A handbook for those aspiring to crack civil service exams

Sirivennela, a 2021 batch IPS officer, recently published The Maze of Answers: Un-mazed, a book to help civil service aspirants. It offers insights on how to prepare for prelims & mains, emphasizing practical application of knowledge & decision-making. His book has a personal touch, with hand-written answers & a first-person narrative. He encourages aspirants to be dedicated & patient, & plans to write a book of essays, another key skill for civil service exams.

To help those aspiring to crack the civil services examinations, be it for State or Central services, a book titled The Maze of Answers: Un-mazed authored by Sirivennela has been published recently.

The book delves into the art of effectively answering the General Studies paper, not only for Union Public Service Commission aspirants but also for those preparing for Karnataka Public Service Commission examinations.

Sirivennela is a 2021 batch IPS officer from Bengaluru, Karnataka, currently serving in the Punjab cadre. Before clearing the CSE, 2020, he spent four years as an Indian Defence Accounts Service officer, having cleared the civil service exams in 2016. Before he took to civil service, he studied Botany from Bangalore University, securing the 2nd rank in BSc in 2013.

Driven by a strong passion for civil service, inspired by his father’s civil service career, Sirivennela embarked on this path at a young age.

“The corporate-like nature of my IDAS job pushed me to pursue the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2020. As my training nears completion, I am ready to commence my duties in Punjab,” he said.

Sirivennela, reflecting on the challenges faced by law enforcement, adds, “There is a perception that the police force has deteriorated over time, but the root of the issue lies in the lower ranks and the considerable time officers spend dealing with criminals. It is more of a psychological problem than a systemic one.”

In Hyderabad, he encountered the “friendly police” initiative, which aims to change this negative perception and highlights the importance of cooperation in interactions with the police.