Civil Services College

Located right across from Iqbal Park on the Main Road here in Srinagar, we spend most of our days surrounded by thick books and stacks of newspapers. It’s a serious place because the exams these students are taking are quite tough. We see a lot of young people coming in early and staying late into the evening. The traffic outside can be a lot sometimes, but once you’re inside, everyone is just focused on their notes. We don't have a lot of decorations on the walls, mostly just maps and schedules. It’s a practical setup. Our instructors are local people who know the struggle of these exams personally. We try to keep the chairs comfortable because the students sit for hours at a time. Sometimes the internet is slow, or it's too cold out, but we keep the heaters going and the tea moving. It’s just a place to study. No shortcuts or magic tricks here, just a lot of reading and writing until the job is done. We’ve been at this spot for some time now, and most people around Iqbal Park know the building well enough. It’s a quiet environment for the most part, except for the occasional sound of sirens from the main road. We just provide the space and the guidance for those who are willing to put in the hard hours of work. It is not for everyone, but we stay busy.