In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, IRS Ravi Kapoor is joined by Alok Ranjan, retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. With 38 years of administrative experience — including serving as Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister and Chairman of UPSIDC — he brings rare insight into governance, development, and the inner workings of India’s largest state.

Together, they discuss:

• Akhilesh Yadav’s development phase and policy style
• Why Uttar Pradesh functions like “a country, not a state”
• The real reasons industrial growth remained concentrated
• How law-and-order impacts development in UP
• Corruption, the posting mafia, and systemic challenges
• Why the Yamuna and Ganga remain polluted despite massive projects
• Noida vs Gurugram: what smart urban planning looks like

A deep, candid conversation on governance, leadership, and the complexities of transforming a state as vast and diverse as Uttar Pradesh.

In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, IRS Ravi Kapoor sits down with Major General G.D. Bakshi (Retd.) — a decorated Indian Army veteran, author, and one of India’s most recognisable national security voices. A 6 JAK Rifles officer who fought in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and led key counter-insurgency operations in J&K, General Bakshi is known for his forthright commentary and deep interest in consciousness, ancient philosophy, and military strategy.

In this conversation, they explore:

• General Bakshi’s journey from personal loss to the Indian Army
• Hinduism as an experiential science of consciousness
• Soma, DMT, endorphins and the chemistry behind mystical states
• The CIA’s Stargate project and remote-viewing experiments
• How the Vedas, Fibonacci patterns and DNA connect to quantum science
• Insights on astral projection and the holographic universe

A rare blend of military history, philosophy, science and metaphysics — this episode promises a gripping and unconventional deep dive into the mind of one of India’s most provocative thinkers.

In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, IRS Ravi Kapoor sits down with Priyanka Chaturvedi — Rajya Sabha MP and Deputy Leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Known for her outspoken views on gender, governance and public policy, Priyanka brings sharp insight and refreshing candour.

Together, they explore:

• Freedom, state surveillance and the future of privacy in India
• Whether India is over-regulating expression
• The debate on regulating social media influencers
• Why crimes against women continue to rise
• The real life of an MP — salary, perks, workload and hidden pressures

The episode ends with a fun rapid-fire round where Priyanka talks about her personal routines, stress management, favourite politicians, whether Bollywood or Parliament is more dramatic, her take on AI, and more.

Tune in for an honest, energetic and eye-opening conversation.

In this powerful episode, Colonel Shivender Pratap Singh Kanwar, a decorated former Indian Army Special Forces officer, returns for another inspiring conversation with IRS Ravi Kapoor.

Having commanded elite units in the toughest terrains of Jammu & Kashmir, Colonel Kanwar now channels his battlefield experiences into shaping leaders — instilling courage, clarity, and discipline in every aspect of life.

Together, they explore:
• How to transform your mindset and take control of your life
• How to know if a goal is truly worth pursuing
• How to train your mind for complete self-transformation
• How to build discipline that lasts
• Fearless vs fearful — what truly sets them apart
• The real challenges behind achieving entrepreneurial success

Tune in for a masterclass on mindset, leadership, and the psychology of winning — both on and off the battlefield.

Would you like me to make it shorter and more punchy (for Spotify’s mobile view), or keep it long-form and descriptive like this version?

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In this thought-provoking episode, ex-Army officer and leadership expert Capt. Raghu Raman joins IRS Ravi Kapoor to decode what every young person in their 20s must understand about risk, purpose, and success.

Capt. Raghu Raman — former Indian Army officer, corporate leader at the Mahindra Group, and founding CEO of NATGRID — brings rare wisdom from the Army, corporate, and government worlds. He is also the bestselling author of Everyman’s War.

What you’ll learn:
• The brutal truths every man in his 20s must hear
• How, when & where to take risks wisely
• Mistakes youngsters make — and how to avoid them
• A clear success framework for today’s youth

Take the Free Big 5 Personality Test: syllabusoflife.com/big-five-test

About Ravi Kapoor:
Ex-IRS officer, competitive powerlifter, TEDx speaker, mentor, and author with an MA in Clinical Psychology — now helping the next generation of civil servants and professionals master the Syllabus of Life.

Follow Ravi Kapoor:
Instagram – @ravikapoorirs
LinkedIn – Ravi Kapoor IRS

Timestamps:
(0:00) – Trailer
(0:51) – Introduction
(3:13) – Brutal Truth Every Man in His 20s Must Hear
(7:47) – How, When and Where to Take Risks in Your 20s
(15:33) – Mistakes Youngsters Make in Their 20s
(19:55) – Important Success Framework for Youth
(49:40) – Rapid Fire Q&A Round
(1:10:26) – Book Recommendations for Every 20-Year-Old

In this episode, bestselling author Chetan Bhagat joins Ravi Kapoor (IRS, Retd.) for a candid conversation on love, relationships, and contemporary India.

🎙 Topics include:

• Why Chetan’s characters connect with Indian readers

• Love vs. lust explained simply

• How to know if someone is “marriage material”

• Arranged marriages, rising divorces & changing family dynamics

• Career advice for young Indians (20–25)

• The 11 Rules for Life

• Cricket, Gurgaon, stand-up comedians & more

Chetan Bhagat—author of Five Point Someone, 2 States, Half Girlfriend, and now 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story—shares stories and insights that resonate with millions.

(00:00) – Trailer(02:12) – Why Chetan Bhagat’s characters feel so relatable(04:06) – What does Young India want?(08:35) – The difference between love and lust(11:09) – How to identify if someone is “marriage material”(13:07) – Arranged marriages in India and rising divorce rates(19:14) – Career advice for youngsters aged 20–25(26:24) – Are joint families still feasible today?(31:06) – Key signs to look for in a potential life partner(32:46) – 11 Rules for Life(43:29) – The cost of India’s obsession with cricket(52:04) – Why is Gurgaon struggling?(56:21) – Stand-up comedians and controversies(58:40) – Rapid Fire Round

In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, host Shantanu Gupta — acclaimed author, political analyst, and founder of The Ramayana School and The Yuva Foundation — sits down with IRS officer Ravi Kapoor for a thought-provoking conversation.

Shantanu, known for his bestselling works like The Monk Who Became Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party: Past, Present, and Future, dives deep into topics that shape India’s political and social landscape. Together, they discuss:

• Why the Censor Board imposed restrictions on the film Ajey

• Yogi Adityanath’s mission to make Uttar Pradesh crime-free

• His bold stance against the mafia and police encounters

• The truth about pending cases against Yogi Adityanath

• How love and relationships are perceived in the Modi–Yogi era

• And the big question: Could Yogi Adityanath be India’s next Prime Minister?

Tune in for an engaging dialogue that blends politics, governance, and cultural shifts — offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Join the 21-Day Identity Shift ChallengeLink: https://www.syllabusoflife.com/21-day-challenge?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Ravi_kapoor&utm_campaign=description----------------------------Books Mentioned:#Modi vs Khan Market Gang : https://amzn.to/4nKCjdvNarendra Modi Censored : https://amzn.to/47MdUzmTop Books Recommendations by Ravi Kapoor: https://youtube.com/shopcollection/SCUCX-9hv9ZFOEIPtnv023pJ2o_CxHUsOdsjw?si=GgTStSqoPFUyyJaq----------------------------In this episode of "The Syllabus of Life", we have Ashok Shrivastava in conversation with IRS Ravi Kapoor.Ashok Shrivastava is a senior Indian journalist and news anchor, known for his work as Editor and Anchor at #DDNews, where he leads programs like “Do Took”. He holds a significant presence on social media and is also an author of books such as “Narendra Modi Censored” and “Modi Versus Khan Market Gang”.In this episode, Ashok Shrivastava and IRS Ravi Kapoor discuss:• Dangerous False Narratives in India and How Propaganda Shapes Public Opinion• ⁠Myths, Reality, and Hidden Power of Deep State in India?• The Truth About Anti-India Agendas• ⁠Is Vote Chori in India a Fake Narrative or Real Election Threat?• ⁠Can Indian Citizens Trust the Media?---------------My gear for shooting this video:Sony-ILCE-7M3-Full Frame Mirrorless Camera:https://amzn.to/4l4KVLfCanon EF50MM F/1.8 STM Lens:https://amzn.to/4c8UswOLogitech Tripod:https://amzn.to/3XFtffgZoom H1 All Black (2024 Version):https://amzn.to/429Gypv Shure SM7B Cardioid Vocal Dynamic Microphone:https://amzn.to/3RsSLAJGODOX SL150II 150W LED Video Light:https://amzn.to/4hUP2H1Rode Collar Mic:https://amzn.to/3E1UfyO---------------For more podcasts like this one, subscribe to our channel. We regularly feature new episodes filled with valuable discussions and insights.About Ravi Kapoor: Ravi Kapoor is an ex-IRS officer, competitive powerlifter, chief mentor, TEDx speaker, and author. Additionally, Ravi holds an MA in clinical psychology and has chosen to focus on mentoring the next generation of civil servants.To know more:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravikapoorirs?igsh=MXEzaTJlM2ZibDR2cg==LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/ravi-kapoor-001bb1132---------------(0:00) – Trailer(0:45) – Introduction(2:22) – Dangerous False Narratives in India(5:53) – Modi vs Khan Market Gang(7:50) – The Truth About Anti-India Agendas(12:05) – Democracy vs Conspiracy(18:45) – Are Vote Chori Allegations Fake?(28:07) – Can Indian Citizens Trust the Media?(41:43) – Kidnapping Incident(52:00) – Rapid Fire Round