Odisha’s Lakshya Niketan Holds High-Level Mock Interviews for OPSC Aspirants; IAS and IPS Officers Offer Expert Mentorship
In a major boost to civil services aspirants from Odisha’s Ganjam district, the district administration’s flagship coaching initiative, Lakshya Niketan, organised an extensive mock interview session for candidates preparing for the final stage of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) Civil Services Examination. The initiative, aimed at strengthening candidates’ performance in the personality test, brought together senior IAS, IPS, and Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers to mentor and guide aspiring civil servants.
The mock interview programme was conducted on Tuesday evening in Berhampur and witnessed the participation of five candidates, including one woman aspirant, all of whom had successfully cleared the OPSC main written examination. The candidates belong to Ganjam district and have been receiving coaching and mentorship under the Lakshya Niketan programme.
The exercise was designed to replicate the actual OPSC personality test environment, enabling aspirants to gain first-hand experience of the interview process. Each session lasted around 45 minutes and focused on assessing the candidates’ communication skills, personality traits, administrative aptitude, analytical ability, confidence, and awareness of contemporary issues.
A distinguished panel comprising six senior officers conducted the mock interviews. The panel included prominent IAS and IPS officers such as V. Keerthi Vasan, A. Sasya Reddy, and Saravana Vivek M, along with two senior officers from the Odisha Administrative Service. Following each session, the panel members provided detailed feedback to the aspirants, highlighting areas that required improvement and offering practical suggestions to enhance their overall presentation and interview strategy.
Officials associated with the programme said the initiative was intended not merely to test academic knowledge, but to help candidates develop the confidence and composure expected from future administrators. Special emphasis was laid on body language, clarity of thought, decision-making ability, and effective communication during stressful interview situations.
According to Ganjam Collector Avinash Kumar, the mock interview sessions were organised to familiarise candidates with the structure and expectations of the OPSC personality test. He noted that interacting directly with serving civil servants gives aspirants valuable exposure and helps them better understand the qualities expected in public administration.
The Odisha Public Service Commission is scheduled to conduct the personality test and document verification process for the Odisha Civil Services Examination from May 14 to May 20 at its office in Cuttack. The personality test constitutes the final and crucial stage of the state civil services recruitment process.
Lakshya Niketan, launched by the Ganjam district administration, has increasingly gained recognition as a transformative initiative for talented students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds who aspire to join the civil services but often lack access to quality coaching facilities. The programme provides free coaching and mentorship for both UPSC and OPSC examinations.
At present, nearly 170 aspirants are receiving training through Lakshya Niketan’s coaching centres located in Berhampur, Bhanjanagar, and Chhatrapur. Significantly, women constitute nearly 50 percent of the selected candidates, reflecting the administration’s strong commitment to gender inclusion and equal opportunity in competitive examinations.
To further strengthen the programme, the district administration has partnered with a reputed New Delhi-based coaching institute, ensuring that aspirants receive professional guidance, updated study resources, and expert mentorship comparable to that available in major metropolitan coaching hubs.
Over the years, Lakshya Niketan has emerged as a model initiative in Odisha for nurturing administrative talent from smaller towns and rural regions. By combining free coaching, structured preparation, and direct interaction with serving officers, the programme is helping bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity for hundreds of deserving students.
Officials believe that the recent mock interview exercise will significantly improve the preparedness, confidence, and performance of candidates appearing for the upcoming OPSC personality test, thereby enhancing their chances of securing positions in the Odisha Civil Services.
