspirants to move on early if unsuccessful, rather than getting stuck in a cycle of preparation.
Examination Mastery vs. Inherent Merit
Subbarao also raised concerns about the nature of the UPSC selection process itself.
“Any examination that allows as many as six chances is likely to privilege mastery of the exam technique over inherent merit,” he wrote.
He suggested that repeated attempts might distort the purpose of the exam, leading to “type I and type II errors” — i.e., selecting those who shouldn’t have been selected, and missing out on those who deserved to make the cut.
A Tiered System: Mid-Career Entry for Experienced Professionals
As a complementary reform, Subbarao pitched the idea of an annual mid-career recruitment channel for professionals in the 40–42 age group, to be administered by the UPSC. This structured entry would differ significantly from the ad-hoc lateral hires seen in recent years.
He argued that while younger recruits bring energy and enthusiasm to the system, they often lack real-world experience and external governance exposure.
“Tier 2 recruits will make up for these lacunae and make the civil service collectively more relevant, useful, and maybe even more caring,” he wrote.
The proposed system would allow professionals from fields like law, technology, economics, business, and development to bring diverse perspectives to the IAS, thereby strengthening public administration with domain expertise.
Balanced Approach, Not Replacement
Subbarao clarified that his vision is not about replacing young IAS officers, but enhancing the overall quality and diversity of the cadre. The existing entry channel for youth must be preserved, he said, as it injects “raw enthusiasm and unspoilt enterprise” into governance.
A Call for Evolution
Concluding his piece, Subbarao acknowledged the evolution of the civil services examination over the last five decades but asserted that it still has a long way to go.
“The civil service exam has vastly improved from the time I took it over 50 years ago. But there is still a need to push the envelope.”
Why This Matters
With over 1 million aspirants appearing annually for a few hundred positions, the civil services exam has long been a symbol of both hope and heartbreak. Subbarao’s suggestions come at a time when India’s bureaucracy faces increasing demands for accountability, efficiency, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape.
Whether the government will implement these proposed reforms remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the debate around the future of India’s civil services has been reignited.