UPSC Interview

Once the bell rang, I entered the room

Me: Good afternoon sir.

Chairman: Good afternoon. Points his hands to chair where I need to sit

Chairman: Are you comfortable? Can we start the interview?

Me: Yes sir.

Chairman: Senthil, from the southern end of Indian State u reached long way to Delhi for this interview. What made u to chose this, beside a college topper in your under graduation and post graduation degrees that too in Computer Science with more than 85% of marks?

Me: It’s my ambition and dream sir. From my school days, I though of becoming an officer who travel sin red beacon signals. Also in my family none became government high officials. And hence I came this long way to Delhi.

Chairman: What’s happening in Tamil Nadu? Always agitation, strikes etc…

Me: Now nothing sir. Colleges reopen.

M1: Do you think TN has legal right to interfere in Sri Lankan affairs?

Me: Yes Mam.

M1: How do u say? India’s foreign policy can’t be dictated by States

Me: Mam, as we know, India is Union of States hence whatever decision it takes, it should be in the interest of States and their people’s interests. When we speak about Pakistan, we think of J&K than any other states in the same way, when we speak about Nepal, we think of Nepal, when we speak of China it’s Arnachal Pradesh, when we speak about Bangladesh, it’s West Bengal. Hence it is normal when we speak about Sri Lanka, TN is a must and also needed. Also more than the specified countries, in Sri Lanka ethnic Tamils are there so TN has all legal rights to interfere in this matters.

M1: Very good analysis. But we also should consider Chinese influence in Sri Lanka?

Me: Mam, A foreign policy of a country can’t be dictated by other countries policies or afraid. A foreign policy should be evolved and maintained regularly. So blaming of XYZ country in our neighbours is just a mere excuse.

M1: Ok Senthil.

M2: Why Tamil Nadu is always opposing the entrance examination?

Me: (I don’t know what to answer for this; I wholeheartedly blamed all the politicians in TN) Sir, as the entrance examinations are framed on the central government syllabus, TN is opposing it.

M2: Do you think UPSC comes under that. Why TN is not opposing too that

Me: UPSC is highly competitive and more coveted exam. UPSC exam cant be prescribed to one syllabus at all..

M2: What’s your opinion about the new changes in UPSC that was announced and recalled?

Me: I really felt happy on seeing the changes in UPSC exam but sadly it was reverted back too some extent.

M2: But TN is the first state to oppose the changes and then started by all States. It seems your state is really a panic to all….

Me: In general, aspirants who are preparing for UPSC welcomed this move but unfortunately opposition came from the coaching class institutions as they rely only on literature and optional subjects. So it all triggered and also language constraint added to it. To my point, it would be much nicer if no optional at all.

M2: (Amazing to hear such answer that too from TN candidate.) Can u suggest how UPSC exam should be?

Me: The Question papers should be only in English ands the answers can be given in any prescribed 22 scheduled languages and English. The Mains paper must be without optional. Hence the Literature controversy will come to an end.

M2: Ok

M3: Can u say me some of the e-governance projects in your state?

Me: e-pathai, VLE

Chairman: What is AMMA scheme in your state and what’s the purpose?

Me: Assured Maximum Service to Marginal people in all villages. Aims to bring the government officers to villagers itself.

M1: Senthil, say something about AMMA mess?

Me: (shocked for me, why asking this and all) to give tiffin and food at affordable rates.

M1: Had u eaten in this?

Me: No mam, not yet. Planning to go.

M1: Do you think it’s a good step?

Me: More people in Chennai welcomed it. AS the prices are increasing in progression rate, weaker section of the people will surely benefit from this

M1: In the recent TN budget 2013-14, the govt has allocated a big sum of amount to school education department? Do you think it will be a fruitful one? Say it in detail. As all the members want to hear what’s happening in TN School education departments?

Me: School Education is the backbone of the economy. In the recent TN Budget, aaprox Rs. 16000 crore has been allocated to this department, which is the highest allocation ever for any department. This includes free shoes, chappals, geometry boxes, atlas, school bags, 4 sets of school uniforms, and also free sanitary napkins to girl students, woolen sweaters to hilly area students, free school books, etc…

M1: Do you think its all necessary?

Me: Anything doing for school education is not wasteful thing mam.

M1: can u say the new meals for the school children in your state?

Me: After several decades, the govt of TN had changed the menu for school children in nutritious meal program. The new menu includes egg masala, veg Briyani, tomato rice, sambar rice, veg pulav and so on

M1: Interesting menu. (All members laughed)

Chairman: In the recent Union Budget 2013-14, Finance Minister quoted two persons in his speech. Who are they?

Me: It is Economist Thomas Glitz and Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar

M3: See here too, you mention foreigner at first and Indian (that too from your state) at last. But you people are shouting for linguistic… very paradox….

Chairman: What Thirukural he quoted in the budget?

Me: (stunned for a while). And said I need to recall, chairman said, take t and say me.. also say about Thirukural..All Tamil politicians and technicians are quoting it…

Me: Said it: don not know. {then said about Thirukural and Thirvalluvar what all mugged up in my school days}

Chairman: Can we change the name of TN to TASMAC Nadu? Do you agree with TASMAC?

Me: At any cost, none will agree that a government itself sells liquor shops. So it’s a bad step

M2: But in early history if you go back to Gupta dynasty, it all happened. Are u weak in history? Why can’t u think it as a history repeats?

Me: It maybe sir. But in democratic form of government it is really a worrisome situation. The only one thing is no hooch tragic deaths

Chairman: The economic growth of TN is just 45 from 9%. Why is it so?

Me: Due to poor monsoon, failure of rainfall, and also excess of power cuts hit all the three sectors badly. Hence the decline.

M2: Senthil, Kudnakulam, Kalpakam, Neyvveli, Mettur and Tuticorin is with Tamil Nadu. Then how this 16-18hours power cuts?

Me: Mam, all these are in TN only but the electricity produced by them are not fully utilised by TN alone. It is shared among several states. Also Kudankulam not yet started.

M2: You people are not allowing to start anything, for everything u r protesting and agitating means, how can u make up your state into developed one.

Me: In Kudankulam, all the protests are gone. State government had given it nod for that. Now some technical snag is there, recently PM too said by next month, the plant will start to execute.

M2: Say the power projects in the State – is solar and wind are really a good option for TN

Me: From Mettur to North Chennai power projects I said it. Then on wind and solar energy, it all depends on the monsoon. Once the wind energy gave 500 MW a day and now it is nil. So it is not possible to depend that energy alone. On Solar energy recently TN quoted for international bid and it is Rs.6.48 per unit, which is the cheapest in India. Also in Solar production it set a target of 3000 MW in 3 years. So in coming days it will be a improvement.

M3: Once TN sold electricity to other, now the situation is like this. Why is it so?

Me: Not planned for the future is the real problem. Also TN is not connected to Central grid is another one major problem. Apart from that, the electricity is moved to central list is the biggest problem.

Chairman: Assume you are Secretary to the Department of Electricity in TN. What suggestion will you give to TN Govt?

Me: No public or political meetings after 6 PM at any cost. All the MNCs and multiplexes in Tier-I cities should be moved to solar power immediately. Increase the electricity price tarrif for MNCs and multiplexes.  100% no usage of bulbs.

Chairman: Cauvery issue

Me: I said this history

M2: Is it over or a temporary stop?

Me: It all depends on how the Centre govt is forming CMA?

{They asked about districts that are being benefited by Cauvery, the recent centre notification etc…}

Chairman: The State government ban on IPL players in Chennai – do you welcome it?

Me: yes. It represents the feelings of Tamil people.

M3: Don’t you think sports must not be mixed up with Politics?

Me: Ye sir, I agree. But the ban of Pakistani players also remains the same. But coming to Lanka, it s not politics, it is clearly a humanitarian issue that too ethnic Tamil who also once Indians..

M2: Pakistan is our enemy nation.

Me: Then why boosting trade relation and business talks with enemy nation. Mam, banning of players dated back to 1946 itself, when the interim govt headed by Nehru strongly voiced against apartheid issue in South Africa and called for economic sanction against South Africa. So its nothing new for India. Also Lankan players are banned only in Chennai. And India is more than Chennai and Tamil Nadu.

M2: It seems all the people of Tamil Nadu are in same line… its really interesting…Do you think Indian media are 100% correct.

Me: No mam, they are making small issues much bigger. Even in addressing the Tamil issue of Lanka they are not at all correct.

(They discussed something with them)

Chairman: Say something about BRICS Bank

Me: I said it..

Chairman: Asked about the new regulations of RBI in starting a pvt bank

Me: I struggled here

Chairman: Do you think Indian voters cast their votes still on the basis of caste, religion and region?

Me: No sir. Too some extent it changed.. Now people are really looking for developments.

M3: Something about India’s space missions

Me: Chnadrayaan and Mangalyan.

M3: Asked what it about

Me: I briefed it

M2: Senthil, Vishwaroopam ban – is it correct or not?

Me: Absolutely against the freedom of speech and expression.

M2: Are u fan of Kamal?

Me: No. Once the censor board clears the film, it should be allowed to screen in theatres.

M3: What National Award won by that film?

Me: Best Art Direction and Best Choreography

M3: What is the speciality about UN water award 2013 in respect with the State of TN?

Me: In Category 1 which is awarded to best water management practices, TN bagged Second place and Category 2 which is awarded to best participatory, communication TN bagged second place {I thought any other questions form this, but great escape… no further questions on this…as I just gone through at the last minute}

(I remembered only these much)

To   me, it was a bitter experience, as too much controversial questions