New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar offered a compelling glimpse into his own entry into the civil services, recalling how his UPSC interview took place on March 21, 1977 – the very day India’s Emergency period was lifted.
Speaking at an event for the new batch of civil service entrants, retired IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer Jaishankar took a nostalgic walk down memory lane, reflecting on how that politically charged day shaped both his interview experience and life-long learnings.
“That is what got me through the interview”
The Minister recounted the historical context vividly. “The election results were coming in from the previous day… the sense of the defeat of the Emergency rule was setting in. In a way, that is what got me through the interview,” he said, referencing the landmark 1977 Lok Sabha elections, in which the Janata Party defeated Indira Gandhi’s Congress, bringing the Emergency era to an end.
A Student, a Political Observer, and a Witness to Change
As a JNU student studying political science, Jaishankar (1977 batch) revealed he had also been an active participant in the 1977 election campaign, advocating for the defeat of the Emergency.
“We had all gone there and worked for the defeat of the Emergency,” he said. When asked about the elections during the interview, he spoke from lived experience – so much so, he said, that “I forgot I was in an interview.”
He emphasized that it was in that moment his communication skills came together, helping him express himself clearly and confidently under pressure.
“Important people may be living in a bubble”
Reflecting on the reactions of his interview panel, Jaishankar said the interviewers were shocked by the election outcome.
“These people were really shocked. They could not believe that this election result had happened. Whereas for us, the ordinary students, we could see that there was a wave against the Emergency.”
This contrast led to one of his most enduring takeaways from the experience–
“Important people may be living in a bubble and not realising what is happening in the country.”
Lessons from the ‘Agni Pariksha’
Calling the UPSC Civil Services Examination an “Agni Pariksha” (trial by fire), Jaishankar stressed the uniqueness of India’s administrative selection process. He noted that the real test is the interview, where pressure, awareness, and articulation play a decisive role.
He said his 1977 interview taught him two crucial things–
- How to communicate under pressure without offending others.
- That influential people can often be out of touch with ground realities.
A Message to the New Generation of Officers
Addressing the new UPSC entrants, Jaishankar reminded them that they are “entering into a service”, not just a job.
“This Amrit Kaal of 25 years is your era. You will have to work, you will have to deliver, and you will be the leaders of this era.”
He urged them to envision their role in building a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047, when India will complete 100 years of independence.
“Think 20 years ahead… What will be your contribution? What mindset will you bring to help realise the dream of a developed nation?”
