4th UPSC Interview

Board : Shashi Uban Tripathi

Duration : 30 min (5:15pm – 5:45pm)

Date : 29th March 2011

Chairman (Ch) : You have done MA (Sociology) from ?

Me : Lucknow University, Mam.

Ch : You did it in 2005. Since then, what have you been doing ?

Me : Mam, since then, I have been preparing for the civil services examination. This is my 4^th and the last UPSC interview.

Ch : So, do you have any job ex ?

Me : Mam, I got selected last year in to IRS (Income Tax).

Ch : So, its been some 3 months into the service.

Me : Yes Mam, approximately 3 months.

Ch : Are you happy with Income Tax ?

Me : I consider myself very fortunate to be in Income Tax. Infact, last Friday, we had a video conferencing with our Chairman, CBDT. He addressed not only the probationers from NADT but also the CCITs from across the country. In his address, he repeatedly emphasized upon the camaraderie of the entire cadre. Mam, who would not love to work in such kind of a department where the camaraderie of the cadre is being emphasized upon..

Ch : But you have written the exam again for improvement ?

Me : Yes mam, the most important factor in the administrative and the police services which fascinates me the most is the diversity of job…(then Chairman came up with another question and did not let me complete).

Ch : You have studied Sociology. Tell me how can we improve the parochial mindset of the people like that in the case of Khap Panchayat.. ?

Me : Mam, I believe that Law and administration have a major role to play here. But, more than that, major changes have to come from within. Let’s say, if a particular person from a community adheres the law and abide by it in all capacity, he’ll be respected by the administration and will become a role model for others to follow, if his deeds are appreciated in society, others will love to follow him.

Ch : But, today we see that even the educated people are abiding with the parochial laws of khap panchayat. We have the instances of Army Generals.

Me : In that case, Law will have to take its own course. Anybody found commiting a heinous crime should be punished. And, that will act as a deterrent for others.

Ch : In Delhi, on the Police vans, its written – With you , For you, Always. People say, that this in itself is the problem. What do you have to say. ?

Me : Mam, I believe that its only the atrocious picture of the police which comes to the forefront. People have started associating the Police with atrocities. The good work done by the police goes unnoticed.

Board Member : There was a lathi charge yesterday by the police on a mob at mohali, which was standing in queue for the tickets. Why such kind of acts take place ? Why to beat the cricket fans ? What will you do if you are the SP ?

Me : Sir, the peaceful sale of the tickets should be ensured. If people try to barge in and disturb the peace, action will have to be taken. In such kind of a situation, I will also support lathi charge, because it is very much needed at times.

Chairman : Yes, I agree, lathi charge is needed at times.

Me : I will try to increase the number of policemen handing this kind of a situation. On top of all, I will direct every single policeman to have a humane understanding of the situation. If someone still disobeys, I will take action against him.

BM : Recently, an engineer was arrested by the police on the ground that he bought many match tickets in advance and later he was found selling them at higher prices. What is the harm in such kind of an act ? You see in London, people buy the tickets in advance and sell them at higher prices for the Premier League. What’s wrong in it ? I have 1 lakh rupees. I am ready to pay, you are ready to sell.

Me : Sir, that’s like hoarding the foodgrains. In such cases, Government has to intervene. We just can’t support black marketing. Govt. has to establish some kind of an equity. If people involved in these activities are not punished, then it will lay a very bad precedence before others and will have a negligible deterrence value.

BM : There is so much of corruption in Uttar Pradesh. People in your income tax department also are found taking bribes every now and then. What will you do if your

subordinate does his work only after taking bribe ?

Me : I will give him the warning. Still, if he doesn’t mend his ways, I will stop delegating work to him and will infact, take his work upon myself.

BM : That’s very good. What if your subordinate takes money on your behalf, by taking your name ?

Me : Sir, that would tantamount to disrespecting me and my integrity. I will warn him first, and then will take action under the Conduct Rules.

BM : I am a depressed man. Aren’t you a depressed man, Manpreet  ?

Me : No Sir.

BM : You are a sportsman, you look like a sportsman. Still you not depressed ? I am very depressed.

Me : Sir, I will energise you.

BM : You take a look at the condition of sports in India. Its full of scams. What is the primary loophole that you see in the system ?

Me : Sir, the most primary loophole that I feel hinders the smooth sports administration in India is that the Sports bodies and federations in the country are headed by the Politicians and the retired bureaucrats. Why can’t we have eminent sports personalities heading the sports federations ? Why can’t we have Prakash Padukone heading the Badminton federation, Why can’t we have Dhanraj Pillay heading the Hockey federation ? It is the vested interests of few people which spoils the entire pond. If these people are brought in, they’ll put their heart out in the work they will do. Having been associated with the similar sport, they’ll not tolerate any kind of corruption in the system.

BM : That’s very correct. Ok, let’s say, a very enthusiast Sports Minister is appointed. What all suggestions would you give to him with regard to the sports administration ? Tell me in bullets.

Me : Focus on infrastructure, diet and nutrition of the players, have the best of the coaches – be it Indian, be it foreign, Make use of technology in Sports…

BM : I think the main focus should be on infrastructure.

Me : Yes Sir, infact, that was the first point I mentioned. I will give you a very small instance. Last year, we had the Hockey World Cup in New Delhi. The performance of the Indian team was very dismal. If we compare the hockey infrastructure of India with  Spain, we’ll find that Spain has so many astroturfs, which India desparately lacks. This is the prime infrastructure issue.

BM : But, in cities like Pune, we have very developed infrastructure but nobody makes use of it . What’s the reason ?

Me : In my opinion, the prime reason is that the parents do not support their children to take up sports as their career. They don’t see any future in sports. Even my parents never encouraged me to become the best athlete in the country. They don’t find it lucrative.

BM : If you are asked to imitate any of your neighbouring countries with regards to sports administration, which country would you imitate and emulate ?

Me : Undoubtedly China, Sir.

BM : Do you think that Chinese sportsmen play to earn money ?

Me : I do not have much idea about that Sir. But yes, they start it very early and we often see that in 5-6 years of age, they start training, and become the masters over a period of time, for e.g. in Gymnastics.

BM : Tommorrow, we have India_Pakistan match. Where ?

Me : At Mohali, Sir.

BM : Let’s say, you are a District Magistrate of Mohali. A bomb blast takes place during the match. What will you do ? Tell me step by step.

Me : Sir, the very first thing I will do would be to ensure the security of the masses along with the VIPs. The security of the Pakistani PM Mr Gilani is also very vital. I will ensure the quick evacuation of the stadium. For this, I will make open all the exit points. Thereafter, I will totally cordon off the place where the blast has taken place and nobody shall be allowed to enter that place.…

BM : But Manpreet, what about the casualities ? You are evacuating the place first, what will happen to the casualities ? Evacuation may lead to stampede.

Me : Yes Sir, That is the reason I will go for safe evacuation first to avoid the stampede. Because, if stampede happens, it will lead to further casualities. Perhaps, both the things have to be done simultaneously.

Chairman : Why do you think SAARC is not picking up, unlike ASEAN ? any particular reason ?

Me : The reason which I consider the most important is the hostility between India and Pakistan. (The Chairman suddenly made a furious face). I think, conflict of interests is the most appropriate word to be used here instead of hostility. Even if we compare SAARC with European Union, we have not been able to bring about the long proposed common currency like Euro. Apart from this , within SAARC, we see many positive events also happening. Like the kind of financial assistance which India gives to Bhutan is phenomenal. Infact, we  have set up various thermal power stations there.

Ch : But, that is at the bilateral level.

Me : Yes Mam, I think the conflict of interest between Indian and Pakistan is holding the SAARC behind.

Ok Manpreet, you can go.

My SCORE : 219/300

Another Date with UPSC

Hi,


Day after i.e. 29th March, Here i stand to attend my 4th and the last UPSC Interview. From NADT, there are 63 people attending the interviews. It seems that NADT is sending its commandos in tits and bits to Delhi to combat the missiles lanuched from D P Aggarwal and Co.


I am hopeful of a good performance by everyone. Uptil now, the NADT is performing really well. I will try to share the Interview questions of my colleagues also here on my blog, at some point of time in the future. 


Signing off.

My Public Administration Strategy

I decided to take Public Administration as one of my optional right after my 10+2. Probably, that was the reason that I took Political Science as one of my subject in my graduation.

I took the classes for Public Administration at SYNERGY, taught by Mohanty Sir. I was very impressed by his way of teaching. In my very first attempt in 2007, I could revise only his class notes and few relevant chapters from his SYNERGY books. Since I joined the classes after prelims in June, I did not have the time to refer to even the basic books on the subject. But Sir’s way of teaching was so good that I still managed to score 322 that year.

At times, it happens that a question comes in the exam about which you don’t have any idea, but you have heard that particular topic in the class. If you have been very attentive in your classes, you will be able to recall the context in which that topic was discussed. It has happened with me that by merely recalling the context of the topic discussed in the class, I wrote the entire 60 marker and scored good marks.

My strategy for Public Administration has been no different from other candidates. And I am really happy that this subject has given me good marks in all the previous 3 attempts.. 322, 322 and 329 respectively.

The foremost thing required is the seriousness with which you study the subject. What I used to do was that I used to cover the topic being taught in the class comprehensively from one other source and used to prepare the notes in such a manner that I need not study anything other than my comprehensive notes during the exams. This practice I followed throughout the classes. I ensured that I am writing all the tests on Sundays that Sir used to take. Every day used to be a struggle for me. Because, my targets were such that I had to accomplish them everyday.

In the Pub Ad answers, if you follow very general practice of being simple, you will score well. Don’t go for any sophistication and complication. Be straightforward in your answer writing. Stick to the topic being asked in the question. Go for a good introduction giving a brief about what all you are going to discuss in the answer. But, its still not possible to give the brief about each n everything you are going to discuss in the introductory paragraph. Just touch upon some imp aspects and move on. Never ever write a general answer . Try to make your answer – public administration in nature. Use the name of the thinkers as and when required. Thinker’s perspectives give a good touch to your answers.

For e.g. If you are writing on administrative reforms, talk about their weaknesses in the Indian context with respect to the Classical Theory, which talk about lack of initiatives by the workers, only monetary rewards, top down communication etc etc.

In my second attempt, I referred some other sources as well, but still I didn’t see a single mark improvement in my marks. Later I realized, what blunder I committed. Instead of using the names of the Pub Ad Thinkers, I used names such as Swami sachhidanand, Henry Ford, etc. This should not have been done. Stick to your basics wherein I lacked in this attempt.

Magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra are your trump cards in this subject. Study them keeping the Pub Ad topics in your mind. If some case study is there , make a note of it and use it in your answers. A Yojana issue on Disaster Management discussed a wonderful case study on Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM). It showed how an org. called SEEDS INDIA used CBDM and came out with some very good results bringing people’s participation and juxtaposing disaster management with the planning process. Detail it out in your answers.

Be innovative in the Paper II answers. Use as many case studies as you can, but always interlink them with the perspectives of the Administrative thinkers. Show the examiner that you have an aptitude for thinking. Don’t write conventional answers. Make a vibrant “KHICHDI” of the concepts you have learnt. Apply them to the day to day life. Interlink them with the case studies that you read from various sources.

All this I am telling from my 3^rd attempt experience where in paper II, I scored 185. It was the result of the KHICHDI I prepared in the exam. Use the examples of Public Distribution System, NREGA, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), UIDAI etc.. Even if you prepare 4 to 5 such examples with reference to Indian Administration, you need not prepare other such things. Use these examples at your discretion where ever you want. You will see the results for yourself.

Sources I made use of :

PAPER-I

• Fadia and Fadia
• Sharma and Sadana
• Avasthi and Maheshwari
• Prasad and Prasad (for thinkers)
• Laxmikanth for Prelims (for few topics,,I found it very useful for mains)
• IGNOU MA notes
• SYNERGY class notes and reference material

PAPER-II

• Fadia and Fadia
• Arora and Goyal
• IGNOU MA notes
• Laxmikanth for prelims (Public Administration)
• Laxmikanth for Indian Polity
• SYNERGY class Notes and reference material

1. Yojana
2. Kurukshetra
3. The Hindu editorials

(I may be forgetting the names of a couple of books. I shall post them as and when I recall).

I wish all the very best to my blog readers and to all the Civil Services Aspirants going through this write-up.

Cheers ! 

VVS and Leadership

The Indian Cricket Champ - VVS - says,,


"TOUGH SITUATIONS GET MY COMPETITIVE JUICES FLOWING".


He is an epitome of Leadership. He has come to India's rescue whenever the team has faced a tricky situation. In normal situations, anybody can come up and lead. Providing leadership when the chips are down shows the real mettle of a person. If you want to be something in your life, be VVS of Test Cricket, be Shahrukh of Bollywood, be Hamilton of F1, be Pele of Soccer, be Roger of Tennis, be the BEST in your respective sphere..


You should be known as the one making a difference, as someone not being a part of crowd.


Cheers !!

My Last Mains and Public Administration experience

Hi friends,


Just got over with the Public Administration exam today. I was getting bit emotional yesterday while revising the entire stuff. I was just thinking that these Pub admn. topics which are so close to my heart, i will not have to study them ever again. This is my last UPSC attempt and my fourth Mains. It may sound really ridiculous. I know that. However, this sorrowness is coupled with joy that I will have freedom to explore the world other than UPSC.


For the past 4 years, i have been so entangled in the studies , that i got very less time to explore the fun outside the four walls of my room. I am very excited to join the NADT, Nagpur coming December.


The pattern of UPSC's questions have left the candidates baffling. Today, i was surprised to see the short notes being compulsory (3 out of 3). But, that was fun. I wrote some interesting answers leaving nothing to be added. Since , this was the last Mains for me, i made it a point that i write and include everything somewhere or the other in the answers. But, don't misinterpret me for redundant practice. I obviously wrote the relevant points at the relevant places.


From RTI to transparency, accountability, customer orientation, openness, Wada na todo abhiyan campaign, Jaankari project, Bhaagidaari Project, I and II ARC, Hota committe, Yugandhar Committee, Y.K.Alagh Committee, NREGA, PDS, PMGSY, 6th Pay Commission, Fayol, Urwick, Likert, McGregor, Lord Nolan, Administrative Reforms, Disaster Mgmt, Hyogo Framework for Action, 73rd Amendment Act, Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, IRDA, SEBI, MCI, AICTE, Linking Pin Model, Code of ethics, Decision Making, Kautilya, NPM, E-Governance, Citizen's Charter, Conference of Chief Secretaries (1996), Conference of Chief Ministers (1997), Social Audit, Development Administration, Robert Chambers, David Korten, Public Policy, PRIS, PPBS, HILASOO, PSU failure, Fiscal mismanagement, Article 74,78,85, 285, 289, 280, Finance Commission, Judicial Activism, PN Bhagwati, Judicial adventurism, PIL, Cash for Query scam, Ninth Schedule, Ram Jawaya case, Shamsher Singh Case, Max Weber, Pub Admn-Dichotomy, NCHER etc etc etc etc etc....i tried to prepare a good mixture of the stuff i had in my mind. Rest, the marks will reflect the success of this mixture. Hope for the best..:)


On 10th is Sociology, my last exam. Hoping for a changed pattern in this exam as well. I am prepared for the bouncers. Lets face it.


Have a good day..!!

Leadership Quotes

"It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not." - ANDRE GIDE


"The most powerful weapon on earth is the Human Soul on fire." - FERDINAND FOCH


"If people knew how hard i worked for my mastery , it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." - MICHELANGELO

5 Fast Tips for Accelerated Leadership

1. Build out technology free spaces so you can get your best thinking done.
   
2. Do difficult things since those are the opportunities that build your capabilities.
   
3. Delete victims from your personal orbit as their mediocre thinking is an infection.
   
4. Get fit like a pro athlete.
   
5. Invest in improving your mindset, performance and leadership skills through seminars, audio programs and a relentless diet of excellent books. Learning is the antidote to change.

Courtsey : Robin Sharma