HSC toppers favour civil services

MUMBAI: Most students on the HSC merit list, like Anand Krishnan, who scored 93.67 per cent at the state board’s examination, or Mumbai topper Dhara Solanki, still want to be engineers and doctors. But a growing number is now opting for the once coveted and lately ignored civil services.

“Money is not my only goal,” said Dhanashree Thackeray of DG Ruparel College, the topper in the arts stream. “Job satisfaction through public service is a priority for me. My parents have supported my ambitions.” Thackeray has made up her mind to take the civil services examination after getting a bachelor’s degree in economics.

But while Thackeray’s parents are happy about her decision, others are cautious about their children’s decision to opt for the civil services, instead of the ‘safer’ options of being a doctor or engineer.

Take Reena Karkhele, who topped in the backward class category and wants to join the civil services. Her father Ramchandra Karkhele dreams of her donning the white coat. “I don’t want to go against my father,” she said. “That’s why I will take up medicine and then pursue my dream career.”