The Hindu Civil Services pre-summit held here on Saturday (April 11, 2026) drew participants from across Malabar, serving as a curtain-raiser to the mega conclave scheduled for April 25 and 26 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kasaragod District Collector Arjun Pandian, Kozhikode Sub-Collector S. Gautham Raj, and last year’s civil services exam topper from Wayanad Hridya S. Biju, shared their journeys with aspirants.

Mr. Pandian inaugurated the programme at the Chavara Cultural Centre. Speaking on “Strategies to crack the UPSC with IAS as the goal,” he stressed the need for a focussed approach to the exam. “The civil services offer diverse opportunities, unmatched exposure, and rich administrative experience,” he said.

Speaking on the “Do’s and don’ts” of civil services exam preparation, Mr. Raj underscored the importance of conviction. “The long journey, with its ups and downs, requires strong conviction to sustain,” he said.

He urged aspirants to understand the demands of the examination, noting from his own experience that persistence and determination were essential. “The UPSC exam is humbling, and persistence is what keeps you moving,” he said.

Mr. Raj also advised aspirants to avoid relying on multiple sources and instead focus on a single source, revising it repeatedly. “The long preparation phase can be draining and requires a strong support system,” he said.

Civil services examination mentor Sylesh Fernandes exhorted participants to maintain mental balance while remaining clear about their goals. “Detox your mind from WhatsApp to avoid a false perception of news, and be critical and analytical to clear the exam,” he said.

Civil services topper Hridya S. Biju highlighted current trends and the importance of following a well-defined strategy. “Do not blindly copy other toppers’ strategies, as your reality is different from theirs,” she said. She also explained how she refined her approach after her initial attempts were unsuccessful. “Clarity of mind is very important as it builds confidence,” she said.

The event was organised in collaboration with Fortune IAS Academy, Civils 360 IAS Academy, the State Bank of India, and the Chavara Cultural Centre.

K.K. Joshy, The Hindu Assistant Vice-President and Kerala head (Advertising), welcomed the gathering. Vijith Rajagopal, Regional Manager, State Bank of India, Kozhikode, and K.F. George, secretary, Chavara Cultural Centre, were guests. M.R. Krishnanunni, The Hindu senior manager, proposed a vote of thanks. K. Aneesh, Manager (Advertising), The Hindu, presented mementoes to the guests.