A wave of motivation and purpose swept through Guwahati as SPM IAS Academy hosted a high-impact seminar on Civil Services Preparation at ITA Machkhowa on Sunday, July 21. With a packed auditorium of aspiring civil servants and hundreds more tuning in via the SPM IAS Academy App, the event proved to be one of the most engaging and thought-provoking sessions of the year.
Dr. Vijender Singh Chauhan Ignites Passion for Civil Services at ITA Machkhowa Seminar Hosted by SPM IAS Academy
At the heart of this seminar was Dr. Vijender Singh Chauhan, Associate Professor at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi, and one of India’s most respected mentors in the civil services domain. Known for his accessible style, sharp humor, and profound insight, Dr. Chauhan delivered a session that was as entertaining as it was enlightening.
Striking a Balance: Mindset, Motivation, and Mental Well-being
Addressing the young aspirants, Dr. Chauhan emphasized the importance of approaching the UPSC journey with the right mindset. Rather than advocating a rigid or overly mechanical strategy, he urged students to “enjoy the process” and not allow the pressure of the exam to overshadow their personal well-being.
“Mental health is non-negotiable,” he remarked, cautioning students against burnout and self-comparison. He encouraged aspirants to focus on consistency over intensity, building habits that would help them sustain their preparation in the long run.
“Don’t just chase the position, chase the reason,” Dr. Chauhan stated, pushing the audience to reflect on their core motivation. He stressed that a clear sense of purpose makes preparation more meaningful and enables students to weather setbacks with resilience. “Once you understand your ‘why’, the ‘how’ becomes manageable,” he said.
Engaging and Interactive Atmosphere
The seminar was anything but a monologue. From the very beginning, the energy in the hall was palpable. The session opened with a warm and impactful welcome address by Mr. Mridul Mishra, a director of SPM IAS Academy, who set the tone for an inspiring and highly interactive day.
Throughout the event, aspirants engaged directly with Dr. Chauhan, asking questions ranging from optional subject selection to daily routines and exam stress management. The session offered both practical advice and deeper philosophical insights, with Dr. Chauhan urging candidates to focus on long-term discipline rather than short-term hacks.
The audience erupted in laughter during a moment of comic relief when Dr. Chauhan jokingly said, “Thoda casual, thoda formal” — a line delivered in his signature humorous tone that instantly lightened the atmosphere while reinforcing the theme of balance in preparation. This moment broke the ice and brought a sense of camaraderie among the participants, making the seminar feel less like a lecture and more like a dialogue.
SPM IAS Academy’s Commitment to Regional Talent
The event also highlighted SPM IAS Academy’s ongoing mission to bring quality guidance to students across the Northeast. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Satyajit Kumar, Director of the Academy, extended heartfelt thanks to Dr. Chauhan and reiterated the institute’s vision of bridging the gap between national-level mentorship and regional aspirations.
“All serious aspirants deserve serious mentorship — and geography should never be a barrier,” Mr. Kumar said. He added that the academy is committed to making top-tier coaching accessible to students from Assam and neighboring states.
The seminar was attended by all the directors of SPM IAS Academy — Mr. Satyajit Kumar, Mr. Mridul Mishra, Mr. Chinmoy Bordoloi, and Mr. Vivek Khetawat — underlining the institution’s united focus on student-centric initiatives.
A Milestone Event for Aspirants Across Assam
The presence of aspirants from diverse academic backgrounds and districts across Assam made the event particularly vibrant. For many, it was their first chance to interact directly with a mentor of Dr. Chauhan’s caliber. Several students remarked on how the session helped demystify the UPSC journey and gave them a renewed sense of confidence.
“I was struggling with motivation lately,” said Anamika Das, an aspirant from Jorhat. “But today’s session reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Dr. Chauhan made me believe that it’s possible — not just to crack the exam, but to enjoy the process.”
Going Beyond the Seminar: Digital Access and Continued Mentorship
To ensure wider reach, the entire session was also streamed live through the SPM IAS Academy App, enabling hundreds of remote learners to benefit from the guidance. According to the organizers, the app will continue to offer exclusive learning content, including recorded lectures, study materials, and live mentorship sessions in the coming weeks.
“Today’s event is part of a series,” said Mr. Vivek Khetawat. “We aim to host more such interactive platforms — both online and offline — to create a learning ecosystem that genuinely supports aspirants through every stage of preparation.”
With civil services continuing to be one of the most prestigious and challenging career goals for Indian youth, events like this seminar serve as vital platforms for not only academic guidance but also emotional and strategic clarity.
By bringing nationally renowned mentors like Dr. Vijender Singh Chauhan to the heart of Assam, SPM IAS Academy is not only raising the standard of preparation but also fueling a new wave of informed, inspired, and empowered civil service aspirants across the region.
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