[UPSC Interview 2024] – Transcript #7: lt.Gen Raj Shukla Board, PSIR Optional, Madhya Pradesh Home State

Date of Interview: 4th March
Board: lt.Gen Raj Shukla sir
Optional: PSIR
Home State: Madhya Pradesh
Forenoon session, 4th to go
keywords: MP, PSIR, Indore (rest nothing was asked)

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Chairman

1. Saam dam bhed dand,(long monologue) : its origin?
2. how its relevant.. monologue abt its relevance in common life, tell me its relevance in IR, explaining the meaning and usage by India.
3. which is correct order S D B D or S D D B? reasoning for it.
4. Why traditionally india focused on the initial S,D,B and not on Dand.(explained me later)
5. India should sign treaty or form alliances.
6. chn threat rising, long monologue and some intel he jokingly shared about trump. whom to choose RUS or US
7. sir underlined a famous quote of Swami vivekanand on realism and security. How to boost our defence and hard power. give 3 unique ways.

Member 1

1.U r from Indore. What Indore , Bhopal doing right, other cant replicate in cleanliness.(gave Indore model and growth story)
2. be more precise. what others are lacking and inhibiting them to emulate.
3. why in our books local leaders like Raja bhoj, Ahilya bai not much celebrated.
4. should we promote more regional leaders and their role in textbooks.
5. Don’t you think it would lead to more regional bias and dilute idea of India.

Member 2

1. (read my hobbies and achivmnts) You have intrest in democracy. Do you know Fareed Zakaria? He defines liberal democracy as 1. per capita GDP more than 14,000 $ and 2. rule of law. Do you think still India is a democracy.
2 more questions. and following discussion on same. can’t recall.

Member 3

1. You talk abt rule of law, free legal aid. Have you seen them going on ground. prisons, courts, To whom is it available?
2. few more qns and grilling about sorry state of affairs.
3. what is rt to equality
4.inequality in India
5. schemes

Member 4

1. 3 things MP is doing great and where is it lacking? in perspective of last 15 years
2. why not industrialised?
3. regional inequality
4. what done for Bundelkhand so far
5. status of Ken betwa and it’s critique by member that it’s going on since decades, no tangible results
6. role of agriculture in MPs growth story
7. what you are doing since 2019.
8. How much attempts a candidate should be given. Do we need a relook. when to stop.
9. whats ur backup option.
10. How will you go back to technical background. It has advanced much, times of AI and GPT.

Chairperson: 2 more qns
1. who should be brought in civil service : ABC or XYZ or best brains and talent (I can’t recall options)
2. Then why only few ones qualify in 1st attempt, why this best talents are languishing till 3/4th attempt. some even 10-11 th.
3.  coachings leading to rote learning civil servants and role of educational institutions and curriculum.
(interview lasted 20-25 mins)

Mocks I found useful were Samkalp, Vajirao&Reddy, Vajiram&Ravi, Chanakya Mandal.
special thanks to MPOA group for their support and regular sessions.
All the best to fellow aspirants.