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Dr. S. Jaishankar’s UPSC Interview Experience: Lessons for Aspirants

Dr. S. Jaishankar’s UPSC Interview Experience

Dr. S. Jaishankar’s UPSC Interview Experience: Lessons for Aspirants

The very mention of determination, intellect, and dedicated service to the people brings to mind Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as an ever-shining exemplar. In this article by TheHinduzone.com, we will discuss Dr. S. Jaishankar’s UPSC Interview Experience. The External Affairs Minister of India is presently holding this post, but like many other aspirants, he too brought life to this dream – to crack the UPSC examination as a young candidate.

At a recent public interaction, Dr. Jaishankar candidly talked about his UPSC journey, providing rare insight into one of the most crucial phases – his UPSC interview. What he went through and what he learned that day are invaluable lessons for anyone preparing to get into the coveted Indian civil services.

Let us now delve deep into the whole fantastic story and the lessons for future aspirants.

Read More: Best IAS Coaching in Delhi 

A Historical Date: March 21, 1977- The Day of His UPSC Interview

The original interview itself had unfathomable political implications: Dr. Jaishankar said that it happened on 21 March 1977, just the day when India’s Emergency came to an end and the April Lok Sabha election results started pouring in. Political change hung in the air. The Janata Party achieved a historic victory, and for the first time in its post-independence history, the Congress Party was ousted from power at the Centre.

Jaishankar, who at the age of 22, not only stood to join a crucial selection process but did so at a time highly sensitive politically. Being a Political Science student at JNU and agitating against the then Emergency somewhere would certainly have drawn the interview board’s attention towards his profile and views.

This was no ordinary interview, and what followed would offer the utmost lessons in courage, clarity, and communication.

The Interview Room Dynamics

Dr. Jaishankar describes the interview as very intense, where he was directly questioned about the 1977 General Elections, the Emergency, and the political campaigning. Given that he was one of the protagonists against the Emergency, the panel naturally wanted to hear strong opinions—and indeed they did.”

What made Jaishankar’s answers stand out was how he responded. He remembers:

“I got so enmeshed with answering the questions that I forgot that I was sitting in an interview.”

That says a lot about his passion and his convictions. Even as issues were highly contentious, he answered respectfully and calmly and with clear articulation, a quality the board appreciated.

He also revealed how some interview panel members were almost certainly close to the establishment of those times, which made things very tricky for him. Hence, he had to walk on eggshells so that he could truthfully express his opinions yet not offend anyone deliberately.

Key Learnings from His Interview

Dr. Jaishankar went away with two big lessons from that day, which he wishes to impart to future civil servants.

  1. How to Communicate Under Pressure – The UPSC interview is not merely a test of your knowledge but also your temperament. Jaishankar learnt from first-hand experience to express himself with firmness balanced with respect under pressure. The ability later became a key factor in his diplomatic career, where handling matters delicately while remaining calm truly matters.
  2. Realising the Disconnect Between Decision-Makers and Ground Reality – He observed how some of the most senior people in the room were out of touch with ground-level issues. This realisation then shaped his approach to public service — the idea of always grounding policies in reality rather than perception.

This is why the UPSC interview stage is deemed the most unpredictable and revealing phase of the exam.

The UPSC Interview: A Real Test of Personality

The story of Dr. Jaishankar reiterates the fact that an Interview or a Personality test is not merely a question-type verbal exchange. It is a psychological and behavioural assessment that truly scrutinises:

  • Your thought process
  • How you organise your thoughts
  • The way you answer uncomfortable questions
  • Emotional intelligence
  • And, most importantly ability to keep in check under stress

There is never an ideal response to anything; rather, the panel wants to know how an applicant thinks, why she or he subscribe to a particular way of thinking, and whether it is possible for them to respectfully disagree.

Dr. Jaishankar’s Success Formula

Following the path of Jaishankar, three fundamental traits required to be soared upon were highlighted:

  • Clarity of Thought
    There was no question that politically sensitive issues would make him waver. His thoughts were clear, his arguments logical, and his convictions were based on experience. UPSC aspirants must remember that clarity always matters more than mere memorisation.
  • Pressure Withstood
    Even when the panel might have been inclined to go against him, he retained his calm and stayed true to his belief. In public administration, this trait is extremely important as often officers are confronted with difficult circumstances.
  • Grounding in Reality
    The individual had beyond-active participation in student movements and somewhat first-hand knowledge of the political feeling of the common man. He impressed the panel during his interview by articulating that feeling into appropriate responses.

From Civil Services to Foreign Affairs

While Dr. Jaishankar eventually boarded the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) from among other services, his UPSC stint laid the foundation for what is now considered one of the greatest careers in Indian diplomacy.

Jaishankar served as India’s Ambassador to China, the Americas, and a few other strategic countries; later, he became the Foreign Secretary and External Affairs Minister of India.

That story goes on to testify to what the UPSC Civil Services Examination stands for, assigning officers and generating leaders.

Inspiration for Every UPSC Aspirant

Dr. S. Jaishankar’s experience is more than just a story – it’s a roadmap for future aspirants. Here are the key takeaways for anyone preparing for the UPSC interview:

  • Know your background well
  • Expect questions from the current and political context
  • Be respectful, not submissive
  • Handle stress with maturity
  • Develop strong communication skills

UPSC Interview: More Than Just the Final Stage

According to Dr. Jaishankar, the interview is not just the final stage but also a defining one. It can either make or break your final rank. But more than that, it is a mirror that reveals the very essence of a person, besides complex books and mock tests.

Looking for the Right Guidance? Join Plutus IAS

If you are an aspirant preparing for the civil services in a city such as Delhi, it will be important to join a good coaching institute. One such institute that has been behind thousands of aspirants’ successful UPSC is Plutus IAS.

Plutus IAS presently stands as an eminent institute for trainers and motivated students who seek:

Also Read: Best IAS Coaching in India 

Conclusion 

The UPSC journey of Dr. S. Jaishankar is about courage, clarity, and character rather than just The real lesson his story teaches is- If you stay fixed on the truth, stay clear, and calm in pressure, no challenge can be too big. Every UPSC aspirant can learn a lot from him. Your background, your experiences, and your views do matter-if they are presented with balanced and authentic representations. So, prepare. Be true to your journey, and remember: an interview is not about pleasing a panel but rather an opportunity to present the best version of yourself.

Keep your spirit high for such inspirational stories and UPSC preparation guidance. Remember, the beginning of becoming a civil servant lies in belief in preparation and yourself.

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Dr. S. Jaishankar’s UPSC Interview Experience
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In this article by TheHinduzone.com, we will discuss Dr. S. Jaishankar’s UPSC Interview Experience.
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TheHinduzone.com

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