Understanding the Preferences of Aspiring Bureaucrats: Experimental Evidence from India

Effective screening and selection methods can potentially improve workforce quality. This paper investigates the effect of changing the job entrance methods on the aspirant pool for civil service jobs in India. A choice experiment was conducted among aspirants of a civil service exam randomly selected from coaching classes ( n = 221). Participants were randomly shown one of the four job advertisements varying in Entrance Method (Exam vs. No Exam) and Job Type (Specialist vs. Generalist) and asked to rate their willingness to apply for the job. The results revealed a strong preference for entrance exams. Many aspirants rejected specialist roles aligned with their educational backgrounds, favouring generalist roles instead. Risk appetite influenced preferences for entrance exams, while time preference (patience) and public service motivation had no significant effect.The findings suggested that to attract specialists, the government must revise its recruitment strategy, as the current approach appeals predominantly to generalists. Significant changes in entrance methods could reshape the applicant pool.