[UPSC Interview 2025] – Transcript #142: Dr. Dinesh Dasa Board, Sociology Optional,

Date of Interview: 22/01/2026
Board: Dr. Dinesh Dasa
Optional: Sociology
Forenoon, last to go

Keywords- Punjab, tribal reproductive health in Odisha. finance, sociology, Bollywood songs, NITI aayog (rest not asked)

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Chairman

Enters, greets members, chairman asks to sit down. Pronounces my name wrong, I correct the members.

1) before starting I would like you to sing a song. (Sang a song, made me sing another song after that) i was forgetting lyrics of the 2nd song, they helped me.

1) punjabi folk songs adapted by Bollywood, could you remember any? ( i couldn’t at that time) . Do you think communities should be given some royalties or share in benefits of folk songs adapted? They did not listen much to my answer, he gave a monologue

2) niti aayog- evolution of planning from 1947 to 2025

3) sociology- what is cultural lag? How is it affecting genz women

4) why sociology? Types of suicide? Farmer and student suicide classified as? (Made a slight mistake by confusing anomic and egoistic suicide)

Member 1

Started w some discussion about radio and some talkies in their times, i had no idea. It was more of a discussion among themselves. Then immediately chairman asks what was the name of the talkie and the talk show? I could not hear him and before i could say anything he mentioned the name again ( i think he was testing if i was listening properly)
1) what is feudalism? Do you think india still has traces of feudalism
2) m. Foucalt- contributions to understanding society. ( i started answering something else, he was looking for theories of power)
2) how is the scope of sociology changing in todays day and age?

Member 2

1) related to my degree. Is rise of finance gurus good or bad? Any regulations for them?
2) what are penny stocks?
3) how do they get manipulated and face volatility
4) name any episode of extreme volatility in penny stock- did not know this, said about yes bank a few years ago, but he did not agree.

Member 3

punjab has a history of sufism. What is sufism? Name some sufi saints
2) three evidences i can use to draw conclusions on tribal health, and three immediate solutions
3) causes of malnutrition in india.

Member 4

If i am the chief minister of punjab sitting in front of CEO of niti aayog, three problems where i will seek its advice?

2) do you think punjab may return to an era of militancy again?

Chairman sir again:
1) today the afternoon interview session was postponed, why so?
2) earlier a lot of participation of sikhs and punjabis in army, now dwindling numbers, why?

That was the end. They complimented on my song, apologised that they pronounced my name wrong ( they still kept on pronouncing it wrong)

Very cordial board, but they did not show expressions if i answered wrong or right. Be alert at all times.

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