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KOHIMA: In a historic feat, four persons from Nagaland, including three women, cleared the prestigious Civil Services Examination 2022, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the results of which were declared on Tuesday.
The four candidates are Yimkum I Ozukum, who secured the All India Ranking (AIR) of 203; Vevotolu Kezo (387), Imkongnukla Ao (723), and Aotula Ozukum (874).
Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio congratulated the four Nagas for cracking the civil services examination on Tuesday.
“Congratulations to Mr. Yimkum I Ozukum (203), Ms. Vevotolu Kezo (387), Ms. Imkongnukla Ao (723) and Ms. W Aotula Ozukum (874) on clearing the UPSC 2022 Exams. I extend my best wishes as you step into a world of opportunities and challenges in the service of the nation,” he shared.
Currently serving as EAC Nsong under Peren district, Yimkum I Ozukum, cracked the CSE-UPSC 2022 solely through self-study.
"To clear the examination is all in the mind. If one is confident enough that they can clear the exam through their own effort without any mentoring and without the help of coaching, it is very much possible", he said.
He opined that Nagas don't need to spend huge amount of money taking coaching in Delhi for the examination.
‘With the advent of digital technology and mobile phones and internet, every study material is now readily available at a reasonable price and can be accessed easily. One needs a lot of hard work and mental fortitude. Having mental strength is even more important because everyone has the capacity to study and to learn but not every one has the capacity to keep going,’ Ozukum, who cleared the exam in his fifth attempt, said.
On the UPSC examination trend in Nagaland, he thought the situation has improved now.
‘Ten years back, a lot of Nagas weren’t able to crack the UPSC prelims but the trend has changed over the few years. A lot of them are now able to make it through to the prelims and mains. That shows that Nagas are improving,’ he said.
Hailing from Kikruma Village in Phek district, Vevotolu Kezo is currently serving as the deputy Superintendent of Police in Nagaland Police after clearing the Nagaland Public Service Commission 2021 in her first attempt.
For her, hard work and consistency went a long way in clearing the UPSC examination. At the same time, having a support system and positive mindset were equally important, she shared.
"This exam is also not only a test of our knowledge but physically and mentally we have to be healthy as well. Most importantly, keep trusting in God and having faith in God and trust in his timing", she conveyed to the CSE aspirants while speaking to Eastern Mirror.
Kezo did her BE in Civil Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur and took online coaching for about one year.
This was her second attempt.
While IAS service is her first preference, she is also open to any services that might come her way.
In order to prepare for the CSE-UPSC examination 2022, the 25-year-old took leave from the Police department and had been preparing for the exam, dedicating 10 to 12 hours on average in a day to study.
Time management and scheduling studies were helpful, she said, and accordingly made plans for day-to-day work.
The biggest challenge she faced was uncertainty because the examination is a long process (upto one year).
‘So that uncertainty always remains because even if one gives hard work and dedication, anything can happen. There are a lot of factors involved,’ she said.
Imkongnukla Ao, who topped the EAC category in NPSC 2021, gave credit to God for clearing the CSE-UPSC, adding that it was "all because of God".
Prior to her current service as EAC, she worked as Secretariat Assistant.
The 26-year-old said that it was her fourth attempt after appearing for the UPSC exam since 2019.
'It was difficult to manage studies in between work. I sacrificed a lot. I had to sacrifice a lot of my friends and social life', she shared.
Ao said she is a "slow learner" and it was quite challenging for her to compete at the national examinations.
‘Yet, if one has determination, hard work, and continues giving their best, then everything is possible,’ she shared.
Hailing from Mokokchung, she is currently undergoing EAC training in Kohima.
Seeing her name in the CSE-UPSC list was a moment of "pure joy", after having experienced a lot of failures in the past. She said that it was God who has been her ‘hope and strength’ all these years and that it is by His Grace she is here today.
After graduating (BA in History) from St. Anthony's College, Shillong in 2016, she took coaching from ALS Delhi for this examination.
She said that many people have been instrumental in this journey and it has never been her road to walk alone.
"I have drawn strength from my mother and father, who have been my greatest pillar of support. They have carried me emotionally, financially, and spiritually all these years. Even the desire and inspiration to join civil services came from my parents", she shared.
In her message to the aspirants, she conveyed that their reason and desire to join civil services should be very clear.
"It is your 'why' that'll keep the fire within you burning as you walk this arduous journey of CSE preparation. Don't be afraid of failures and setbacks in life. Allow the hard times to mould you and make you stronger. With hard work, sacrifice and Grace from God, you will ultimately reach your destination sooner or later", she conveyed.
She is currently serving as Secretariat Assistant in the Government of Nagaland.