[UPSC Interview 2022] – Transcript #220 : Smita Nagraj Board, PSIR Optional

Date of Interview: 17-03-23, Forenoon, Third one to go
Board: Smita Nagraj
Optional: PSIR
College: Maharajas College, Kerala
Hobbies: Football, Backpacking, Debate
Your experience in Interview- Cordial board.Huge difference with mocks.3 lady members including chair.Overall a pleasant and satisfying experience.

• To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2022, visit this page

Chairman

1. What are you doing right now? (My answer was doing PhD in International Relations and more than 70% of questions were based on this answer).
2. Asked about the comment of the former Australian prime minister regarding the AUKUS deal with the nuclear submarine. He criticized the deal and commented that it is not in favour of the nation as well as the region. She asked me to comment on the same.
3. Whether foreign policy of a nation changes with the change in party that holds political power.
4. 3 leadership initiatives India has Undertaken in the South Asian region. (explicitly told me to avoid humanitarian assistance.)

Member 1

1. You said about the geo-political significance of India. How do you place India geo-politically in the world?
2. He further clarified the question on the basis of heartland theory and asked how India would fit into that.(PSIR question).
3. Whether the Ukraine war is caused by geo-political concerns or security concerns?

Member 2

1. She asked a question that was in continuation of my previous answer on Ukraine war but I don’t remember it.
2. What is GDP?
3. Whether household labour done by women need to be included in GDP? (I said yes)
4. Does it need to be notional or real? (I ask for a clarification and she clarified it.)

Chairperson intervenes in between and asked me whether you will be the employer of your wife? (She also said sorry for taking it to personal level )

5.(Member continues) So if the household labour is considered in the GDP calculation, a major social issue is sorted out. Women can easily earn inside the home itself and need no to be stepping outside. What do you think?
6. Whether there will be any World war 3?

Member 3

1. What do you mean by India being a Vishwaguru? (Taken from my earlier answer)
2. Present 3 arguments for or against the following topic-Kerala a case of contradictions.
3. Why does Kerala have high rate of suicide?

Member 4

1. Is Trivandrum or was Trivandrum your capital?
2. Why was it called Trivandrum?
3. Where does the name Thiruvananthapuram come from?What does it mean?
4. Do you think America is a Vishwaguru right now?
5. Do you think Eastern Turkistan coming into existence in the near future? (He clarified the question and elaborated on Eastern Turkistan)
6. Why does the Islamic States criticize India based on the human rights but not China on the actions on Uyighur Muslims?

Utility of mocks or O2O

O2O-With Shinas sir of Ilearn IAS.Was highly effective and productive.From answering styles to answers including appearance and presentation was moulded with his guidance and advice.

Pro tips and inputs on International Relations by John George Dcoutho IRS (AIR 428 2021) was extremely helpful.

Mocks

ALS IAS-was a pleasing experience with some grilling questions. Detailed review was also given.Satisfied

KSG-interview was good .The review was detailed and constructive. Question bank also helped in the preparation.Satisfied

Chankya IAS-diverse questions in a semi grilling mode. The review was not good as the chair just pointed out the areas where I need to study in the DAF.

Sankalp IAS-Interview was just an average experience. They didn’t give any review regarding my performance or any suggestions except on my accent. (That too they said there is nothing you can do about it).Not at all satisfied.

HSTA by KREA-attended in online mode and was asked diverse questions from different areas. Give a detailed and satisfying review regarding the performance. Satisfied.