Date of Interview: 8th April
Board: Bharat Bhushan Vyas
Optional: PSIR
Home state: Kerala
Background: English Literature
Hobbies: sudoku, food history

Chairman: please pull down your mask and be comfortable (was asked to keep on face shield and gloves)

  1. Is the novel a moral fable?
  2. Can you tell us how the form of novel changed?
  3. What is innovation?
  4. What is India’s rank in Global Innovation Index?
  5. What is blue economy?
  6. What are blue flag beaches?
  7. Have you heard of Passage to India? How does Forster describe India?
  8. What are biosphere reserves? Can you name some?

Member 1: if we compare women of Kerala, women of Sri Lanka, women of Pakistan and women of R K Lakshman’s novel, can you draw some similarities and differences? (Wasn’t able to answer well and got a bit flustered so I said “sorry sir I don’t think I have been able to do justice to your question at the moment. Chairman sir very cordially replied that don’t give up try and say whatever you know we are just trying to have a conversation. So I answered somewhat, was even prompted to think along certain lines in this question)

  1. Should stray cows be allowed to roam around freely on roads?
  2. Think of the counter view to this argument.
  3. Is every woman in Kerala empowered?
  4. Can you say why despite education all women in Kerala are not empowered?

Member 2

  1. why is LSR such a good institution?
  2. What can we do to improve tourism in India?
  3. Is social media the best way to improve tourism in India?
  4. Why is sustainable development so important these days? What is being done? What is India’s stand?
  5. Why do you say India is at the forefront of climate change?

Member 3

  1. Tell us a little about why panchayati raj is effective in Kerala?
  2. What is the exact model of panchayat in Kerala called?
  3. When is the next presidential election in India?
  4. What kind of person would you like to see elected as a president?
  5. What are your views on disinvestment?
  6. What are the features of pm awas Yojana?

Added that women are main beneficiaries.

  1. Have you heard about recent UNHRC news. When it was formed and why?

Member 4

  1. can you tell about India France relations?
  2. Asked about exact statement issued by India Pak in Sharm-al-Sheik in 2007.
  3. Have you heard of NCLT, NCLAT, and some other organisation can’t remember the name of it. What is their function?
  4. Explain dark web.
  5. What is tor?
  6. Have you heard about dabbawalas? What do they do?
  7. Have you heard about padmanabhaswamy temple. Why an IAS is in charge of the temple?

Overall experience: extremely cordial board. But very factual based questions. Barely any DAF coverage. Nothing about hobbies, achievements etc

Utility of mocks: learnt how to handle unexpected questions, etiquette of facing a board.

Source: Forum IAS

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