Mon Feb 17 18:20:00 UTC 2025: **IPS Officer’s Witty Interview Response Earns Him Top Marks**
NOIDA, INDIA – IPS officer Shakti Awasthi’s unique approach to his UPSC interview has become a compelling success story. Awasthi, currently serving as DCP of Noida, recently shared his experience on a podcast, revealing how a clever response, referencing a scene from the Bollywood film “3 Idiots,” secured him top marks in the notoriously difficult interview.
During the interview, the panel noted Awasthi’s resemblance to actor Sharman Joshi. They then asked him to recount Joshi’s interview scene from the film. Awasthi flawlessly recreated the scene, culminating in the iconic line, “Aap apni naukri apne paas rakhiye! Main apna attitude apne paas rakh leta hu!” (Keep your job; I’ll keep my attitude!).
Impressed by his quick wit and confidence, the panel awarded Awasthi high marks. He secured the 154th rank in the 2019 UPSC exam on his third attempt, after completing his education in Civil Engineering in Lucknow.
Since joining the IPS, Awasthi has been actively involved in several initiatives, including “Mission Shakti” and “Pink Patrolling” for women’s safety, and the establishment of a special cyber cell to combat digital fraud. He also actively mentors aspiring UPSC candidates.
Awasthi’s story highlights the importance of not just knowledge, but also confidence and presence of mind during the UPSC interview, which is known to assess a candidate’s reasoning, decision-making skills, and ability to handle pressure. His experience serves as inspiration to aspiring civil servants, demonstrating that a confident and witty approach can be a key ingredient to success.
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