[UPSC Interview 2020] – Transcript #43 : Manoj Soni Board, Jharkhand Home State, PSIR Optional, Football, Weight Training Hobbies

Date of Interview: 24.08.2021
Board: Manoj Soni Sir
Optional: PSIR
Education: BIT MESRA, TISS HRM,
Home State: Jharkhand (Currently in WB)
Hobbies: Football, Weight Training,

Chairman

1. So young man, how is life? How is the weather in Kolkata?
2. A lot has been going around in the realm of football, can you elaborate on few recent instances.
3. How many aspirational districts are there in WB? How many in JH? Can you name few?
4. What initiatives will you take in these aspirational districts?
5. Tell me what is the exact criteria for the selection of aspirational districts?

Member 1

1. You are the DM of a water-scarce district, what measures will you take to ensure that that the issue of scarcity is resolved in your district?
2. What is Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
3. What are the current developments in it?

Member 2

1. Is Privacy a right? Is it a fundamental right? Was it always a fundamental right?
2. When can an Individual’s privacy be transgressed?
3. Why is facial recognition considered breach of privacy?
4. Have you heard about the DNA technology Bill? Is it violating any privacy norms?
5. An instance where public health related necessity became a threat to individual privacy?
6. Is International Relations your forte? If you were India’s ambassador to Afghanistan what would have been your approach if you were to give your inputs for recognition of Taliban to the Government? 3 points from the perspective of India’s own interest and 3 from geostrategic perspective?

Member 3

1. Carrying forward the privacy conversation, let us say you and I are friends and you post my picture on social media without consent, what legal action can I take in that case since my privacy is breached.
2. How many districts are Still naxal affected? Why do you think the issue of Naxalism still persists? Do you have any solution for that? Do you think Naxals of Jharkhand and Naxals from Chattisgarh have common concerns and grievances? What will be your policy to deal with the Naxals in your district? Is there a grievance redressal mechanism for Naxals?
3. Do you think China is a bigger threat than terrorism?

Member 4

1. Differentiate between TISS and BIT in terms of – academic curriculum, professors, values they added in your life, type of friendship you formed, professors, areas of improvement needed, what you learnt from both these institutes which will help you in administration and the reason you chose these two institutes for higher education? (DAF-based, all this was one long question! Had to differentiate on these stated parameters, was trying really hard to ensure that I don’t miss out on any)
2. What are the issues plaguing our higher education institutions?
   If I ask your closest friends to tell 3 good qualities and 3 bad qualities about you, what would they say?
3. Who do you idealize and why?
   

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