Why choose IAS as a career? | Feat. Anil Swarup (Retd. IAS, ex-Secretary, GOI) | LevelUp IAS

In this episode, Anil Swarup Sir, Former Education Secretary, Former Coal Secretary, GoI, Author, shares his journey and reflections on what makes the IAS a meaningful career choice. Sir reflects on his own journey, from struggling as a student to serving 38 years in the Indian Administrative Service. He shares how the IAS offers a unique platform to impact lives, drive change, and find meaning in public service, while also speaking about the challenges, from frequent transfers to balancing honesty with efficiency. Anil Swarup Sir (IAS Retd., 1981 batch, UP cadre) is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service officer and author. He earned a Master’s in Political Science from Allahabad University, receiving the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for all-around excellence. During his 38-year career, he served as Coal Secretary of India, where he managed the coal block re-auction process post-coal scam, and later as Secretary for School Education and Literacy, focusing on public–private partnerships to improve school education. For UPSC aspirants, this conversation goes beyond exam strategy. It’s about understanding the true purpose of joining the IAS and whether it’s the right path for you. 00:00 Top 20 UPSC Toppers, All IAS 00:51 Teaser 03:01 Podcast starts (Pooja Mam x Anil Swarup Sir) 05:01 Preparation to start preparing for UPSC CSE 12:31 Limiting UPSC resources 14:32 Qualities needed to be a Civil Servant 19:35 Experience with PM Modi 20:35 How to remain honest in services 24:55 Encounters with Politicians 27:07 Why choose IAS as a career 31:40 How many attempts should an aspirant give 32:43 State Civil Services and Plan B 33:25 Difference between Ethics Paper 4 and being ethical in life 36:45 Lateral Entry Scheme in Civil Services 39:21 Civil Servants and Social Media 42:07 Government protection for Civil Servants 42:57 Gen Z entering into Civil Services 44:36 Rapid Fire round with Anil Swarup Sir 50:00 Can a Civil Servant accept gifts? ✅ Enroll in GS Foundation 2026 here: https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-cse-g... You can get a 50,000 scholarship for UPSC CSE 2026 prep, fill up the form here: https://shorturl.at/NaltC 🎯 Connect with Santosh sir and LevelUp IAS mentorship team - Get your personalised (FREE) UPSC CSE strategy ✅ Fill the form: https://shorturl.at/seVEx Enroll in Levelup Mentorship Program for UPSC CSE 2026: https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-cse-l... 📲Queries? Call directly- 8826496658 Meet us - 📍Location: LevelUp IAS, Karol Bagh Centre; Google Map - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NvPyzytSwDQYE... Address - 2nd Floor, 45 Pusa Road, Opp. Metro Pillar 128, Karol Bagh What defines an effective GS Foundation course- faculty, study material, mentorship, or structured preparation? Santosh Sir explains how LevelUp IAS GS Foundation 2026 provides everything needed to crack UPSC CSE. Join LevelUp IAS for a well-structured and comprehensive GS Foundation program! - DETAILS OF GS FOUNDATION FOR UPSC CSE 2026 Comprehensive Classroom Experience • 1000+ hours of in-depth classroom learning over 1 year. • One lecture daily, covering every aspect of the GS syllabus. • Expert faculty providing in-depth explanations and doubt resolution. Continuous Assessment • Weekly, monthly & quarterly tests (subjective + objective). • Track progress, identify weak areas & improve consistently. Current Affairs (15 Months) • Stay updated with curated discussions & study material. • Master contemporary issues for Prelims & Mains. Mentorship & Doubt Resolution • Personalized guidance to streamline preparation. • Direct access to experienced mentors for clarity. Prelims Test Series (PTS) • Exam simulation to build accuracy, time management & confidence. • Real-time feedback to refine your Prelims strategy. CSAT Module • Covers comprehension, logical reasoning & quants. • Structured approach to ensure CSAT readiness. Essay Module • Learn structured essay writing with expert feedback. • Develop clarity, articulation & analytical depth. #upsc #levelupias #podcast #anilswarup #ias #indianadministrativeservices #secretary #upscpodcast #levelup #upsc2026 #upsccse #upscias #goi #government #governmentofindia #constititution #upscpreparation #upscaspirants