[UPSC Interview 2025] – Transcript #134: Lt Gen Raj Shukla Sir Board, Sociology Optional

Date of Interview: 16/01/26
Board: Lt Gen Raj Shukla Sir
Optional: Sociology
Session: Afternoon
Duration: 30 minutes
Relevant DAF keywords:- Indore, Political Science, Sociology, Delhi University, Social work on girls’ education.

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Chairman

1. Good afternoon. So, you have studied political science in college. What’s the scenario of the Indian political system at present?
2. Why do you think ours is a vibrant democracy?
3. Do you really think that the civil society is thriving in our political system? Give examples of participation by civil society in recent memory.
4. The opposition alleges that processes like SIR are against the democratic spirit, do you agree?
5. Do you think that it’s being done to steal votes, as alleged by the opposition?
6. So you think the opposition is wrong?
7. Are you aware of the news shown by Indian media during Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure?
8. Why was the media not as partisan then?
9. How was he able to maintain good rapport across political parties?
10. (Monologue on print media being transparent while television media increasingly becoming corrupt). What’s your take on this growing diversion?
11. Is media fair in our country? Does it not manipulate the public?
12. Do you not think that the television media has turned into “Godi Media”?
13. Let’s talk about international politics, which country is the most capitalist in your opinion?
14. In my opinion, USA is a hyper capitalist country. So, how do you make sense of the fact that a city like New York has given two polar opposite politicians – Trump (a hyper capitalist) and Mamdani (a socialist)? Explain how this paradox works.

Member 1

1. What exactly was your role? ( Related to my social work on girls’ education)
2. What do you think of India’s education system? Have we done enough?
3. What is the ground level reality? What problems do girls still confront?
4. What should be given priority – teacher training, infrastructure or students’ learning ability?
5. Suggest some measures on how to improve the scenario.

Member 2

1. Since you have studied in DU, were you a day scholar?
2. Do you think Delhi, along with the campus, are safe spaces for women?
3. Why is it that women can freely walk in the JNU campus but not DU, considering that both are situated in the same city?
4. Are there no accountability mechanisms in DU for women’s safety?
5. You might become a civil servant soon. So, first of all, do you want to improve this situation?
6. Okay. So, what interventions will you make to ensure that women feel safe in the campus?
7. Don’t you think that the first step should be night patrolling?
8. Why should women even have to complain? Why are there no mechanisms already in place?

Member 3

1. You opted for sociology as your optional. Why is sociology an important subject?
2. Give examples of applications of sociological imagination in real life.
3. We have all heard about India having unity in diversity. What exactly is that unity?
4. Is corruption also an example of India’s unity? Okay okay, forget what I said. Anything you want to add that is an example of our unity?
5. Since you said patriotism, do you think that the ideology of Hindutva also contributes to our unity in diversity?
6. You are from Indore, what are some of its unique characteristics?
7. Explain the recent water contamination issue. What measures were taken immediately by the government?
8. So you think that the officers were not efficient? Were there no accountability mechanisms?

Member 4

1. We shall talk about the space sector now. Do you think we should be investing in space when we are still giving free food to 80cr of our people?
2. Is it just for showmanship?
3. Talk about some initiatives of India’s space sector which are beneficial for common people.

Shukla Sir – Thank you. You may go now.

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