UPSC Interview transcripts

Interview Date: 20 Jan
Board Name: Shri Sheel Vardhan ji Sir
Attempt: 6th (Last) Attempt, 4 mains, 1st Interview
DAF points: NIT Allahabad, Hockey, Hindi Poetry, Travelling, Hitchhiking, Teaching

Chairman sir - Read out my daf.
- Land records me corruption ho rahe hai digital record hone ke baad bhi. Kya kaise manage kar sakte hai?
- Long discussion on digital record. Loopholes still persists. Challenges etc
- caste based conflict still prevelant ?
- changes suggest on UP Land revenue code ?
- Why NIT Allahabad and Not NIT Prayagraj ?
- Process of dakhil kharij.

1st Member
- Area in which ISRO excel NASA?
- Why no human landing on moon after 1972?
- what you teach?
- teaching is a noble profession. Do you believe this point hold true in todays world?
- Imagine you are teaching maths to us and all of us have different understanding level. Then how will you make sure we understand your concept?
- we always neglect rote learning but in civil services you must have rote learn many thing. So it means civil services don't select intellectual and learned person ?

2nd Member
- NEP 2020 promote hockey. how ?
- some trick shots in hockey.
- AFSPA continues to be subject of debate ?
- militarization of Indian Ocean. Can do more harm than good ?

3rd Member
- Recite any poem of Subhadra Kumari Chauhan.
- Why you choose this poem ?
- Hindi poety loosing its significane? Why hindi poet not as famous as eng poet even in India?
- question on No detention policy

4th Member
- how you promote tourism in your district. (then he said you are engineering. its good to see you are using technology)
- Hitchhiking india me hoti bhi hai? (then laughed)
- How India balance its energy demands with climate commitments?
- Since this is your last cse attempt and 1st interview. Looking back if you had known that it would take you 6 attempts to reach the interview stage would you still have attempted this exam?

Chairman Sir- Thank you, Your interview is over.


My Experience - For me it is literally once a lifetime opportunity. Board members were very cordial and supportive. No grilling. Initially thoda nervous tha kyuki ye mera last attempt hai lekin 1-2 questions ke baad sab thik ho gaya.


Mock Interview - Multiple mocks (almost 12) forum, nextias, samkalp, vajiram, vajirao, chanayka. Sabhi mocks thik the. Forum me mujhse factual zyada puche gaye wohi samkalp aur vajiram me opinion based. Real interview me questions se zyada waha ka mahul alag hota hai isiliye mocks kabhi real interview ko mimic nahi kar payega.


One to One with Ravindran sir, Sanchit (pcs officer) and Rahul Sir (IAS PCS PATHSHALA - definitely recommended, answer refinement and value addition points greats)
Sabhi ko dil se dhanyawaad support karne ke liye🙏 especially rahul sir ko jo unhone strength diya aur positivity di interview se ek raat pahle jab mujhe self doubt ho raha tha. Unki ye baat ki lohe ko uska jung hi khatam kar deta hai isiliye self doubt kabhi nahi karna shayad zindagi bhar yaad rahega.

Last me ap sabhi ka ka sukriya iss transcript channel par apna experience post karne ke liye. Hum jaise 1st time interview walo ko kafi madad mili. All the best sabhi ko jinka interview aane wale hai. Since ye mera last attempt, ya toh service me jauga ya iss cycle se bahar ho jauga. Karm kar diya hai ab dekhte hai kismat me kya likha hai. Agar yaha se nahi toh kahi aur se desh ki sewa karege.

Jai Siya Ram, Jai Hind🙏

Interview Date: 20 Jan
Board Name: Shri Sheel Vardhan ji Sir
Attempt: 6th (Last) Attempt, 4 mains, 1st Interview
DAF points: NIT Allahabad, Hockey, Hindi Poetry, Travelling, Hitchhiking, Teaching

Chairman sir - Read out my daf.
- Land records me corruption ho rahe hai digital record hone ke baad bhi. Kya kaise manage kar sakte hai?
- Long discussion on digital record. Loopholes still persists. Challenges etc
- caste based conflict still prevelant ?
- changes suggest on UP Land revenue code ?
- Why NIT Allahabad and Not NIT Prayagraj ?
- Process of dakhil kharij.

1st Member
- Area in which ISRO excel NASA?
- Why no human landing on moon after 1972?
- what you teach?
- teaching is a noble profession. Do you believe this point hold true in todays world?
- Imagine you are teaching maths to us and all of us have different understanding level. Then how will you make sure we understand your concept?
- we always neglect rote learning but in civil services you must have rote learn many thing. So it means civil services don't select intellectual and learned person ?

2nd Member
- NEP 2020 promote hockey. how ?
- some trick shots in hockey.
- AFSPA continues to be subject of debate ?
- militarization of Indian Ocean. Can do more harm than good ?

3rd Member
- Recite any poem of Subhadra Kumari Chauhan.
- Why you choose this poem ?
- Hindi poety loosing its significane? Why hindi poet not as famous as eng poet even in India?
- question on No detention policy

4th Member
- how you promote tourism in your district. (then he said you are engineering. its good to see you are using technology)
- Hitchhiking india me hoti bhi hai? (then laughed)
- How India balance its energy demands with climate commitments?
- Since this is your last cse attempt and 1st interview. Looking back if you had known that it would take you 6 attempts to reach the interview stage would you still have attempted this exam?

Chairman Sir- Thank you, Your interview is over.


My Experience - For me it is literally once a lifetime opportunity. Board members were very cordial and supportive. No grilling. Initially thoda nervous tha kyuki ye mera last attempt hai lekin 1-2 questions ke baad sab thik ho gaya.


Mock Interview - Multiple mocks (almost 12) forum, nextias, samkalp, vajiram, vajirao, chanayka. Sabhi mocks thik the. Forum me mujhse factual zyada puche gaye wohi samkalp aur vajiram me opinion based. Real interview me questions se zyada waha ka mahul alag hota hai isiliye mocks kabhi real interview ko mimic nahi kar payega.


One to One with Ravindran sir, Sanchit (pcs officer) and Rahul Sir (IAS PCS PATHSHALA - definitely recommended, answer refinement and value addition points greats)
Sabhi ko dil se dhanyawaad support karne ke liye🙏 especially rahul sir ko jo unhone strength diya aur positivity di interview se ek raat pahle jab mujhe self doubt ho raha tha. Unki ye baat ki lohe ko uska jung hi khatam kar deta hai isiliye self doubt kabhi nahi karna shayad zindagi bhar yaad rahega.

Last me ap sabhi ka ka sukriya iss transcript channel par apna experience post karne ke liye. Hum jaise 1st time interview walo ko kafi madad mili. All the best sabhi ko jinka interview aane wale hai. Since ye mera last attempt, ya toh service me jauga ya iss cycle se bahar ho jauga. Karm kar diya hai ab dekhte hai kismat me kya likha hai. Agar yaha se nahi toh kahi aur se desh ki sewa karege.

Jai Siya Ram, Jai Hind🙏

Name : PSM
Date : 20/01/2025
Forenoon Session, 5th(Last) to go
Board : Sheel Vardhan Singh Sir
Medium of Interview: English
DAF Pointers : B. Tech, IIT Delhi (2020), Katihar, Bihar, Physics Optional, Test Cricket, Following Middle East Geopolitics; Other DAF Entries not relevant
Service Preference : IAS-IPS-IFS-IRS

Chairperson
1. Balfour Declaration
2. Anti-Semitism vs Anti-Zionism
3. Some random term
4. Language spoken in Israel
5. Language spoken before Israel was created
6. IPL as commercial venture and Virat Kohli the best employee. Do you agree?
7. Parallels between Silicon Valley and IPL
8. What exactly you like about test cricket more than other forms?

M1 ( Female Member)
9. 3 major problems in Bihar in your opinion
10. Solutions as a DM

M2
11. Bihar is digitising its PHC, health infrastructure, medical stores etc. Rationale behind that. Fashion hai digitise karne ka
12. What are the benefits of digitised record of patients
13. Learnings from the Israel issue
14. Parallels between India-Pakistan and Israel-Palestine

M3
15. What is Engineering Physics
16. Scope of Engineering Physics
17. Does creating more IITs lead to dilution of its brands?
18. How are the new faculty recruits in IITs?
19. Rumours about Seemanchal Area becoming a union territory? What could be the rationale?
20. Ethanol Blending Industries in the area. Why?

M4
21. Discussion on the liquor prohibition issue in Bihar
22. Why civil services and not research
23. List some fundamental duties
24. Should we make them enforceable?

Time - 31-32 mins approx

Mocks were not simulative, but had totally different experience here, except that some questions matched with Sankalp and Chanakya Mandal. However, O2O sessions with Baghera bhaiya and FB, Rahul Sir of IASPCS Pathshala, Mohan Sir of IASBaba, daily discussion with a friend Shivam and group discussions with FB, Ravan, Prashant were really helpful.

Name: Mr Blue
Chairman : Sheel Vardhan Singh
Date : 20/01/25, Forenoon 2nd to go
DAF: Kochi, Kerala, MA Economics, PSIR, Geopolitics, English Literature by Indians, Cricket

Chairman: Good morning. [Read out my name] May I call you * short form of my name*

I said yes I’d be happy

Chairman:

You are from Kochi. Tell me whats special about Mattancherry (a heritage area)

You read English fiction by Indian authors. Do you know about the Ibis trilogy?

Who is your favourite author?

Any contemporary author?

Which Indian authors won the Booker Prize?

You are interested in Geopolitics. I am a magician. I turn you into President Zelenskyy and those sitting beside you are Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin. How would you negotiate?

Now I turn you into Mr. Putin. How would you negotiate now?

Which person out of the two would it be easier for Zelenskyy to communicate?

Told me about how Zelenskyy knows Russian and the language dynamics in the conflict

M1 : Tell me the advantages and disadvantages of EVs? Would you buy EV or petrol car?

What about battery? [i had missed that part]

M2: I will carry on from the last member’s question. What are the geopolitical issues that may arise from rise in EVs

M2: Why is there a truce now in Gaza Conflict?

Chairman intervened after my answer: What did Israel achieve?

M3 : You are from Kerala and an economist. Tell me what is the status of remittances compared to tourism industry.

What changes in tourism industry

M4 : Who are the winners of latest Economics Nobel?

What did they win it for?

[further questions on my answer]

Where is economic power concentrated when we have inclusive institutions?

What are extractive institutions? Give example in the case of india.

What about Zamindari system?
[said yes]

Chairman: Your interview is over. You may leave.

Mocks: Fortune IAS, Lead IAS (Kerala), Samkalp, Vajirao and Reddy

Board – Raj Shukla sir
DAF details: Home state – Karnataka, Born – Kerala, Home District – Udupi,B. Com – Tax, Anthropology, Non-fiction, Youth Parliament
Chairman
As you read non-fiction, do you think you receive wisdom by reading books?
I have seen many wise people in my village who have very little education. Where do you think they have received their wisdom from?
Is the ethics of Mahatma Gandhi still relevant?
Was the ethics of Gandhi based on pragmatism more than idealism?
Nehru, despite being a genius, why did he commit a blunder with respect to China?

M1
Do you know the trinity in Malayalam literature?
What are some of the constitutional bodies regarding federalism in India?
What are some of the Community development projects in India?
What are some of the issues related to MNREGA?
Some other sub questions relating to MNREGA?

M2
Why didn't you do CA after completing B. Com?
Why didn't you choose Commerce and Accountancy instead of Anthropology as your optional?
When was your district formed?
Name some of the banks that have originated from your district.
Do you know a famous personality from your district? What is he famous for?
What are the problems faced by your district?

M3
Do you consider yourselves a Malayali or a Kannadiga?
Have you faced issues being an outsider in Karnataka?
What are the reasons for anti-outsider issues in Karnataka?
Is it due to certain economic issues or due to instigation by political parties?
What do you understand by Anthropology?

M4
Do you think jobs should be based on merit or based on 'son of the soil' doctrine?
What is GST and how is it different from the earlier tax system?
What are the rates of GST?
Has GST truly simplified tax in India?
What can we do to resolve the delays in receiving Input tax credit?

Ending: Abrupt ‘Thank you’ by the Chairman
Thoughts:
The interview felt more like a discussion than a question answer session. The board was also very cordial.
I had attended 6 mock interviews, they were useful in building confidence, following etiquettes and being natural.

Chairman - Suman mam
Date - 20 jan morning
Time - 25/30 min
Daf - Gujarat, geography, mechanical

Chairman
1. What u doing and congratulations for epfo
2. Views on bullet train vs poverty
3. Diff between UAV and drone
4. Drdo doing for drone
5. Drone didi scheme

M1 -
1. What sports u followed
2. Any cricketer fan? - Kohli
3. What is MSP
4. Why it is given
5. Who was prime minster when it was needed most during draught year- Shastri ji
6. usa program for food security - PL480 program

M2-
1. What's fascinate in geography after mechanical engineering
2. What is polar vertex
3. Why is the cold wind located in only the North hemisphere
4. Why snowfall in Texas
5. Why jet stream more meandering

M3
1. Why pollution in delhi more severe
2. What to do with stubble burning
3. How to reduce vehicle pollution




M4.
1. Why gujrat so developed
1.1 what is budget deficit condition of Gujarat
2. Ease of doing in gujrat
3. Ease of living
4. Malnutrition in Gujarat
5. What u will do

Mock -

Mocks and one to one sessions with chaudhary sir of Gurukul academy. only relevant mock I find to improve personality and way of answering.

One to one with jalan sir is also help me in answering of questions of Gujrat , geography and Current issue

.

Apart from it sankalp and vajirao.

Jan 17, 2025, Forenoon, 1st to go
Board - Swain sir
DAF details — Maharashtra, World Cinema, Tabla, Anthropology, IIT, Risk Management Consultant, Sanskrit in school, (rest details not asked - Civil engineering, Basketball, Formula 1)

Chairperson
1. Tell me about your district 
2. Followed up with a brief discussion and passed on to M1

M1
1. Any formal training in tabla? How often do you play?
2. Brief discussion on Zakir Hussain and Shakti band
3. What are the challenges and opportunities of Maharashtra’s industry and agriculture sector?
4. Lessons from the CoVID pandemic management 
5. Migration issue and informal labourers in Maharashtra - how were they affected during pandemic and what could be done?

M2
1. Meaning of my name 
2. Favourite character from the Ramayana and reasons? (follow up on the previous question)
3. What gives you happiness in life?
4. Work ex where? Job profile?
5. What practices from private sector can be brought into bureaucracy?
6. Stem cell therapy uses 
7. SWOT analysis of Steel and cement industry of India and a couple of follow up questions

M3
1. GRAP-III vs GRAP-IV
2. Majorly PM2.5 or PM10 from construction activities?
3. Why is Sanskrit considered a suitable language for computer programming?
4. Should we Sanskrit to Computer science curriculum?
5. Multilingualism in NEP > should we promote it? > North-south divide?

M4
1. Role of technology on human lives 
2. How do you see it anthropologically?
3. Is social media creating a divide in society?
4. Role of IITs in technological development?
5. Launch of FTI-TTP at airports - details about it
6. Single best invention of mankind
7. In which Hollywood movies has Zakir Hussain acted?

Concluded
Cordial board. Mostly DAF-based. 
All the best :) 

Board: Suman Sharma

Profile: IRS, Cricket, Tamil literature, ECE

Chairperson:

1. Why Financial year starts from April and not from January? (Said not sure and took guess with permission)
2. What is the manufacturing to GDP ratio? (First, I said 26% and madam was asking, are you sure? Then I said that it is secondary sector’s contribution)
3. Why are tariff-based trade barriers levied by countries?
4. India is one of the countries with high import tariff, does it help the country?
5. (I said no) Then how can India deal with tariff barriers?
6. Recently there was news about a company (referring to Facebook indirectly) had taken a decision regarding fake news. What was it all about?
7. Do you think the move is correct? (Said the positives of community notes)
8. Do not the companies have responsibility to deal with the fake news?
9. (I said yes) Do you change your stand now?

Member 1:

1. You are an electronics engineer. Answer whether EVM can be hacked?
2. Should state sponsored elections be promoted?
3. What should be done regarding criminalization of politics?
4. How you see India’s drug discovery and production?
5. How many patents are filed in the pharmaceutical sector and of them how many are converted into products? (No way related to my profile. Said I have no knowledge about it)
6. How much electronics imports happens in India? (Said don’t know)
7. A huge volume of electronics imports is happening into our country. Why do you think production is not increasing?

Member 2:

1. Do you know what is KTS in Tamil culture? (Said, don’t know)
2. It is Kashi Tamil Sangamam. (Thanked him and I said I know about it and explained)
3. Do you know the modus operandi of KTS? (I said not sure about that part and he explained)
4. Difference between red, white and pink balls
5. Which ball is best for reverse swing?
6. Who are the pioneers in reverse swing bowling?
7. Do you know about the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)?
8. How are districts selected for that?
9. Who administers the scheme?
10. If you are the DM of one of the aspirational districts, what will you aspire for?

Member 3:

1. Should India conduct Olympics 2036, as countries conducted before had incurred financial burden, etc.?
2. While answering you had used the term multiplier effect’. Did you use it consciously or just said like that? (I said, I had used it consciously)
3. Then explain what is multiplier effect?
4. Should India go for Nature based farming? You have to take a stand
5. What happened in Sri Lanka (SL)? (From my reference to failure of immediate shift to organic farming in SL)
6. Then what shall we do about it?
7. What is Nano Urea? (From my response to previous question)

Member 4:

1. If you want to give 3 recommendations to FM for the upcoming budget, what you will give. It should be macro level recommendations and not small ones.
2. You studied communication in engineering, now communication happens in wire, optical fiber medium. What will future developments look like and what medium will exist?
3. How did the names Middle East, Far East came into existence? (Said, don’t know)

Chairperson: Thank you. You can leave.

Name - SAHIL
BOARD - S. Verma Sir
17th January (2 PM)
2nd to go
Round table and I was in between 2 other members , like a family dinner or family meeting, so If I'm talking to left member on my side , it was not possible to make eye contacts with members on right, but still I tried...
Chairman
1. Tell me 10 things whether institutions , articles, food etc that comes into your mind
As I said democratic institutions of India he interrupted and said be specific so after listening to 1st point only, he laughed very loudly along with other members and said you are atleast getting 135 marks from me . After that I was able to tell 5-6 things only.
2 you are emperor of India , remove one thing.
Talked about corruption and accountability issue
3. Corruption is good for country ,it increases efficiency.
I talked about ethics morality , trust on institutions , etc.
Exam for politicians too on line of bureaucracy - (opinion based )
M1.
Discuss Haryana culturally, geographically
Talked about shivalik , aravali, yamuna , language ,food , .
Mewat region.
Calculus
Differentiation
Graphs of continuity and differentiation
Chairman asked m2 now
M2(lady member)
Discussion on fest culture of DU
(MIRANDA COLLEGE ISSUE OF BOYS GETTING THERE DURING FEST)
REAL ESTATE IN GURUGRAM - PEOPLE sell their property and how does it impact children and family as whole.
Trekking - told me to trek in UK( I told her to do it after interview )
M4
Speak for 1 min on freedom of speech and expression
India canada relationship - what happened exactly.
Term to denote what action was taken by both countries like diplomats were called back to their home country.
Different types of passport..
M5
Delhi ridge related discussion.
Landfills related discussion
Solid waste management rules.


Nothing like mocks.
As table was round ( I was thinking of having my own chair rather than joining them on the same table for discussion).
No facts .
M2,3,4 - were happy with my answers.
I felt like interview start hote hi khatam ho gaya .
Feeling - hmesha hi rhegi ki aap or better kr skte ho.. Even I can't say ki acha gaya ya nhi , now they only know it.

All the best .😃
Mocks - only ias, vajiram , VAJIRAO, samkalp, vision ias, chahal ,o2o with Rahul sir(helpful in boosting confidence and framing answer for DAF based Q) and Ravindran sir of vajiram

Hello sir,
Name: Nobel prize winner
Date : 17th jan
Daf keywords: sociology ,cricket,civil engg, madhya pradesh, bamboo,bridge building, birdwatching, watching web series, anti ragging committee head(nothing was asked)

Suman Ma'am
1 so you are civil engineer and your name is ---!
2 what is your opinion regarding lateral entry
3 why do you think person strive for perfection
4 is it good to strive to perfection
5 tell me what is story of nato regarding russia ukraine
6 what is a private army and its objectives
7 what is name of private army of russia
M1
1 what do you know about (one tennis cup I'm forgetting the name) trophy
2 where is tennis tournament usually take place
3 so you are someone who play cricket ( yes sir)
4 who is your fav player (i said msd)
5 why do you like him (i said i like the calmness and leadership that he brings to the team and dressing room)
6 don't you think test cricket is dying
7 can you name some women entrepreneurs
8 can you tell me how can we increase the no. Of women in higher position.
M2
1 what us baz ball
2 so should we adopt it as way of playing aggressive
3 don't you think India play aggressively
4 what do you know about recent Hindenburg case
5 what can you tell me about DOGE
6 recently bcci gave 10 points about team management what do you think about these
M3
1 you have seen that people often indulge in futile exercise like narmada parikrama what is your opinion on that
2 but doesn't it is just a waste of time
3 you have lived all your life around narmada tell me importance of narmada
4 i said narmada flows in opposite direction than other rivers ( because it is said it is angry with its father shiva- eeligious importance)so he asked me tell me any other river like this
5 lastly he asked me about narmada bachao andolan
6 is it still going on (i said I'm not sure of its present situation)
M4
1 why hijab is allowed in india in public and schools and why not in france
2 where do we follow civil code and and where do we follow common code
3 what is civil and common code
4 what are different types of provate army (then he tell me a short speech on various private armies)
5 why private army when there are regular armies
Thank you you may go now
In general the board was good and coordial
Just don't be anxious if you don't know the answer
Just say sorry and they'll ask next question (don't bluff)
Mocks : next, sankalp, onlyias, quantel, vajiram
Interview prep: Anupam jain sir from smartwork labs (amd ankit sir especially was very helpful in this preparation) and nishat sir for socio

Time: around 25-26 min

Name: Skyroot

14th January 2025

BB Swain Sir
Key DAF details: First attempt, PSIR optional, defence studies (grad), JNU(MA), AU(BA)

Afternoon 2nd to Go

Felt more like a discussion rather than a question answer session

Questions asked:

Chairman sir
Q1. Tell me something about your district in short
Q2. Follow-up question on Dudhwa National park (part of my district) - and one horned rhino-he said it is my favourite animal. Question on where else it is found ?


M1 ( Lady Member)

Q.1 What is 2047 why in news?
Q.2 About India's growth trajectory
Q3. On Automation vs job loss
(I quoted world bank report that AI will create net 78mn jobs) - in some areas automation is needed not in all - labour intensive is required
Q. Should the government issue which sector to automate which not?  - i said balance is needed technology is required but labour intensive too is needed this is opportune moment for india
Q4. Some questions on youth dem dividend
Follow-up questions on this

M2

Q1. On blue ocean strategy
Q.  Defence budget question
Q2. Need of Technology in defence - Answered Raj Shukla sir's opinion on these 🙂
Q3. How will you reduce corruption if you're part of defence department in govt
Q4. SAARC defunct?
Q5. How to improve neighbourhood relations

M3

Q1. Asked about freebies
Q2. About social media influencers etc
Q. About negative and positive use of social media
Q3. How to regulate negative uses
Q4. Compare Allahabad University and JNU
Q5. Is student politics more or less now in JNU?

M5(lady member)

Q1. Monologue on lithium- e bus - have u heard graphene lithium or something
Q. asked about lithium triangle
Q2. India's lithium reserve
Q3. What's the current status of that
Q4. Where do we lag in extraction? How to improve it

Some more question can't recall.

Chairman sir said thanku !


Mocks were helpful, few questions got repeated.'

Date-13 Jan 2025
Afternoon ,1st to go

Chairperson- Suman Sharma Maam

DAF keywords- UGC NET-JRF, FOOTBALL,MANIPUR, NE FEST,CALISTHENICS, Geography

Optional - Public Adm

• Link between Geography and history?-
• 2 potential sectors and limitation in economic front in Manipur
• Dividend meaning, Demographic Dividend- what we need to do
• Act east vs look east
• FMR- what changes brought in
• As finance Minister
• Identify the issues to be focussed in the budget - counter questions on my responses
• Capital flight FDI reasons
• Is climate change  a hoax or a reality?
• Give me examples of it in India
• How to reduce impact of climate change?
• Manipur film industry related celebration in 2022 ?
• About the NEfest- do you think it is a source of social awareness-
• Did you participate in any?
• Football - which league you follow?
• Discussion on Racism in Spanish league
• Reasearch- why you didnt do it, fundamental vs applied research- which one ? counter questions on it
• Quality of Indian Research?
• Does a developing country like India need RnD ?

Around 30 minutes

SOMP Student
Transcript

BB Swain sir
Optional History
Hobbies - Kalbelia dance, Zumba , Sudarshan kriya
Background and optional in History

MEMBER 1-

Q1-Have you visited Taj Mahal ?

Q2-So Delegation went few years back what are the moods of Taj Mahal?

Q3-When did Agra became capital of Mughals ?

Q4-Have you visited PM sangrahalay do you know the changes in it ?

Q5- Describe Architecture of New parliament?

Q6-What is history of sengol ?

Q7- Is it relevant to have it in parliament now your independent opinion ?

Q8-So, you are a history student,tell me about freedom fighters of India?

Q9-Why was Gandhiji able to unite everyone?

Q10-When was Poona Pact signed ?

Q11-Why Poona Pact happened ?

Q12-what happened between 1932-1947 ?

Q13- What is 3D do you know about 4D ?


Member2-

Q1- So what is Kalbelia dance ?

Q2- How did you get into it ?

Q3- History of Kalbelia Dance?

Q4- difference between classical Kathak and Kalbelia Dance?

Q5-KUMBH timing and how are preparation going on ?

Q6-Softpower-Economy-of it




Member3-

Q1- Tell Population trends of world ?

Q2-Define in exact terms demographic dividend?

Q3-Why is it dividend ?

Q4-Some world leader said-“Lower Population’’

Q5-What is TFR ? What is it in India exactly ?

Q6-Is TFR even across India ?

Q7- what is Replacement Rate ?

Q8-What is delimitation & controversies around it ?

Q9- what is exactly delimitation?

Q10-What steps has Govt taken to address delimitation controversies?

Q11- when is fixation date of last delimitation?

Q12-When was last census?

Q13- when was last delimitation commission year?

Q14-You talked about lost freedom fighters any book you read ?

Member4-

Q1- what are the trends in students going abroad in general?

Q2- So, chairman of Rajya Sabha recently said “Students blindly going abroad what is the impact on India?

Q3- You heard about public sector companies what is the net worth they talk about?

Q4- What is Agniveer scheme & your opinions on it ?

Board - suman sharma mam
Date - 15/01
Daf key words Rajasthan , cricket , mumbai Rest not relevant

Went in wished good morning took seat
Q1 - You are from Rajasthan so there was law related gig work in Rajasthan
Q2 what is your take on gig economy
Q 3 How much percentage gig economy
Q4 Mental health issue why rise now
Q 5 the issues you mentioned were ealier also why now
Q 6 what is your take airport development
M 1 why most busines man from Rajasthan running business outside Rajasthan
Q2 what policy measures would you prescribe to make them work in Rajasthan
Q3 how agriculture in Rajasthan lack of water availability
Q4 Why traditional methods (water harvesting and agri related )not practiced ?
Q 5 you stayed in mumbai take on dharavi redevelopment project
M 2.
Q 1 how effective UN peacekeeping
Q 2 despite great power allowing not able to take on work
Q 3 do you know confidence building measures
Q 4 do you know about environmental schdule
Q 5 except cow and other animals protection in wildlife schedule what about stray animals
M 3
Q1 Have heard about new summit in Rajasthan
Q 2 what is your take on investment
Q3 government is taking abroad for investment is government wrong in it
Q 3 tourism has been mostly related to few what new thing could we offer
Q 4 you played cricket what about recent changes in light of good performance in Australia (sarcastic)

M 5
Q1
Why so many universities in Rajasthan
Q2 heard that recently some universities got cancelled
Q 3 how about income inequality
Q4 measures required for it
Thank you
I said thank you adjusted the chair as it was before and left the room
Maybe one or two questions i am not able to recall
Utility of mocks - gave 4-5 vajirao and reddy was good question repeated
One on one discussion with puneet yadav sir from somp team was really helpful

Name : Mesvin
Board:  Suman Sharma mam
Date: 16 january, afternoon (4th to go)
Daf keywords : IFS, mathematics, IIT Kgp, Sap labs, hackathon, football

Chairperson:
Welcomed me and asked about how should they call me and read out loud about my graduation course and job experience

1. Started telling about US-India relations and asked me about recent developments of relief from restrictions and some new potential restrictions (about nuclear entities and New AI export draft rules)
2. Name of entities which got relief and asked about what would be potential benefits
3. Asked about special exemption to India and china in new US AI export draft rules
( I said I read about it in newspaper however I couldn't understand it)

4. Told something about aboriginal tribes like jarawas and how can we justify to not integrate them in mainstream society unlike some mainland tribals
5. Recently some say 'doing nothing ' is also doing something. What do you understand by this?
6. Asked whether above statement has some relevancy with Indian foreign policy

M1
1.  The need to balance sustainability vs development and high carbon footprint as India has very high development needs
2. Why India not doing well in football

3. Why countries like saudi arabia, qatar are investing heavily in football and other sports?
4. Audience culture of drinking alcohol etc in stadiums are being allowed in Saudi.
Do you think saudi is diluting its islamic values for economy or is it modernization?
5. What is your opinion on Countries like england, south africa threatening to boycott cricket match with afganistan in champions trophy as they don't allow women to play cricket ?
6. India is playing with afganistan, do you think it is right?
7. India boycotted south africa in a final in 90's. Do u think it was a right decision then ?


M2.
1. Why there is rise of leaders with dictatorial tendencies in west ?
2. Why migrants from MENA region go towards europe but not rich countries in middle East?
3. Do you think there is xenophobia in western countries?
4. Based on this and considering our border situation, how should India handle its approach towards migrants?
5. Reconcile between importance of IPRs and reverse engineering done by countries like China?
Is reverse engineering okay to do?

M3
1. Why there are rise in suicides in IITs? (While mentioning recent event)
Long discussion
2. Is it due to over ambition or over pressure such unfortunate events are happening?
3.What is a hackathon and what is your experience and learnings from the hackathon you participated?
4. What are the challenges faced by startups?
Are there any issues with mentorship to startups , management of them ?
5.what do you understand by soft power diplomacy ? Any examples of such related to India.
6. What is circular economy?

M4.
1. Are IITs multidisciplinary institutes?
2. Do you think we should make them into as such?
3. Do we need more specialised clgs like IITs, medical colleges in states or should we convert them into multi disciplinary universities?
4. Applications of AI in agriculture
5. One more question and some discussion on drone and other tech usage in agriculture
6. A question on pesticide excessive usage which I can't recall exactly

Still I might have missed 1-2 questions
Found the discussion with the panel very productive.

Mocks: found vajirao reddy, next ias, forum ias, MACS useful. Also one 2 one with puneet sir (SOMP) in last days helped me in approaching few questions.
Articles related to IR and some contemporary issues shared in Mahesh Bhagawat sir group are helpful.

Date : 16/01/2025, Afternoon
Name : Shiva
Board : B B Swain
Optional : Sociology
Key Words : Pochampally Ikat, table tennis, NEP, religion, society

Chairman:
1. How did you develop Interest in Pochampally Ikat?
2. Types of Ikat in India?

M1
1. Gave long monologue about Hyderabad. Asked me to add more.....?
2. Which unique food delicacy got gi tag from Hyderabad?
3. In which season is it consumed?
4. Status of Indian players in table tennis?
5. Why is scientific temper important?
6. Are Religion and scientific temper consistent?
7. Should we legalize Same- sex marriage?Your opinion?
8. How about rights of LGBTQ+ community?

M2
1. New Education Policy? Explain features?
2.Can you give some suggestions for improvements in Curriculum for school children?
3. Ur interaction with students during JEE Maths tutoring? How was it?(DAF related)
4. Due to the evolving digital technology, Is the impact of teachers decreasing in society?
5. Have you heard about Atal tinkering labs?

M3
Shall we have a rapid round?
1. Two positives and two negatives of Student council and elections?
2. Society and Culture? Explain symbiotic relationship?
3. What is negative feedback? Does it help in life?
4. Did you receive it in the recent past if any?
5. How many hours did you work in L&T?
6. Recently L&T CEO has made a statement regarding working hours, share your views?

M4
1. Give Sociological profile of India?
2. Monologue on climate change and asked about Permafrost thawing - how it impacts world?
3. Our government is doing Defence indigenization. But it is challenging in current geopolitical scenario. What about transfer of technologies from our allies? Should we go on with it or not? What do you choose and please justify?

Chairman sir : Thank you, your interview is over.

Close Mocks : Samkalp, Chahal
Others : Vajiram(Ravindran sir) and Ekam IAS
All the best!!

Name- Tat Tvam Asi
Date and session of interview- 16.01.25 Forenoon 1st to go
Board- Sanjay Verma Sir
DAF- PSIR, Computer Engineering, Cooking, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nanded

Chairman Sir
1. How are you doing today?
2. Which one of following you are more passionate about- PSIR or Computer Science?
3. What is Disruptive Technology?
4. Can you name one disruptive technology each from Political Science and Computer Science?
5. Can populism be a disruptive tech?
6. Karl Marx idea on economic justice (from previous answer)
7. Name 5 essentials for cooking
8. Are women forced to take up cooking?
9. Can you name some different types of Biryanis in India?
10. Name similar dish to biryani which involves rice which is popular in West Asia ( said pilaf/pulav)

M1
1. How will you address threats to organisation? (vague and open ended) ( tried to structure it as technical threats and HR threats) (loads of cross questioning)
2. Suppose you address such threats, still is organisation vulnerable to threats in future? (said threats can exist)
3. Can or Will? (said possibility of threats will exist)
4. What is Indo Pacific?
5. What is Soft Power?
6. How India can leverage its Soft Power in IP?
7. Whats is HADR?
8. Name two instances of HADR by India (SL and Turkey)
9. Is economic grants given to SL HADR?
(I retracted and said it is soft power)

M2
1. What are the reasons for flooding in Mumbai?
2. What is urban sponge? (previous answer)
3. Difference between Computer Science Engineering and Computer Engineering
4. How it is different from IT Engineering?
5. What is significance of Nanded? (Sri Huzur Sahib Gurudwara - Sri Guru Gobind Singh - Panch Takht)
Sir tried to confuse me with Guru Nanak and Nanak Jhira...Nanded obviously is related to Guru Gobind Singh...cross questions like have you visited, are you sure etc.

M3 ( Mam)
1. What is meaning of Vedant?
2. What are two most important values to become successful? ( rational decision making & integrity)
3. monologue on some reasearch and it found out one value which you have not mentioned...Are you aware of such research? Can you name that value?
(mentioned not aware of such research.......asked for making ......an ATTEMPT......not guess.....said Perseverance.....which was what mam was looking for)
4. What is relevance of soft skills for organisation?
5. If you are to choose between soft skills and technical skills? Give your reasons.

M4
1. Mention 5 sentences about Hyderabad
2. Is Hyderabad cosmopolitan city?
3. Indian Constitution is unitary rather than federal. Justify
4. What about taxation powers of state?
5. Name 2 things on which tax being imposed by state outside GST.

Thank You!

Your experience in interview-
Nothing like mocks.
More of conversation with all members.
Despite cross questions at times, they encouraged me to speak my thoughts.
Mentioning COVID Diplomacy would have been better than grants to SL

Utility of mocks or O2O (if any)- Samkalp, Vajirao Reddy, Next IAS, PW, SPM
1. All were relevant as most questions repeated from Mocks...Helpful in structuring answers
2. O2O Session with Bhagwat Sir was perhaps most useful as it was mostly DAF based
3. O2O with Ravindran Sir only allowed after Mock

Souvik:
Name:xyz
Board:B.B swain
Chairman:didn't ask any major question
Other members:
1.about ujjayanta palace in tripura
2.Neer Mahal and Rud
rasagar
3.Musical director from state of tripura
4.Impact of Bangladesh crisis on tripura
5.viksit Bharat and it's feasibility
6.major conflict zone of world and India's concern
7.cross question on above how conflict in Africa affect india
8.optional question:Meghalayan age what it is
9.how to develop infrastructure and connectivity in North East india
10.what can North East do in India's aspiration for viksit Bharat
11.define yourself
12.succesful person requires EQ or IQ?justify
13.geriatric care in 2047
14.major issues in state.how to develop entrepreneurship in tripura
15.agarwood industry in tripura
16. Why you are an incremental improvement type of a person(cross question on define yourself)
17.credibility of hindenburg
18.indias AI mission and recent restriction by usa on GPU export
19.what is narco terrorism
20.internal security problems of india
21.is terrorism and internal security problems or external
22.on football how to improve Indian football
23.why you took EOL from job to prepare.

89-90%questions were from what I prepared with bright sir and vikas sir.
One to one discussion worked more than panel mocks

Date - 14 jan
Board - Shri Sanjay Verma Sir
Daf pointers - Physics, VIT, IIM B, IRS IT, Painting, Foosball(Table football)

Chairman - On which topic you wrote your mains essay ?
- Are you religious person?
- Can interfaith dialogue bridge gap between conflicting religious communities?
- Then why communal riots are happening?
- From enng to economics? Why this transition? Don't you feel economics is boring subject ?

Then sir told a long monologue that about recent economics situation.
- Coming back to religion. Can you relate economics with religion.
- religious beliefs hinder or promote entrepreneurship ?
- religious events influence regional economies? (his hint was towards Kumbh Mela)

Member1
- cost of foosball table ? what type of quality to look in foosball table?
- How physics play a role in foosball shots?
- Olympic me la dena chahiye isko ? (Then smiled)
- cancel culture promote accountability or curb free speech?
- you district is flooded. what sop you will follow ?
- You are engg. why you are not using technology in your solution ?

Member2
- Your IIM degree goes with IRS. Why you want to waste it by appearing again?
Then she smiled and said ye bad kahne ki baat hai.
- with rise of AI and automation, human decision making in supply chains is becoming obsolete?
- india supply chain bottlenecks?

Member3
- can you draw the last supper painting?
- Why is it significant ?
- Can graffiti be considered painting ?
- DON'T YOU THINK ITS vandalism?
- Lets move from painting to poverty. Do you think india is poor country ?
- Then why nfsa is providing food security to 80cr people ?

Member4
- 3 noble prize winner in physics ?
- govt scheme to promote scientific study ?
- what is digital twins?
- consider yourself FM, what will be your priority?

Chairman -Do you want to ask someting ? I said no. Then they asked do you want us to ask you something from your favourite area?

Your interview is over. Time - 28-30min


Mock iNTERVIEW= Samkalp, Vajiram, Onlyias, nextias - Each mock is okay okay types only.

Highly thankful to Rahul sir of ias pcs pathshala for his indepth daf session and help in refinement of the answers specially structuring the answer.


Overall it board was very cordial and polite.