Sunil, Rank 77, UPSC CSE Topper 2022 Participated in Interview Guidance Program by Disha Publication
Disha Publication congratulates Mr. Sunil Phogat for securing All India Rank 77 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 results announced on 23rd May 2023. Disha Publication had conducted Sunil’s IAS Mock Interview when he was preparing for the final grind of the CSE interview after qualifying the Main Exam.
Hailing from a small village called Jhinjhar in Haryana, Sunil completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Engineering. Speaking about his success, he mentions how he never let himself be demotivated by failures. “I have always believed in hard work and perseverance. It is my opinion that if you truly want something, you must put all your heart and energy into getting it. I want to serve my country to the best of my ability and I am truly grateful to my parents, Ranbir Phogat and Anita Devi, for supporting me throughout,” says Sunil.
The face-to-face interview, also known as Personality Test, is the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services selection process; it is considered to be one of the toughest interviews in the country which not only assesses the candidate’s intellectual abilities, but also social traits, mental calibre, moral tenacity, and interest in current affairs. It carries a total of 275 marks with no minimum qualifying marks. Marks obtained by candidates in the UPSC Main Examination as well as UPSC Personality Test determine their final rank. Candidates are allotted various services keeping in view their respective ranks and the preferences expressed by them for the various services and posts.
Watch UPSC Topper Sunil's Mock Interview by Disha Publication
In January 2023, Disha Publication conducted Free IAS Mock Interviews for the first time ever with the sole intention of helping Civil Services aspirants who had qualified the Mains 2022 exams. Disha brought together a panel of highly experienced industry experts and bureaucrats from the Indian Civil Services to provide a simulated environment akin to that of an actual UPSC interview for practice, evaluation and feedback.
Disha’s Panel Experts
In January 2023, Disha Publication formulated a panel of highly experienced industry experts and bureaucrats from the Indian Civil Services. These included ex-UPSC Panelist, retired IAS/IRS/IPS officers and industry expert. Read their profiles below:
Mr. S N Sahu, IAS: Mr Sahu has served as Officer on Special Duty to President of India K R Narayanan and had a tenure as Director in Prime Minister’s Office and Joint Secretary in Rajya Sabha Secretariat. He has served as a board member for the conduction of UPSC Civil Services interviews. He has written numerous articles on contemporary issues and delivered lectures in educational institutions in India and abroad. In 2003 he was invited to deliver a lecture on “Indian Insights into Environmental Crisis” both at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and George Washington University, Washington. In 2007 he delivered a lecture on “Mahatma Gandhi in the Context of Global Warming and Climate Change” at Osaka University, Japan. He is a guest faculty in several universities including IIM, Calcutta, National Law School University, Delhi, and MIT School of Government, Pune. He regularly writes for leading newspapers of Odisha such as the Samaja and the Sambad on contemporary developments.
Ajay Mankotia, IRS: As an Indian Revenue Officer (Income Tax) from 1982 till 2008, Mr. Ajay Mankotia handled Income Tax Assessments of Banks (including Foreign Banks), Financial Institutions, an RBI Subsidiary, Public Sector Undertakings and Foreign Companies. He is the Founder of AMA Tax and Legal Advisory with over 35 years of experience in Tax and Legal areas. In CBDT, Mr. Mankotia handled policy and implementation with respect to judicial work of the Income Tax Department and worked closely with the Ministry of Law and the Supreme Court. He also worked in the Investigation Directorate as Assistant Director of Investigation (in New Delhi) and Additional Director of Investigation (in Mumbai). He has worked closely with the Central Vigilance Commission, the Administrative Ministry and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Ajay Mankotia was adjudged India’s finest In-House Counsel by Indian Corporate Counsel Association (ICCA) in 2017.
Anup Kumar Jaiswal, IRS: Mr. Anup Kumar Jaiswal served in the Indian Revenue Services from 1982. In 2010, he was appointed Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Narcotic Control Bureau. He was Principal Chief Commissioner of Gujarat in 2016, and the Principal Chief Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in 2014. He has attended training programs at Harvard and IIM Ahmedabad. He has been a delegate to Singapore, Afghanistan, Bulgaria and Russia.
Anil Kumar Mehra, IRS: Mr. Anil Kumar Mehra is a retired IRS Officer (Central Excise & Customs), 1984 Batch. He faced two interviews during his journey towards Indian Administrative Services. He successfully cleared and joined as Assistant Commissioner in 1984 and after 32 years of service retired as Principal Commissioner in 2016. During his service, he served stints in Anti-smuggling, Customs Ports, Central Excise, Service Tax, etc. At present, he is an active member of Rotary Club of Delhi Southwest region. Mr. Anil K Mehra is Law graduate with postgraduate degrees in English as well as Hindi.
Meriel Michael, IRS: Ms. Meriel Michel was the Indian Revenue Services officer (Customs and Central Excise, now GST), 1979 batch. She retired as Chief Commissioner of Customs, Delhi and was reemployed as Chairman of the C &C Ex Settlement Tribunal until 2017. Read MoreShe has been undersecretary of Ministry of Finance, where she was one of the drafters of the Customs Tariff Act 1985, and handled the Land customs stations and the special exemption sections. While in Hyderabad, she was in charge of personnel and administration of the department for the whole of the undivided Andhra Pradesh. She was in charge of department Audit for the entire South and East of the country. While in Ahmedabad, she was Head of the Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence. She was also on the panel of interviewers for Group C staff of the Central Government. After retirement, Ms. Michel has been a member of the interview committee for Rao’s IAS study circle and has immense experience in conducting mock interviews.
Rajeev Gupta, Academic & Industry Expert: Mr. Rajeev Gupta is the founder Managing Director of Resource Development International, a UK based Education and Consulting organization. He is an active Member of the European Business group (EBG) and the Senior Advisor at EBG. He is on the Governing Board of JIMS (Jagan Institute of Management Studies, Delhi) a leading management Institution in India. He is on the core committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and sits on Board of Vidhya Management, a Fintech start-up in addition to being on Boards of some other organizations. He has also conducted Leadership Development & Behavioral Training Programs for more than 5000 professionals for some of the largest Indian & Global Corporates.
Disha Publication wishes Sunil all the best for his future endeavours and projects.
We have no doubt that he will perform his duties as a Civil Services Officer with utmost perfection and passion.
You Aspire, We Inspire!