[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #178: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla Board, PSIR Optional, Odisha Home State, Kitchen Gardening Hobby

Date of Interview: 07/03/2024 Forenoon session,2nd to go
Board: Lt. Gen Raj Shukla
Optional: PSIR
Home State: Odisha

Relevant Daf keywords – PSIR Paradeep(Odisha), Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, UP, Kitchen Gardening hobby

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Chairman

1. You have lived all over India, you are an Indian I think. So let’s start
2. What Newspaper did you read today- I replied Indian Express. ( I had read Hindu too, but it didn’t strike me at that time and I didn’t anticipate)
3. Why did you read only one newspaper, don’t you think people nowadays are reading less newspapers, why do you think so, what are the reasons for this. ( A front and back discussion took place on this).
4. You just said you read blogs too. What all do you read.- I said I regularly read Anticipating the Unintended blog by Pranay Kotasthane. He said I know Pranay Kotasthane, he writes in newspaper too, so why don’t you read newspaper then. I had a reply that he writes with a pseudonymous author too, so I read it. And I try to read as many diverse viewpoints as possible.
5. Don’t you think people reading less leads to less informed people and people are less informed today?
6. Do you read Foreign Affairs magazine, Whose article did you read last? I replied I read John G Ikenberry article regarding US decline. He asked something more on this too,I don’t remember.
7. What is the current Debt of US economy and don’t you think it’s an issue, what do you think about it.
8. I recently read a report that China has surpassed US in technology, what do you think and why is it happening -?

Member 1

1. You are from, Odisha?- I replied Maim, I was born there, My hometown is in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
2. Are you not proud of Odisha?? – I was like Aayein?
3. Tell me about economic significance of Paradeep- I answered
4. Tell me what happened on Aug 5,2019-I replied, Art 370 abrogation, she said, don’t give me such short answers,I then gave a detailed answer.
5. What has the procedure adopted to abrogate Article 370
6. What kind of work are you doing in Kashmir, explain that.-I explained that and then she was fine.

Member 2 

1. You have lived in Many states, compare the biodiversity of the states you have lived in
2. You forgot Chilika Lake, compare Chilika and Dal Lake.
3. Some other question too which I can’t recall right now.

Member 3

1. You are a student of PSIR, tell me about the deteriorating Indo- Canada relationship
2. There was an assassination too, what about that?
3. Even US claimed that Pannu was threatened with assassination.
4. What is your long term view on Indo Canada relationship
5. You have been in Tamil Nadu, there is a civil servant who is making news in politics, who is it – I replied Mr K Annamalai.
6. Should Civil servants join politics
7. Recently a judge too joined politics, what do you think about that
8. Then what is your final view?

Member 4

1. You do kitchen gardening and she asked about question related to that which I don’t remember right now.
2. Tell me about Papier Mache artform-Answered
3. Tell me about GI agriculture products from JK- Named two
4. Who gives GI tags- was confused and blank, so I think I didn’t answer

Where is the office of GI tag – I said I don’t know mam. She said it is in one of the city you lived. I said I don’t know mam, she said Chennai. I said Thank You mam.

The chairman said, Your interview is over and you may go.