JAMMU, Sep 3: The Department of Zoology, in collaboration with the Aatam Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Committee and the Manodarpan Psychological Counselling Cell, Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Jammu, organised an insightful Counselling and Career Guidance Session for B.Sc. Semester-I students with a special focus on preparation for UPSC-level competitive examinations, career planning and effective management of academic stress.
The session was organised with the objective of familiarising students, particularly those at the beginning of their undergraduate journey, with the opportunities available through prestigious competitive examinations and encouraging them to develop a systematic approach towards their studies and career goals.
The invited speaker, Ankit Bajad, is a graduate of IIT Kharagpur and has worked with NITI Aayog for three years. He has also guided and taught more than 20,000 UPSC aspirants in Delhi and at SR College of Competitions.
Drawing upon his extensive experience of mentoring aspirants, Bajad delivered an engaging and highly informative lecture on the nature of UPSC examinations, the importance of early preparation, selection of appropriate study material, development of conceptual understanding and effective time management.
In his interaction with the students, Bajad emphasised that success in competitive examinations is not merely dependent upon long hours of study but requires consistency, discipline, strategic planning and a clear understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses. He encouraged students to cultivate the habit of reading, remain updated with national and international developments and develop analytical and writing skills from the early stages of their academic careers.
A significant component of the session was devoted to stress management while preparing for competitive examinations. Bajad sensitised students about the challenges associated with prolonged academic preparation and advised them to maintain a healthy balance between studies, recreation, physical activity and adequate rest. He stressed that setbacks and failures should be considered opportunities for learning rather than reasons for discouragement.
The lecture was highly interactive, and students actively participated in the session by putting forward questions related to UPSC preparation, career choices, study strategies and handling examination pressure. The practical experiences and guidance shared by the speaker made the session particularly relevant and motivating for the young learners.
Principal Prof. (Dr.) Romesh Kumar Gupta appreciated the initiative undertaken by the Department of Zoology, Aatam Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Committee and Manodarpan Psychological Counselling Cell. He stated that such programmes are important in helping students understand the diverse career opportunities available after graduation and in preparing them to face competitive examinations with confidence. He further appreciated the efforts of the organisers in providing students with exposure to experienced mentors and professionals.
Earlier, Dr. Rahul Kait, Head, Department of Zoology, formally introduced the invited speaker to the students and highlighted the relevance of organising such counselling sessions at the undergraduate level. He emphasised that the first semester is an important stage for students to identify their interests, set realistic career goals and develop the academic habits required for future competitive examinations. He expressed gratitude to Mr. Bajad for sharing his valuable experience and interacting with the students.
Dr. Brinder Kumar, Convener, Aatam Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Committee, and Prof. Bal Krishan, Convener, Manodarpan Psychological Counselling Cell, were present during the programme. Their collaborative efforts contributed significantly to the successful organisation of the session.
Faculty members present on the occasion included Dr. Nitasha Swahany, Dr. Sheetu Raina, Dr. Reetika Rani, Dr. Rohit Bhardwaj, Dr. Jyotdeep Kour, Dr. Raksha, Dr. Sumera and Dr. Jatinder Kumar, besides other faculty members and students.
The session concluded with an encouraging message to the students to dream ambitiously, plan systematically and work consistently, while maintaining their mental well-being. The programme provided B.Sc. Semester-I students with valuable exposure to the demands of UPSC-level examinations and reinforced the importance of early career planning, resilience and balanced preparation.
The initiative was widely appreciated by the students, who found the interaction with an experienced UPSC mentor highly informative, motivating and useful for shaping their future academic and career pursuits.