Rising exam stress among civil services aspirants sparks call for stronger support systems

The growing psychological strain on UPSC Civil Services and Judiciary aspirants has once again come into sharp focus, with mental health experts calling it a “serious public health concern that can no longer be ignored”. During two special lectures organised by the Panjab University Centre for IAS and Competitive Examinations, psychiatrists from PGIMER, Chandigarh—Dr Akhilesh Sharma, Additional Professor, and Dr Rahul, Assistant Professor—delivered a hard-hitting message: competitive success must not come at the expense of one’s mental wellbeing.

Honorary Director of the center Dr Jyoti Rattan welcomed the speakers, setting the tone for a candid conversation that resonated deeply with the attending aspirants. Dr Sharma spoke bluntly about the rising levels of stress, anxiety and burnout among students who are locked in one of the toughest competitive exam cycles in the country. With lakhs of candidates vying for a handful of posts, the pressure to “never fall behind” is taking a visible toll, manifesting as sleep disturbances, irritability, depressive symptoms and in some cases, overwhelming hopelessness.

Dr Rahul underlined how the vast syllabus, lengthy preparation periods, year-round study routines and fear of losing precious years add layers of chronic strain. Many aspirants, he noted, silently battle concentration issues, social isolation, fatigue and unhealthy coping patterns such as excessive caffeine intake. The message was clear: these struggles are common, real and absolutely treatable, if addressed early.

Both clinicians emphasised the importance of building emotionally supportive environments, not just within coaching centres but also at home. Preventive habits—structured study plans, regular exercise, mindfulness practices, mock test conditioning, consistent sleep cycles and nurturing peer networks—can significantly reduce psychological overload. Small lifestyle changes, they stressed, often create the biggest impact.

A key highlight of the session was the focus on Tele-MANAS, the Government of India’s 24×7 mental health helpline (14416). The platform offers free, confidential counselling, crisis support and professional referrals, an accessible safety net for aspirants dealing with panic, anxiety, or emotional distress. Experts urged students to use the service without hesitation, calling it a crucial step toward early intervention.

“Your dream is important, but so are you,” the doctors reminded attendees. Competitive exams require resilience, but not at the cost of one’s peace of mind. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof Madhuri, Coordinator of the PU IAS Centre, with students expressing appreciation for a session that not only informed but genuinely empowered.