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Summary
Interview Session by LC Patnaik Sir

INTRODUCTION OF THE LC PATNAIK SIR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS (02:34 PM)

EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SERVICES (02:45 PM)

  • British gradually gave the responsibility of governing but at max, India can be reached at lower officers post.
  • Montague Chelmsford reform of 1917.
  • 33% to be reserved for Indians and increased to 48 % in the next 10 years.
  • PM Lloyd George said "steel frame of the whole structure" (1922)
  • 1940 there were 625 Indians against 525 Britishers in the Indian bureaucracy.
  • PM Nehru thought Civil servants were anglicized and hence they won't be able to govern India.
  • Sardar Vallabhai Patel does not agree, and he supported the continuation of British bureaucracy systems.
  • Rather, their role was defined in articles 315 to 323 article of the constitutions, which safeguard the position of civil servants so that they can work without any fear.
  • Civil services is not a job, but rather one work in building the nations.

ROLE OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN A DEMOCRACY (02:59 PM)

  • Part of the executive branch of the government
  • Policy Formulation and Policy Implementation
  • Maintenance of Law and order
  • Development and sustainability
  • Advisory role to the political establishment
  • Intra Govt/department coordination
  • Fiscal Policy and expenditure
  • Administration and Governance
  • Always join a service with a good cause, it is not a job but a service to nations.
  • Civil services give you an opportunity to work for your fellow people.

CHALLENGES TO NATION-BUILDING (03:08 PM)

  • Building a united India
  • Eradication of poverty and development
  • Establish democracy
  • National security
  • Communalism and terrorism
  • Liberalisation and New Economic Progress
  • Technology Transformation of Society

PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS (03:24 PM)

  • Humanistic Dimension
  • Emphasis is on the self.
  • Self Concept: One's perception of oneself, Who I am?
  • Ideal Self: The self I would like to be.
  • One should aim to be a successful person.
  • Real Self: The way I am.
  • Self-esteem: One's feeling of high or low.
  • Esteem is developed through the preparation process.
  • Social-Cognitive Dimension:
  • (a) Behaviour is due to the social influences of other people and an individual's cognitive influence. (How we perceive ourselves and our social environment). We need to think positively about the possible outcome of the exam.
  • (b) Behaviour learned through conditioning and observation. Try to learn good practices from other people.
  • (c) What we think about our situation affects our behaviour. Don't try to question your ability or feel trapped. It will hamper your ability to clear the exam.
  • One changes his self by enhancing his aspiration levels.

UNIQUE PERSONALITY QUALITIES NEEDED TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICES (03:57 PM)

  • Grit: The art of endurance (spell bees, commandos etc.)
  • Follow the deliberate practice (better than the previous time)
  • Refine your mental map (Prelims, Mains and practice)
  • Remain intellectually humble (listen to the contrary idea, accept limits to what you know, positive self-esteem etc.) 
  • Cut the clutter (focus on essentials)
  • Celebrate a small win.
  • Engage with peers and social groups

RELEVANCE Of PERSONALITY TEST (04:22 PM)

  • Personality test has a very large weightage (275 marks).
  • Marginal difference in marks decides success/failure.
  • Lack of clarity and understanding can tilt the balance 
  • General awareness is the most important, developing on a daily basis.
  • There is less time remaining after the main result, hence, one has to start preparing in advance.
  • Golden tips to prepare :
  • Start early in life.
  • Make resolution.
  • Avoid comparison and self excuse.
  • Develop grit by exploring difficult options.
  • Curate the Chaos.
  • Learn to embrace Boredom

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION (04:34 PM)

SESSION ENDED