The UPSC civil services exam in India is one of the hardest exams in the world. Around 500,000 students take the exams for fewer than 1,000 seats, and the success rate ranges from 0.1% to 0.4%. Pallawi Anand 鈥�24 originally thought she would go into STEM, having completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree in engineering and electronics at BIT Mesra. After moved to Delhi in 2013, she decided to sit for a civil services examination which would eventually lead her to join the Indian Government. Pallawi not only passed one of the hardest exams in the world but is also one of a million who dreams of changing their reality with UPSC. 鈥淚 come from a very humble background, raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly,鈥� Pallawi said, when asked about her inspiration. 鈥淕etting a government job was a pivotal moment for my family. I was brought up to believe that working in the public sector would give me the opportunity to make a real difference.鈥澛�
Her first role was as the Assistant Commissioner in the taxation department of Service Tax before being promoted to Deputy Commissioner in Bengaluru, India where she led her team during the newly implemented goods and services tax. 鈥淚 was put in a position where I had to read the law, implement it for the first time and attend to queries from the public. Indian bureaucracy gave me a lot of exposure because I was working with different kinds of people and in a team.鈥� Given her engineering background, she was put forth in an environment of constant teamwork and problem-solving, where her analytical skills were crucial in interpreting complex tax laws and addressing practical challenges.聽
After seven years of working, Pallawi began contemplating her post-graduate education. 鈥淚 always thought that having a degree in public policy would make me a better officer.鈥� She wanted to do an intensive course within a year without taking too long of a break from her career. Pallawi chose to attend the Max Bell School, drawn by the practical opportunities offered through the capstone project, the Policy Lab. 鈥淚 feel that unless you haven鈥檛 had hands-on experience in something, you don鈥檛 realize what goes into policy making. The Policy Lab does that, providing us with practical experience and that truly attracted me.鈥澛�
At Max Bell, Pallawi found herself immersed in a dynamic academic environment that challenged her perspectives on policy making. Core courses like The Global Political and Policy Landscape taught by Jennifer Welsh and Analytical Methods for Policy Evaluation taught by Erin Strumpf provided her with invaluable insights into emerging policy domains. 鈥淭hese courses really expanded my horizons of understanding public policy. Learning about data analysis which in turn helps in making informed decisions making 鈥� things I will take when I go back to the field.鈥� Pallawi explained that her job in India had blind spots, especially on social issues of policies. For her capstone project she worked on the refugee housing crisis with Pearl Eliadis. 鈥淭he topic of my Policy Lab was something completely different from what I鈥檓 used to working on, but it鈥檚 been a very gratifying journey.鈥澛�
Montreal has continually been ranked the and 10th in the world. 鈥淚鈥檝e always aspired to study at one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious universities, and 海角社区 has a global reputation for academic excellence. On top of that, Montreal is a vibrant and beautiful city, making it an ideal place to live as a student.鈥� The Max Bell School aims to foster a diverse cohort each year, representing the wide array of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences MPPs will meet as global citizens. 鈥淥ur cohort is incredibly diverse, with people from many different parts of the world. It鈥檚 been an amazing experience getting to know their backgrounds, cultures, and the policies they are passionate about.鈥� The fifth cohort was passionate about hearing from the developing nations, so Pallawi seized the opportunity to plan a discussion panel of dignitaries from Brazil, India, Ghana, Indonesia, and Global Affairs Canada. Representing a collective population of 1.940 billion, the panel explored the potential of enhanced partnerships between Canada and the Global South. The overarching theme of the Global South panel discussion was to address historical injustices, promote equitable development, and foster international collaboration to tackle global challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and peacebuilding. The emphasis was on solidarity, innovation, and setting a new agenda for future globalisation.聽聽
One of Pallawi鈥檚 key takeaways from the Max Bell School experience is an expanded understanding of policymaking, particularly on social issues. Coming from a background in financial and revenue services, she now possesses a broader knowledge of how social policies are designed and implemented. 鈥淧olicymaking on social issues has become a significant focus for me, and this broader perspective is one of the biggest takeaways from Max Bell.鈥� On a personal level, interacting with such a diverse cohort has enhanced her interpersonal skills, further enriching her professional journey. This transformative experience in the middle of her career positions her to contribute more effectively to addressing social issues in India, with a renewed focus and determination to make a tangible impact on her community.聽
