It was on April 1st Day and my first appearance in the UPSC interview in my second attempt. I was a bit nervous. After filling up the routine forms in the central halls I was told that I will be the one to go first among 6 of us in a group. I was not knowing until I was called, which board I will be facing in a short while. The attendant told me it was Shashi Uban Tripati madams board. I was knowing that she was an IFS officer and friendlier. I was waiting for some 5 minutes in the lobby and then I was called inside. There were chairman (Mrs. Shashi) and four other members (M1, M2, M3, M4).
Shashi Uban Tripati:- she was very friendly and welcomed with a big smile; She started with my biodata and my work experience in a central govt. technical organization dealing with Remote Sensing Applications.
Tell me about your organization ? - I expanded and explained.
What is your role with – I explained.
Why Civil Service – I explained about GNK – a voluntary organisation working in the area of informal schooling for underprivileged people.
Why in India we are unable to achieve universal education – I told Socially – some factors like parents not sending girl children to school; Economically –children had to support the family by earning wages so not sent to school;
M1: -
He asked about the details of the organization I am working with?
What is Geoinformatics? – My under graduation was in B.E. Geoinformatics from Anna University Chennai.
What is the applications area of geoinformatics and Remote Sensing? - I talked about its applications in mapping and utilizing the natural resources, defence, intelligence, policing and public administration and in corporate sector for utilities management etc.,
M2: -
Dravidian Movement – Anti-Brahman movement? – I explained about its origin. Its effect on the social engineering of the southern states especially in Tamil Nadu. I linked them with the backward class movement and took a positive stand in favour of these movements showing as evidence, comparatively high human development index for this state.
Nadar community? – He asked particularly about this community to which I belong. I explained that this community was one of the finest beneficiary of above said movements and had improved its profile through business and education.
Sethusamudhram project? – He asked about the cultural dilemmas regarding the project. But I took the stand that I will go with scientific evidence and economic benefits.
M3:- With M3 I was not able to answer some of the questions? – But managed some extent.
What is project CAAP? – related to remote sensing application in agriculture.
Agriculture yield in india? Whether India is importing? Food security – Only half I answered.
Water Scarcity – I talked about cavery issue regarding irrigation; I talked about drinking water problems and mentiond some details about Bharat Nirman project as well.
M4:-
Should Google Earth be banned : I told that it need not be banned but sensitive areas could be blurred; Since it is a global MNC UN level actions could be taken; Security interests far outweigh business interests.
Questions about my hometown and district: kumbakonam and Thanjavur district – temples – shortly finished;
Wind power – Solar power – He wanted some specific details like why it is not been brought up in scale and what could be done – I told general problems like potential and high initial investments and popularity of other conventional power and nuclear power in india. – For this answer he seemed not much satisfied.
NGO malpractices? – Related to GNK, the voluntary organization I mentioned initially. I told regulations should be there –he asked regulations are already there; I continued that it should be properly implemented; they play significant role to compensate the Govt.
Mrs. Shashi:
What Dalai Lama is doing in India?
I explained he is under political asylum given by Govt. of India after he was made to leave Tibet as China overthrown him. Here I faulted by saying he is running ‘Govt. in Exile’. Immediately she asked are you sure? I told I am not sure mam. Then I continued to say that Dalai Lama and his followers are given freedom to exercise their religious and societal practices but they are not permitted to involve in political activities that hampers the friendly relations of India with China.
Can you scientifically explain Meditation? – it was one of my hobbies.
I was not able to tell exactly; but felt I was beating around the bush; I told it could sooth the nerves and will make mind concentrate and heart beats would become less; it is middle stage between sleep and unconsciousness and here we will be consciousness at the same time thoughtlessness.
On the whole it went very smooth. I got 186 marks in the interview. But because of my very low marks in the mains written, I did not find my number in the final list of successful candidates.
