EP-417 | UPSC Obsession, Dowry, Corruption, Bureaucracy, AI & Education System | Major SPS Oberoi

Major SPS Oberoi (Retd.) served as an Artillery Officer in the Indian Army for 11 years. He is currently a UPSC mentor and Academic Director at Ekam IAS Academy, Hyderabad.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Major SPS Oberoi (Retd.) shares his journey from serving in the Army to becoming a UPSC mentor. He challenges the popular belief that the UPSC is the toughest exam in India and explains the obsession surrounding it. He also discusses the issue of dowry, often associated with civil servants, and the social prestige attached to government jobs.

He speaks candidly about discipline, success, AI, coaching industry, and the mental health challenges faced by UPSC aspirants.

00:00 – Introduction

01:08 – Childhood And Education

04:24 – Army Officer To UPSC Mentor

08:16 – UPSC Preparation Journey

12:48 – Can AI Guide UPSC Students?

16:20 – Ideal Study Time For UPSC Preparation

18:23 – UPSC Study Materials

21:33 – Digital Detox For Students

23:53 – AI In Administration Work

31:16 – Male vs Female Intelligence

36:46 – Presence of Mind & Quick Reactions

38:50 – Obsession With UPSC Preparation

40:27 – Parental Pressure In Education

45:25 – Scholastic Assessment Test

48:01 – Career Options For Youth

52:03 – Violence Against Children

53:56 – Sikhism And Marriage Rules

56:49 – Dowry In India

1:00:16 – Why Civil Servants Become Corrupt

1:06:50 – Views On Reservation

1:09:31 – UPSC Craze In Bihar And U.P

1:13:48 – Financial Independence For Graduates

1:15:56 – Army Life Vs Civilian Life

1:19:20 – Golden Rule For Study

1:25:29 – Importance Of Language In UPSC

1:30:43 – Learning From Students