Director General of MCR HRD Institute and former Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari stressed the importance of hard work, consistency, discipline and a systematic approach in achieving success in competitive examinations.Success in Civil Services was not determined by whether a candidate comes from a Telugu-medium or English-medium background, but by conceptual clarity, dedication and strong subject knowledge, she said.She was addressing an orientation programme for civil services aspirants, organised by the Centre for Telangana Studies under the guidance of Capt Lingala Panduranga Reddy, Head of the Centre and coordinated by Shreenivas Peddaboina, Course Coordinator.Sharing his experiences from over four decades of mentoring Civil Services aspirants and officers, Capt Panduranga Reddy encouraged students to remain focused on their goals and pursue their preparation with determination and perseverance.The week-long orientation programme will feature sessions by distinguished faculty members, subject experts and serving IAS officers, who will provide guidance on examination strategy, preparation techniques, public administration and governance. Published - June 02, 2026 08:28 pm IST