The increasing participation of women in the police force is encouraging, but evolving forms of crime and the challenge of balancing professional and personal life demand greater mental resilience and physical fitness, said Smitha Rao, Deputy Commissioner of the Excise Department, Bengaluru, here on Monday (July 20).

Addressing aspirants at the fifth mock test for the Civil Police Constable recruitment examination organised by the People’s Park City Central Library on its premises, Ms. Rao said modern policing has become increasingly complex, and observed that identifying offenders and tracing the origin of offences has become a major challenge.

Replying to a question from an aspirant, Ms. Rao said the growing abuse of narcotic substances among youth has emerged as a major challenge for both the Police and Excise Departments.

Emphasising on the importance of current affairs in competitive examinations, she urged candidates to cultivate the habit of reading newspapers regularly, especially editorial pages, to broaden their knowledge.

More than 100 aspirants attended the mock test, which focused on Economics. The Civil Police Constable written examination is scheduled for August 2.

City Central Library deputy director B. Manjunath said the mock test received an encouraging response, with requests to extend similar coaching programmes to branch libraries. He added that the Mysuru City Central Library is ready to support government institutions interested in conducting coaching programmes and mock tests for competitive examinations.

City Central Library Authority member and head of the coaching centre Ramesh Narasayya said the authority also plans to organise training programmes, workshops and mock tests for recruitment examinations conducted by other government departments based on demand.

Mysuru District Central Library deputy director Suma B. Kodihalli was present.

Published - July 20, 2026 07:10 pm IST