[UPSC Interview 2025] – Transcript #42: Mr. Ajay Kumar Board, PSIR Optional, Chemical Engineering

Date of Interview: 12/12/2025 AN
Board: Mr. Ajay Kumar
Optional: PSIR
DAF – Chemical Engineering, PSIR, Cat nutrition (rest nothing asked)
Duration – 24 min

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Chairman

1. You are a chemical engineer and there’s a lot of discussion about critical minerals today. What are critical minerals? Why are they called so?
2. India’s efforts at critical minerals
3. Name some critical minerals
4. Challenges in critical minerals wrt India
5. Recent amendments to a legislation regarding the same
6. Which minerals are still not open to pvt sector?
7. Link geopolitics with critical minerals suppy chains
8. What is BRI? What is China’s intent?
9. Link BRI with critical minerals

Member 1

1. Nuclear deterrence and its effectiveness at present
2. From post-War era we are moving to a pre-War era at present. Examine this statement.
3. Can USA’s strategy on restricting technology to competitors like China work?
4. Any recent development wrt this?

Member 2

1. Relevance of sports in life
2. some question on sportsmanship
3. Architectural heritage, some questions and follow ups I can’t recall
4. If not civil services, what will you do?

Member 3

1. Collegium system, what it is?
2. Tussles between executive and judiciary?
3. Recent controversy regarding appointment of judges?

Member 4

1. GLOFs? Recent incident in Sikkim, how it happened, govt steps
2. What is your one weakness which might hinder in your work as an administrator
3. Have you thought about personal growth if you get selected in services?
4. What about professional growth? Any area where you would like to see yourself?
5. Significance of ISA?
6. How did you develop interest in cat nutrition?
7. Food toxic for cats?
8. Plants toxic for cats?

Some questions I can’t recall.