CSE Interview: IAS Topper Mutyalaraja

Interview took place on 17th april in New Delhi for 35 mins
Raju: May I come in Sir? Chairman: Yes, please. Raju: Good morning, Sir. Good morning, Madam. Good morning, Sirs. Chairman: You are Mr... Raju: (Still in standing position), Matyalaraju Revu Sir. (Chairman is writing something. Other members are keenly watching the candidate.) Member 2: Please take your seat. Raju: Thank you, sir. Chairman: Mr. Revu, You did B.Tech from REC Warangal, ME from IISc, Bangalore. But why did you do diploma? Raju: Sir, After completion of my 10th class, based on my financial background, my father joined me in polytechnic. After completion of polytechnic, we do get jobs. Also, since I will get scholarship, the amount of money spent on me is less. Chairman: That means you will get job after diploma. Raju: Yes Sir, I got a private job. Company is Cain energy limited. Chairman: Then, why did you join B.Tech? Raju: Sir, After completion of my diploma, I wrote ECET and I got state 1st rank. So I convinced my father that I will join REC which is a premier Engineering institute in our state. Chairman: Then, you joined ME because your father insisted on that? Raju: No Sir, It is based on my project guide ճ suggestion.
Sir, infact there are two streams to enter into B.Tech. One through EAMCET after Intermediate and other is through ECET. After ECET...
Chairman: What question I have asked? Raju: Sorry Sir, you have asked me why I joined ME after B.Tech. Chairman: OK. Then stick on to the question. Raju: Sir, I am explaining it. Chairman: Be specific. Raju: OK sir, during my final year I got all India rank 3 in Gate. My guide on knowing this result suggested me to join IISc. He further told that this is the golden opportunity for me. ԉf you miss it you will not get it again! ՠ he told sir. Then, I informed about my career option as civil services. He then convinced me by saying that I can write civil services after M.E. also.
Chairman: That means you are preparing for civil services while you are in IISc? Raju: I beg to differ with you sir. I started my preparation only after completion of M.E. Chairman: You have written that you joined Railways in September 2004. That is of which exam? Raju: Sir, This is based on IES-2003. Chairman: That means you are in IISc. Raju: Sir, I completed my second semester at that time. Chairman: That means you have prepared for IES in IISc. Raju: Sir, I have given IES in my own background i.e., Electrical Engineering. Hence I need not prepare much for this exam. I just gave the exam. Chairman: For how many years you are in Railways? Raju: Sir, I joined Railways on September 2004. Then I took leave for 1 year, i.e., leave on loss of pay. Chairman: What did you do in that year? Raju: Sir, I have prepared for this exam. Chairman: How many months you are in Railways? Raju: Sir, roughly 5 months. Chairman: That means you are in Railways till February. Raju: Sir, I am in Railways till the result of civil services exam 2005 was out. I was given leave for interview preparation in March. Chairman: Then what did you do after the declaration of the result? Raju: Sir, Once the result of out, I came to know that I will get IPS. So, I convinced my director for leave to appear civil services again. My director gave me leave. Chairman: When did you join IPS? Raju: Sir, I joined IPS on December 18, 2006. Chairman: Which part of training you missed? Raju: Sir, I missed foundation training in Mussorie. At SVPNPA, training started on December 18, 2006. So, I haven մ missed any training at Hyderabad. Chairman: How many days you have taken leave for interview? Raju: Sir, 4 days.
Member 2: How was your IPS training? Raju: Sir, training is good and we are enjoying every aspect of training. member 2: What are you learning in training? Raju: Sir, our training is divided into two parts. Indoor and outdoor. In indoor, we have subjects like police in modern India, criminology and law subjects like IE Act, CrPC, IPC and other subjects. Member 2: You are in IPS for 4 months. So I can ask some questions. Raju: Yes, sir. Member 2: Do you aware that the confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Why? Raju: Yes sir. Confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Since there is always a possibility of getting the confession in the way the police like, law doesn մ allow it. Member 2: What is Res gestae? Raju: Sir, All the circumstances leading to the same transaction are allowable as evidence. Member 2: You are on the line. Could you explain more? Raju: (after 2-3 seconds), If some people wanted to commit dacoity and in the process if they theft a vehicle, eventhough theft of vehicle is not connected with dacoity but it is admissible as it forms the circumstance leading to dacoity. Member 2: Could you tell me the section which deals with Res gestae? Raju: Sorry sir, I could not remember the exact section. Member 2: Then how sections you were taught in IE Act? Raju: Sir, In our academy our sirs are not teaching according to sections. They are teaching the sections which are more useful for the police at first. Member 2: Do you aware of RTI? Raju: Yes. Sir. It is Right to Information Act. Member 2: What are the provisions in RTI? Raju: Sir, According to provisions of RTI, every government department has to nominate one officer as information commissioner to give information about duties, responsibilities and functions of various officers working in those departments... Member 2: Then what is the benefit to common man? Raju: Sir, Common man can know the functions, duties & responsibilities of various officers. They can know the status of their applications. This also increases transparency and accountability of officers. Hence reduces corruption. Member 2: How can you say that people will get required information? Raju: Sir, There is a provision in RTI that any one who refuses to give information or delays 30 days for giving information, they are liable for cut in salary. Member 2: How much salary cut? Raju: Sir, I think it is 250 Rs./ day. Member 2: It is not cut from salary. It is separately cut. Raju: Thank you Sir. Member 2: Can you tell me what is the maximum limit? Raju: Sorry sir, I don մ know.
Chairman: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. Don մ you think that all are inward looking? Raju: Sir, Whenever possible I play cricket in addition my hobbies, which is a team game.
Member 2: Tell me which countries will reach final in the present world cup? Raju: Sir, I think Australia and Srilanka. Member 2: Already two countries reached semifinals i.e., Sri Lanka & Newzealand. What do you think about other two? Raju: Sir, I beg to differ with you. Actually three countries i.e., Srilanka, New Zealand and Australia reached semifinals. 4th team depends on the outcome of the today ճ match between England & South Africa. Member 2: Do you know about fly ash? Raju: Sir, Thermal power stations produce fly ash while generating electrical power. Member 2: Which state is using it more? Definitely it is not Haryana, My own state. Raju: Sorry Sir, I don մ know.
Member 3 : (X-A) (X-B) has highest X power of 2. Do you agree? Raju: Yes, Sir. Member 3: (X-A) (X-B) (X-C) has highest X power... Raju: 3, Sir. Member 3: Then, tell me. What is the answer for (X-A) (X-B).... (X-Z). Raju: (after 3-4 seconds), It must be Zero. Sir, because of the presence of the term (X-X). Member 3: Whom do you think a greatest mathematician of all times? Raju: Sir, Srinivasa Ramanujan, because even though he lived for only 33 years, he contributed more to mathematics in the areas like Numerical methods, Solution of algebraic equations, number theory like prime numbers etc.
Member 3: Can you tell me the formula for prime numbers? Raju: Sir, exactly I don մ know but recently IIT, Kanpur professor along with his students wrote a software program which gives whether a number is prime or not within less time. Member 3: You are an electrical engineer. Tell me where prime numbers are used? Raju: Sir, they are used in coding. Member 3: I am asking a question in your engineering only. Tell me how prime numbers are used in coding? Raju: Sir, exactly I don մ know. But to the best of my knowledge, if the code length is prime, decoding and encoding are easy. Member 3: You are on the line, but not exact answer. Member 1: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. What you do in motivation? Raju: Madam, many of classmates and Juniors came to me for clearing their doubts in subjects as I am the toper of my class. I usually listen to their problems regarding their understanding of concepts as many have problems either in one or many subjects. I tell them that every subject is easy if knew the concepts clear and we should like the subject what we are studying... Madam: Do your response same for all? Raju: Madam, I usually spend more time with those who are very much lagging. I take classes to clear their doubts. Madam: Then do you call it motivation or strategic learning? Raju: Madam, strategic learning may be the correct term. Madam: What is the difference between these two? Raju: Madam, motivation is a general term which includes not only academic motivation but also others like psychological, etc., Madam, I don մ know exactly the meaning of strategic learning.
Madam: Which books you read in Indian Mythology? Raju: Madam, I read Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Madam: Since your hobbies are motivating others and Indian Mythology, tell me how Krishna motivated Arjuna? Raju: Madam, When Arjuna refused to fight with friends, teachers, Krishna told him that it is the duty of the king to protect Dharma and fight wars for protecting it. We should not move away from our duty. Since soul is immortal and of which is born, death is certain, of which death happened, birth is certain. Hence you should not think that you are committing crime. Also he motivated him by saying that we should do our work only. We should not think about the results of our actions. Otherwise, attachment to the results will occur which is a major reason for unhappiness.
Madam: Do you practise it? Raju: Madam, It is very difficult to practise.
Madam: Why? Raju: Madam, for example, if we are about to play a cricket match, we will think about the winning of the match which is actually the result of the playing that match.
Madam: One last question. What kind of training our team got during our last year world cup? Raju: Madam, exactly I am not able to recollect it. But it is like ҷe can do it this time Ӽ /span> Madam: Sorry, It is not last year world cup but it is 2003 world cup. The team was given psychological training. Raju: Yes, Madam Member 4: You studied your B.Tech. from REC Warangal and M.E. from IISc Bangalore. Do you proud of your institutions like IISc? Raju: Sir, I am proud that I have studied in a great institution like IISc, which according UNESCO survey conducted in 1997 was in 18th place among world universities. Recently a Chinese university conducted a survey in which IISc was placed at around 250th position. Member 4: Do you think that 250th position is a good position? Raju: Sir, even though it is not a good position, the position depended on the parameters they have taken into consideration like no. of nobel laureates present, no. of research papers presented, etc. Member 4: Who are nobel laureate present in IISc? Raju: Sir, now there is no nobel laureate in IISc. Earlier Sir C.V.Raman worked in IISc. Now, there are two internationally reputed professors working there. Member 4: Last year government proposed to stop B.Tech entry into IITs. Do you support that? Raju: Sir, I support it. Sir, due to hectic schedule, the professors of IITs are not able to concentrate much on research. Once the B.Tech entry is stopped, they will get more time for research and quality of research will increase. Member 4: Don մ you think the quality of B.Tech students will reduce as IITs are known for better professors? Raju: Sir, those students who are earlier eligible for entry into IITs, they will join NITs. Since they are the core students I don մ think the quality will reduce. But the professors in other institutes should get sufficient training to reach the level of IIT professors. Member 4: You agree to that proposal. But the government has withdrawn the proposal due to very good argument against it. Can you tell me? Raju: Sorry sir, I don մ know. Member 4: What do you think is responsible for reduction in research? Raju: Sir, IISc is not able to retain those students who completed M.E. and other courses there. One reason is brain drain, Sir. Second one is that research is not attractive in India, Sir. For example, in our batch out of 230 students who completed M.E. only 2 joined for Ph.D. in IISc. At the end of our M.E. we got campus placements. The minimum salary is around 6 lakhs/ annum. It is attracting most of us. Those who are really interested in research, they are going abroad as they will get more money and research is attractive there. Here, a Ph.D. student gets 12,000 - 15,000 Rs per month. Also material considerations have risen these days, sir. We have to include some compulsory courses in morale & ethics to stop this. Member 4: Instead of choosing job or research, why did you choose services as career option? Raju: Sir, The incident that took place in my village in November 2000, when I am in 3rd year of B.Tech, has changed my career options. Nearby Engineering college students came to our village for picnic as our village has excellent beach. 7 of them drowned in the Bay of Bengal and all of them has taken sand into their lungs in addition to water. Since our village is an island, there are no transportation, medical & meagre educational facilities, it took 2 hours to reach nearest town which is 16 Km away from my village. By that time, 6 out 7 were died, Sir.
Chairman: You are telling about an incident in your village. In that case who will respond first? Raju: (3-4 seconds silence) Chairman: Whether it is Block development officer, Doctor, or Police. Raju: Sir, It is the police to respond first. Chairman: Then, you are in IPS. Why did you come? Raju: Sir, even for police it took 2 hours to reach that place as there is not enough transportation facilities. Chairman: Thank you. Raju: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Sirs.

Interview Experience: Remya J. CSE-2006 17th Rank

Panel: Dr.Bhure Lal
Here is a rough transcript of iview
Lasted 35 minutes….
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…
They also quizzed me on the technical details of Kyoto protocol, global warming and about commonwealth games when it is to be held and whether I took the view that sporting events such as this are a waste of public money for countries like India
Do write in with all your opinions
ThanksRemya J

Vivek IAS 05

Lets put the promised review on the backburner for a while.
The latest UPSC Mains results are out and the interview process starts in a few days. My days of UPSC glory are finally over. New winners will emerge in a few days and the flood of marriage proposals (which my family had to tide over) will dry up. So, time to go back to my own interview one last time (first time on the blog though).
My interview was taken by the panel of Ms. Arundhati Ghose. Yes, the same Arundhati Ghose of the “Not Now, Not Ever” fame. On August 8, 1996, she made this statement and became a hero of the nation. I remember reading about her then and wondering about diplomats for the first time. Needless to say, ever since I found out that she is a member of the UPSC, I was praying to clear the mains and be interviewed by her panel. The intensity of my prayers increased once I actually cleared the mains. All this despite the fact that she had the most fearsome reputation for stress interviews and at times, of virtually throwing out the candidates if they did not meet her standards. She doesn’t waste time, I was told. Here is one such horror story that was narrated to me:
The candidate had put “gardening” as one of his hobbies. The first question was to name the botanical names of 5 plans in his garden. He couldn’t. Ms. Ghose took him out of the room to the potted plants outside and told him their botanical names. Then, she told him that the interview was over.
I don’t know if this was true or not. But I know of other people (first hand accounts) who actually trembled in front of her. One candidate was so nervous that he picked up papers from the table (which did not belong to him, but to Ms. Ghose) while leaving when the interview got over. There are lots and lots of such stories.
While my sympathies were with these victims, in my heart I knew that these people really did not deserve good marks. If you can’t stand pressure in an interview, how will you take it when you are posted as a senior police officer or a district magistrate or an ambassador later in your life? Anyway, I wanted her panel. No matter what the marks. If the circumstances were any different, I could even have asked for her autograph!!!
Anyway, the day of my interview arrived. I was at the UPSC waiting hall and was informed that the table at which I was designated to wait belonged to some other panel in the morning session. My heart sank. There were 3 other people with me for the same panel. I was going to be the third candidate to be interviewed. Later, only 2 of us cleared. One lady was already in some other service and she continued with it. One person probably went back to prepare for next attempt (he was the first to be interviewed).
The interviews were to start at 2:00 PM. At 1:55 PM, a peon came to our table and said, “madam ka panel hai” (You are with The Madam’s panel). There was no mistaking who The Madam was. You can’t imagine the number of heartbeats my heart skipped. Wow! All the other people waiting at other tables heaved a collective sigh of relief. Apparantly, nobody wanted this panel. Except me.
First man went in at 2:00 sharp and came out sweating at 2:30. He made a mess of it. Ms. Ghose was very unhappy with him. The reputation was coming true. The lady candidate was next in. She went in at 2:35 and came out at 3:05. She spent half her interview trying to justify some triviality in her form. I was next at 3:10 PM.
There were 5 people on the panel. Lets call the members M1, M2, M3 and M4. Sitting right in the middle was Ms. Arundhati Ghose (AG), smoking a cigarette (Marlborough Lights, my guess). I wished her first (being the chairperson, as well as the only lady member there) according to protocol and then the other members collectively. I waited to be asked to be seated and took my seat when she asked me to.
She put out the cigarette and scanned my resume form (standardised UPSC format).
AG: Mr. Kumar, you passed out of IIT recently.. oh no, in 2002. This is April 2004. What have you been doing all this time?
VK: Ma’am, till November 2003, I had been preparing and appearing for the successive stages of the civil services examination. After that, I joined a telecom software startup started by some of my friends from IIT Bombay here in Delhi. I am there in an..
AG: Wait. Why are you speaking so quickly? Are you nervous? Just relax and take it easy. Speak slowly.
VK: Yes ma’am, I am nervous. This is my first, and hopefully the last, interview (smiles, trembles inwardly but doesn’t show it).
AG: Good, so proceed. What did you do at this startup?
VK: Ma’am, I am there in an informal capacity and do not draw any salary except the expenses and I help them out in any way possible. But by and large I deal with initiating contact with foreign telecom companies who might be interested in buying our software. I find out the companies, look for a key person, initiate contact, see if they would be willing to buy something. Once I get something positive, I hand it over to my Boss.
AG: So, you actually talk to these companies.. the foreigners?
VK: Yes.
AG: Have you succeeded somewhere? Which country?
VK: Ma’am I initiated the first deal that we made, in Brunei.
AG: Okay. You have given IFS as your first preference, despite your father being in the Police. Why?
VK: There are 2 reasons ma’am. Firstly, I have always wanted to represent India. To have that India tag on me. There is this feeling of pride I can’t explain. And secondly, I see more and more challenges ahead for the IFS in an increasingly globalised world. It seems exciting and I want to be where the action is.
AG: What is the biggest issue in the US presidential elections?
VK: Lots of them actually. Afghanistan, Outsourcing…
AG: No, the biggest issue.
VK: The Iraq War?
AG: Yes. Now, can you update me on the Indo-US relations?
(VK launches into an answer explaining things and bringing the Indo-Pak-US triangle into focus).
AG: You were talking about pride. But this is the government, you would have to do as your boss tell you to. Right?
VK: Yes, ma’am.
AG: Now, suppose you are in an Indian Embassy in some capacity below the rank of Ambassador. You get a direct order from Delhi, which you think is contary to our National Interests. Would you still carry it out?
VK: As you said ma’am, I probably would have to.
AG: (adopts a very nice tone) No! You must never do that. You should try and talk to the Ambassador and get him on your side. Once that is done, you can negotiate with New Delhi.
VK: But ma’am I was assuming that all this had been tried before. The order can not come out of the blue. The matter must have been under consideration for some time and I would have discussed it with the Ambassador already.
AG: Even then, you must not give up. The only guiding principle for you would be India’s National Interest. Nothing else. If you think something is wrong, refuse to carry out the order. The national interest must never be compromised.
VK: Yes ma’am. I’ll try my best to do that.
AG: Okay, you mentiom science fiction as your hobby. Name a few writers.
(VK names a few)
AG: All this fiction is fine, but has any of it ever come to reality?
(VK says yes and names a few things)
AG: Do you stay updated with science facts as well?
VK: Yes.
AG: Tell me about the Mars Mission.
(VK proceeds to talk about it. Can not name the vehicle. Discussion ensues around the table on the name and ends when Ms. Ghose brings it to an end)
AG: Okay, enough. Now the others can ask questions.
M1: You say listening to music in one of your hobbies. What kind of music?
VK: All kinds, Sir. Depends on my mood. I listen to pretty much everything.
M1: Even classical?
VK: Yes.
M1: Name some kinds of music.
(VK names 12-13 genres or so and is interrupted mid-sentence)
M1: The criminalization of politics is such a big problem. Why do criminals win elections?
VK: Because the elections are never fought on those lines. No matter what the national media says, down in the constituency, the issues are extremely local and mostly based on caste equations and local politics. So, unless there is a big wave, everything national is actually very local. Criminal backgrounds do not decide voters’ choices. Except perhaps the urban few, who do not vote anyway.
M1: So, what is the solution?
VK: Perhaps to stop them from contesting. Stricter legislation to prevent them from contesting and a more transparent information system. At the same time, efforts need to be continued to educate the people about the importance of these reforms.
M2: Mr. Kumar, what is this BPO thing? How does it work?
VK: Business Process Outsourcing Sir. (explains the BPO phenomena)
M2: Do you thing it will last?
VK: For the short-term, yes. But other developing countries will start catching up. Besides, there is the issue of growth of the BPO company and the professional growth of people working there.
M2: Meaning?
VK: An individual whose only skill is to answer calls would probably find it hard to find another job 5-6 years down the line. Not all of them can become managers. Besides, there are pressures of the lifestyle.
M2: You mean the health hazards of people in call centres. Elaborate.
VK: Only yesterday, there was a report in newspapers about a study that found the incidence of stress related disorders, drinking and (pauses, looks at Ms. Ghose, who had lit a cigarette a few minutes ago, and smiles)… smoking.
AG: (burtsts out laughing).. what did you say?
VK: Smoking ma’am. People working in call centres have been found to be more prone to smoking and they obviously expose themselves to the related health hazards.
(AG laughs some more and puts the cigarette out in an ash-tray which resembles an agricultural field growing cigarettes)
M3: You are a chemical engineer from IIT Bombay. Why did you opt for Philosophy and Public Administration?
VK: Philosophy because I have always been interested in the subject matter. My father named me after Swami Vivekanand and I have been reading material on Indian Philosophy ever since I started reading. Public Administration because I thought that if I have to do administration in life, I might as well learn something about it. Plus, the guidance was easily available.
M3: If a foreigner, during your posting abroad, asks you about the sociological impact of schools of Indian philosphy on life in India, what would you say?
VK: I’m sorry Sir, but my study has been restricted to the content of these philosphies. I have’t studied their impact.
M3: But you are interested in the subject. Would you continue reading more on the subject?
VK: Of course Sir. I find the subject fascinating.
M4: Mr. Kumar, a little while ago, while discussing Indo-Pak relations, you mentioned that India need not comment on every little thing that happens in the world. I say, we have no need to even talk to Pakistan. Do we have something in common with them. I say nothing. Nothing at all. Do you think there is anything we have in common with them?
VK: At least 2 things Sir. Firstly, the common history we share. We were practically one country barely 50 years ago. And… (interrupted by M4)
M4: No. We have no need to talk to them.. (repeats the same question again after a long monologue)
(VK starts answering again, and is interrupted again, M4 starts the same monologue)
AG: (sounds very angry and upset with M4) Enough M4! This is his interview. Why don’t you shut up and let him speak? Vivek, you answer the same question to me and ignore him completely.
VK: As I was saying ma’am, firstly there is the shared history and heritage. And secondly, both countries have claims on Kashmir. And no matter what we say, it keeps coming up again and again everywhere. It is an issue that we do share, though uncomfortably.
AG: You have held several positions at IITB.. Election Officer, Placement Representative etc. You have also won a few awards from your hostel for “organisation”. What is all this?
(VK explains the positions held at IITB and the awards from Hostel-3).
AG: Any last questions (looks around at all members)?
M4: May I ask one last question?
AG: Sure. Go ahead.
M4: You played hockey for your hostel for a while. What is the future of India hockey.
VK: Looks reasonably bright to me, Sir. At least the prospects are good. Youngsters are coming up, sponsors are also pitching in. Coaching seems to have improved.
M4: Do you think Dhanraj Pillay is good enough for the Indian team. Should he play?
VK: Well Sir, he is the most experienced and he is absolutely fit. He is the best player we have…
M4: No no.. just say Yes or No. Should he be in the team?
VK: Yes.
AG: Okay. The interview is over. You may leave Mr. Kumar. Thank you.
(VK thanks her and all the members and walks out without turning back)
I went straight to the waiting room and sipped some cold water. Phew! Time? 4:05 PM. I had lasted over 50 minutes!!! Incredible!
The conversation is more or less exact. But of course, some approximations have been made. I have also forgotten a few points. The highlight of the interview for me was the fact that she actually asked a member to shut up and let me speak. And the fact that she could understand the joke I tried about smoking being bad for health.
It was such a relief to know that it was over. I was swamped in the waiting hall by other people and the next candidate.
I came out of the UPSC campus and walked to Rajasthan House where my uncle was staying.
I analysed my performance to be worth atleast 200 marks (out of 300). This was one hell of a satisfying interview. I didn’t sweat. My voice didn’t shake. I made Ms. Ghose laugh several times. She asked a member to shut up for me. And… she was explaining things to me as if I was already in the IFS. Surely, that couldn’t be a bad sign.
As it happened, I got 225 in the interview :)
She has retired now. I am in the service. A lot of my prayers were answered around that time. Thank God. Thanks Ms. Ghose :)

IAS interview experience

So far my father had watched with some kind of disbelief that I had passed the Mains too, but he had not really enquired how I did it nor had he offered any advice, unsolicited or otherwise. In the circumstances it came as quite a shock when he phoned me and asked me to proceed to Delhi to attend a one-week interview coaching at Raus. He had already paid the fee!
I didn't really want to go, but decided I should simply to avoid any confrontation with dad. I stayed with a friend, who offered me practical advice: Lets go and have a look at Raus, maybe we'll see some pretty IAS aspirants there. And off we went, and the first person I saw there was this pretty lady from the South of India. She finally didn't get through the Civil Services. I did. And married her!
The coaching at Raus was, to put it mildly, useless, and I would drag myself to it simply to be with this pretty woman.
Finally the D Day arrived in early May. It was hot in Delhi, and I wore a plain shirt and pant (no suit, contrary to the advice that I was given). Dholpur House (where UPSC is located) can be quite intimidating at the best of times, and now here were so many of us-some nervous, some calm, but all anticipating the worst.
I think my name was the sixth to be called out, and by that time I had noticed that on an average each interview was taking about 30 minutes. I entered this room with 5 people (including one lady) sitting on the dangerous side of the table. The Chairman was a retired Air Marshal, the others were retired civil servants, while the lady was a professor. I was asked to sit down after the formal good afternoons, and the Chairman asked me what business my father was into. I told him that our family business was petrol pumps, automobiles, and audio-visual equipment. And thus began my interrogation. I say interrogation because I barely knew the answers to questions like:
What is the difference between a diesel engine and a petrol engine?
Why does a petrol engine have a spark plug while a diesel engine doesnt?
What is stereophonic sound and what is quadrophonic sound?
Can you describe the internal design of a speaker?
What is stereoscopic vision?
By the end of this bombardment of scientific queries I was ready to flee, but managed to reply reasonably intelligently (or so I think, else they would have driven me out by then). The Chairman now handed me over to the others, and questions that followed were simpler (because they related to what I knew):
Can you differentiate between the parliamentary systems of India and UK?
Why should we have a multi-party system?
What do you think is the effect of the television on the family?
Would you say that the institution of marriage has a purely economic foundation?
Why do you think women are called the weaker sex? Are the reasons physical or sociological?
Do genes determine behaviour? Or are we taught how to behave? What is the process of socialization?
So you read books. Which ones? Herman Hesse. OK, explain his philosophy. Albert Camus? Have you read his "A Happy Death?" Tell us about it. Can death be happy?
You read poetry? What is blank verse?
Suddenly one member asked me to stand up and turn around. I did and found myself facing a large map of the world mounted on the wall.
Please point out the Read Sea, Black Sea and the Yellow Sea to us.
I did.
Please point out the Golden Triangle, Bermuda Triangle and the Red Triangle.
I pointed out the first two, and said the third would not be on a map.
Where would it be?
Sir it is a logo for the family planning campaign.
Excellent. Sit down.
Suppose you got through, what inducements do you think you would be offered to bend the law or do things out of turn?
I said "money".
What else?
I was about to say "booze" but checked myself and said "alcohol."
What else?
I looked blank.
Think.
I thought and said "sex."
They all smiled and that was the end of my interview.
And to cut the long story short, I passed the interview too!

Nagarajan IAS

To be an IAS was his childhood dream... single-minded devotion and intelligent hard-work helped him. His success in the Civil Services and rise to the top cannot but inspire. Meet S Nagarajan in a heart-to-heart talk with Jojo Mathews, Editor, Competition Wizard
To whom would you like to attribute your success?
I attribute my success to the members of my family and friends. In this attempt, especially friends were very supportive. Besides, my single-minded devotion, intelligent hard work, determination and dedication played an important role in lifting me to this position.

What prompted you to prepare for Civil Services?
I was brought up in a district-town. It is a very old town, more than two hundred years old. In a district-town, the career option as a district collector is seen prestigious. Moreover, the challenging nature of the job and the opportunities to feel for the sufferings of people and to solve their problems to a possible extent motivated me to prepare for civil services.

Why do you want to join Indian Administrative Service?
The first and foremost thing is that it offers the spirit of full-time public service. Even in private sector one can do public service by offering a portion of salary to charity after making good money. But here a full-time involvement in public service is missing. Second thing is that as a gentleman’s career, I think, IAS is even better than a good corporate job.

What did you do after your graduation in electrical engineering?
I completed my graduation in 2000. I had taken the Prelim in the same year, cleared the Main but failed to get through the exam finally.

What was your score in the first-attempt?

Electrical Engineering 294
Physics 260
General Studies 354
Essay 110
Interview 194

I found out that my marks in physics were very low even in the old syllabus. Moreover, the syllabus of physics changed in 2001. So, I decided to drop physics because the new syllabus was much more complex, and I opted for Geography.
Why did you choose Geography?
I put forward my problems to an expert in this field. He suggested me to go for either Geography or Psychology. According to him engineers can opt for either Geography or Psychology. But I was not confident of taking any social science subject. Psychology was a new subject and I didn’t feel comfortable with its syllabus. In Geography at least some science is involved. It is only an extension of what we studied in the school. So it was purely a strategic decision without much options.

Why did you decide to join ‘Interactions’ for Geography?
There were two institutes that I had short-listed. I consulted with my seniors and friends; they suggested me to join Interactions because at Interaction guidance is very authentic, meticulously planned and to the point.

What were your experiences of learning Geography?
I understood that in Geography by studying around 50% syllabus I can aim for around 400 marks. In the first attempt itself I secured 396 and in the second attempt 336.
Geography has a very compact and comfortable syllabus. There are around 20 chapters in the syllabus. What I felt that we needed to study only 10 chapters in both the Papers. The ten chapters are also delimited into Part A and Part B of both the Papers. Before the exam one can decide which two questions one has to attempt from Part A or Part B. That is how the syllabus becomes more compact. By good analysis of the previous years’ question papers, one can reduce even ten topics to seven. In both the Papers one can score good marks by using maps and illustrations.
What was your result in the second attempt?

Geography 396
Electrical Engineering 242
General Studies 348
Essay 118
Interview 156

I secured 137th rank and was allocated to the Railway Traffic Services. I found that though I prepared the best for electrical engineering but I could secure only 242 marks. I used to clear objective type questions of the electrical engineering in Civil Services as well as other competitive exams without much preparation. In the Main, I found that the syllabus was getting unmanageable and the questions were getting beyond any reasonable standard. So, I decided to drop electrical engineering and opted for Sociology.

Why did you choose Sociology?
One of my friends, Mr Deepak Choudhary suggested me to opt for Sociology. He felt that I had an aptitude for Sociology rather than Psychology.

Considering the fact that the time at your disposal was limited, how did you manage Sociology?
In a sense, Sociology needs much deeper understanding than Geography. In Geography, one could skillfully put a map and explain to the examiner that he knows the subject. I was more comfortable in Geography because I had a very good understanding of Indian Geography. But in Sociology, I got around 150 in Paper I and around 130 in Paper II. My preparation was inadequate. I didn’t have the grasp of the subject itself. This I could set right in the final attempt after a gap of one year. I utilized the time to read some good authors so that I could get some understanding of the subject. The subject became more clear when I read Gidden’s Sociology. I also prepared the syllabus very seriously.
Why did you take a gap of one year?
This gap was due to the training. Moreover, I had no option other than joining training. Frankly speaking, I was expecting to clear that year itself.

What was your score in the third attempt?

Geography 335
Sociology 285
General Studies 330
Essay 118
Interview 185

How did you manage time in the final attempt?
I was very fortunate that I was granted leave for preparing Main examination. For this, I should thank my chief operations manager Mr R Sharma.

Was there any change in strategy in the last attempt?
In the last attempt, I stuck to the syllabus. For example, by the end of preparation in Sociology, I could write at least 200 words on every sub-topic in the syllabus. 200 words means writing 10 to 20 points depending upon the writing style. This type of preparation I had done for the 90 per cent of the syllabus. If you are confident on two hundred words it can easily be expanded to 600 words. The same thing I did for geography.
While reading magazine if I found anything relevant to the syllabus I used to add that page to my study materials. For example, whenever I saw a good map in any magazine, I entered that map into the pertaining page of my study materials.

Generally, students are a bit confused whether to make notes or only points or study directly from the textbooks. What was your style of preparation?
I studied from the book directly. But, it varies from person to person. I was never dependent on notes to revise. At one point of time I was able to revise the entire syllabus in a single day. But that is difficult, so it is better to make notes.

In which revision you reached that stage where you could revise entire syllabus in a single day?
Third revision. Fourth revision should be the day before the exam.

Do you suggest that at least four or five revisions should be there?
Five revisions will be difficult. Three to four revisions are required. At least second revision is a must. It should not be like that one study the subject and take the exam directly. October onwards it should be only revisions. One should not continue learning anything new.

Did you prepare notes other than reading books?
I did not make notes condensing the books. I made notes heading wise, purely to write a 200 word answer. My notes were skeletons of the answers.

There is a lot of confusion regarding reading books. Some say that read only a few books, others suggest to go for an extensive reading. What is your opinion about it?
I read very less number of books. For Geography, I read both NCERT (Old and New) books. For entire Physical Geography, I read only one book. For human Geography, I read only 2-3 books. Other than these, I read a few general books like Survey of Hindu on Environment and Industries.

What is the role of coaching in one’s preparation? When one should go for it?
In my personal case, it is a trade off. I decided my second optional very late, only after receiving the mark-sheet of the first attempt. It was mid-June. So, I did not have any other alternative other than joining a coaching institute.

You went to the coaching classes without any knowledge about the subjects. How did you manage it?
I knew that I could make maximum use of coaching. I was a fairly keen student in college also. Sitting in a class with competitive students and a good coach is an easy way of learning. I was making a trade-off between my time and the coaching time. If I had more time I would have prepared it by myself.
How did you utilise the coaching institute? Should one go to a coaching institute?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. It depends on persons, resources, coaching institutes etc. If somebody is confident that he will not waste time and will utilize the coaching institute well one should go for it. But the most important thing is that coaching institutes should be very reliable and dependable.

How one should choose an institute?
I relied on my friends. Students must consult their seniors who know about different institutes in Delhi. Moreover, your seniors should be your well-wishers.

You scored consistently in GS in the first three attempts and this year it may be more than that. But majority of candidates are unable to score consistently in GS especially in Paper II. How one should prepare for GS? How one can do well in two marks questions?
Let me explain it subject wise.
History: Go to the basic books like NCERT, Freedom struggle by Bipin Chandra and Spectrum’s history. In 2001, they asked questions directly from NCERT. For a non-social science student it will do.
Polity: I relied upon NCERT books and the class-notes. Moreover, I answered the questions of last 15 years. Questions are heavily repeated. Answering the previous years’ questions help in thinking faster in the exam.
Geography: I didn’t go for any separate preparation.
Current Affairs: I relied upon the crash course notes. I think, it is better to rely upon crash course notes or something similar from any civil service magazines like Competition Wizard rather than reading newspaper.
Science and Technology: From the beginning I was strong in Science and Technology. I was also in touch with my friends who work in different science streams. I kept abreast of the relevant happenings. My sources were more varied. Spectrum’s Science and Technology is good.
Economy: Uma Kapila’s ‘Understanding problems of Indian Economy’ is quite useful. Some of the questions were directly related to the headings of its chapters. For kick starting, we can rely upon some good coaching institute’s notes. Economy has two types of questions – one is current-oriented and the other is from traditional core section of economy.
International Relations: I relied upon coaching institute’s notes and other study material.

What was your strategy for 30 marks questions of 250 words? Did you stick to the word limit? Did you write introduction, conclusion etc?
Word limit is basically a time limit. I have a sense of time limit and time limit, in a sense, is page limit. When you see the question paper you can say that you are going to write this concept in this much space. 250 words will be about two and a half page. If I know that I want to talk about a concept in a quarter of page and if it exceeds that limit, then in the next concept I need to write less. Inside the examination hall, after every half an hour I used to check whether I completed 50 marks or not. I didn’t have time problem in any of my attempts.
In GS, there is no scope for introduction. 250 words is fairly less for a good students.
In Sociology, I explained the questions and its components in introduction. In Geography, I had better introduction. I used some direct phrases from the NCERT. I also used pre-planned introduction in some topics. I quoted some paragraphs from NCERT in Essay too.

When one should start preparing for Civil Services?
Ideally, the preparation process should start during graduation, but even late comers should make it, starting 7-8 months before the Prelim.

Did you have any plan for Civil Services during graduation?
During my graduation, I had a plan. But in our college, we didn’t have many people who were preparing for it.

When did you finally decide?
I finally decided in the fourth year of B.E.

What was your strategy for the Prelim?
A subject-wise analysis of last 10 years’ question paper is required. The classification itself will give a feeling of what is being asked in the exam. I had a matrix of last ten years’ paper of the General Studies as well as the optional. Those areas in which I was not competent, I studied in detail.
Did you practise answer-writing?
I wrote only a few answers, may be less than ten in each paper. But I planned skeletons for entire last 10 years’ papers including all 200 words questions. By writing 10 answers I got to know my speed; my thinking power; whether I am able to give proper introduction or not and whether I am exceeding word limit or time limit.

What was your strategy for Essay?
I did some brainstorming for some topics. But in the exam I never wrote the topics, which I was prepared for. I wrote approximately 1000-1200 words.

What is the most crucial thing in the essay writing to fetch maximum marks?
A coherent essay may fetch around 115-120 marks. One should stick to the basic points. Beating around the bush will mar the purpose. Good introduction, one concept in one paragraph and smooth transition from one paragraph to other are the basic rules.

How did you prepare for Personality Test this time?
In the previous attempts my preparations were haphazard. I was rushing through coaching classes. More thinking about personality and Bio-data are required rather than trying to know more about current-affairs. This time, I asked myself why I wanted to join civil services? Why did I leave a good engineering career and joined Railways? Why do I want to leave Railways and go to IAS loosing three years of service? Then I worked on my Bio-data and tried to generate as far away questions as possible. Almost the entire interview was what I thought of.
What was your personal experience of Interview Board?
The interview depends upon with what frame of mind one appears before the Interview Board. This year I was very confident of my selection. I performed very well as a Railway officer. Second thing is that interview itself is a purposeful conversation rather than a strict question-answer session. Keeping it in mind I conversed confidently with the Board members. Had I kept answering tersely to the question they would have not even got a chance to find whether I was worth enough to the service.

What do you think about Competition Wizard?
Special issues on Prelim and Main are very good and concise. It helped me a lot in the course of my preparation. Simplicity, brevity, accuracy and quality consciousness are the other things that impressed me much about Competition Wizard.

What is your impression about Interactions?
Fact speaks for itself. A person who has no background in Geography had studied three months at Interactions and secured 396 in the first attempt. On 15th June, I had decided to change one Optional subject and chose Geography. On 17th October were the Main Papers and I secured 396.
What is your hobby?
Reading and watching movies. In the interview, they asked me what especially I read. I read both Tamil and English. A member of the Board asked me whether I had read any works of the Jnanpith award winner Jayakanth. I told them that I had read a number of his short stories. Then I could tell a short story in the Interview. I felt that they were quite impressed with my narration.
As regards watching movies, they asked me about my favourite English actor and movies. I had never thought about my favourite English actors. So, the answer came spontaneously in an unstructured fashion. Had I planned about these questions earlier, I would have been able to answer it in a more coherent manner.

What is your advice to new comers?
Preparation should be structured, methodical, scientific, meticulous and detailed. A good revision is needed. Don’t plunge into Prelim and waste attempts before having a clear-cut idea about the nature of the exams and a good command over the subjects. Failure will come but it should not deter us.

How many hours did you study daily?
At least six hours a day, morning and evening three hours each. But I did not do any other activity. To keep the momentum it is better to have teamwork.

What is the role of luck in Civil Services?
Bad luck will put people out and without preparation no luck will put anybody in.

Where do you see yourself when you are at sixty?
At sixty, I will be starting a new career.