UPSC MELA 2.0 AT JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA: University Reaffirms Commitment to Competitive Excellence, Equal Opportunity and Disability-Inclusive Access to Public Services
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) last week hosted UPSC Mela 2.0, a major student-centric initiative aimed at promoting awareness about the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, bridging information gaps in competitive examination preparation, and providing aspiring candidates with direct access to successful civil services candidates and experienced administrators.
Held at the Dr. M. A. Ansari Auditorium, the programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 1,150 students and civil services aspirants from Jamia Millia Islamia and various universities and colleges across Delhi and other cities. The event brought together aspiring candidates, successful UPSC candidates and former senior civil servants on a common platform for mentorship, knowledge-sharing, career guidance and meaningful interaction.
The event was organised by the Jamia UPSC Society, an initiative of alumni of the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA), Jamia Millia Islamia, in association with the Office of the Grievance Redressal Officer for Persons with Disabilities, Jamia Millia Islamia, with sponsorship support from BANO IAS Institute.
The programme commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the Jamia Tarana, in keeping with the University’s traditions.
Dr. Mohd. Faijullah Khan, Nodal and Grievance Redressal Officer for Persons with Disabilities, Jamia Millia Islamia, welcomed the distinguished guests and participants. In his address, he highlighted Jamia’s commitment to creating an enabling, accessible and inclusive environment for students, particularly persons with disabilities. He emphasised that institutional support must extend beyond the university campus to ensure that students have access to reliable information, appropriate guidance and equitable opportunities.
The programme was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Mazhar Asif, who addressed the gathering and encouraged students to pursue their aspirations with dedication, perseverance, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility towards society and the nation. His address underscored the importance of education, determination and informed preparation in enabling young people to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
A major highlight of UPSC Mela 2.0 was an interactive session featuring successful candidates of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The distinguished participants included: Jayant Garg (AIR 64), Dhwanish Polavarapu (AIR 108), Shadab Ali Khan (AIR 415), Shahrukh Khan (AIR 575), Mohd. Irfan Kayamkhani (AIR 646), Mohd. Abuzar Ansari (AIR 671), Muskan Verma (AIR 771) and Sneha Yadav (AIR 782). Arun Rambha, a successful candidate of UPSC CSE 2024, also participated in the programme.
The candidates shared their preparation journeys, personal experiences, challenges and strategies for navigating the different stages of the Civil Services Examination. Their insights covered study planning, time management, consistency, answer-writing strategies, handling setbacks and maintaining motivation throughout the demanding preparation process.
Another major attraction was “The Big Bosses” Town Hall, featuring Shri Jalaj Srivastava, IAS (Retd.), 1984 Batch, and Ms. Manju Seth, IFS (Retd.), 1983 Batch.
Drawing upon their extensive professional experience, the distinguished former civil servants engaged with students on public administration, governance, leadership, ethical responsibilities and the evolving challenges of public service. The session offered valuable perspectives on the functioning of government institutions, administrative decision-making and the responsibilities associated with serving the nation through the civil services.
UPSC Mela 2.0 also highlighted the contribution of Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) in providing an institutional platform for civil services aspirants.
The Jamia UPSC Society, an initiative of RCA alumni, reflects the continuing engagement of successful candidates and former aspirants in supporting the next generation of students. By sharing first-hand experiences, preparation strategies and practical insights, alumni-led initiatives help strengthen the culture of mentorship and peer learning within and beyond the University.
The programme demonstrated how the University’s academic ecosystem, coaching initiatives and alumni networks can work together to expand access to competitive examination guidance and encourage students from diverse educational and socio-economic backgrounds to aspire to prestigious public services.
A distinctive feature of UPSC Mela 2.0 was its association with the Office of the Grievance Redressal Officer for Persons with Disabilities, Jamia Millia Islamia, highlighting the importance of ensuring that competitive examination opportunities are accessible to students with disabilities.The Office works towards promoting awareness, addressing disability-related grievances and supporting the implementation of applicable provisions relating to accessibility, equal opportunity and the rights of persons with disabilities within the University.
By bringing disability inclusion into a wider conversation on competitive examination preparation, the event reinforced the principle that equal opportunity requires not only access to education but also access to information, mentorship, accessibility measures and fair participation in professional life.
In addition to the academic and motivational sessions, the programme featured cultural performances comprising music, dance and a UPSC-themed skit.
Through the combined contributions of the Residential Coaching Academy, the Jamia UPSC Society and the Office of the Grievance Redressal Officer for Persons with Disabilities, Jamia Millia Islamia reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing talent, promoting competitive excellence and expanding equitable access to opportunities in public service.
