Sample Public Administration Answers

Dear All, I am putting a Pub Ad test answer sheet which I attempted during the course of preparation. (pls note that these are not model answers, this is what I tried to attempt in strict examination conditions).

Question Paper :

Answers:

Sample Sociology Answers

Dear All, I am appending some of the answers that I wrote last year. (Please understand that these are not models answers but some of the answers that I wrote during strict examination conditions)

Que 1. Strive for objectivity is a Sociological nonsense. Comment critically using illustrations and cases. – 60 marks.

Ans 1

Que 2. Write a short note on ‘P. Sorokin on Social Change’ – 20 marks.

Ans 2.

Que 3. Write a short note on ‘Technology and Alienation’ – 20 marks.

Ans 3.

Que 4. Write a short note on ‘Household dimension to family’ – 20 marks.

Ans 4.

Que 5. ‘Sexual division of labor is as old as human civilization itself’. Comment – 30 marks.

Ans 5.

Que 6. Write a short note on ‘Sociology of Feudalism’ – 20 marks.

Ans 6.

Que 7. Write a short note on ‘Death of Ideology’ – 20 marks.

Ans 7.

Que 8. Write a short note on ‘Feminist approach to Social Change’ – 30 marks

Ans 8.

Que 9. Write a short note on “Education and persistence of economic inequality”  – 30 marks

Ans 9.

Que 10. Do you think that technology and science are making global inequality stronger, deeper and more persistent ? – 30 marks

Ans 10:

(Pls note that the graph I have drawn in this answer is not correct, instead of gender inequality it should be gender equality)

Que 11. To what extent you consider that democracy offers a string platform for the institutionalization of religion? Provide suitable illustrations in support of your answer. – 30 marks.

Ans 11.

Que 12. A strong democracy is reflected in terms of effective participative citizenry. Critically comment. – 30 marks.

Ans 12.

Que 13. “Pluralism is a great social doctrine but it is difficult to practise in modern society”. Comment – 30 marks.

Ans 13.

 

Comments:

1) The feedback that I repeatedly used to get was that my answers tend to exceed the word limit, and hence sometimes were vague (which is visible in the above scripts). My suggestion to the aspirants is stick to the word limit, write with precision rather than exceeding the word limit, the latter is a strict no no in UPSC, in my opinion. Precision comes with a good understanding of the subject matter, repeated reading, and most importantly writing the answers regularly. The more you write, the better would be your command over the language.

2) Please ignore the marks obtained/ total marks mentioned along some of the answers, there was some confusion while evaluation, please treat the maximum marks mentioned along with the question as the actual max marks.

All the best.

tête-à-tête for UPSC 2012 Preparation @ Rajinder Nagar

Dear All,

I could be reached at Lukmaan IAS, 60/19, Old Rajinder Nagar Market, New Delhi starting today i.e. June 12 till this Friday i.e. 15th June from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Interested aspirants can have a conversation with me wrt suggested readings, notes writing, answer writing, key dos and donts for the upcoming UPSC Mains examination.

How to reach: Hit Popular Juice Corner (very near to Old Vaji Ram building near Axis Bank ATM in Rajinder Nagar). Look towards Subway from the juice shop (Subway is located hardly 20m from Popular Juice Corner towards the left if you are coming from the Axis ATM direction), you’ll notice a big red placard named Lukmaan IAS at the top of a building adjacent to the Subway, you have to come to the basement of that building.

Looking forward.

Sociology Test Series/ Performance Enhancement Program for UPSC 2012 @ New Delhi

Dear All, this is the test series schedule which am planning to run at Rajinder Nagar (Lukmaan IAS, 60/19, Old Rajinder Nagar Market) and Jia Sarai (Lukmaan IAS, 28B/7, Jia Sarai, Hauz Khas), New Delhi. The program commences from 16th/ 17th June 2012. For more details/ queries regarding the same, please get in touch with Lukmaan IAS (9654034293, 9718548836, 9891929780).

As a Civil Servant you will be required to address the issues on the ground, analyze the same objectively within a limited time frame and present alternatives giving constructive ideas to solve the problem. Similarly, while presenting an answer in the UPSC examination, you need to take care of the above three points. Your answer should address the problem right away without beating around the bush, analysis should be a combination of what prominent thinkers/ practitioners have said on the topic/ what is happening around in the world (if required by the question), and of course most important: your point of view on the issue.

The idea of my program is not merely to practice writing the answers, but to identify strategies by which we could improve the content and structure of the answer through a combination of text/ reference books, journals and news papers. How to entwine your personal/ organizational examples in the answer, is also an important point that we’ll try to learn.

Here is the tentative plan for the same (am in the process of finalizing the timings and discussion classes’ details, will update them shortly)

Date	Topics to be covered
16th June 2012	(Paper I)Chapter 1: Sociology – The Discipline Chapter 2: Sociology as Science Chapter 3: Research Methods and Analysis
23rd June 2012	(Paper I)Chapter 4: Sociological Thinkers
30th June 2012	(Paper I)Chapter 5: Stratification and Mobility Chapter 6: Works and Economic Life Chapter 7: Politics and Society
7th July 2012	(Paper I)Chapter 8: Religion and Society Chapter 9: Systems of Kinship Chapter 10: Social Change in Modern Society
14th July 2012	(Paper II)A(i): Perspectives on the study of Indian society A(ii): Impact of colonial rule on Indian society B(ii): Caste System
21st July 2012	(Paper II)B(iii): Tribal communities in India B(iv): Social Classes in India B(v): Systems of Kinship in India B(vi): Religion and Society
28th July 2012	(Paper II)B(i): Rural and Agrarian Social Structure C(i): Visions of Social Change in India C(ii): Rural and Agrarian transformation in India C(iii): Industrialization and Urbanization in India C(iv): Politics and Society
4th August 2012	(Paper II)C(v): Social Movements in Modern India C(vi): Population Dynamics C(vii): Challenges of Social Transformation
18th August 2012	Comprehensive Test: Paper I Comprehensive Test: Paper II

For outstation aspirants, I am in the process of putting some of my select last years’ scanned answers on this blog. Some logistics issues coupled with my frantic traveling are delaying the process, you need to bear with me pls.

UPSC : Warmup and Siestas

Lets add fun to the UPSC preparation.

These scribbles are for the future UPSC aspirants (not to exclude the general readers) who are interested in preparing for the Civil Services Examination and might appear anytime in or after 2013.  This post is definitely not for the aspirants who are appearing this year as it refers to some long term preparation requiring considerable time and effort, which this year students don’t have the luxury of.

Talking of humanities as any of the optionals (even if there are speculations that there might be a significant change in the UPSC syllabus next year onwards), or for that matter General Studies and Personal Interview, I think there are certain books  and reading material which if you are able to devour before starting your actual preparation, you have a head on start compared to others (and yeah, for aspirants who are serious about 2013, I know you have at least next 3 to 4 months, go slow on movies and dates, follow or at least try to read some of these).

Here is my recommended list:

1)      ‘India Unbound’ by Gurcharan Das (exceptionally good written, yet easy to comprehend work, detailing the history of India post independence, seen from an eye of an entrepreneur)

2)      ‘India after Gandhi’ by Ramachandra Guha (very useful for GS and interview)

3)      ‘The Clash of Civilizations and Remaking of the World Order’ by Samuel P Huntington (very useful for GS Paper II, Political science & IR students ,and also for the interview)

4)       ‘Development as Freedom’ by Amartya Sen (Especially important considering the debates on sustainable development, and growth vs development)

5)     ‘Public Institutions in India: Performance and Design’ by Devesh Kapur and Pratap Bhanu Mehta (very good cases for public administration and GS)

6)      ‘Splendour in the Grass: Innovations in Administration’ (sixteen cases on Public Administration by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India)

7)       ‘Everybody Loves a Good Drought: Stories from India’s Poorest Districts’ by P Sainath (very useful for quoting some cases, very detailed, read only if you are interested in the topic)

8)      ‘Imagining India’ by Nandan Nilekani

9)      ‘The Future Shock’/ ‘The Third Wave’ by  Alvin Toffler (infact any of the Toffler books’ would give an idea that his predictions were spot on)

10)   ‘The Wonder that was India’ by A L Basham (especially good for History Students)

11)    ‘Arthaśāstra’ by Kautilya/ ‘The Prince’ by N Machiavelli

12)   ‘The End of History and the Last Man’ by Francis Fukuyama

Talking about some of the light reads which are somehow connected to the prep, might make for a light fiction, here’re my suggestions:

1)      ‘English August’/ ‘The Mammaries of the Welfare State’ by Upamanyu Chatterjee

2)      ‘The Strange Case of Billy Biswas’ by Arun Joshi

3)       ‘Journeys through Babudom and Netaland’ by T. S. R. Subramanian

4)      ‘Lunatic in my head’ by Anjum Hasan

Enough, right :). I second this.

Please understand that this is not a ‘must do’ list, what I am merely saying is that for the aspirants who have time on their hands and want to constructively use it, these recommendations might come in very handy.

Last, but not the least, dailies like ‘The Hindu’ and ‘The Indian Express’, a good monthly magazine like: ‘Civil Services Times’ or ‘Chronicle’, even ‘The Economic and Political Weekly’ (a bit difficult read for the starters, but believe me, pays in the long run; only selected articles and not the entire magazine, its online subscription also comes in very useful), coupled with the standard texts (how innocently I have added thousands of pages, you see) are indispensable, no matter at what stage of preparation you find yourself in.

PS: I haven’t taken any commission from any of the publishers listed above, at least not till now. Enjoy the readings.

PPS: People who are cursing me for not putting my scanned answers which might be beneficial for this year, please hold on with the swear words, am traveling, will reach Delhi in a few days where I have my answer sheets etc and will do the needful asap pls.

Sociology : Study Material

I am listing the study material that I referred, for UPSC Sociology Paper I and Paper II, through this post.
Here’s my recommended booklist for Sociology (I strictly followed what Mr Upendra Gaur told our batch to read with some modifications which fortunately worked for me)
Paper-I
1) Haralambos (V th edition, the large book not the earlier orange covered one) (In my opinion, the most important book for conceptual clarity not only for paper I, but also for paper II).

Here are the page numbers that I read from the book:  Page 1 to 21, 23 to 49, 69 to 104, 136 to 141, 145 to 156, 222 to 236, 282 to 286, 291 to 305, 334 to 346, 353 to 362, 372 to 378, 386 to 390, 431 to 439, 446 to 492, 504 to 551, 966 to 990, 991 to 1030 and 1032 to 1079 (Please understand that I am not saying that read only these page numbers and leave the rest, I am merely saying that I read only these pages from the book considering the time that I had).
2) UIES (Upendra Gaur Sir’s notes): Entire paper I notes.
3) Sociological Theory by George Ritzer and Douglas J. Goodman (VI edition) (for chapter 4 only, to be read only if you have finished the above two) I referred only those topics which I was not comfortable at.

4) Sindhuri Madam’s notes (UPSC 2008 AIR 43), available at book shops in Delhi (especially for Chapters  1,2 and 3).

Paper-II

Please note that there are standard text books available for Paper I but the study material for Paper-II is not found easily. Hence it becomes mandatory to refer to multiple sources.

1)      Primarily I relied on Sindhuri Madam’s notes (UPSC 2008 AIR 43) which I got through the xerox shops in Rajendra Nagar (She has very meticulously collected material from various sources and prepared her own analyses as well)

2)      UIES class notes (Upendra Gaur Sir’s class notes for Paper II)

3)      Newspapers (The Hindu and The Indian Express, select articles)

4)      Yojana (the monthly magazine)

5)      IGNOU MA Material  (MSO Series, selective pages, details I have mentioned below)

6)      Contemporary Sociology by M Francis Abraham (Oxford Publications): Chapters 11,14,15 and 17)

7) Society in India by Ram Ahuja (Selective pages from Chapters 1, 2, 4, 8, 9 and 16)

8)      Handbook of Indian Sociology by Veena Das (very very selective, only those topics which are not covered in the above)

Here is the list of some of the articles I referred for selective topics in paper II (again told to us by Mr Upendra Gaur), (they are available at any book store in Delhi or can be taken from any of your friend who has attended sessions of Mr Gaur, alternatively they can be accessed from the xerox shop near Mr Gaur’s residence in Safdurjung Enclave, New Delhi). I would advise the non Delhi aspirants to ask their friends from Delhi to parcel this material. On a cursory glance this looks mammoth but I believe that many of this have significant overlaps and can be covered in 4 months along with the other optional and GS.

1)      Indological Perspective by Ghurye (Lesson 8)

2)      Structural Functional Perspective by M N Srinivas (Lesson 10)

3)      Marxian Perspective by A R Desai (Lesson 14)

(I don’t know the name of the book from which the above three chapters are taken, apologies, but all three articles are available at any standard book store in Delhi)

4)      Modernization of Indian tradition by Yogendra Singh (page 85 to 160, page 208 to 213)

5)      Caste its 20^th Century Avatar by M N Panini

6)      The Political Economy of Caste by M N Panini (pp 28 to 63)

7)      Tribal India by Nadeem Husnain (selective pages)

8)      India’s Population Policy by Bhende and Kanitkar (selective pages)

9)      Principle of Polulation Studies by Bhende and Kanitkar (Appendix C)

10)   Indian tribals and search for an indigenous identity by Walter Fernandes

11)   Slum problem in India: Magnitude, Genesis and Possible Solution by B K Chakraborty

12)   Sixty Years of Development induced Displacement in India by Walter Fernandes

IGNOU booklets that I referred:

MSO 001 Book 1: Block 2, 3 and 4

MSO 001 Book 2: Block 5, 6, 7 and 8

MSO 003 Book 1: block 1 (all the 4 units), block 2 (unit 5), block 3 (unit 9 and 10)

MSO 003 Book 2: block 6 (all the 4 units), block 7 (unit 24, 25), block 8 (unit 27 and 28)

MSO 004 Book 1: Entire booklet

MSO 004 Book 2: Block 5 (Unit 17, 19 and 20), block 6, 7 and 8

MSOE 004 Book 2: Blocks 5, 6 and 7

MPSE 007

Very briefly, I also referred to some of the reference books for the areas which I thought were not covered extensively through the notes.  Two of them were ‘Changing India’ by Robert Stern, and ‘India: Development and Participation’ by Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze.  (I referred very very selectively and I wouldn’t advise the serious aspirants to go for them if you have only 3 months for the exam and you haven’t read them earlier).

Especially for paper II, stick very strictly to the syllabus and prepare your own pointers/ notes(from the above material coupled with newspaper articles) so that you can revise the syllabus just before the examination.

I think that the understanding of key concepts of Paper-I and ability to apply them to the contemporary scenario comes in handy for scoring good marks in both the papers. Also Paper I and II shouldn’t be studied in isolation. Application of relevant examples from Indian Society and your own family/ personal experiences in Paper I and International studies in Paper II, depending on the demand of the question should fetch good marks.

Besides, I was a regular reader of :

1) Rajiv Ranjan Singh’s blog on Sociology (AIR 191, CSE 2009):      http://intellection-rajiv.blogspot.in

2) Tanvi Sundriyal’s (AIR 6, CSE 2009) blog:  http://thecivilservicesdream.blogspot.in/

3) Anay Dwivedi’s (AIR 5, CSE 2009) blog:                                                                   http://anaydwivedi.wordpress.com/

Sociology Preparation

(Work in Progress)

I am in the process of writing what worked for me and what didn’t for UPSC Sociology, through this post. Please understand that this is my personal opinion and it worked for me, you might have a different opinion. Having said so, I think that there are several key points that you need to take into consideration which definitely would sharpen your answers and thoughts. At the end of the day, it is your personal opinions, added with theoretical and current affairs knowledge that will make your answers stand different from the others, and ultimately your marks too.

Developing a conceptual framework for answer writing: For the starting, a sincere request to all who are serious about this time Mains: Ensure that you spend adequate time with the Hindu and/ or Indian Express (IE). This is extremely important not only for GS, but also for Sociology and Pub Ad.  I think Hindu is exceptionally good for Sociology and IE for Public Administration (especially the op ed page).

1) Before reading any major article (say the Centre article of ‘the Hindu’) think of the way you would have framed your thoughts if any topic related to it would have come in either Sociology Paper II, Pub Ad Paper II or for that matter Essay. Take a sheet of paper and draft a conceptual framework related to the article which means try and think of relevant points which you would have written if the same topic comes in the exam. While practicing, it should not take more than 5 minutes. (Of course, your answer in the actual examination will depend on various factors: marks allotted to the Question, time you have in your hand to answer it, exact demand of the question etc).

2) After making this conceptual framework, think of what information (facts and opinion) that you know of and try and scribble your thoughts very briefly in logically arranged paragraphs. There is no need to write entire sentences, but just important points/ pointers which should take not more than 10 to 15 minutes.

3) Then, compare the article with your sheet and yourself evaluate your performance. You will come to appreciate the thought flow, data, contemporary examples etc quoted in the actual article.

4) Preserve your sheets of paper and edit suitably, basis any new information that you come across (while reading any standard text, internet article, newspaper/ magazine article or while discussing with teachers/ friends).

Not only will you have a firm grasp on the newspaper, but also on the optional papers. Having said this, please understand that the importance of concepts/ standard texts is very much there. The above strategy is to embellish your answer with contemporary events and opinions.

I think that your performance in the exam could improve drastically if you continue this exercise daily. This worked for me, at least.

I am also in the process of scanning some of my sample answers and post them, please bear with me, it might take some time.

More would follow…..

Choice vs ‘Other Choices’

I delivered a workshop on the 22nd May 2012 at Jia Sarai, New Delhi in which I shared my experiences with the potential aspirants. The turn out was simply fabulous and the discussions that I had, and more importantly the discussions and the ‘ethical debates’ that are being raised after the sessions are simply phenomenal. I am trying to crystallize my musings to words.

Facts:

1. Vibhu Goel used to spend some time with some of the underprivileged children, hopefully after a month these kids who used to do only menial jobs would be able to read and write (they already had a basic knowledge of alphabets but were not confident in using them). The satisfaction garnered out of the exercise was inexplicable. But if you ask him whether he could have only taught these ‘unfortunate’ kids, the answer would have been a humble negative. After all, sustainability is the first ladder (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs). But much more pertinent: think of the scenario when he didn’t have any premise/ location to interact with  them. Thankfully, some of the kind entrepreneurs were kind enough to give more than enough support for the entire exercise. Think of a scenario that Vibhu wouldn’t have any premise to interact with them, simultaneously preparing for the UPSC examination. Tough, isn’t it??

2. Continuing with his teaching at his previous institute where he has been an inspiration for a group of 600 students preparing for BBA and MBA entrances, at the same time earning a handsome amount is a choice that he is disputing with. Inspiration for already acquainted students and ‘letting them down’/ spending very limited time with them at this point when he is ‘known’ is a point of contention.

3. He has the choice of being only with his select friends who are too much important for him after his family, and many of them incidentally are also preparing for the Civil Services Exam. The choice of spending time with only a very select group vs reaching out to the larger audiences is a dilemma that he is continuously grappling with. His friends tell him: “Boss, if only by reading your notes we would have been toppers, every other person who is preparing would have earned this distinction”. They tell me, if we would receive these ‘learnings’ in a platter/ ‘free’ perhaps we would not be able to appreciate the actual worth of it. Let us ‘pay’/ vie for it.

4. Vibhu Goel was working as a consultant earning a very handsome fees which had the potential of being raised to multiple levels for the remaining 4 months till the joining of the academy. Considering the ‘tag’ that Vibhu has earned after his humble rank, some relevant projects have come across. He has the choice of continuing and levitating with the firm.

5. Vibhu Goel, like almost all of the rankers had the easy (ethical???) option of signing off a cheque anonymously with many ‘dukaans’ (the quantum of crowd generated after the UPSC results were declared convinced the landlord of increasing the house rent to 1.5 times from the next fiscal). This option is still open 🙂

6. Organizing a talk/ arranging for logistics in an area like Delhi where the rents are soaring to a never before limits is a very interesting phenomenon, and that too when you are novice and you don’t want any other person’s ‘favours’ in spite of the fact that you can easily cash your newly acquired ‘fame’.

7. Vibhu Goel was raised in a nondescript Hindi Medium School in a place called Doiwala, 15 km from Dehradun till Vth standard, he didn’t have the luxury of attending a school having a library till VIII standard. He always craved for many books which he couldn’t have access to till his IX standard. He flunked in English in school examinations in XI standard when he had the luxury of attending a convent school. One of the very strict English teachers took special English sessions for him charging very modest fees for this herculean effort. Vibhu doesn’t have words to thank Mr Premamand Sagar for this.

8. Vibhu’s family is very much disheartened now a days for not getting ‘sufficient time’ to talk or be with him. Many promises that he made to them during his preparation still lie unfulfilled, and unfortunately, will be. I say to myself, please for God sake, make a ‘profit’ out of the whole exercise.

I think of the Tata values and now I am beginning to realize many of the dilemmas of the ‘corporate sector’ and the reason why perhaps some of the very able administrators prefer to be ‘silent’. Simply, because, the latter option is much more ‘easy’.

Ethics is a very contentious yet subjective criterion. Delivering, ‘earning profit’, yet maintaining sanity is much more terrifying. Welcome to the real world, I say to myself. The challenge starts now and I am looking forward to it.

PS :I am very reluctant to share personal anecdotes, to an extent that I make my writing very cryptic. The reasons of mentioning these very personal things about me is to showcase that without resources, there can’t be any resource mobilization. There has to be a ‘business case’ if you want to even help/ advise in this difficult world.

Sincere appeal to all the aspirants: Time is very crucial, please don’t enter into dialectics. Please focus on your preparation. All the very best to all.

PPS: I always liked the conversations between Alfred and Bruce Wayne in ‘The Dark Night’. Some of my favorites from the movie (SOURCE: http://www.imdb.com)

Bruce Wayne: Targeting me won’t get their money back. I knew the mob wouldn’t go down without a fight, but this is different. They crossed the line.

Alfred Pennyworth: You crossed the line first, sir. You squeezed them, you hammered them to the point of desperation. And in their desperation, they turned to a man they didn’t fully understand.

Bruce Wayne: Criminals aren’t complicated, Alfred. Just have to figure out what he’s after.

Alfred Pennyworth: With respect Master Wayne, perhaps this is a man that *you* don’t fully understand, either. A long time ago, I was in Burma. My friends and I were working for the local government. They were trying to buy the loyalty of tribal leaders by bribing them with precious stones. But their caravans were being raided in a forest north of Rangoon by a bandit. So, we went looking for the stones. But in six months, we never met anybody who traded with him. One day, I saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing them away. Bruce Wayne: So why steal them?

Alfred Pennyworth: Well, because he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.

(At a later point in the movie)

Bruce Wayne: The bandit, in the forest in Burma, did you catch him?

Alfred Pennyworth: Yes.

Bruce Wayne: How?

Alfred Pennyworth: We burned the forest down.

(At a subsequent stage in the movie)

Alfred Pennyworth: Didn’t you think there might be some casualties? Things were always going to get worse before they got better.

UPSC Interview

Civil Services 2011 Interview

Board Chairman: Mr I M G Khan

Date: 21^st March, 2012 (Approx duration: 30 minutes)

The board comprised of 5 members including the chairman (named C here-onwards). There was 1 lady member sitting to the right of the chairman, along with 3 other gentlemen.

I just so wanted to bow down, to the extent of immolating myself if required, more ceremonious the bow, higher will be the marks, I thought, nahi kya?

Reality dawned. I heard myself saying a polite Good Morning Madam, Good Morning Sirs, and Good morning Sir (to the Chairperson, I know you are important, I know you are !!!, three Good Morning in a row, Gosh!!! I am so proud of myself).

C: Please be seated

A: Thank you Sir (See how polite I am, see, Three Good Mornings then an immediate thanks,  I know all the rules of the game, Can I expect 250 now ? !!!)

C: You were getting quite a handsome salary after your first job. Are you aware that Civil Services won’t be able to match that up anytime during your career?  Have you thought of this? Still you want to go for it, why?

Ans: (o teri !!!, this is anticipated, go for the kill !!!!, C’mmon don’t grin, you are not supposed to do this) I am aware of this, Sir. My reason for choosing Civil Services is a combination of many factors. (The Chairman seemed quite supportive and his continuous affirmation to my conversation led me to utter the following sentences in ‘Hindi’ for which I had already prepared) Sir, I remember when I was quite young, my parents used to say this to me and my sister: Whenever we used to get delayed or not picked our utensils after our meals: “tum kahin ke collector ho kya? Tumhaare liye baaki log wait karte rahenge or tum laat sahib ho jo man me aaye karoge”, and I started smiling (The panel also started laughing, Chairman acknowledged this by affirmation and said yes I agree with what you are saying), I continued that the impression of a Civil Servant in my mind as a child was a person who is above all in terms of authority. I realized that apart from money, I need to do something for my society and country, which was a recurring thought throughout. I am also motivated by the authority and breadth of responsibility that this role can offer which is unparalleled. (The answer seemed to drag a little, but the board were visibly interested in listening and hence I continued, the phrase in Hindi was risky, but apparently gone well)

C: You mentioned authority; do you know what comes with it?

Ans: (First tell me what are you eating, is it polite not to ask the other person, especially so, when he looks so helpless and dressed in yellows and browns) Sir, I think with Authority comes responsibility (I love Spiderman!!!!). Chairman interrupted and said not merely responsibility, but accountability. I affirmed (I don’t love Spiderman too much!!!)

C: Can you tell us, what could be the basis for different type of authorities?

Ans: Sir, Intellectual knowledge, money, power and prestige, (paused for some time), social and cultural factors.

M1 (takes over from the Chairman): During your college and your job, you have worked across in different states, can you tell us about the developmental scenarios in those states and what are the possible reasons which make a state ‘developed’ than the other?

Ans: Mam, I think a combination of factors e.g. geographical location for e.g. Maharashtra and Gujarat have well developed ports and transportation, natural resources e.g. a state like Uttrakhand’s economy is very much dependent on tourism, (took pause)…law and order situation e.g. there are some states which are deeply affected by this and if unfortunately one state is located near to any such state automatically problems start creeping (I blabbered some more on this), (pause again) and very importantly the political and administrative leadership for e.g. In Surat after the plague the work done by the Municipality under the legendary Mr Rao was very impressive. (I thought further but couldn’t say anything else).

M1: Can you tell me the different traits of a good leader? (I mentioned sound political and administrative leadership as one of the factor which could expedite the development process, as a part of the answer to the previous question)

Ans: Mam, I think Integrity, honesty, a person who can walk the talk (wow!!!) and serve as an inspiration to others.

M1: Ok, you must have heard of this trend of ‘alleged criminals’ joining the politics, what is your take on this whole affair?

Ans: (thought for a while, why did she mentioned alleged criminals, she should have said criminals and then I would have said, “Mam with due respect, many such criminals are ‘alleged criminals’, so it would not be apt to generalize them under criminals”, Alas, here is the lost opportunity like so many others, speak up, you duffer, they are looking at you…) Mam, I think that there have been a growing number of cases wherein some political parties have allowed party tickets to these alleged criminals (I unnecessarily uttered this sentence, as I was thinking of how to say a ‘No’ to this which was my take on this). In my opinion, this practice should not be encouraged. How can I trust my leader if he has allegations against his name. I think Election Commission should explicitly debar this practice. There have been notable recommendations by some of the committees on electoral reforms and I think the stage has come for this to be discontinued. (There were several pauses while I answered this). Mam, also I think general public is becoming smart enough to read between the lines and the people are realizing that their vote is precious and unless they have a viable reason they won’t vote for an alleged criminal.

M1: If general public is becoming smart enough, than what is the reason why political parties nominate people from a criminal background?

Ans : Money and the muscle power (She probed more. I mentioned that it could be a case like Robin Hood, perhaps some of them are criminals in the eyes of law, yet they might treat local populace in a conducive manner. She was still looking for some other answer, she hinted that it has to do with press and media and it was very much in vogue now a days, but except staring at her and at the ceiling I couldn’t listen myself saying anything. I looked appealingly at the Chairman’s eyes; apparently he understood my helplessness and signaled the next member to take the charge, I love you Mr Khan).

M2: Have you heard of the Kashmir Problem? Can you trace its genesis and suggest solutions?

Ans: Sir, it at the time of independence India was divided into a number of princely states, Kashmir being one of them. Maharaja Hari Singh who was the then ruler of Kashmir fearing an attack on his territory asked for the Union of India’s help and Sardar Patel sensing a good opportunity (paused…) helped to merge the princely state with the Union. Post, this there was a referendum. (God, let them not ask me the difference between Referendums and Elections and RtR etc etc…) M2 cut short and asked me what the problem is?) . Kashmir never really became a part of the country and many inhabitants think that India and Kashmir are two disjointed entities. They also feel that there is always a prejudice against Kashmir and over a period of time the bitterness has been affirmed which is visible by various incidents (I was not coherent and took some time to frame these sentences).

As far as solution is confirmed, I think that continuous trust building measures and making the local populace believe that Kashmir is a part of the nation and was, and is never looked at a separate entity is must. Also, continuous development measures e.g. providing employment opportunities to the youth population and measures to eradicate poverty (I took some time to form this sentence) is critical. A recent 3 member delegation also suggested the need for trust building as the most important part.

(M2 was not quite impressed and I thought that he wanted some more explanation, but I already uttered quite a lot and was basking in the glory of the knowledge of history, Maurice Odumbe after hitting the six off Brett Lee)

M2: Have you heard of bio-fuels? Can you explain what are they and what are the biofuels that we can use in space related travel?

Ans: Sir, I have heard of Biofuels. They are man made for e.g. bioethanol or natural compounds which are used as alternative to the traditional fuels. They are environmental friendly and over a period of time being readily used. (thought for a while..I think I mentioned cow dung also in the intermittent pausesL)I am sorry Sir, I am not able to recall the latter (Maurice Odumbe retired hurt off the next ball)

M2: But, do you think that there are compounds which are being used as fuel for aviation or space travel?

Ans: Yes Sir, there are Biofuels which have been found to be appropriate for both of this, am sorry can’t recall their name though.( Maurice Odumbe retired from the game itself)

M2: Can you describe the current India’s economic/ financial scenario?

Ans: (Rebirth , wow !!!) This was a long answer from my side. I started with India coming unscathed from the Global Financial Crisis. GDP growth rate has been very impressive. Service sector is booming and a large number of productive population is helping the country e.g. in IT and ITES sector . Financial reforms started in 1990s have helped a lot in liberalization and with booming forex reserves  etc  etc there is a lot of optimism. However, the recent inflation rates and miserable performance in Industrial sector coupled with almost stagnant Agriculture growth is a cause of concern. Two decades of reform and we need more (don’t remember said some more on this). All in all, the situation today is very critical and a guarded optimism from the fiscal and monetary point of view is necessary. (This was a very broad question, I should have taken some time in organizing my thoughts and could have presented it in more systematic way).

M3: You must have heard of something called ICT and e-governance used in running day to day administration, we all know how useful it is. In fact, ARC-II has explicitly applauded it, yet we know they are certain disadvantages of it. Can you list some along with their solutions?

M3: Sir, ICT is the need of the hour(ooh la la, how novel !!!). Transparency and efficiency enhancement however has also brought some disadvantages. (M3 interrupted: Don’t you think we have become more ‘stupid’ because of their overuse?)I continued…it is true that due to the dependence on technology we tend to miss the actual conversation with the human beings and the two way process of communication takes a hit. With technology its a single path communication and the intellectual discussions that could have otherwise happened, doesn’t happen.  Also, the physical problems associated with it for e.g. stress on eyes and the body is also a concern. (I am not too sure whether this was what he wanted to listen, this seemed too obvious grrrrr, M3: How can you solve this?)I think that we should take appropriate breaks in between and continuous sittings should be discouraged. Also, informal and formal gatherings for e.g. brainstorming sessions, lunch break, tea breaks at due point of time should be encouraged (what was this, an answer or a self help session)

M4: I want to know your thoughts on the current federal structure of Indian Polity? Have there been any recent changes?

Ans: (I also am so itching to bombard you with whatever I know, wait !!!!!!) Long answer from my end)Sir, there has been a recent trend of local parties winning in their respective states because of a number of factors. While there was a one party rule in the centre for decades, over a period of time there is the rise of a coalition era which has made phenomenal change in the way Centre and State relations have emerged.  People have realized that mere broad promises won’t matter, it is the actual work in the field and visible development which actually matters. Hence regional parties with specific contextual agenda and not a broad macro agenda resonated with the populace. (M4: Give some instances) However, there have been cases which has caused rupture between the Centre and the State relations (While answering, I blurted the name of TMC while citing the example of sacking up of the minister after the Railways Budget, to which the Chairman interjected and advised me not to name any party .It was a mistake and I hurriedly apologized and carried on with the answer. I said some more which I don’t remember)

M4: Do you think there are certain linkages with the way the coalition runs, and the time taken in the Cabinet decisions? How can you improve this? Also, do you think there is an absence of intra-party consensus in the country now, and it is a visible sign of feudalism

Ans: (Dicey !!!, I was cautious not to brand the system as tending towards feudal which would have been the case if I would have said yes to the answer upfront, took some time while answering)I said there has been a growing tendency in many parties of examples involving a lack of consensus. There have been recent examples in Uttrakhand and Karnataka, also in the centre where due to the lack of consensus the image of the party is getting tarnished, and also the decision making has suffered. But I wouldn’t term this as feudalism. I think the public now-a-days is too smart to understand the happenings in closed party offices and hence the parties themselves are cautious about the need for speedy decision making which requires consensus. Having said do, yes there have been many examples of this lack of consensus. (I took many pauses while answering this and was not too coherent)

The Chairman took the baton and asked me directly, name any one party which could claim that its intraparty consensus mechanisms are smooth?  I answered that I don’t think that there is any party, Sir. He answered that that’s what the gentleman is asking. We are running into this serious consensus deficit now a days and the country is suffering because of this. He himself answered that as far as the tousle between centre and state is concerned, it is both ways. The centre thinks that states are getting too powerful and the states intern think that their concerns are not getting sufficiently addressed. These pushes and pulls are part of the system that we live in.

C : Do you think that this will change in the future?

Ans: I think that time taken in decision making will not be a smooth process in the future. It is a reality with which we have to live on. However, a strong leadership at the centre and at the cabinet level will help smoothen this (Now, will you vote for me, I have filed for a ticket this time)

C: We are done with the interaction. Just one last question. What single most important quality/trait has TISS given/ developed in you that you think will help you in running the administration?

Ans: (Why done, please ask me something from my hobby, please no one asks me, I have spent my life with wikipedia and internet to understand and mug many summaries of the books and movies that I haven’t read/ seen, pls pls, don’t disappoint me) Sir, though there have been a large number of traits and learnings that I have acquired because of my college. I am what I am because of my college. However, I think Empathy is one of the most important trait that I have tried to develop. Over a period of time I have tried to learn the art of listening more and understand the problem/ point of view of the other person. Thereafter analyze and provide my solution/ take on this. College has been pivotal to bring this aspect in me which I could clearly experience in my job after TISS.

C: Ok, you may go now. (pls pls, don’t disappoint me, hobby question ???)

I thanked the board for their time.

While coming out, I accidentally stumbled across the door, and there was a loud bang and some muffled voices coming from inside, I thought immediately negative 50 marks for not maintaining the poise. I want to think the same way, even now.

The mark sheet told a total of 184/300 marks in the above performance.  While I am happy knowing that many deserving candidates secure much lesser, I look up to the sky and say ok, you don’t want my ‘humility’ to suffer and hence no 230s/240s, which many others secure.  Bottom-line: I am satisfied and content with the results (ouch!!!).

 

Aghaaz !!!

Aagaaz (or aaghaz or aagaz) is a common Urdu word which means start, the beginning.

There must be a convincing reason for a person to write a blog and more than that a yet more convincing reason for a person to read it. Plan to write this had started long time ago but actual process started some time back after I got the coveted rank which has enabled me to be an IAS officer (AIR 80).

Overcoming my fear that no one (except your close friends who have no other choice) would read your blog, has been an eternal tussle and hence the delay. Further, now there is a business case for writing this, am planning to deliver some sessions in a fortnight and I think apart from other promotional campaigns, writing your heart out is a very effective way to communicate your obvious and not so obvious ideas. Coherency in my thoughts is in a mess (they always were, but since last few days, have hit a bottom low). Simply put which means : I am a much better writer than these initial scribbles (oh really !!!).Please bear with me and expect much better (being elusive always helps, you see).

I am an engineer (NIT Surat, Electronics Engineering, batch of 2005), then an MA in Human Resource Management from TISS, Mumbai. I was associated with KPMG Advisory Services (Mumbai/ Gurgaon) with their Advisory vertical as a consultant for approx 2.5 years.

I still remember the day that I arrived in Delhi (1^st week June, 2010), after an ‘illustrious’ career in Mumbai. I was looking forward to the days in Delhi for various reasons. Apart from the obvious reason of preparing for the civils, I was simply too tired of the hectic consulting life. Leisure and Seistas were something that I was very much looking forward to and what better ‘mahaul’ than preparing at Delhi to fulfil all such lazy wishes.

The very first day when I reached Delhi, the most vivid face is of one of my very close friend, because of whom I learnt many things, some pleasant some not so.

Two years later there are various images which have become imprinted in my memory. Right now the feeling is of numbness which is pleasantly disturbed by the myriad phone calls and the local reporters. The happiness on the face of mummy and papa is conspicuous, which is a rare phenomena something like the rare moon of yesterday and mom’s double fasts (vrats) which so pleasantly coincided with the felicity at home. Doiwala (Dehradun) is a very small place where every person knows every other. This is a big event for every person living there and I feel so like a celebrity proudly carrying all the newspaper cuttings, at times again and again peeping at the photos published of me and the family. It apparently is very big news at least locally but they say greed has no limits. Ok, more on this thought and the reasons of me not getting top 10 after I actually devise words to give appropriate excuses after seeing the marks. I so hope that my interview board is spared of my ‘would-be’ wrath.

Occasionally, I check UPSC website looking for my name again in the list, thinking that it shouldn’t get erased.

On second thoughts also, this seems to be a dream run (first thought obviously, this is).  Quitting a well paid job at the starting of your career where you were known, leaving your darling (More on Mumbai, sometime later) and coming to your wife (I so wish that the task of Cabinet Secretary at Delhi is sexy and not so mundane as I dread it to be)was not easy. But alas, all is well that ends well. My scribble on the first page of every notebook has the same story to tell i.e. ‘with a good beginning, cometh a good end’. Of whom do I think of as I sit back and ponder. There will be a separate post for this.

UPSC Preparation (I am in the process of updating the links and study materials for future aspirants, pls bear with me for a while)

Future Aspirants : I will be commencing Sociology lectures for IAS Mains 2012 in June 2012. You’ll get to know about the details in a few days through newspapers and other promotional campaigns. You can touch base with me through this blog, my personal email id : goel.vibhu84@gmail.com or my facebook page (lets start a new Jasmine revolution).

Optional Subjects : Sociology and Public Administration

Looking very much forward to the fun ahead.