Ask Malavika G Nair of Muthoor at Thiruvalla in Kerala about the most valuable gift a mother could give her child, and she would reply that it is the strength to grow confidently in any crisis. In fact, Malavika has set the best example in this regard by securing rank 45 in the all-India civil services examination during her pregnancy and delivery. She started the preparations for the exam while carrying and took the mains when her son Adisesh was a few days old. Her son was a mere months old when Malavika faced the interview. On Mother’s Day, Malavika speaks to ‘Manorama Online’ about experiences while realizing her dream of winning a top rank in the civil services exam.

You started preparations for the civil services exam during the most beautiful as well as challenging period of your life, and achieved a very good rank. Could you tell us about the journey?

I had a clear idea about the various stages of the exam and the training needed because I started the preparations from 2016 and found a place on the rank list for the first time in 2019. I joined the Indian Revenue Service in the 2019-20 batch and took all the subsequent exams while in service. This time, I appeared for the preliminary exam during the latter stage of my pregnancy.

I found the main exam quite challenging because it was close to my delivery date. Finally, I took the mains, which has the most weightage, 16 days after the delivery. The mains exams were conducted over five days, of which there were two exams – in the morning and afternoon – of three hours each on four days and an exam in the morning on the fifth day. I was concerned about whether I would complete the exam within the allotted time.

However, by god’s grace and thanks to my previous experiences in writing the exam, I could complete the papers on time. I could give total focus to the exam because my father, mother, younger sister and an aunt eagerly took care of my child. The whole-hearted support of my husband, Dr M Nandagopan, also contributed to my success.

Malavika started preparations for the civil service exam along with your husband and both of you found a place on the rank list in 2022. Could you share the experiences of the joint efforts?

I began civil service exam training in 2016 after earning a degree in chemical engineering from BITS Pilani in Goa, and joined the Indian Revenue Service during my third attempt. My husband engaged in training for his last attempt when I joined service. I took leave from service in 2022 and we both started the preparations. We shared notes and it is natural that one’s efforts would motivate the other. As my husband could answer interview questions effectively and I was thorough in the written exam for mains, we helped and supported each other. Both of us secured a place on the rank-list, with my rank being 172 and my husband’s 233.

This time, you travelled to Delhi with your four-month-old infant for the interview in adverse weather. What were your thoughts as a mother and a candidate for the civil service?
My delivery took place on September 3 last year and I came home from the hospital on September 6. The first day of the mains exam was September 19 – the 16th day after my delivery. There were exams on September 19, 20 and 21. The remaining exams took place after a week, on a Saturday and Sunday. I stayed at an aunt’s house in Thiruvananthapuram at that time. My family was with me as I had to breastfeed the baby. Later, I travelled to Delhi for the interview on January 13 this year. Initially, I considered leaving the child in Kerala, but decided against it as I had to spend four to five days in Delhi for the interview and medical checkups.

I felt it was not wise to stay away from the child for so long. But I was tense as it was the child’s flight trip. I spoke to some friends in Delhi and took adequate precautions considering the different weather conditions there. My husband’s superior officer arranged the accommodation for us in Delhi, and I was at peace during the interview thanks to the support of my friends and batchmates. Most of the interview questions were related to my work, as I was already in service.

Major hormonal changes occur during the period of pregnancy and after delivery. Could you find time for rest while preparing for the civil service exam and taking care of the child? How could you tackle this situation with poise?
The time of pregnancy was difficult and I experienced issues such as breathing trouble during its last phase. However, after delivery, I was relieved as there were many people to look after my son and so that period passed uneventfully. I could not prepare properly during pregnancy as I had problems such as pelvic pain and sleeplessness. I took the exam after learning new things as much as I could and based on my previous preparations. Whenever I felt doubtful about clearing the exam, my mother gave me confidence with her words, ‘you can do it.’ Hormonal changes after delivery also bothered me. But my family supported me all the time.

Support of the family is crucial during the period after delivery. How did your family members react when you decided to pursue your biggest dream at this time?
During the preliminary exam, I had doubts whether I would be able to prepare for the civil service exam while pregnant. I even considered skipping the subsequent exams. Some people close to me also asked me whether I should take the exam this time, because I could appear till the age of 32. Many felt I could take the exam after two years. It was my mother, a gynaecologist, who gave me courage in such a situation. She encouraged me by pointing out that I could recover my health during the mains exam, after the delivery.

She said that I could study all the time except when feeding the child. The others will take care of the child together, she promised me. I mentally gained courage to face the exam, thanks to her support. Everyone in the family had a clear idea on looking after the child. My husband was engaged in IPS training at that time and I had some tension over his absence. But the rules for IPS training are strict and my husband could not be with us. I could overcome that phase, thanks to the assistance of some good people.

You secured a very good rank of 45 in your sixth attempt. How were your preparations?
My optional subject was sociology, for which I took classroom coaching from a Delhi-based teacher named Upendra Khor. I attempted a test series with several training centres. However, this time, I could appear for only one or two test series, though I had joined an online coaching programme.

Your preparations for the civil service exam started after BTech. How did you develop the dream of this career?
As a child, I dreamed of a civil service career, but lost that passion later. After BTech, I wished to earn a PhD. A majority of my BTech batchmates had decided to go abroad for higher studies and I pondered over whether to join them or contribute to society. At that time, I revived the dream of civil service.

Why did you choose sociology as the optional subject?
My BTech was in chemical engineering, but it was not an optional subject for the civil service exam. So, I had to choose a new subject for the exam. I selected sociology as plenty of study material was available on the subject on the Internet and other places. Moreover, I developed a keen interest in the subject when I started learning it. Another reason to select sociology was that I had a background in humanities while pursuing BTech in BITS Pilani. I had also earned a minor degree in English studies during the course.

You have secured a top rank during the most challenging period of your life. What advice would you offer to those dreaming of a civil service career?
The civil service has been a long journey, as far as I am concerned. I realized that dream after a considerable period. I wish the others to achieve that goal in a lesser time. The civil service exam is a journey that lasts at least two years. While the notification for the exam is issued in February, the final result would be published in April the following year. It is difficult to stick to your efforts during this entire period.

There are various phases for this competitive exam, and there would be not much difference in marks between the persons who find a place on the rank-list and those who don’t. Luck too plays a part in success in the exam, along with hard work. All this increases the pressure on the candidates. They have to study a lot, as the syllabus is vast. All candidates have to take a step each day to achieve their goal. If they cannot study as much as they planned on a particular day, they should still put in maximum effort. With patience and a persevering frame of mind, you can certainly enter civil service.

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