Meet IPS Shakti Awasthi who was asked a '3 Idiots' question in his UPSC interview

UPSC Civil Services Exam is among the hardest, with lakhs of aspirants attempting it yearly, culminating in prelims, mains, and an interview.

The interview tests candidates' personality, confidence, and leadership, determining final selection for roles like IAS and IPS.

During IPS Shakti Awasthi's interview, the panel remarked on his resemblance to actor Sharman Joshi and referenced the film 3 Idiots.

He was asked to narrate the movie's iconic job interview scene where Joshi says, “Aap apni naukri apne paas rakh lijiye.”

Awasthi recreated the scene, concluding with the same line, impressing the panel with his confidence and humour.

Despite the unconventional task, he earned 190 marks in the interview, one of the highest scores.

A civil engineering graduate from Lucknow, he began UPSC preparation after completing his degree.

In 2019, Awasthi cleared UPSC on his third attempt, securing the 154th rank and becoming an IPS officer. He is currently posted as DCP in Noida.