This was my 3^rd UPSC and 2^nd IAS interview. So, I already knew the procedure. I am currently in IFS. But in such interview you never feel fully confident because of sheer pressure in those moments is quite high. As expectations are high not only your personal but also people who know you. And to do justice to those expectations create pressure on you.

After doing paper work and other formalities we were provided seats in the circular hall inside UPSC head office. We were already divided into groups. This time I was seeing a lot familiar faces from other services including IRS and IPS.

After some time I was called for interview. I came to know that it is board of an experienced diplomat. There were 5 members in the board.

Chairman

I entered into the room. Greeted all. Chairman told me to sit.
Ch. So Parveen you went to IISc bangalore and if I may say the top institute of India. As the latest ranking by government also shows. How many years you spent there ?

Me. Yes mam. I spent two years there.

Ch. What were you doing after that.

Me. Mam currently I am in Indian Forest Service as a probationer.

Ch. Ok. Parveen there is a debate in India between traditional outlook and modern technologies( she elaborated little bit more). How do you see it ?

Me. Mam I believe in synthesis of both. As they say sometime old is gold. But at the same time we should be rational and open to the new ideas.

Ch. But according to some people there is this debate also about investing in science by countries like India. (It was a long statement, she touched digitisation, cyberspace etc.)

Me. Yes mam, even it was very much in news when we went for moon mission. Here I want to touch upon one example. Back in 1928 Dr CV Raman while in a journey came up with the idea of Raman Effect. And now the same theory is used in wide fields including health care and cancer research. Research takes time but it provide fruits.

Ch. What do you think is India a traditional society ?

Me. (After thinking little bit) Yes mam. At least in rural areas it is traditional. But in recent years things are changing and youth is leading.

Member 2

M2. Asked a long question on privacy and security. What do you say, should power be given to state for surveillance.

Me. Sir there should be privacy but if issues are of national security then there should be power with state.

M2. So do you think state can track your things on the name of security.

Me.Sir. I think proper procedure should be followed for it.

M2. And who will see the procedures.

Me. Court will do that.

M2. Court has already so many things to do. (He was adamant on grilling)

M2. What is Fiscal deficit and revenue deficit.

Me. Explained little bit. Half cooked probably.

M2.Can fiscal deficit be negative or positive if revenue deficit is negative.

Me. Yes Sir.

M2. Where is gulf of hormuj.

Me. (World map was revolving in my head. The statement of Manmohan Singh came into my mind when he said India’s extended neighbourhood lies from strait of malacca to state of hormuj. But didnt want to get into this area) I am sorry sir. I am unable to recollect now.

M5. Which is the longest river.

Me. Sir Nile river.

M5. Is it not Mississippi.

Me. Sorry sir this is what I remember.

M2.Where is Cape of good hope.

Me. It’s in Southern corner of Africa.

M2.Where is suej canal.

Me. Sir it’s in Egypt.

M2.Which two water bodies are joined by suej canal.

Me. Red sea and Mediterranean sea.

M2. How wide is Territorial waters of a country?

Me. Sir 12 Nautical Miles.

M2. After that?

Me. After that there is Contiguous Zone for 12 nautical miles.

M2. After that?

Me. Exclusive Economic Zone.

Member 3

M3. Parveen there is a concept called as Basin. What is basin improvement.

Me. Sir it’s like mapping of water quantity, maintaining quality in a river basin and at the same time managing the ecological flow of rivers.

M3. How they effect fisheries and local communities.

Me. Sir it will improve the quantity of fishes and so as the revenues of local communities.

M3. This is the problem we have …. we always talk about the revenues for people but forget that the basin will be so helpful for fishes and also providing them the nutrients.

Me. I am sorry sir I forget to mention.

M3. we have a debate in india which revolves around forest rights act which is hampering the forest protection. (He elaborated) How do u see it.

Me. Sir I think we can not do conservation without the role of local communities. As we have seen in case of Gir forests how Maldhari community is helping in conservation of lions.

M3.Parveen what do you think what was the role of Nehru in developing modern india. Why he should be called as maker of modern India ?

Me. Sir as my reading goes he made india a strong democracy.

M3. But was it in his hand. He was not the only one.

Me. Yes sir. But he was a strong leader at that time. He also listened to the opposition. He established various institutes including IITs, UGC and industries in 1st and 2nd five year plan.

M3. But there is a perception that PSUs are not doing any good and they are dead ships.

Me. This is true sir that many are not in good condition. But the reason being they have a mandate to provide services to people.

M3. Do you think some PSU should be winded up.

Me. Yes Sir if they are not profitable few can be winded.

M3.What is this new scheme about connecting the airports.

Me. Sir UDAAN scheme is about connecting various places by air. Government will do that viability gap funding up to the tune of 205 crore.

M3. He talked about corporate responsibility etc etc. Are they doing good or are there any provision for it.

Me. Talked about TATA doing CSR and then gave example of Sravoski helping in forest conservation in Bharatpur bird sanctuary.

M3. So you think they are doing find.

Me. Sir in recent years they are doing good but there is scope for improvement. Government has also introduced the role for CSR.

Member 4

M4.Again touching IISc…. Bla bla rank… And then coming to recent Rankings.. should any other criteria should be added.

Me. I touched upon existing criteria. She interrupted. We all know about these criteria. Would you like to add some new.

Me. Yes mam. Criteria like startup should be added. Then how much fund a particular institute is getting from industry.

M4.Why industry funding is important for universities.

Me. Currently government only providing funds. It will further increase funding to institutes at the same time it will solve industries practical problems.

M4. But then it will reduce power of institutes by private funding.

Me. No mam. It is only for specific projects. For example during my stay at college I was working on a a project related to agriculture sector funded from outside. It provided me knowledge about how projects should be handled including accounting.

Chairman – But there are no such projects in Humanities.

Me. Mam the research is also important in Humanities.

Ch. Parveen tell me what do you think. Do traditional societies provide enough scope for empowerment of women.

Me. No mam. They do not. For example problems like Dowry, Child Marriage, Low Labour Participation rate which is 35-37 % currently, and less properties on their name reduce the scope of empowerment.

M4. As u have written your hobby is blogging. So what do you blog.

Me. Mam I blog on contemporary issues. I give opinions on them. The prime reason for starting blogging was that I wanted to improve my english which was very week. As blogging give you luxury of getting reviews.

M4. You hobby is reading also. SO what do you read.

Me. Mam, I read non fiction books.

M4. So which last book have you read.

Me. Mam it was by Malcolm Gladwell called as The Outliers. (Both lady and chairman nodded in positive. )

M4. How was it. Was it good.

Me. Yes mam. It is a good book.

Member 5

M5. Tell me about Parliament vs Presidential system. And which is good for India.

Me. Sir parliament system is simple form of government. At the same time it is more accountable vis a vis presidential system. I prefer parliamentary system given the low level of education in country.

M5.Can president say no to a bill.

Me. Yes sir. In case of a state bill he can say no under article 200. (At that time this is the only thing came into my mind).

M5. Tell me about Powers of president.

Me. Sir there are various powers. He invites largest party after every eletion. He give a talk after every election and in first sitting of every year. (This is the only things I remembered at that time })

M5.How presidents election happen in India.

Me. It is by forming of college according to single transferrable vote system. Elected MPs and MLAs of states vote.

M5.How president is elected in America.

Me. Sir various Parties nominate their candidates. Then each state.. for example in USA there are some 50 to 52 states… They elect members and then further these members vote for president.

M5.Type of forests world wide.

Me. Sir there are tropical forests, temperate and Alpine. Evergreen, semi evergreen, dry deciduous etc etc

M5 Which are forests around equator.

Me. Sir they are evergreen forests. Tropical evergreen.

M5.What is the relation between Basins of amajon, Congo, Indus.

Me. I am sorry sir I am not aware.

M5. Where is Amajon.

Me. Sir its in South America.

M5. Which are the states from which we will pass if we are travelling from Kerala to srinagar.

Me. Kerala, TN, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu Kashmir.

M5. Where are the good forests among these.

Me. Sir Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka,  J and K etc.

Ch. OK Parveen Your interview is over.

I thanked all and came out.

Source: Forum IAS

Board– Air Marshal Ajit Bhosale sir
Date – 7-04-2017 Afternoon session first one to be interviewed
Background–

So the day came and that moment came for what I had taken a great risk 4 years back by not joining capf and continued my studies, I reached UPSC gate 12.50pm, met Raju Bhaiya of ABVP, already positive environment started building.

Entered the UPSC building 2^nd time in my life, went to document verification got news that I am first one ? I was very happy to hear this because i didn’t want to sit all along till evening,

Went to main hall at 1.45pm and daavat came around 2.05. 2.15 tring sounds came and i entered the room after 2 min,

Inside the Room

I said “May I come in Sir? “

Yes please young man, please come inside “a confident voice came and I saw Air Marshal Sir and other members

There were 5 members, one very handsome and pleasant Air marshal as uniform officers often is and others were good people with one lady member,

It was a very big hall type room and  after walking 3-4 steps I wished Chairman sir first then lady member then others but in a low tone L ( I got little nervous that moment ) he said come come please , I went and took 2-3 sec pause and stand besides the chair.

Chairman

Chairman was looking at my DAF, suddenly he looked at me and said “good afternoon! I got confused and a little nervous as I thought did I make a mistake to wish him and lady member while coming? Then he said please sit down. I said thank you Sir.

C- Are you comfortable?

Me- yes sir with big smile

C- Good you are looking happy?

Me- I smiled only: O

C- You had something in lunch?

Me- yes sir I had my lunch

C- Oh you have had your lunch, so how will u say this in Sanskrit?

Me- (first jhatka of interview but controlled myself) sir “aham mam khadya padartham akhadat” ( it is incorrect but I said with beshrami smile )

c- ohhh this much to I can also speak yar ?

Me- smiled back with almost little laugh

C- Ok ….. Now we will begin your interview, the so called interrrvieww (said like this only with a sarcastic smile) but believe me it will be a conversation only ok?

Me- thinking that shuru karo na L

C- you have done soooooo manyyyy things in your life , you seems to be very engaging personality , u have done NCC , NSS and other things , i think you have  good time management skill, isn’t so ? How did u manage I mean it must have been quite challenging!

me- sir yes I prioritised my activities as in NCC we had go for parade only for 2 days in a week and in NSS we had to spent 240 hours in village community development activities in 2 years I was part of student council also so by putting them in time table I had managed my studies with my ECA

c- hmmm very good alright but I had a little regret had I got such opportunities in my early years to do such diverse things and (looking in to my DAF u are sprinter too hmm gave positive smile )

Me – (maaf kar do sir galti ho gyi aage se nhi kruga ) yes sir I was team member of school track event team

c- So ….. ! yar  in Sanskrit we have to rot very much , I had Sanskrit , I loved Sanskrit , it was very good subject , scoring also , but our modern education philosophies condemn this method, as educationist how do u see this , u must have an opinion about it , isn’t so ?

Me – sir in Sanskrit rot method of learning is an integral part of Sanskrit learning so if anyone want to learn he has to rot in initial years specially to learn Sanskrit grammar but after that we can teach in modern methods

c- What and how?

Me- sir like we are using ICT, we are developing textbooks in digital form and sir ONGC gave good projects under CSR to develop textbooks as digital material…..Something like that

c- Hmmm good

c- ……! This 1857 war of independence camp as team leader you organised? Smiled

me- sir I did not organise that camp but yes I participated in that camp as team leader of Uttar Pradesh contingent and it was organised by ministry of youth affairs and sports sir.

c- Oh I see you were team leader of this camp?

Me- sir I was team leader of my state team for which I got selected to participate in this camp which was organised to commemorate the 150^th year of 1857 war of independence.

c- Hmmm I see interesting smiled

c- You did NCC and other things so there must be a purpose?  You have done BA then other degree in education then JNU, why civil then?

Me- sir during my first year in BA I got a chance to work with civil administration and police administration there I got motivated to join civils.

c- Ok so in your first year of grad u decided? (Probing face)

Me- yes sir, he nodded with probing smile

Now pls aap (lady member se bole)

mam was smiling then she said ok ……

Member 1

M1- you use Patel and live in up, are you from Gujarat or migrant?

Me- mam I live in up and Patel title used by agrarian communities yes migration is also one of the factors

M1- so you are Gujarati too?

Me- yes mam I am Gujarati by Gotra and Patel title put on my name by them ( kya puche jar hi ho aunty L )

M1- why and who are “them”

me- It was a result of caste politics in nineties through which many communities started these kind of changes so it was put by my parents n community members i had no control over it ( kya kr rhi ho aunty )

M1- you have done masters from JNU so what are the issues going on in JNU , I mean what these so called protestors do there , other member laughed

me – (thnku mam ab mai batata hu ) – mam recently in jnu UGC announced seat cut in research programmes which instigated students there ,logic given by UGC and HON. Minister of Human Resource Development is it is a step to correct teacher student ratio

M1- so why they are protesting

Me- mam in JNU there are some misguided people who think that they are revolutionary so they oppose every act of govt ……cut short

M1- no no they must be very influential leaders otherwise why they get support?

Me- mam they instigate student on emotional issues like state or govt is going to take all the things from you…..Again interrupted

M1- and people join them?

Me- Mam in my 6 years i have seen only 5-6 big protests otherwise only 50-60 people usually come

M1- seemed satisfied and smiled and said o my god you r in jnu since 6 years?

Me- (what’s the big deal mam?) yes mam smiled I am doing my Ph.D. there

M1- oh u r doing phd but u didn’t mention that in your DAF?

Me- mam in online DAF form of UPSC only 2 Colum were there so i couldn’t

M1- oh hmmm koi nahi

M1- you have so many degrees and variety of knowledge with NCC NSS also so how you are going to use it, have you ever been interfaced with such situation?

Me- mam variety of knowledge can be used in different areas, cut short

M1- no gives me exp

Me- Mam for exp I can use my knowledge in madam how leakages happening, how social discrimination is happening

M1- no no have u ever been interfaced with it, I mean have u worked in these situation ?

Me- (knowing that i didn’t get her question right didn’t show any anxiety and smiled besharmly ) ma mam I participated in flood relief program as NCC cadet in villages i distributed food packets

M1- which village what was name of that village?

Me- Mam it was Ranjeetpur village it is situated in Balrampur district UP there a team of 10-15 cadets were assigned with district magistrate sir ( Bhosale sir looked at mam smiling probably he was satisfied that I answered that rapid fire question confidently)

M1- you do photography? Where you do it , how do you get enough subject to take photo ?

Me – mam i devp this hobby along with my another hobby of trekking, cut shot

M1- o yes you do trek where u went last time

Me- mam! I went to Triund, another member said where? I again said loudly sir Triund in Dharmshala distt in Himachal Pradesh.

Me – mam i get time and subject when I go to JNU there are enough jungle area so there and mam I prefer to take photos in social atmosphere we can say social photography

(She passed it on I don’t know whether she was satisfied or not but I replied back to back in positive and enthusiastic manner)

Member 2

M2-  jabardast uncle ,I have seen him in conferences but don’t remember his name anyways , he was reading my summary sheet very thoroughly and i saw he has marked 3 points in that , I got scared thoda sa

M2- you have opted lit of Sanskrit?

Me- yes sir

M2- why lit of Sanskrit why not lit in Sanskrit?

Me- sir it was written as it is that’s why

M2- no no is there any difference between two?

Me- sir one difference is that lit of Sanskrit means whole literature of Sanskrit and literature in Sanskrit means literature written in Sanskrit language.

M2- so what do you think is correct?

Me- sir literature of Sanskrit

M2- so in lit of Sanskrit all were written in Sanskrit, what u have studied in syllabus

Me- sir i have studied mahakavyas , natakas fumbled little bit and sir there were written in Sanskrit with eng hindi translation

M2- so why didn’t you choose to write in Sanskrit only, in which language you have written your exam?

Me- sir we have to write 2 question in Sanskrit in Devnagari lipi and rest in medium we have chosen i wrote my exam in eng medium

M2- why? Why not in Hindi?

Me- sir in these 6years i have converted myself from Hindi medium to eng medium , I worked hard all these years to learn English , so i just wanted to write in English

M2- but you have chosen your medium of interview too in eng, why?

Me- sir i wanted to study more and for that i had to learn English because there is no other option available  ,after that i always try to write and speak in English only specially in official matters

M2- why? You could have studied in Hindi medium too

Me- sir in JNU one has to study in eng medium only at masters level in social sciences

M2- what? Is it so, Bhaosale sir too said what? aisa hai kya

Me- smiled yes sir no alternative

M2- so it seems that you are putting Hindi and other languages as inferior to English , is it so ?

Me- sir to me it is not so but unfortunately in our education system since 70 years of independence this kind of system is prevailing so i had no option .

(In between Bhosale sir was showing something to member next to him, i too got distracted a little bit but kept giving my answer and suddenly he interrupted)

C- You got selected in CAPF? (Looked very happy and interested)

Me- yes sir (I was not ready for such kind of interruption anyway it was my achievement so I didn’t get nervous)

C-you got in to service?

Me- I got him wrong, first said yes then corrected myself , sir I got selected but didn’t join

C- Smiling and m2 asked what CAPF is :’(

C- Are it is armed police commandant exam

M2- oh nice,

chairman still looking at me smiling , I was not sure to tell him reason or just smile back , I preferred last one as my exp with armed forces officers has taught me that they don’t like faltu ka explanation

M2- ok yar chalo hindi me baat karte hain , ye women studies me kya kiya hai tumne ? ( I saw he had marked that women studies word )

Me- sir maine women studies me national eligibility test pass kiya hai ugc ke through

M2- ok, kya padhai kari iske liye ?

me- sir maine iskle liye feminism ko padha jisme 3 main wave hain feminist history , pahle wali to voting right se related hai aur sir dusri wali teesari wali ke sath mix krke dekhte hain nariwadi log jo baki  rights se related hain ,

(I said this only because I was not sure how much i should speak on this vast topic)

M2- hmm good enough ,chalo switch over to eng , ok ?

M2- ok …… tell me about dowry

Me- sir it is a social evil of our society …cut short

M2- Hamm, its origin? Smiling

Me- sir it can be originated in Rigveda era when Duhita which means daughter was given certain gifts by parents so it has been present since long in our society

Chairman smiled

M2- nope, if I say it is a colonial practice and in England during industrialization people used to give chastity to daughter, aur pata nahi kya kya bolte rahe WO………………….. akhir me bole to what do u say ?

Me- thank you sir, it is very new kind of info for me but I don’t know about it, smiled to him politely  (lo de lo bhashan han ni to L )

M2- ok what’s your view on inheritance laws and rights?

Me- sir according to Hindu code bill women have equal rights and now we have enacted law too so they can take and it should be given and sir for this Dr Ambedkar resigned from first cabinet of India J

M2- there is law for that, what is your opinion?

Me- yes sir now we have law for that and it should be implemented because patriarchal mindset people think women as their property and there lies the problem, kuch aur blabber kiya tha

M2- sister hain?

Me- yes sir smiled

M2- shadi ho gyi?

Me – yes sir smiling

M2- dahej kitta diya ?

Me- nai diya

M2- q nahi diya ,dena padta hai

Me- she was M.A.,  B.ed and was teaching

M2- oh yes dowry is problem of illiterate people hmmm?

Me- sir dowry is not related to illiterate people but we didn’t give because in our family it is not permitted and should be curbed at societal level also

M2- why?

Me- sir because in my district there was a social movement against it by some gandhian leaders they inculcated that practice aisa hi kuch aur bol rha tha but cut short

M2- babuji hain ?

Me- yes sir

M2- kamate hain ?

Me- yes sir smiled

M2- unke bad property doge bahan ko ?

Me- sir if she wants to take she can obviously take and moreover after sad demise of my mother 2 years back , my father has made a will and make a provision of 50.50

(chairman was listening very keenly ,I saw his face in between ,thank god I didn’t get provoked )

He passed it to another uncle

Member 3

M3- he had a serious face but I was smiling at him

M3- you did M.Phil. In which area

Me- sir I did my M.Phil on curriculum study of school text books of up

M3- what?

Me- sir curriculum study……

M3- oh you did that in education field

Me- yes sir

M3- you said you are doing Ph.D.

Me- yes sir

M3- what is your topic

Me- sir my topic is rationalism in india: a study of arjak sangh

M3 and chairman said what sangh ?

Me – sir Arjak sangh (made a poker face , didn’t explain because  they didn’t ask though they were looking at me)

m3- hmmm you said you do trek, where you have been and since when u r doing it

Me- sir since school days when i was class 9^th we went with associationship of YHAI in nainital

M3- where ?

me- sir I don’t remember exact place now

m3- ok after that smiled cunningly like he caught me

me- sir recently I went for triund ,

m3- before that again probing eyes stern looks

me- sir I went to kedarnath for religious purpose and before that i went to gurmarg with my senior and before that ……..

M3- ok ok , what is jaat ?

Me- I told him something about varna system

M3- no what is concept of caste , u should be aware of it , there are some caste groups who are same in terms of their origin but they live in different places and have no relation so you have heard about substantialization of caste in our social system ?

Me- I told him about political mobilization and caste as institution but he was not satisfied or pretending so

then I told him that according to some scholars like Dirk ha said that caste is a colonial product and scholars like M.N. Sriniwas has given concept dominant caste in which certain caste become affluent in society and political system , I blabbered but mentioned these terms and scholars just for the sake of speaking confidently ( he was looking at  table )

(After that i checked the fact term was given by Dumont but luckily Dirk has also said something on this and MN sriniwas too used that, so i hope unko laga ho ki ladke ko wo pata nahi hai but use related relevant baate bol rha hai )

M3- what is varna and jaat give me one exp

Me- Brahman is varna goswami is caste among Brahman

M3- hmmm (finally satisfied shayad ) so you must be knowing about Jamindari abolition act so  how Jamindari abolition affected this in eastern up and western up ?

me- sir in eastern up mainly small land holders are there , Jamindari abolition provided a chance to landless labourers to get some land and live with dignity and to contribute in nation building, (I fumbled a bit but tried my best that I didn’t stop abruptly while speaking  )

M3- tell me about west up?

Me- sir! There are still large farmers but situation has changes too though i have no depth knowledge

M3- ok pass

Member 4

M4- While looking at your form I found that you are from Akbarpur? Smiled.

Me- yes sir smiled and looked at m3 again and gives him smile too

M4- so yar there is so much dispute in our curriculum these days about Akbar and Aurangzeb, who was great, why Akbar is called great not Aurangzeb what do u think

Me- sir! Akbar tried to understand India , he formulated his policies not as administrator but as learner of culture and showed empathy while Aurangzeb was no doubt had more resources than Akbar and he was capable sir but he lacked empathy ,

So sir in India empathy is very imp to run administration

(Chairman smiled, madam too nodded other khali bali ko mai dekh ni rha tha jyade jo bagal me baithte hain )

M4- nope, muslim call Aurangzeb great, he followed sharia , he destroyed music , u must be aware that when music lovers were taking procession he told them to dig so deep

me- (forgot to tell that Aurangzeb was himself a great veena player anyways ) sir I beg to differ here , I have many Muslim friends and no one called Aurangzeb great , it is Akbar who holds greatness sir because of his policies

M4- what r you saying, if people are so nice then why kashmiri pundits migrated from valley, you know the reason? Tell me

Me- sir reason is depletion of Sufi culture and arrival of wahabism in valley but now people have realised their mistake and apart from misguided people many want kashmiri pundits to return

M4- u think situation is like that?

Me- sir though current situation is not like that but govt is making its best efforts

M4- but what about Kerala and Bangladesh border where Hindus are minority and they are facing threats?

me- sir India is large country , in some part a community can have majority and in other another can have , what bind us is our composite culture , our constitutional values like secularism , sir in policies secularism should prevail , our policies should be like this that no community face anxiety based on numbers in particular area , secularism should be guiding principle for everyone in administration , sir in India it is not possible for a Hindu to live without Muslim and for Muslim to live without Hindu , we have composite culture and we should always put secularism at front in decision making,

M4- Hamm so what about that survey in which only 33% Hindus have a Muslim friend, if your views are correct if people are so good if there is composite culture  then why it is so ? Smiled

me- sir this survey was conducted by CSDS , ( I told him purposefully ,he nodded smiling ), so sir first we should see their questionnaire , how they have framed their questions , what kind of data they got , what was the methodology and we should scrutinise their findings further to get a sound analysis ,

M4- hmmm alright

He passed to chairman

Chairman: so …… you did NSS (again chairman sahab looking in my daf and smiling) and NCC, so in JNU is there NCC and NSS kind of thing?

Me- (almost laughing but control uday moment sustained and said) sir we have nss in jnu and not NCC and made again poker face

c- ohhh , chalo suppose you have to do something as NSS volunteer to bring back situation to normal in JNU from what happened , what will you do , take your time then speak , then started smiling

Me- 4-5 sec thought process only and started – sir as NSS teaches us community development , I would like to first start dialogue between teacher and students which has gone missing for quite some time , sir nodded positively ,

C- But as NSS cadet what will you do? you are talking about JNU problem not NSS , smiled

Me- got confused little bit but smiled , sir I would organise a discussion session and will try to question those students or revolutionaries according to their terms that what kind of leadership is that , you should have been there whether u supported those slogans or not , but you hided and other people suffered , what is this , this not leadership , you can protest , you can question govt that our democratic system gives you right but only under constitutional rights and unity and integrity of India should be maintained ,

Sir! these people take name of Dr Ambedkar in their protests but they forget that he himself was against all these kind of thoughts and said that we have enacted political democracy but what we need is social democracy ……ok said chairman

( thoda sa bhashan type bola but i thought ye akhiri mauka hai bol do dil ki baat )

Chairman Sir and specially lady member nodded very pleasantly

C- Do you agree with govt policies made in domain of education and social sector , what is your view ?

me- sir it is matter of great satisfaction that we have a stable govt with full majority at centre through which many decisions have been taken which would have been not possible in coalition govt , sir i support govt schemes in education and social sector and i am very optimistic about future of my country , smiled positively to sir .

C- Hmmm ……. it was nice talking to you now your interview is over  , and I must thank you specially that you did not choose your medium of interview as Sanskrit and laughed , others too smiled

You may go now good all the best.

I stand up, left the chair said thanku sir, thanku mam , and thanku to sirs , pushed chair little ahead , and turned back , walked slowly opened the door and closed it gently. (forget to wish other member)

P.S.-

I don’t know how it was , what substance in it , one thing is clear that I responded in straight forwarded manner and in those tricky questions like which village dowry or trekking I tried to be frank and truthful yet polite , though it was very unexpected interview , no as such big and tough questions as our great coaching mafias ask and terrorise the students , I revised almost all the syllabus of my Sanskrit , was scared like hell for economics but see how things unfold in those 30 minutes,

I did some minor mistakes too I think like wished chairman and lady member while entering and then went till table , thanked chairman and lady member in last and then other 2 members in low tone but didn’t looked at another member ,

Put my forehand on handles of chair and palm in my lap then after 20 min I adjusted them on thighs, these kind of things I hope don’t matter in big way L

I was cheerful, confident , spoke confidently , admitted that I have learned English only in 6 years and improving myself , though I didn’t answer some questions in that manner like they were probably expecting but I didn’t get blank or confuse and just shut up , I spoke on almost all questions , tone was polite yet I was putting emphasis on those key terms on secularism, leadership etc and where taking stand was required I took and remained firm on that for instance from Akbar to CSDS survey panel member tried to trap me and unsettle me on my stand on secularism but somehow I replied him while maintain my stand .

Don’t know where will I land, but can hope for at least minimum 165 barrier, I hope they didn’t mind my opinion based answers and some silly mistakes like forgetting one member to wish while leaving L !

Baki  JAB TAK FODEGE NAHI TAB TAK CHHODEGE NAHI ?

Source: Telegram

Posting my interview transcript.
Medium: Hindi( was waiting ki english me kuch to puche par pure interview kuch nahi pucha. )
Board: shri chatar singh ji. Forenoon

Chairman

why is @$# famous for
Me: Garment industry and export of that product in international markets
Ch: but why your city, not others in india
Me: sir might be due to moisture factor……
Ch: mind what u r saying( meri jaan atak gayi ki hua kand ab. Gussa gaya chairman). Ludhiyana and other have no moisture.
Me: sorry sir. I am not aware of those promoting factors in that city where I am working nowadays
Ch: ok. So u lived here and there……Now I am going to ask from your graduation.(7 saal ho gaye the graduation ko,wo bhi electrical se btech. Line ,ground ,neutral me difference bhi bhul gaya tha mai )
…..So chairman said that what should I ask. Theory or applied.
Me: sir I like electrical machines……
Ch: transformer is a machine or not
Me: yes. It is
Ch: working of transformer
Me: step up and step down the voltage..
Ch: what’s the need of these all. Why not to transfer voltage at a high current
Me: sir current losses are very high of high current is there.
Ch: ok. But I am very rich person and I can afford losses. Now what……Any technical barrier for transmitting power at a high current.
Me: took a pause…..And suddenly said that sir the size of conductor would be very large if current will be very high…Chairman nodded and said yes that is the reason and asked other mem to ask

Member 1

M 1: you are from bundelkhand. What is the major problem of bundelkhand .
Me: sir it is a agrarian economy but due to monsoon failure and rains in winter , from past 3 years agriculture is not a matter of profit anyMore and fue to that migration and suicide is becoming a common phenomenon there.
M1 : do u have any solution for it.
Me: yes sir.
Everyone got surprised…. I said that govt is also trying to do the same…….Like reducing the cost to farmers. Fasal bima and all that stuff.
M1: but what about the livelihood stocks. Aren’t they helpful.
Me: yes sir they are. But due to lack of fodder and water animal are dying and causing a burden on farmers.

Member 2

M 2 : job profile se mostly pucha. Thoda bataya, thoda nahi to khud kaha ki jyada time nHi hua hai to itna deep nahi pata hoga.
I smiled and was feeling relaxed…☺☺☺ Income tax ka mujhe abc bhi nahi pata tha.
M2 : so why demand of bundelkhand. Is it the solution for all backwardness?
Me: sir development is the main agenda and also no public pressure for demand of bundelkhand. So that in near future is no big demand, and also MP is saying that it doesn’t support the demand of bundelkhand. So on near future bundelkhand might not be a separate state.
M2: but why bundelkhand is so backward. And what are the areas in bundelkhand.
Me: I explained that mp part is now developing and up has also started giving power supply and ……..
M2: interrupts and said that ki do u have any plan to develop bundelkhand.
Me: yes sir. ( They might be thinking ki har cheej ka solution hai mahashay ke pas)
Sir tourism is a big opportunity for bundelkhand. As jhansi is well located In heart of bundelkhand and connectivity is nice , so we can promote tourism in jhansi and nearby areas

Member 3

M3: jhansi fort is good but any new change there.
Me: yes sir. Now gardens are well maintained and light and sound show also takes place there.
M3: why people go khajuraho but not jhansi.
Me: sir tour operator don’t take much interest in jhansi……
M3: kyon ……Unki koi dushmani hai kya jhansi se…..
Me: hehe. Sir aisa nahi hai but their schedule is tight and also they don’t fi d suitable place to live in jhansi as no good hotels are there.

Member 4

M4: what are your service preferences.
M4: do u think u are suitable for ips or ias.
Me: sir for both. As I am flexible to the problems which come to me and I am ready to learn the training for any service. No prejudice in my mind for any service.
M4 was not convinced at this reply.
M4: if my son wants to join army, can you motivate him and how will you.
Me : yes sir. First he must think that his choice is very nice and you stand with your son. So that he might feel good. And then he must do whatever is required in order to qualify for army entrance, but he must enjoy that process as that enjoying the process factor is key to success.

Overall it was a very nice experience. Chairman ne end me koi question nahi pucha so dar lag raha hai…..Rest I think that it will help some other aspirants as guys like me , who dont have guidance of other mentors and coaching and learn through this forum. So you all also post your experience and help each other. All the best to everyone.

Source: Forum IAS

M.Sc. Economics and B.E. Computer Science, BITS Pilani
IRS(Customs) probationer since Dec 2015.
Ajitb hosale board and Aruna Bahuguna madam as a panellist.

Last candidate..like the last one in all boards combined.
I enter, Chairman greets me.

Chairman

Mr. Pathan, you are an extremely academically successful candidate, your parents must be proud of you. Not just parents, your entire family. They must be saying, “ Adeeb is the ideal person”.(I am totally not kidding. These are his exact words. )
Me : Yes Sir, they are.
Ch : But there must be one reason that your father is upset regarding you. What is it ?
Me : Sir, nothing that I can sense. He seems proud of me and happy with my performance
Ch: It’s so good to see that parents are happy with their children. The generation gap is immense in our generation and yours. We as a society are facing many issues . What are these ?
Me : Answered
Ch : Anything else ?
Me :Added a few points
Ch : Anything regarding the underpriviledged sections of our society ? What can be done to uplift them ? Otherwise the gap will keep inceasing.
Me : Gave a state centric answer that state must take the command and free markerts can’t be left to themselves for addressing this.

Member 1

How to solve water scarcity and inter state water issues ?(The actual question was much more elaborate)
Me : Sir, we need to address industrial and agricultural uses of water. Cropping pattern in India needs to shift from water guzzling crops like rice to coarse cereals. We need to adopt more scientific methods of irrigation like drip irrigation. In the industrial sector we need to do more RnD and adopt water sensitive technologies in industries that consume large quantities of water.
M1: What about inter-state water disputes?
ME: Sir, one permanent tribunal needs to be established and it’s award needs to be implemented without any undue delay as observed in Cuvery dispute case.
M1: You are saying incentivise coarse cereals but out MSP policies are heavily tilted in favour of Sugarcane, rice and all
Me: Sir, this situation needs to be remedied. MSPs for coarse cereals needs to be increased
M1 : GIGO full form (Comp sci)
Me: answered
M1: What does it mean?
Me: Explained
Few more I might have forgotten..M1 was satisfied.

Member 2

(most jovial of them all) : You said about water guzzling rice. Are you aware of any technique that is used to address it.
Me: Sir, I am aware of SIRI.System of rice intensification. But I am not aware of the details.
M2: That’s okay but at least you know that a technique exists that can plant rice even with drop irrigation. We need not change our entire crop pattern
M2: You must be knowing abot 101st amendment to constitution. Explain its provisions.
Me: Sir, under the previous position, states cannot tax services and center cannot tax sale of goods. The amendment addresses this issue. Then there are consequent amendments like sharing the revenue so obtained by Finance commission recommendations. The bill addresses them too.
M2 : Any other provisions, important ones ?
Me : *trying to recall….*
M2 :Any body established under it ?
Me : Sir, the GST council
M2 : What is it’s structure ?
Me : explained to his satisfaction
M2 : What is unique in this ? you have already answered this question but again, what did you find unique in this arrangement ?
Me : trying to answer but M2 pointed out that Article 246 was what he was looking for and he didn’t bother much since I had already explained it.
M2: Come back to Cauvery(Laughs along with all the board). Did the SC change the cauveryverdict ?
Me : Sir, The lower riparian state had approached the supreme court to review the issue.
M2: Can they do that ?
Me: Sir, as per the Article 262 of the constitution the parliament can enact laws to resolve inter state disputes and bar the jurisdiction of any court including the supreme court from hearing appeals against it’s decisions.
M2: Which law was thus enacted ?
Me: The inter state water disputes Act
M2: Then how did the state approach the SC?
Me: Sir, I can only take a guess.
M2: Please…by all means
Me: Sir, tribunals are established to address issues where social interest is prevalent rather than rights of individuals. So, they follow PNJ instead of CPC but it might have happened that in this case rights of individuals were being affected and there are many precedents where the apex court has allowed appeal in such cases.
M2: Whose rights were being affected?
Me: The farmers’ rights to a secure livelihood.
M2: Now that you know all of this, The state went to SC because the award was not notified for seven years. That’s the issue.
Me : _/\_
M2 : You say that single tribunal will solve the issue, Why? Because the Prime minister has recently said that ?
Me: Sir, I have read many articles to that effect that a single tribunal can be a potent solution.
M2: According to me, it will increase the problems . Can you tell me why ?
Me: Sir, one reason could be that the tribunal will be burdened with multiple issues
M2: Yes, good, that’s one reason..and ?
Me: Sir, the same tribunal might follow different principles in awarding different verdicts and this might open up a whole new set of challenges (WTF was I saying )
M2 : Ok…now if You have to select a subordinate, honest and inefficient or….(not typing the rest)
Me : Sir, all efforts must be taken to select a candidate who is honest and efficient but if I have to select one, I will select the inefficient and honest one.
M2: Why ?
Me: Sir, if he is inefficient, I can take it to myself to dispose off his work, (M2 reamarked something and the entire panel LOLed. I smiled too) Since I am his superiror, I can exercise his powers. It will be a burden for me but a dishonest man, that too an efficient one will always find ways to perpetrate corruption in the system.

Member 3

(a complex, bizzare personality): What is microbionics?
Me: Sorry sir, I am unaware of it.
M3: But you have studied science . Maybe it is related to biology, that’s why you don’t know.  Then he explained what it was.
M3: What is paretoOptimality
Me: When a resource distribution is such that the utility of at least one member can be increased without increasing the resource itself, the distribution is pareto sub-optimal. Only when the utility of any member cannot be increased any further in the constraints of those resources, the allocation can be said to be pareto optimal.
M3: So, basically it is about being well off, when one party can be made well off without harming the other one.
Me: *Sure..if you want to be all ‘layman’ about it. * Yes, Sir.
M3: Are taxes pareto optimal
Me: Sir, designing pareto optimal taxation system can be very difficult.
M3: Still, does GST increase paretooptimality ?(This is technically a wrong question. He is confusing pareto optimality with pareto efficiency but I got what he was trying to say)
Me: Sir, it makes both the Government and businesses well off. The government mops up higher revenue and businesses have reduced costs of compliance. So both parties are well off..
M3: You have been with customs for 2 years, You must have dealt with companies. Ok, what is corporate governance ?
Me : Sir, improving the management of companies so that their functioning is more responsive, more accountable and transparent to share holders..er..stake holders.
M3 : Difference between shareholders and stakeholders ?
Me : explained.
M3: What are instruments of Corporate governance ?
Me : Sir, annual general meetings, annual reports …
M3 : Do you know what audit commitees are ?
Me : Sir, they audit finances of a company
M3 :LOLing with the panel..No, no you don’t know what they are …
Me : 
M3: So, government is a stakeholder..How are companies responsive to the government ?
Me : Sir, Companies law….
M3 : No, that’s a law but what are the instruments ?
Me : Sir, they might have to file an annual report to SEBI…
M3 :But what if they are not publicly listed ?
Me: Sir, I am unaware if non listed companies file a similar report
M3 : How shareholders are interested in a company ?
Me : Sir, they are represented in the board of directors and they hold equity in the company and want profitable returns on their investment.
M3: No, the theory of firm says that companies exist for profit maximisation(Dude, that’s what I just said!). What is difference between profit and wealth ?
Me: Sir, profits are calculated in an year but wealth is accumulated over time.
M3: So, wealth is sanatan, ..You have studied Sanskrit, What does sanatan mean ?
Me: Sir, eternal…
M3: SO investors want value. What is the definition of value ?
Me: Sir, if a commodity is exchanged in free markets for money, the money that it can obtain is its value.
M3: No, there is a new definition by cash discounted flows…
Me: *Dude, what is wrong with you ? I know I am failing your test here but you don’t have to be so mean about it*
FinallyAruna madam. She was very disinterested.

Member 4

What’s your name ? Adeeb or Pathan ?
Me : answered
M4 : You were cultural secretary in your college ? What did it entail ?
Me : answered
M4 : Many facets of our culture which people believe are a part of our culture but government does not. Any example ?
Me : mam, can I take 2 seconds to think ?
M4 : ok, say, Jallikattu or cock fights ? Should the state involve itself in them ?
Me: Ma’m preservation of culture must be balanced with the features of a modern democratic state where rights of animals are respected.
M4(completely unsatisfied) : Are you aware of RTI ?
Me: Yesma’m. The right to information act.
M4 : Has it been successful ?
Me : Yes ma’m and explained.
M4 : IS it applicable to customs ?
Me : yes , ma’m..explained.
M4 : But yesterday CIC has ruled that a person who has filed 6000 RTIs need not be given a reply..
Me :Ma’m, for any law, there might be misusers but we cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. If there are frivolous applications, the law has a system of checks and balances to address it.
M4 was very very unhappy with me. Passed on to Chairman
Chairman
It has been 30 minutes since your interview started. How did it pass ?
Me: Sir, I didn’t even notice it.
CH :Smiling..so it flew by…
Ch: What suggestions do you give to UPSC for improving the exam process.
Me : Sir, if I can be frank…..
Ch : You better be frank or it won’t be good….
Me: Sir, the commission needs to be more transparent vis-à-vis the candidates. It needs to provide checked copies of the mains exams to the candidates. If the candidates fail to understand as to what exactly fetches them marks, the coaching industry will thrive on this uncertainity.
Ch : Has the message not gone down loud and clear that UPSC questions cannot be predicted?
Me: Sir, since there is no clarity on what exactly amounts to good performance, many instructors might falsely claim that they know the secret to cracking the exams and the coaching industry runs on.
Ch: This is related to Mains. Anything related to interview?
Aruna madam intervenes: That, he will not say now. *laughs*
Ch: no. no..We are all being very frank here.
Me: Sir, this part of the exam is very well managed. I have no suggestions regarding it.
Ch: Thank you, your interview is over.

Source : Forum IAS