Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode, we sit down with Shri Rajesh Khullar, a Retired IAS Officer who has worked at the highest levels of government, including the Haryana CMO and global institutions. He has also cracked UPSC multiple times and shares real insights into how the system actually works.
In this episode, we talk about how government decisions are taken, how bureaucracy works in India, and why policy paralysis happens. We also discuss UPSC preparation, multiple attempts, and what it really takes to become an IAS officer.
We also discuss the story of Gurgaon’s growth, the changing role of IAS officers in modern India, and why many talented officers struggle to create impact despite having authority.
Along with governance and power, this conversation also explores his personal journey from IIT to IPS to IAS, his UPSC journey, multiple attempts, and the mindset required to survive inside one of India’s toughest systems.
Key Takeaways:
• How government decisions are actually made in India
• The real reason policy paralysis happens
• Power, pressure & fear inside bureaucracy
• The story behind Gurgaon’s transformation
• Why many IAS officers avoid bold decisions
• Reality of leadership inside the Indian system
This episode is for anyone curious about governance, bureaucracy, leadership, public policy, UPSC, and the hidden reality of how India’s system actually functions.
#RajeshKhullar #IASOfficer #IndianBureaucracy #Governance #PublicPolicy #IndianGovernment #Leadership #PodcastIndia #PolicyMaking #Bureaucracy #IndiaPodcast #UPSC #CivilServices #IndianPolitics #BusinessPodcast #Power #Government #StartupIndia #IndianEconomy #mastersunion
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Trailer
00:02:40 - Introduction
00:05:05 - Why Civil Services
00:12:06 - Early Education & Fast-Track Journey
00:13:20 - UPSC Attempts Story
00:14:20 - Formula of Success
00:15:30 - Creativity & Success
00:16:50 - Time Management & Creative Energy
00:20:00 - Abraham Lincoln Story
00:25:50 - Apni Beti Apna Dhan Scheme
00:31:30 - Is UPSC Worth It
00:33:30 - How UPSC Can Improve
00:37:39 - Message to Aspirants
00:40:10 - Reality of Bureaucracy
00:53:40 - Gurgaon Development
01:01:30 - Why Indian Cities Are Unplanned
01:07:30 - Digital Governance vs Empathy
01:11:00 - New Government and Policy Direction
01:12:55 - Governance Reforms and System Changes
01:15:40 - India Role in Global Order
01:18:55 - How Government Can Support Startups
01:25:46 - Best Advice for Youth and Professionals
01:35:59 - AI and Future of Work
Explore our programmes:
UG Programme - mastersunion.org/ug-technology-and-business-management
PG Programme - mastersunion.org/pgp-technology-and-business-management
Follow us on:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/school/mastersunion
Instagram - instagram.com/masters.union
Twitter - https://x.com/themastersunion/
Facebook - facebook.com/themastersunion
In this episode, we sit down with Shri Rajesh Khullar, a Retired IAS Officer who has worked at the highest levels of government, including the Haryana CMO and global institutions. He has also cracked UPSC multiple times and shares real insights into how the system actually works.
In this episode, we talk about how government decisions are taken, how bureaucracy works in India, and why policy paralysis happens. We also discuss UPSC preparation, multiple attempts, and what it really takes to become an IAS officer.
We also discuss the story of Gurgaon’s growth, the changing role of IAS officers in modern India, and why many talented officers struggle to create impact despite having authority.
Along with governance and power, this conversation also explores his personal journey from IIT to IPS to IAS, his UPSC journey, multiple attempts, and the mindset required to survive inside one of India’s toughest systems.
Key Takeaways:
• How government decisions are actually made in India
• The real reason policy paralysis happens
• Power, pressure & fear inside bureaucracy
• The story behind Gurgaon’s transformation
• Why many IAS officers avoid bold decisions
• Reality of leadership inside the Indian system
This episode is for anyone curious about governance, bureaucracy, leadership, public policy, UPSC, and the hidden reality of how India’s system actually functions.
#RajeshKhullar #IASOfficer #IndianBureaucracy #Governance #PublicPolicy #IndianGovernment #Leadership #PodcastIndia #PolicyMaking #Bureaucracy #IndiaPodcast #UPSC #CivilServices #IndianPolitics #BusinessPodcast #Power #Government #StartupIndia #IndianEconomy #mastersunion
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Trailer
00:02:40 - Introduction
00:05:05 - Why Civil Services
00:12:06 - Early Education & Fast-Track Journey
00:13:20 - UPSC Attempts Story
00:14:20 - Formula of Success
00:15:30 - Creativity & Success
00:16:50 - Time Management & Creative Energy
00:20:00 - Abraham Lincoln Story
00:25:50 - Apni Beti Apna Dhan Scheme
00:31:30 - Is UPSC Worth It
00:33:30 - How UPSC Can Improve
00:37:39 - Message to Aspirants
00:40:10 - Reality of Bureaucracy
00:53:40 - Gurgaon Development
01:01:30 - Why Indian Cities Are Unplanned
01:07:30 - Digital Governance vs Empathy
01:11:00 - New Government and Policy Direction
01:12:55 - Governance Reforms and System Changes
01:15:40 - India Role in Global Order
01:18:55 - How Government Can Support Startups
01:25:46 - Best Advice for Youth and Professionals
01:35:59 - AI and Future of Work
Explore our programmes:
UG Programme - mastersunion.org/ug-technology-and-business-management
PG Programme - mastersunion.org/pgp-technology-and-business-management
Follow us on:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/school/mastersunion
Instagram - instagram.com/masters.union
Twitter - https://x.com/themastersunion/
Facebook - facebook.com/themastersunion
