IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #36

Interview with Dr. Bhurelals Board
Interview date: 2nd April '07

Optionals. Geog & Psycho

Dr. Bhurelal

Q1. In a pre-war situation how will u defeat the opponent without using arms and ammunitions(related to computer engg.)

supp Q: Name of the 17 yr boy who hacked pentagon?

Q2. What is the economy of ur place(U.T. of D&N H )

supp Q: What all crops?supp Q: What is accessibility to this place?

Q3. How will knowledge of psychology help u in administration?

Member 1

Q4: What are deccan traps?supp Q: how many flows of lava?supp Q: how will u find water in deccan trap region?supp Q: Imp mineral industry of pune?

Q5. How will remote sensing help u in administration?

Q6. What r flash floods? how r they caused? where does the water go?

Member 2

Q7. What is money laundering?supp Q: what r the sources of black money?

Member 3

Q8. Name the tribal communities and tell about their culture?supp Q: how r these tribes diff from mainstream?supp Q: what is EDP programme for tribals?

Q9. Rajsing Dungarpur made a statement that no indian is fit to coach the indian team... ur views?supp Q: whats wrong with Indian cricket?supp Q: whats wrong with indian sports?Member 4

Q10. How will u handle a potential communal situation as an IPS in ur district?supp Q: what if ur seniors orders are contrary to what u think is right?

Thank you, you may go :-)

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #35

After all the speculations the verdict is known to me. It was not a very good interview and I scored a meagre 150. But there is a silver lining too. I scored 1139 in mains so could still manage 27th rank. You can still enjoy my interview as it is the real version of what happened. Please dont judge my personality by my interview marks :)

I was allotted a table along with four other candidates. It was a great solace to meet four other souls in same state of mind and butterflies in their stomach. We chatted and felt good. One hour passed quickly and I did not at all feel nervous.

A clerk came quietly to our table and said “Subir Dutta ka board hai”. Not all were amused by his name. Within minutes we found out he was a retired IAS, former defense secretary, and was ‘not very friendly’.

I was third to be interviewed. My heart was beating fast. I went near my chair and wished them Good Morning, wishing the lady member first. (It was a five member board with one lady member, let them be M1, M2, M3 and M4)

Subir Dutta: Sit down Mr. Anurag
Anurag: Thank you sir (Adapts an imposed smile on his face and gives a smile to all the members. They all have stern expressions)

Subir Dutta: So Mr. Anurag you have done B. Tec in Mechanical Engg. from ……. (I take it as a cue for prompting)
Anurag : IIT Kanpur Sir

Subir Dutta: You got this Outstanding B. Tech project award, what was it.
Anurag : Explains it in brief and turns his head (somewhat like a table fan) to meet the eyes of all members

Subir Dutta: You have worked for six months in Asian Paints, why did you leave
Anurag: Sir I always wanted to come for civil services but I wanted to get some work experience before coming here.

Subir Dutta: (looks interested) Why do you want to come to civil services?
Anurag: Sir I learnt a lot in my engineering but I felt that my field is getting narrowed. I wanted to work not only among machines but also among human beings. Civil services offer an opportunity to work directly among people. Apart from this, it is a wonderful career opportunity with a motivation of working for the society.

Subir Dutta: And you also got this summer training scholarship form University of Stuttgart?
Anurag : Yes sir.

Subir Dutta: When was it and for how long?
Anurag: I explain…

M2: So how did you go?
Anurag: Sir it was by Turkish airlines. I went to Istanbul and then to Stuttgart.

M2: Oh, so you did not take the traditional route from Frankfurt. This route must be cheaper.
Anurag: Yes sir, this was the reason (a smile comes on my face)

M2: OK, what is the distance between Stuttgart and Frankfurt?
Anurag: I think 200 km.

M2: Stuttgart and Berlin?
Anurag: nearly 400 km

M2: Stuttgart and Bonn?
Anurag: nearly 400 km

M2: Stuttgart and Hungary?
Anurag: nearly 400 km.

Subir Dutta: Mr. Anurag what are your 16th and 17th preference of services?
Anurag: Sir they are IFS and IPS. I gave them this preference because I do not want to enter these.

Subir Dutta: Why?
Anurag: Sir I have some family commitments and it shall be difficult for me to stay abroad for longer durations.
I did not fill IPS because I felt I do not have the right kind of temperament needed to be an IPS officer. I tried to know more about this service but I was not convinced. I felt if I still filled it, I shall be dishonest with myself and the service (this was a well rehearsed answer)

Subir Dutta: What is the total Income tax collected?
Anurag: Sorry sir, I don’t know

Subir Dutta: (with a small sarcastic smile) I felt you did so much research while filling the service preferences, you would be knowing it.
Anurag : (tries to maintain a smile on his face)

Subir Dutta gestures other members to ask their questions

M2: Mr. Anurag, IIT’s were made to do some good research but that task has not been achieved what do you say?
Anurag: Yes sir, this may partially be true. IIT’s were made primary for research but over the years it has been felt that the outcome is not as expected. The number of undergraduates is twice that that of postgraduates, and IIT’s could not attract students primarily for research purpose

M2: Do you think there is Brain Drain?
Anurag: May be 20 years before there was, but not now.

M2: Define Brain Drain
Anurag: I define it

M2: But we are using technologies invented in west. So where is this brain drain?
Anurag: Yes sir that’s a valid point of view and we may also see things like this


Subir Dutta: Mr. Anurag, I forgot to ask you one question. Some persons come to me with a BE degree some come with a B. Tech degree. What is the difference?
Anurag: I explain (I had expected this so I gave the answer I found on internet)

Subir Dutta: (not very satisfied by my answer) What is the difference between engineering and technology?
Anurag: Sorry sir, I do not know the literal difference.

M3: Mr. Anurag, what is the temperament needed to be an IPS officer.
Anurag: It shall be very difficult to define the temperament sir; it was more of a feeling. I tried to know more about the service but I was not convinced.

M3: So what did you try to know?
Anurag: I read about IPS officers who had made name. I found that they all wanted to be in police from the beginning. Reverse was the case with me.

M3: And?
Anurag: I have also done NCC for one year

M3: and you did not like it?
Anurag: No sir, I liked and it was a very good experience. But something similar to this as a career preference. I feel my priorities lie somewhere else.

M3: Mr. Anurag, we have these revenue services. But research has shown that 90% taxes are collected in pre assessment stage itself. These services help only in collecting 10% taxes. Why we should not abolish these services?
Anurag: (I have no idea what to say) Sir but these services must be providing talented human resources which must be used for that pre assessment collection.

M3: In a way repeats his question
Anurag: Sir I was unaware of this fact…..

M3: Yes it is a fact; government of India’s white paper has said this.
Anurag: (I smile) May be sir even this 10% that these services collect is very important for the nation.

M3: (he also starts smiling) Ok

M4: Recently online degrees have been started by IIT’s. What is your opinion about them?
Anurag: I support this by saying now the reach of education can be improved.

M4: Do you know any other western university doing this
Anurag: No sir, I specifically do not know, but many must be doing it.

M4: MIT is doing it. Where is MIT?
Anurag: Boston

M4: Yes Boston, Massachusetts.

M2: Anurag, you have seen education system in Germany and India. What difference did you observe?
Anurag: Sir education is free there, and government is trying to attract students from all over the world as their population is declining.

M2: What else?
Anurag: I can’t remember anything else sir.

M2: They focus more on technical education.
Anurag: Yes sir

M1: What do you know about “Specific Energy policy of India”
Anurag: (I had never heard about it) Madam I do not know exactly what this is but I can tell about it.

M1: (she nods)
Anurag: I tell all major things about energy, from power sector reforms to diversification to non conventional energy sources.

M1: Do you think Jatropa farming is successful
Anurag: Yes maam (I explain with certain problems involved)

M2: What is virtual university?
Anurag: (I could have easily guessed it but….) Sir may I guess??

M2: No, tell only if you know for sure.
Anurag: Sorry sir I do not know.

M3: Mr. Anurag the services you want to enter are the most corrupt services. What will you do to curb corruption?
Anurag: I explain by specially mentioning to use technology.

M3: (with a smile) Use technology and problem would be solved?
Anurag: Not sir (with a smile) but use technology more often, it will help.


Subir Dutta: Ok Anurag, you can go now.


I thanked everyone, but I do not remember them smiling back at me. They all looked busy in themselves and I came out. All this happened in just 25 minutes!

I had this strange feeling, I did not think it went very good, I did not think it went bad. I was confident; I was smiling, so I am satisfied by my performance.

This was a big mistake. I truly miscalculated my performance in the interview. But all that ends well is well.

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #34

I had my interview on 13th of april.I got up early in the morning at 5 o clock.My god i was feeling sick.I had a bad stomach and i thought that number 13 is working at full throttle.Anyhow i gulped down few pills and everthing got fine.I wore a white shirt,blue trouser and a matching tie.I reached at upsc 15 mins before 9.As i entered the waiting room,candidates already sitting there gave me a gud news that i will be the first one to be interviewed.My heart was racing faster than F1 cars.However i started interacting with the candidates and and became normal.Soon i was told that i will be interviewed by Mrs Chokila iyer.Few minutes later call of destiny came and i followed the peon.He aked me to wait outside the room.While i was waiting outside i was trying to get familiar with the surroundings.Then the bell rang and i went inside.The lady sitting as the chairman gave a benign look and smiled a bit. I greeted her first and then the other members.I sat on the chair when asked by madam.

ch-ok,mr jyoti ,is cooking ur hobby

j- yes mam c-what do u cook

j-north indian vegeterian food

c-what is the status of food processing industries in india

j-food pr ind are in nascent stage and they are taking up .in our country only 1.3% of total produce is getting processed whereas in developed countries it is around 80%

c-is food pr essential

j-yes mam

c-why

j-because in our country 25% of total produce is getting wasted .fp can help in reducing the wastage and it will also enhance the nutritional aspects of food.

c-can u tell me something about wheat procurement by private players

j-mam,in states like punjab and rajasthan APMC act has been modified which allows the private players to procure directly from the farmers.Many companies like itc,cargill,glencore are already procuring wheat from farmers.Farmers are getting better prices.

c-has it also improved the quality of wheat production?

j-yes mam

mam tells other member to start

m1-jyoti,do u play cricket

j-no sir,i used to play

m1-why

j-sir,i do not get enough time

m1-what do u do

j-sir i study

m1-ok in today’s newspaper a news has come about inflation

j-yes sir,govt has allowed import of 1.5 mt of pulses to contain inflation.

m1- good,what other measures have been taken

j- i sited all the measures..demand,fiscal and supply

m1-how repo rates contain inflation

j- sir increase in repo rate mops up extra liqidity from the market and it leads to reduction in demand as cost of money increases.

m1-there was something about wto in todays newpaper

j-yes sir,g4 countries,us eu india and brazil have decided to conclude doha talks by year end.

m1-was it g4 or g6

j-sir times of india was mentioning g4 whereas in hindu it was g6

m1-ok ok,what are the major issues of talk

j-agricultural subsidies and nama

m1-what is full form of nama

j-non agricultural market access

m1- does india subsidise its agriculture

j-yes sir

m1-why we always accuse US not india for giving subsidies

j-sir in wto there is a aggrement on agriculture which allows us to subsidise our agri upto 10% of total agri production while for US it is 5%.our subsidy is around 3-4% while in case of US it is around 25-30%.thatswhy it is an issue in context of US.

m2-are subsidies justified

j-yes sir but they should be better targeted.those people who actually need it ,they are not getting at upto an extent they are expected to get.

m2-but subsidy is a drain on exche..

j-sir,govt also has a social responsibility

m2-what is the subsidy on cooking gas

j-sir if u allow me ,i can make a guess

m2-guess

j-90

m2-its more than that.why govt is giving subsidy on coking gas

j-sir govt is targetting poor

m2-but rich are also getting it

j-sir the more a person is poor more of his income is spent on food.thus this affects poor in a big way.

m2-have u heard about corporate social responsibilty

j-yes ir

m2-what is it

j-sir,corporates have a social responsibilty and they should spend a part of their profit towards social development.

m2-give some examples

j-tatas have opened hospitals in different parts of our country

m2-give some other example

j-sir i was working with eicher motors and they have opened a school in alwar.they are also running an eye hospital named as shroff

eye hospital in delhi.

m2-tell me about river interlinking

j-i answered in detail(asked about env impact)

m2-what are life style diseases

j-cardiovascular diseases,hypertension,cancer

m2-how cancer

j-sir carcionogens in our food can induce cancer.further smoking,chewing tobbacco can cause cancer.

m3-he asked a lot of factual objective type questions on geography

most of which were answered by me.however he was interrupted in between by mrs chokila iyer after which 4th member started asking questions

m4-tell me about three diseases caused by mosquitos in india

j-malaria,dengue,chikungunya which recently broke out in southern states

m4-do we have any malaria eradication programme

j-yes sir

m4-what are the major components

j-sir i am not aware about all the components but one major component is spraying ddt to conatin mosquito breeding

m4-what are the ill effects of ddt

j-biomagnification,it enters in our food chain and adversely affect our health.

m4-is use of ddt justified

j-sir we should strike a balance between its useful and harmful effects.Further we can use innovative methods to contain mosquito breeding.I read somewhere that in us they have bred a mosquito which is impoten.such biological methods can be used to contain mosquito breeding.

m4-is it so

m4-why sachin was in news for reasons other than cricket

j-sorry sir,i am not aware

(he gave me a hint.i was not able to recall.ch says,he may not have read.)

m4-ok why narayan murthi was in news

j- i explained

m4-ok in which campus did this happen,was it bangalore

j-sorry sir i am not aware

m4-tell me about tata corus deal

j- i explained but did a mistake.i told that after merger tata has become second largest steel producer.

m4-u are using tata.which company of tata has acquired corus

j-sir tata sons

m4-it is tata steel,how much steel does it produce

j- if u allow me i can make a guess

m4-sure

j-12mmt

m4-no its less than that.how much steel does india produce

j-around 35 mmt

m4- and china

j- around 300 mmt

m4- compare indian and chinese economy

j-both are growing at decent rates .indian economy is more open in comparision to china.china has been able to improve its infrastructure however infrastructure remains a bottleneck for our economy.

china has also done well in manu sector where we are still lagging.

m4- tell about quantum of fdi in china and india

j-it is $60 bn for china and $5 bn per annum for india.sezs have performed very well in china

m4-ok if india has to catch up china ,what should we do

j-massive development of infrastructure

m4-what are the components of infrastructue

j- power-we are facing a serious power crisis

telecom-we are on the right path

roads

ports

dams

m4-ok jyoti ,your interview is over

ch- thank you mr jyoti,(with a big smile)

my best wishes are with you

i stood up,stepped back,greeted the board and walked out with confidence

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #33

interview with dr.bhure lal,'s board

1.why do you want to switch over from medical field to civils?

2.what is h5n1?

3.india ki imr(infant mortality)who figures

4.malnutrition rate

5.tb prevalence and mortality from it.

he asked only factual questions.

baaki general questions are

6.views on mpd 2021

7.vision 2020(specific points)

8.how can budget lead to more transparency and accountability

9.why should we choose you and not others?

10.complementarity btw thw subjects you have chosen?

11.should hiv+ individuals be purged from the army?

rest were on state and place of schooling,not fact based but general.interview lasted for about 20 mins.and can anyone also tell me how is dr.bhure lal with marks?

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #32

33. Remya (CSPUBAD)

3rd May, Afternoon session(contd)

optionals: Public Administraiton, English Literature

Background:MBA

Hobbies:Free lance journalism on womens issues, Writing English Poetry

I was the third to be interviewed in the afternoon..

Board: Bhure Lal

C’Person: Welcome,Remya, Sit Down.

Me: Thank You Sir

C’person: So you are an MBA?

Me:Yes, Sir

C’person: Are you working now?

Me: No, sir I am self-employed.

CP: I see, what do you do?

Me: I run an online business.

CP: Oh, do tell me about it

Me: (Explained the details)

CP: I really need to learn about these online things. Can I join you? (Laughs)

Me: definitely Sir.

CP: So, Remya, your Optional is Public Administration, tell me about the 73rd and 74th amendment acts.

Me: I explain

CP: You say you write on womens issues as a free lance journalist. What are the provisions in these acts for women?

CP:Speaking of reservation for women, what is your stand on the issue?

Me: I am personally against it(explained my reasons)

CP:do not let the ladies hear you(laughs)

CP:So ,if not reservation, then what else can empower women, how would you go about it?

I explained a three-pronged systematic approach for the same.

CP: What are the three categories of the ration system?

Me: APL, BPL and I do not recollect the 3rd, sir

CP: It is antyodaya…do you know what antyodaya means?

Me: The poorest of the poor

CP:explains the term in detail.So what in your view can be done is a state like Punjab which is very different from a place like yours(kerala) .

Me: I explained the low sex ratio in Punjab, causes of the same and ways to tackle it.

CP:Is kerala self-sufficient in food grains?

Me: No, kerala is a consumerist state, food grains are grown only on a small scale.The main crops of kerala are cash crops like cashew, rubber,pepper etc.

M1:Who is the president of India?

How is the president elected?

What value do the votes of the MP’s/MLA’s of different states have in the presidential election?

Does the value of the vote of an MLA from UP and Kerala have the same weightage?

How can the president be impeached?

How is the vice-president elected?

M2: Kerala is so forward on most indices of human development, but there are temples where women are not allowed,why?

I spoke about the problems at sabarimala, where recently a controversy erupted on the issue.

What kind of music does Mr.Yesudas sing?classical or Hindustani?

Why do Christians in kerala have a grudge against him?

M3: name 3 women leaders of the world.

I named ellen Johnson sirleaf, Portia simpson miller and Helen Clarke

M3: what about women in our neighbourhood?

I names Khaleda Zia

M3:the developing world has had so many women leaders.why is it that a powerhouse such as the USA doesn’t have a president yet?sociological reasons?

M3:there is a view that prostitution must be legalized.what is your view?

I mentioned that I had written many articles in the media regarding the topic and I was against legalization.i mentioned the failure of the experiment in Sweden and reasons for the same.

M3:What is the reason for high unemployment is kerala? How would you tacke it as a govt official?

M4: What are the indiced of underdevelopment? What is HDI?components of HDI? He explained the additional aspects of underdevelopment to me.

M4:What are the qualities you would look for in your subordinate as an officer?

I mentioned two qualities:sensitivity to needs of beneficiary and efficiency

M4: suppose you have two subordinates: one efficient and corrupt, other inefficient and honest, wich one would you keep and why?If you had to deal with both, then how would you do it?

CM: ok, Remya.I hope you are not planning to become a politician…

Me: Not at the moment, sir..

Everybody laughs..

CM: You will make a very good leader…

Me: Thank You sir…

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #31

32. Pallavi singh

Varanasi, UPPCS officer

Hindi Medium

hi everybody

i hv my interview on 24 april in Mr.Bhurelal Board.

questions were like firing......

when i entered chaiman welcomed me n tell me to sit.then the firing started.

Q1.why the shift frm B.Sc to M.A Hindi

Q2.what is pds system who r the categories which r befited.

Q3.what is the rate in antyoday anna yojna.

Q4.i use to say'shayad'as i was not very conform then the chairman asked me ki shayad kyu bolti ho?

Q5.then the next member asked what is poverty line n wat is the criteria n standards.

Q.wat is per capita income of up,what is standard of poverty line in up.

Q.wat do u understand by PPP.wat is difference on poverty concept betweeb india n usa.

Q.u hv studied hindi literature.then 'abla jeevan hi tumhari yahi kahani'who hv written this.then they started confusing me.but i was dermined on my answer.

Q.surdas kis ras ke kavi hai..

ANS.i replied..vatsalya n shringar..then they say that ki tumhe shringar kaha dikhta hai..i replied ki surdas ka bhramargeet aur gopi uddhav prasang viyog shringar ka sarvottam udaharan hai.

Q.veer ras ki kavita.and prithviraj.then they asked me abt the place where the battle of tarayi take place.i replied it is near delhi then they argued that it is in afghanistan then i stick to my ans that this place is near dehi as i dont know the exact location.

Q.what is krishi beema yojna.wat is major flaw in this .how will u use right to information in it.

Qwhat is major hazzard in use of rti.

Q.what is major reason of suicide of garmers in vidarbh.

Q.abt chandra babu naidu....n his failure in election.

Q.abt bhumi program of karnatka n i said sorry as i didnt knew abt this program.

Q.then the lady member took me n asked abt varanasi n ustad bismillah khan.n said me that if i dont know the exact answer abt why he is called as the momento of hindu muslim ekta i would not hv to reply..thenn i replied abt mangla arti n music of ustad during that arti.

Q.then again chairman asked me that while u were sitting outside what did u saw.what is the no.of his room.

then again mr. chairman asked me that whose room is located beside his room.....this was the most interesting part of my interview.....as i was luckly observing these things when i was waiting outside.

Q.then again madam took me n asked abt reservation n controversy abt it ,the view of supreme court.wat is my view n wat is view on women reservation.

Q.then again abt varanasi.she asked me ki agar main vns aaoo to aap hume kaha ghomayengi.

then they said me to go.

n this is how i faced their firing n bombarding.

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #30

31. Samrat Rahi

INTERVIEW

30th April 2007 at 9.00 AM My interview was scheduled….After all the paper formalities..it started at 12.20 PM …It was Suvir Dutta's Board!

SD:You are from Bilaspur…

Me:No Sir My parents are from Bilaspur…Right Now they are in Ambikapur!

SD:where it is?

Me:Near to Bilaspur!

SD:You are from Delhi College Of Engg..

Me:Yes

SD:What was Your subject…

Me:Computer Science

SD:Whats Computer Science..?

Me: Its Science of Computation with the help of computer system!

SD: You were In IBM global Services…What U were doing there…

Me: Sir I was in Testing Depts. was writing and reviewing the test cases done by Test lead.

SD:I am not able to understand ..Please make it simple!

Me: Sir in software …there is coding and testing…suppose as our client was US-HSBC so the software is very similar to ICICI bank use here… So for that coding is done and after that in testing we check the codes are right or not…

SD:How do u check them..?

Me:logically or with help of software..

SD: When Chattisgarh was created…

Me: 1st Nov 2000

SD: The other states that were created on same time..

Me: Jharkhand and Uttrakhand then Uttranchal…

SD: At present the demand is for???

Me: Harit Pradesh..telangana..Vidarbha…

SD: Whats the reson behind telangana..

Me: I m not sure but I feel…the utilization of resourses...farmer's problem…lack of infrastructure

SD: On what basis a state should be made…

Me: If there are adequate resourses to run the govt..

SD: what is Executive Accountability..

Me: I am not getting you sir;

SD: Executive is accountable to…?

Me: Parliament

SD: legislative is accountable to..

Me: People of India..

SD:Why?

Me: Becoz people chose them…

SD: Judiciary is accountable to-

Me: Constitution ..

SD: Constitution is just a book…

Me: there are various laws and legislation specified for working of judiciary…

SD: If judiciary is not accountable to then…

Me: there is provision for check and balance…

SD: what is difference between economic growth and development..

Me: Sir, economic growth is related to GDP where as development is a broader aspects than economics…In India these days the economic growth is only concentrated to metros and big cities and large part of population is deprived of it….

SD: How development can be measured..

Me: Sir,…Quality of life….Human Development index..

SD: So u know about human development index…

SD: You are working in IBM global services..

Me: No sir I left it..

SD: when did u leave..

Me: Sir Around 15th October 2006

SD: So u have one year of job experience..

SD: Right now where r u n what u r doing?

Me: Sir I m in my native town..and I m Reading literature…writing poetries..

SD: after leaving job what u were doing…

Me: I came to delhi for mains preparation..

SD: why Delhi?

Me: Sir the place where I live is a remote area and news papers n magazine reach there after a day or two for eg. HINDU

SD:your graduation subject is not there in UPSC optionals ?

Me: No Sir…

SD: Why did u choose political science?

Me: Sir I was interested in nationals and international affairs …n being a student of science …I was not knowing much about government and how our political system is running that a civil servant should know!

1st Member:U r interested in cricket…

Me: yes Sir

1st Member:Y did India lose in world cup?

Me: Sir So many reasons are responsible for that..Mental Strength,Team-Co-ordination and also the poor performance of players…And I think Cricket is an unpredicatable game..win and loss are two aspects of game…So only one match played a decisive role that was of India-Bangladesh..becoz India-Srilanka was a 50-50 game !

1st Member:: So you don't give credit to Bangladesh…

Me: Ofcourse Sir …Bangladesh played well n v played bad…

1st Member:Don't u think physical fitness is also a reason…

Me: yes Sir ..

1st Member: Name 5 players who should not be in the team on the basis of physical fitness..

Me: Sir…Sachin Tendulkar…Saurav Ganguly…Zaheer Khan…and if we consider form and fitness both virendra sehwag should also be not there and anil kumble..

1st Member: What about Irfan Pathan…

Me: Yes Sir…But I feel a lot of cricket is left in him …

1st Member: Some time back Zaheer khan had poor physical fitness …but after a year when he came back …he improved a lot …so this should be done with Irfan Pathan should also ..

Me: Yes sir…

1st Member: what should be done to improve Indian cricket…

Me: Selection procedure should be more transparent and talents should be explored from rural areas…village level cricketers should represent state ..then national players should be selected....regionalism is also there..it should be removed!

1st Member: Don't you think there are two many teams playing in Ranji Trophy?

Me: yes Sir..In Australia there are only six teams …we should reduce the no of teams ..

1st Member: U write poetries…So what kind of poetries u write..

Me: Sir I write poetries that relate to emotions and sensibility of the people..

I also write on social issues like …female exploitation and poverty..

1st member: How can u sense the sensibility of people at such a young age..

Me: Sir I started writing when I was in 9th-10th and I was aware of the isssues in my surrounding…when I came to delhi in 2001 I saw the two diverse form of life is existing here..at one side there is ansal plaza where the best form of life is life available and on the other side there is long queue of beggars ..where the life at its horrible form is present there!

1st Member:Do U watch movies on similar subjects..

Me: Sir..I watch movies that emotionally or intellectually satisfy me.

1st member: Any movie on social issue ..you have seen last..

Me : Sir Traffic Signal ….it was on the problem of beggars..

1st Member:: Have u seen water?

Me: Yes Sir…

1st Member:What kind of movie this is…

Me: Sir …movie intellectually satisfies me…it is on the problems of widows and their exploitation ..

1st member: the issue is very relevant…

Me: yes sir …it depicts the problems of past …

1st Member: No ..actually media don't show these things these days…

1st Member: Have u seen NAMESAKE..

Me:Yes Sir..

1st Member:Who is the author of it?

Me: Jhumpa Lahiri…

1st Member:Have u seen Veer-zara..

Me: Yes Sir..

1st Member:What kind of movie is this..

Me: Its basically an emotional drama..

1st Member:Its light movie?

Me: Yes Sir..it creates larger than life pictures..

1st Member: It has some melodious songs!

Me: Yes Sir…

1st Member:Do you hear songs also..

Me: Yes Sir..

1st Member:In radio?

Me: No sirr…

1st Member:In TV?

Me: No Sir…Actually v don't have access to these!

1st Member:there are so many new things in radio..Vividh bharti has also FM..Dont u hear?

Me: No Sir..

1st Member: You were part of any NGO also?

Me: No Sir but at school level we took part in activities like tree plantation!

2nd Member:Your second preference is IFS why?

Me: Sir My one of the subject is political science and I m interested in diplomatic things and foreign affairs…

2nd Member:As a DM of a district in bihar what will be ur priorties?

Me: Sir First of all I'll try to understand the need and resources of the area..then I'll try to understand the expectations of people there..I 'll not attach myself personally or emotionally to the issues…I'll work according to the rules or guidelines or constitution …I'll try for the development of the area!

2nd Member:Your subject is international relations..

Me: No sir…Political Sciene

2nd Member: yes Political science and international relations..

2nd Member: Name one of the India's closet ally n most bitter ally..

Me: Sir…the need of the hour is US but if we see the history of the foeign affairs its Russia!( He didn't give me the time for bitter ally)

2nd Member:Who is the author of magna-carta of Indian foreign affairs?

2nd Member:The book is not on foreign affairs ..a major part of the book deals with foreign affairs..

Me: Artha-Shashtra..

2nd Member:Who wrote it…kautilya or chankaya?

Me: Both are the name of same person!

2nd Member: same person?

Me: Yes..Kautilya ,Chankaya and Vishnugupta are the name of same person!

3rd Member:(She was a lady and by mistake at first I called her Sir)

3rd Member:You have done your schooling from Holy cross English medium school?

Me: No ma'm Holy Cross Convent School!

3rd Member: Yes…So your education was in English medium then Why u opted hindi medium for this examination?

Me: Ma'm My primary education was in Hindi Medium and to express my internal feelings ……..and hidden things ..I feel Hindi more comfortable!

3rd Member: U were Cultural Sec…what kind of events you were participating..

Me: Poetry, essay, elocutions, debate…various form of dances..and some skits also; basically I was engaged in organizing events…

3rd Member: What kind of events?

Me: Same Events….

3rd Member: When u were graduating who was the VC of DU?

Me: (After a thought ) Deepak Parikh.

3rd Member : Deepak Parikh?

Me: No ma'm Deepak pental!

3rd Member…He is current VC…who was in 2005?

Me: Sorry ma'm I don't know!

3rd Member: Mr.Nayyar!Do u know what he is?

Me: No ma'm I don't know!

3rd member: He is an economist!

4TH member: U are a software engineer.. what u were doing in testing/what is testing?

Me: Sir In testing we were checking the errors in coding!

4TH member:What are the parts of any project..

Me: Sir Coding ,maintainance and testing!

4TH member :what is software maintainance?

Me: Sir for the smooth running of SW it needed!

( He added so many ifs n buts n asked one more term related to SW I said sorry sir)

4TH member:Whats Software reliability n software validity?

Me: Sir I don't know the terms exactly but I can interpret acc to the terms..

4TH member : yes..

Me: Sir Software validity is the expiry time of the software after which it needs some modifications or improvement to sustain with existing new technology…and software reliability is whether it is performing the task for which it is meant!

4TH member: Ok to some extent……right..

4TH member: How can IT be useful in governance?

Me: Sir, in the formulation and implementation of govt policies IT can be helpful to reach people and to satisfy their requirements…in bringing transparency..speedy assessment of files and in removing red-tapisim it can be powerful tool! To bring inclusive growth and to remove corruption it can also help!

4th Member : how can u help as software engineer?

Me: Sir in improving the quality in software –hardware purchase and with my knowledge I can implement new thing in improving the quality of life!

J There were so many pause ….sentence were fractured and in all the questions were I was having 1 percent doubt I added…Sir I m not sure…but I feel/think……………..

IAS 2006 Interview Transcripts #29

30. CS PUBAD

Electronix Engg.

4th attempt

"My Interview was in the afternoon session.

I reached UPSC at around 1 pm. It was really a proud moment when I

entered the UPSC hall. It was my final attempt with the UPSC and

the first opportunity to appear in the interview. Predictably I was a

bit nervous but on my way to the Commission my fiancée and my

friend helped me to be confident. Inside the hall I got to know

that I was to be interviewed by Subir Dutta's board.

There were five members in the board, including the chairman.

The third member was a lady. After entering the room, I wished the

ma'm first and then to the other members. My interview started as I

took the seat.

CM: So, You are an electronics engg.?

Me: Yes Sir.

CM: What's the difference between electronics engg and electrical

engg.?

Me: Sir,In electronics,we deal with very less ammount of current

in the circuit.

CM: that's very technical..how do you explain it to a layman?

Me: I faltered..tried to explain something but he was not convinced.

CM: Ok what is the magnitude of the current in an electronics

circuit?

Me: Of the order of micro ampiers.

CM: And in electrical circuit?

Me: In ampiers

CM: Ok..you have worked in the IT field for 2 years.

Me: Yes sir

CM: what was your role over there?

Me: Software programmer

CM: then why did you leave your job?

Me: Sir,I feel that I could realise my potential better in civil

services.

CM: So,suddenly you realised this?

Me: No sir,i had this idea of joining CS from my college days.But

it got concretised when I joined my job.I found my job monotonous

and I thought that CS would provide diverse job profile.

CM:(Not very much convinced)Every one gives the same answer.

CM:Ok tell me..do u agree that southern states are doing better

than the northern states.If yes,then why?

Me:Yes sir,I do believe that southern states are doing better as

compared to their northern counterparts.This is primarily due to

better governance in these states.

CM:But I think these states are developing due to private

industries and and the role of govt has reduced over a period of

time.

Me:Sir,the govt has provided the conducive envnt for the pvt

sector to grow.It has better utilised the human resourses.

CM:But govt in these states are also corrupt.Farmers are committing

suicides.people are fighting for water.

Me: Sir these issues relating to regional disparity and income

disparity are there but when compared to the northern states

southern states are better governed.

CM:(In a bit aggressive mood)leave aside north india,tellme about

south only..are these states good governed.Any way leave it..(Asks

other member to proceed)

M1:tell me which branch of mathematics you used in electronics?

Me:(after pondering)calculus,boolean algebra..

M1:and..

Me: sorry sir ,cant recollect its long back

M1:u must have used fourier transforms

Me :yes sir

M1:you had geography optional,what is a geoid?

Me:Sir,the unique shape of the earth,which is not exactly

spherical but bulging from side is called as geoid.

M1:what would be the age of the the earth?

Me:Sir,I dont remember exactly..it is some billions of years.

M1:how does temperature vary as you go up in the atmosphere?

Me:In the troposhere it decreases and..(he interrupts me)

M1:what is the heigth of the troposphere?

Me:around 80 km(I was wrong)

M1:what is the rate of temperature variations?

Me:I gave some value which was incorrect.

M1:ok tell me..how do oceans become saline?

Me:due to presence of minerals

M1:Where from these minrals come?

Me:Sir,they are brought about by the rivers.

M1:any other source?

Me:also from erosion of ocean bottom.

M1:what is the unit of measuring salinity?

Me:g/cm3

M1:its ppm

M1:What would be the difference between the most saline areas and

least saline area of the earth?

Me:Sir ,cant recollect

M1:10 times,20 times 100 times.

Me: sorry sir,cant make a guess.

M1:Ok tell me any part of the world where there is very high salinity.Me:Dead sea

M1;where is it?

Me:It's in Jordon

M1:Any other country surrounding it?

Me:Israel

M1:there is one more country.

Me;Syria

M1:right ..(asks the lady member M2 to proceed)

M2;From organizations point of view what is meant by market

orientation?

Me:It means the organization should have autonomy in making its

decision and it should

Be held accountable for that.

M2:what else?

Me:gave some examples..autonomy in personnel matters..in investment

decision ..no govt intervention.

M2:what is the reason of recent turnaround of Indian railways?

M3:IR took various new measured such as increasing the capacity of

wagons,e-ticketing,given greater autonomy.Moreover the economy is

doing good..so railways also is benefiting from high growth.

M2:How does increasing wagons capacity helped railways?

Me: It has enabled railways to get more revenue.

M2:There was some discussion going on relating to challenges

before IT sector in India today enclave recently.wht was that?

Me:Sorry ma'm I didn't follow the enclave.

M2:Ok wht do you think are the challenges..

Me:I explained some..but she interrupts..

M2: I am asking at the world level.

Me:tried to explain something but that was not what she wanted to

ask.

M2:Wht is the total food prodn of the country and whether wheats

prodn is more or rices?

Me:its about 210 mt and wheat's share is more.

M2:How can IT help in improving admin.?

Me: The use of IT can make the admn more open transparent and more

accountable.

M2;But how? Give some expmple

Me: eg. In MP,Gyandoot project has used IT to upgrade and computer

ize the land records which are accessible to farmers very easily.

M2:(asks other member M3 to proceed)

M3:In public admin wht is meant by delegation of authority?

Me: A higher officials transfers some of its responsibility to its

subordinate..this is delegation.

M3:How long it can take place?

Me:(couldn't understand the qn properly)..as long as the job is

with the higher official.

M3:give some example in Indian admnMe: L&O is DMs responsibility..Since he is overburdened..he can

transfer some of L&O responsibility such as inspection of jails to SDM.

M3:What is the relevance of Rajya sabha in current scenaroio?

Me:Some academic minded person and intelligentia may not take part

in poll politics..they can enter parliament through RS

M3:this is oft repeated reason..give some more..

Me:specially in the coalition era,the opinion of the states are

better represented through RS in the legislation making process.

M3:Should a minister come from RS?wht are constitutional provision

related to this?

Me:There is as such no bar for a RS member to become minister.

M3:there is a rider in the constitution related to this.

Me:Pardon me sir!

M3:there is a time period..

Me:6 months sir.

M3:Wht is the difference between zila parishad and district admn.

Me: the former consists of elected representatives while the

latter consists of permanent officials.

M3:Any other difference.

Me:(It didn't click me at that time)..

M3(asks M4 to proceed)

M4:what is the delimitation of the constituency?

Me;I explained

M4:who is responsible for that?

Me:Election commission.

M4 :what is the role of the states in this?

Me: they provide the data.

M4: Why so many foreign tourists are attracted to Varanasi..

There is no such thing as tajmahal in Varanasi.

Me: Varanasi being one of the oldest cities of the world.People

are attracted by its unique culture, architecture and specially

the serene atmosphere on the bank of Ganges.

M4:But the Ganges has become polluted as well.

Me: Yes sir

M4:Wht are the reasons?

Me: sewerage, people taking bath,industrial effluents.

M4:but these things are there everywhere..

Me:yes..but due to high population ganges in Varanasi is more affected.

M4:even Kanpur has high population..

Me: ya there too Ganges is polluted..moreover Varanasi has a very

high population density.

M4:What steps would you suggest to industrially develop eastern UP?

Me:Some industries have high potential e.g tourism(he interrupt

M4:How would you promote tourism in UP?

Me:wee need to take many steps such as improving the infrastructure.

M4:infrastructure is very vague..be more specific.

Me: We need to improve the condition of the roads..its hishly

congested and dirty. Tourist don't carry good image of the roads of

the city.

M4:What else.

Me: Varanasi needs to be marketed through the use of some catchy

slogan on the lines of Incredible India..

M4 Do you really think these slogans work?You remember few years

ago there was a slogan called `India Shining'

Me: Sir that was a political slogan. In order to promote tourism..

it needs to be marketed. So, it's a good idea to use slogans.

M4:Ok I am going to ask you a last qn..how to reduce political

interference in administration?

Me: Sir,there are various ways such as fixing the tenure of

the higher officials,setting up a board for transfer and posting of

govt servants.

M4:But state govt are not going to be ready for all these. So as an

individual wht would you do?

Me: Sir, it depends on the integrity of the individual. If he feels

that certain order given by a politician is against the spirit of the

constitution or any law, he can refuse to oney it.

CM: Ok,your interview is over ,you can go.thank you.

Me:(a bit surprised over such a sudden finish)..thank you ma'm ,thank

you sir

It's difficult to exactly assess my performance as the response of the

interview panel was very neutral. I am waiting for the final result.

Much depends on the written marks as well.

Till then the fingers are crossed.