Sanjiv Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council and an economist, shared his views on career stability in India. He emphasized that no professions in the world are completely protected, and preparing for an extremely competitive exam like UPSC is itself a significant risk.
During a discussion on the podcast of Professor Mahesh Panchgula from IIT Madras, when asked about the safest career, Sanyal responded that such professions do not exist. He also questioned the approach of students who spend a lot of time trying to determine a single correct and reliable career path. Sanyal also commented on the time spent preparing for UPSC, citing examples that indicate a high level of risk.
According to a report, over a million candidates applied for civil service in 2023, with approximately 595,000 participating in the preliminary examination. Only 1,016 of these advanced, despite 1,143 vacancies being announced. Furthermore, 1,410 candidates who reached the interview stage were not selected. This demonstrates that even after years of effort in preparing for UPSC, there is no guarantee of final selection.
Nevertheless, Sanyal does not advise students to abandon UPSC preparation. He noted that in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies lead to layoffs and changes in workflows, it is important to understand how useful this exam is in this new reality.
Sanyal explained that since AI and new technologies are transforming working methods in many fields, a profession considered safe today might change drastically in 10 or 20 years. Therefore, instead of searching exclusively for stable employment, students should focus on developing their skills, learning ability, and capacity to adapt to changing circumstances.
In Sanyal's opinion, rather than spending too much time searching for the perfect career, students should assess how long they can remain on the chosen path. He insists on the importance of perseverance in the chosen field. When choosing a profession, one should ask not only about the safest job but also what alternative skills and options they will have if changes occur in that area in the future.
It is worth noting that Sanyal has previously raised issues concerning UPSC. In December 2025, he criticized the expenditure of many years preparing for UPSC solely for job security. His argument was that young people must decide whether they genuinely want to pursue civil service or are choosing this path only due to social prestige and job security. Previously, in March 2024, he also spoke about the duration of youth preparation for UPSC. Additionally, in July 2026, he stated that attending college lectures may not be mandatory when knowledge is available online.
