Love for subject paid off, say IES exam toppers

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 15

Two students of Panjab University’s Department of Economics cleared the Indian Economic Service Examination (IES). Talking to The Tribune, Pratibha Sharma (AIR 6) said, “I feel, I excelled in the subject because I love it and wanted to delve deeper into all the nuances of different topics that come in the purview of economics. I didn’t take any coaching for clearing the exam,” says Pratibha.

On India’s economic policy, she comments, “Demonetisation wasn’t really a bad idea. It was done to downsize the black economy so that the white economy comes up and the GDP grows. On the fiscal side, however, the GST was introduced and on monetary side, the RBI shifted to inflation-targeting. All this combined, didn’t work to the advantage of boosting white economy, I feel.” For her fascination with the subject, Pratibha wants to pursue PhD in Economics. “I come from non-medical background and had no interest in Economics, until I joined the department here at PU. I do wish to study it in depth,” she adds.

Another candidate Kamil KPS Bhullar bagged an all India rank (AIR) 9 in the exam. Kamil too cracked the exam by the virtue of his “deep interest in economics”.

He said, “Joining the Indian Economic Service will put me close to the economic policy making. It would be a great opportunity to learn, grow and create positive change in society. We are already making efforts in the direction of improving health and education of the people.

Such efforts should be intensified to make economic growth more inclusive so that India can meet its potential.”