UPSC IAS Interview Transcript 2023

Pawanjot Kaur; Date of Interview: 24th July 2020 PK Joshi Board 6th one to go- called at around 12:30pm (Lots of patience and energy needed) Duration-30-40 minutes Optional: Commerce and Accountancy Hobbies: Ashtanga Yoga, Contributing to Google Maps The main challenge in post COVID Interviews lies in your handling of the mask-gloves-shield trio. They are all equally annoying. People with glasses face more problems as the moisture from breathing settles on your glasses and face-shield. If you are comfortable with contact lenses, kindly choose them over glasses. Also, be hydrated properly as you will sweat profusely throughout the process- thanks to this trio I mentioned. Please meditate in the days to come and focus on retaining your composure. It is the single most important thing in this round of the interview. Chairman: 1. You are Pawanjot Kaur, right? 2. You did your graduation from SRCC, M.com from DSE, then taught in DU for around six months, why didn’t you continue in Academics and rather chose Civil Services? 3. Which subjects did you teach? 4. For how many years have you been preparing for Civil Services? 5. What is a balance sheet? I gave meaning/significance, Components- Assets, Liabilities and also talked about old and new format. 6. Does a balance sheet depict the true picture of the financial position of the firm, like you mentioned? To a large extent yes but accounting policies can cause some discrepancy 7. You offered Income Tax, right? What are the 5 heads under which income is taxed? 8. Under which head is the salary of MP and MLA charged? Beckoned to ask M1 to take over M1 1. You must be comfortable with trade and business, right? So tell me why are FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) not very beneficial for India? 2. What is our most important mercantile export? 3. Which countries/continent is India comfortable with, with regards to trade? 4. Major Export items? 5. Why refinery products? 6. Major import items? 7. Which of these is not a good deal for India? 8. Why is price of gold rising? He mentioned it has risen to Rs. 52,000. Is WTO system working well, as USA is warning that it will pull out of WTO? 9. He said perceptions apart, is the system totally broken etc? Somewhere in the middle of this section, M1 noticed how foggy my specs and face shield were and asked me to remove it. Chairman intervened and asked me to clean my specs also. Was so relieved! Instantly thanked them both. M2 (Lady member- with mask on it looked like she was frowning while I was giving answers to others, but when she started conversing, it looked like she was nice only) Tip- Don’t be bothered about Panel Members’ expressions. They are all nice people. 1. You said in a previous answer that education sector needs reforms, what reforms would you bring? 2. Business Studies is a subject taught by CBSE in XI-XII, do you think it is a good idea? 3. There have been protests and unrest in various universities of Delhi, what are reasons? 4. What is the pain-point- I talked about college leadership not supporting demands 5. What have been the responses of college leadership? 6. Students are protesting and rioting, why shouldn’t they be stopped? M3 (Mostly standalone questions asked in a mechanical manner, looked like he had a list of such questions already framed) 1. You have studied in SRCC, why does your institution have sky-rocketing Cut-offs? 2. Yoga is your Hobby, how many types of Yoga are there? 3. You contribute to Google Maps, how do you do that? 4. What is Urban Naxal? 5. Are we Non-aligned? 6. JNU students keep creating headlines every 15 days. We should shut the institution, there is no need for it. What do you think? 7. Who are the first women Fighter pilots of India? 8. Last and final question: Now we have GST, tell me the difference between Pre GST and Post GST scenario While I was still expecting a volley of questions, M4 signalled Chairman that he was done and the Chairman signaled to me that my interview was over. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Surjith Date : 22/7/2020 CSE 2019 Board : PK Joshi Chemical engineer from Kerala Hobbies : Football Chairman : 1. What is your profile? 2. Which all subjects do you teach? 3. Throw some insights on evolution of Himalayas ( Geography Optional) 4. What is GPS. Give its applications 5. What is GIS 6. What is the difference between Chemical engineering and Engineering Chemistry Member 1 1. What was the conditions of Himalayan region before it's origin (asking about thethys origin) 2. What is god particle. 3. Are you aware of Stephen Hawking's views on research on quantum physics 4. What is GIAN network 5. What is SWAYAM program? 6. Which is your favourite football club and coach. ( Football hobby) 7. Give a quality of the coach which impressed you the most. Member 2 1. What is Chemical complexity index 2. What is a Scrubber 3. How does it function in reducing the pollutants 4. What do you mean by SULPHUR 2020 5. What is Ease of Living Index 6. Which organization publish it 7. What is Ease of doing business index 8. How it is measured Member 3 1. You are a Kendriya vidyalaya student, why the government schools infrastructure and performance is poor in India. 2. What suggestions can be given to improve them 3. Does draft National education policy suggestions address the problems you mentioned. 4. What is one nation, one ration 5. What are its benifits 6. How does it help you when you are in Delhi Member 4 1. Explain the Kalaripayatu to me in simple terms 2. What is the difference between EQ and IQ, followed by a case study on the same. 3. What do you mean by Grand Slams. Explain 4. What is your view on NGO. 5. India and China were two equal countries during early 1950s, but China got far ahead of India. What China got right and India got wrong. Chairman : Thankyou 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Madhusree Board: PK Joshi Civil engineering Interest: Bhagavadgita, Teaching Sports: Kabaddi, Shotput Chair: 1. Civil engineering difference between the upsc building you waited till now and the building you are sitting now 2. Green building 3. Difference between leakage and seepage 4. Weather vs climate M1 1. Difference in qualities of a political leader and bureaucratic leader 2. Name some charismatic leaders 3. Can a leader with no communication skill be charismatic M2 1. Types of cement 2. What is quick setting cement 3. What is M40 4. Unit of 40 5. Amount of Carbon dioxide released in production of one tonne of cement 6. Who wrote Bhagavad Gita 7. How many minutes it took to recite it? 8. Is Kabaddi part of Asian games 9. What is atmanirbhar bharat M3 1. Durkhiem's contribution to sociology 2. Is bhagavadgita a mahakavya or khandakavya 3. China and India why so much difference in development M4 1. Why so much craze for gold in Kerala 2. Why people feel it is a good investment despite the fact that it's returns are lower than other investment options 3. Why kerala's port not so well developed 4. What are the potentials of the long coastline of Kerala 5. Performance of Kerala in ease of living index 6. Who is Jayprakash Narayanan 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Board: Manoj Soni Sir Date : 24th July , morning session , 5th to go. hobby : running, travelling and food tasting. education: B.sc , LL.b, LL.m ( constitutional law) Chairman: there are too many address in your DAF. so where are you currently- Sir, surat since i have recently joined services there. 2. famous line on surat food and since you are also a foodie - me: surat nu jaman ane banaras nu maran . i.e. for food go to surat and for moksh goto banaras. 3. do you think we should make DPSP justiciable by 2047 ( this he framed in almost 2 mins creating a good background on it). 4. tell me two points in favour and two against. 5. will you do it ? 6. how many Dpsp in constitution. and tell me 5 very important. M1 1. a big epidemic in surat in the 1980s? 2. difference between solicitor general and advicate general. 3. how many wars india has fought. and in one line explain all of them. i mentioned 1962, 1965, 1971 . he asked about 1949. so i mentioned that as well. 4. 1999 kargil ? not a war ? i said sir since you asked wars with nation and this is was not a full fledged open war. so i did not mention. 5. what about galwan? we lost 20 lives ? not a war ? 1 or 2 more questions I cannot remember regarding the same. M2 1. comment on lies, dammed lies and statistics 2. how can we improve it ? 3. how to implement it in larger scale 4. SDGs (since i Mentioned in one of my answers .) does it has any special provision for disabled ? 5. is the govt doing enough ? if not where do we lack ? 6. how do we improve this ? 7. as an admisitrator how will you bring changes 8. any provision in the National building code regarding the same ? i said no, so she asked me to take a good read at it. 🙈 M3. 1. why do you like experimenting with food ? 2. explain with one recent experience and explain the dish with your logic. 3. which is the famous food of bihar ?( Litti chokha ) 4. process in making it. 5. why don't you join judiciary - i told him i was already working as civil servant to which he followed up by asking me why not judiciary. . (eventually i had to say sir i would definitely give it a thought.) 6. major amendment in cr.pc by which executiveagistrate power was transferred to judicial magistrate ? i made a wrong attempt here by talking about 176A . 6. to which he said the provision is in regards to cr. pc to remove Nuisance . i said sorry to which he told me its sec 133. M4 ( by now the chairman had already started giving the member warning to look at the watch before even starting. ) 1. is civil services still the same effective today ? 2. what all things can be done in regards to the same ? he still managed to ask a couple of questions which i am unable to recall. Chairman wished me luck . thanks ! 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Ss Sujata madam board Ch: 1. Introduce yourself 2. Tell about your work experience and what you did 3. Vizag gas leak and the reasons 4. Was chemical safety taught in your college (DAF) 5. Is it sufficient or anything more you will like to add 6. What are the last two food items you wrote about( DAF) 7. There is one class that can eat food and other are finding it hard ...Do u feel there is disparity in India with respect to food 8. What do u think we have done or have we done enough to address the food issue from march to June that is during corona times M1 1. So u play badminton at what level 2. Can u tell any success stories if badminton 3. Who are main competitors of India in badminton 4. What can India do to achieve higher success in badminton 5. Is badminton an expensive or cheap sport 6. Do u see badminton stature has improved? 7. What did u do as participation of cultural events M2. 1. What is Vedic maths 2. Tell Exactly 4 parameters to see if river is polluted for eg in namami change what are the 4 parameters or metrics used to see if ganga is clean or polluted 3. How can technology make chemical industries safer 4. How can technology make people working in plants safer 5. How can technology be used to make address pre covid issue as in if somebody has to communicate that they have corona or how can we avoid the spread using technology M3. 1. Have you heard of crowd funding,where can it be used successfully 2. What are payment banks and evaluate them 3. Why is it that in agriculture we have 5 percent population but only 17 percent gdp can it be made better M4. 1. 4 distinct stages of badminton 2 differences in various folk dances as explained to a lay man mentioned in the daf 3. What is csr and is it useful? 4. Have you heard of cicada we vishawas scheme -what is it and it's success or failure Ch: Would you like us to ask on anything that you have prepared but we didn't ask Interview is over Thank you 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Pickle jam Board : p k joshi Eng electronics and comm Poems cycling basketball Chairperson 1Difference b e and btech 2How do we calculate national income 3Two strengths and weakness of mp Two follow up questions 4 logistical challenges in mp Member 2 How many type of cycling events in olympics Olympic games previously cancelled which years world wars could have been averted Questions about water treatment What is green national income Member3 What is green national income Water quality standards Did a iot kind of project in water quality monitoring How can u improve water quality monitoring What do you know about index number Hdi of india Mam Brettonwoods institution Significance of rajya sabha What is uS senate Who heaquaters Member 5 Do we need ngo Japan china relation Should psus be privatized Has the value of engineering as a proffession decreased 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Mandar Patki Date - 24th July (afternoon) Board- P K Joshi Sir Graduation - Mechanical Engineering (2018) Optional - Anthropology DAF - Electoral officer, Police Mitra, Journaling Hobby, Visiting Gram Sabha Chairman 1. You are from Beed, you completed your graduation in Pune university. What is full name of Pune university? 2. Contributions of Savitribai Phule? 3. Books written by Jyotirao phule? 4. Difference between Mechanical and Production Engineering? 5. Technical mechanical terms- CPT, CRT (no idea) 6. Difference between Petrol and Diesel Engine? 7. What is Kyoto Protocol? 8. What is UNFCCC? Member 1- 1. You are a mechanical Engineer, but have anthropology as a optional. Why so? 2. Why Covid is doing such a Havoc? What is impact on society? 3. Do u think india successfully handled Covid crisis? 4. Coming to anthropology, why we should isolate the tribes who are distant in their culture, why should we not integrate them? Member 2- 1. Define Artificial Intelligence to a layman. 2. On one hand we are having demographic dividend, on other hand we are adopting AI. Isnt it paradox? What should we do to benefit from AI? 3. Do you know the name of aircraft which is using solar energy and circumventing the earth. 4. What is Carbon Tax? Does india have carbon tax? Member 3- inaudible 1. You were electoral officer in college. Tell me, what government needs to do to increase people's trust in electoral process and what steps should we take. Tell me in points like 1, 2, 3 2. How to encourage people to come to vote, what steps are required? 3. Analyzing past 10 years record, do you think election commission has been impartial in its role? What is your opinion 4. You know water table is going down. Ground water is decreasing. What steps are required to improve water table? 5. You are from Maharashtra. Tell me how Saint Tukaram reformed society? What is his contribution? Member 4- lady member 1. You have done your diploma in mechanical engineering. Then you have done your BTech in mechanical. Why didn't join job after diploma? 2. So you are not accommodating your sisters advice also as you are leaving mechanical for civil services. (based on my previous response) 3. Don't you think this is exact reason why skill india is failing, because youth like you are not joining jobs. 4. Tell me some reforms required in skill india mission. 5. You know India is demanding reform in UNSC. Why India is demanding a permanent seat in UNSC? 6. What are the obstacles to get a permanent seat in UNSC? Chairman - Ok. Interview is over. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Pk Joshi sir Board Afternoon session -2nd one to go Optional -Anthropology Hobbies- Cooking and Dancing Graduation-BDS Gurugram,Haryana Female Chairman 1.Have u ever visited Nashik (as birthplace was that) 2.What gurgaon famous for ? 3.If you are made Dm of gurgaon in which areas will you work ? 4.Why IAS after Bds ..when did u decide to prepare for civil service 5.India is called as rich country with poor people..why ? Member 1 1.Who was first female doctor of india and of world ? 2.what is proton therapy? 3. What is PPP and example 4.what is carbon tax ? Member 2 1. is flossing good for teeth or bad..what is your view? Any alternative of flossing 2.In what areas Haryana economy is good. 3.Amazon investing in Reliance retail..Is it good or bad ? 4.what are blood diamonds ? Member 3 (lady ) 1.what is fast food ? Difference between fast food and junk food . 2.what cooking oil is good for consumption 3.Are we importer of oil or exporter.How much oil do we import and why 4.If u are asked to plan mid day meal ..what items u would include in the meal 5.Do radio have any use today..when we have smartphones ..tv..and other gadgets How can radio serve useful and in what areas ? Member4 1.Difference between Sagarmala and Bharatmala. 2.Difference between Blue economy and Green economy. 3.Name some tribes which stays in isolation..should we develop them or leave them alone and how ? 4.First female dancer of india and of world 5.Tell me about lipulekh Chairman: Ok u may leave now ! 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

seemed harsh) M3 - What is energy security? how is our energy security? What are we doing for that. A - Told of 85% oil dependance and how vulnerable like Iran geo-politics Some counter questions on whether it makes us insecure or no. He said we will buy from someone else, what’s the issue then. (I held my ground) I said yes we can, but Iranian oil is cheap, oil quality good and 60 day credit period etc. Then asked on quality of oils, sweet oil etc - I said Texas oil..and said I don't know sir. Then he moved to other question. M3 - Which is the country that is saying visit us before we drown? A - Sir, I can’t recall. Just when he was shifting the baton to M4, I said, sir Mauritius? M3 - He smiled broadly along with M4 and said its Maldives, but yes, very close! M4 (Lady Member) - Asked on More Crop, Per drop phrase. What is it? What are we doing for it? A - Talked of shift to water productivity from land productivity. We are implementing PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Har Khet ko Jal, Micro irrigation and partnership with Israel etc M4- What are the technologies for saving water in agri? A - Rain water harvesting, Drip irrigation, Drones for sensing soil/water, ISRO’s Bhuvan Satellite to map groundwater etc M4 - What we are doing to climate proof agriculture? A - Talked of drought and flood resilient varieties from prestigious IARI, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture under National Action Plan on Climate Change + agro climatic planning. M4 - Asked me schemes/govt steps for rural women? A - Told about Ujjawala Yojana, Rural Livelihood Mission, SBA. On asking more, PM MVVY, ICDS, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. In between she confirmed about Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Livelihood Mission. A - Told of awareness, saving accounts etc in BBBP and of SHGs in Livelihood Mission M4 - What is empowerment (I assumed asking in context of women)? A - Empowerment means expanding the choice/freedom and capability for women- it has social, political, economic dimension. M4 - So you know all about schemes! Tell me whether these schemes are actually empowering women. A - (Being all positive and somewhat ) and Yes, definitely. Talked of how Ujjawal helped remove 8 crore women's drudgery to fetch firewood removed due to , toilets for women etc. M4 - Its good they get LPG but do you think women have freedom enough to say that we wont cook.? A - (Tried to be all positive and gave personal touch) Ma’am, these are long held social traditions. But gender parity is coming in terms of sharing household responsibilities. We see it in urban and peri urban areas and slowly in rural areas also mindsets are changing. My own personal experience of smokeless stoves project where I saw when women got financial empowerment, they earned respect from husband. And when these women went for project even outside the state, the males were ready to pitch in for their household work. M4 - Nodded in agreement (as it seemed!) and looked towards CP. CP - Okay, thank you. I thanked CP and other members and left. Overall Was a good experience. Almost NIL questions on my graduation subject or current affairs/corona. Mostly on the DAF, optional and generic stuff. Didn’t have much issues in Mask and Shield since I was first to go, although for few seconds it becomes foggy. Happy that some luck helped in questions, answers to which I had randomly encountered - like Vladivostok example (in a youtube video), Shale in West Bengal, India Gate (from previous transcript - Thanks to this group!). Tried to back my answers with data, schemes and used key words (not jargons) from my field/hobbies/optional and maintained optimism. Good Luck to other candidates! Rock it. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

R.N. Choubey sir's board 23/07 Forenoon, second to go Work ex- Telecom and State police Face shield and gloves compulsory, sir allowed to take down the mask. C.M. sir: Started with brief instructions to make me comfortable and asked me to remain honest while answering. Is it ok to bluff or not according to you? Brief Intro? Do you believe in God? Give me one logical reason to justify your belief in God. You have held 2 significant posts, give me one learning which you find important from both the jobs. What is the difference between morality and spirituality? M1: Continued from CM sir's question that you said earlier one should not bluff but there are incidents from Mahabharata where they resorted to lie(he mentioned about the ashwatthama incident where yudhishthir lied), is it justified? Certain follow up questions based on this. If you are made the incharge of reforms with power of making any changes, what are the 3 reforms in police you will bring to reduce corruption? More police persons will lead to more corruption, is it? In your belief, 3 things since independence which should be proud of? M2: Cyber security- what can we do to improve it? What do you mean by financial inclusion? What can we do about it? JAM Trinity- What is it? India has experienced many secessionist movements, mention any3 separatist movement? M3: Questions related to my current work in police and police training? Should we abolish the ips and people from the state services should become the head of state police force? Follow up questions. Can Bhopal become the next silicon valley? Should we organize Olympics in India? Is it prudent? M4: Having anthropology optional, What do you mean by Folklore? Mention 3 folklores of your town. Kashmiri pandit rehabilitation-what measures are required? Amarnath yatra stopped- good or bad? Way ahead? Reservation in promotion, Should or shouldn't it be there? Till when shall it continue? Promotion should be merit based or not? Chairman sir concluded the interview with best wishes. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Chaubey sir board 24-07, morning, second to go Btech - electrical, iitk 2 year job experience - samsung and juniper networks Psir Hobbies- ml techniques, contemporary dance No questions from electrical, ir or hobbies Mainly social, culture, higher education, tech Do you know about mask controversy? *Told him basic idea and then he explained Did you come by uber? What have they done to avoid infection? Tell about your background academuc and professional Something must have appealed to you in psir. Why did you choose it after btech? Which thinker appealed to you most? Relevance of marx? Members: Lockdown or no lockdown. Which one is better? *Compared west vs india But in scandinavian, it was better. What would you say? What is gotra? Bioinfirmatics? Foreign colleges opening up in india. Your views. But if iits open in villages, would it have great outcomes? What is wifi? Maximum data that can be transferred what is the limit? *not sure what it meant, said not throughput but volume of data Khap panchayat should be banned ? Your views Buddhism- how many types? *Not sure why this came up Why so many types? Name any two children famous today? What would be your advice to greta if you were her elder brother? Like dosa in south what is famous in north india? *Said poha No , something made similarly like dosa? How is it made? *cooking not my hobby, neither mentioned it anywhere Sexual harassment at workplace- should it be reduced or eliminated? How to prevent sexual harassment at workplace? *Said - internal committee, awareness and stern action Would these really help? You are dm. Politician doesnt like your acts and buys media persons and newspapers start false reporting against you. What would you do? Subsidies - should they be banned? What should be done to make them effective? One sector where you think subsidy should be banned? What is smart payments and smart contracts? M2m communication in governance? Iit have brand value. Is it justified? I am from manipal, and satya nadella is doing great. Do you think we should focus on others? Iitians go abroad and leave their parents behind and parents suffer. How that can be controlled? *Mentioned mawopasc act Old age homes, is it a solution we should go ahead with? 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Logan Paul Board : TCA Ananth Optional: PSIR State : MP First Attempt Hobbies : Following international current affairs , cricket, dairy writing Chairman:: Read my daf aloud. Background of what's happening in Hong Kong. Few cross questions. M1: Effect of climate change on health?? Cross questions. How coarse grain production is impacted by climate change??(chairman interrupted and asked me to clarify my point) M2: Machiavelli's main theory?? His book , his theory?? Are we following Machiavelli or gandhi?? Whom should we follow?? Are means really important ?? Should not we focus just on ends?? M3 : What are the reasons behind china us cold war?? Are we truly a democracy?? Criminalisation of politics ?? Way forward?? Why charge sheeted should be baarred?? Isnt it against rule of law?? Won't it lead to ruling party charegesheeting every opposition leader and win all elections?? Why Panchayat raj not successful?? Sarpanch pati?? M4: Magna carta??its importance?? Why was it introduced?? Trace evolution of British constitution?? What was Glorious revolution?? Books of r k Narayan?? (Daf) His book made into a movie?? Famous books of Jane Austen?? (Daf) Role of Gwalior in Freedom struggle?? Important personalities involved?? Why 1857 revolt failed?? Chairman: Your interview is over. You can leave. Was a bit difficult to hear what they are asking due to masks?? Had to readjust mask many times but manageable . Was not asked to remove mask/shield. Interviews don't go as smooth as seen in transcripts due to cross questions and interruptions .( personal opinion) Overall based on daf and optional 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Native: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh Qualification: M.Tech (Computer Science & Engineering) - IIT Bombay Hobbies: Writing emails to editors, authors and government functionaries; Collecting interesting song lyrics and dialogues from Telugu movies Board: Dr. Manoj Soni Date: 24-07-2020 Time: 20-25 minutes (last to go before lunch) Chairman: 1) Your name is xyz Both parts refer to Lord Krishna. Then why do you have two parts in your name? 2) How do you want to be remembered in your life? What is your goal in life? 3) Haven't you made any positive impact on others' life till now? Give examples (flowing from previous answer) Member 1: 1) On what topics do you write emails? 2) Give an example of what you wrote about and the result 3) Do you know RTI? Have you ever used it? For what reasons? Did you get the reply? 4) You have a good academic record. Now why are you changing stream? 5) How can engineering institutions ensure that engineers remain in engineering? It is a lot of brain drain. What do you suggest? Member 2: 1) What is your view on cryptocurrency? Should it be allowed or banned? Why? 2) Under which law the cryptocurrency can be banned? 3) How do you think 2021 will be? What impact 2020 will have on 2021? Chairman (intervenes): . Please remove your shield and mask - I need to crosscheck . You must wear the mask now but wearing the shield is your choice. Member 3: 1) What is Guntur famous for? 2) Tell me top-4 states in terms of GDP. Make a guess 3) Now tell me top-4 states in terms of per capita income. 4) Among Sikkim, Delhi and Goa - what do you think is the order in per capita income? 5) There is one public institution doing exceedingly well without reservations. What is that? 6) Why is there no reservation in armed forces, when it is there in civil services? Doesn't efficiency matter in civil services? Member 4: 1) What is your view on granting permanent commission to women in army? 2) Why do you think it took 70 years to achieve that? 3) Which other country has gender parity in armed forces? What is the status in US? 4) Guntur is famous for food. Is it still famous? What food items is it known for? 5) Tell me a traditional martial art from Andhra Pradesh 6) Is it popular now? Why not (as many martial art training institutes are coming up over time)? 7) What can be done to revive it? What can you do as an individual? Chairman: Thank you. All the best. Analysis: Very casual. Nothing much from current affairs or educational background. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Shivaraj saybanna managiri Rajiv Nayan Choubey sir board 24 July morning session first one to go. Details : IFS > IAS > IPS Post graduation in construction technology and management Hobby : jogging Achievement : captain of university hockey team. Current : IRTS 2017 batch probationer CM : ( Read out my complete name and said, is it okay if we call you Shivaraj ? He made me comfortable by asking me to lower the mask to neck level and said that we panel members are interested in having a good conversation and like honesty. If you don’t know something, let us know and we will move to next question. Hope you have had breakfast shivaraj.) Shivaraj, tell us briefly about your educational background Okay so you’re already in railways, it means you will only be going up ! Shiavarj, tribals face a problem of being sidelined, difficulty of mainstreaming on one hand and maintenance of rich culture on the other hand. How do you think we should go ahead here ? ( I spoke of tribal Panchsheel and fine balancing in phased manner ) We have decided to double farmers income by 2022. Am not asking about how it can be done but Do you think its feasible ? What is the rate required for doubling farmers income if he deposits in the bank ? Now do you think its feasible ? ( Chairman nodded and smiled. Asked next member to take over ) M1 : India is aspiring to be 5 trillion dollar economy. How do you think railways is supporting this ? What are the initiatives in this regard What do you understand by citizens charter ? What Is SCRA ? Where is it ? What is its current status ? Do you think it was good move to remove it ? Yes, we should’ve retained it and built more these lines and extended to other sectors like telecom too ! M2 : can you name 5 women who are heading top positions around the world ? It is reported that countries headed by women have performed better in tackling COVID ? Do you agree and what is the reason behind this ? Tell us about india Myanmar relations Do you think Myanmar is tilting towards china or india ? M3 : You have completed your education from Mangalore, surathkal right. Can you tell me why this region is the hub for education and banking ? ( I was not sure about the answer and said the same but tried to give a broad picture with members permission ) Okay if that is the case, just for the sake of discussion and not to counter your point of view, don’t you think entire coastal region should have excelled by that logic ? ( he asked me if I agree with him, I said yes and named few prominent institutions and banks in the region and I asked him I can make a guess. He said lets drop it ) What do you think are the key ingredients for E-delivery of services by government ? What do you mean by digital infrastructure ? - key components ? Okay shivaraj, majority of Karnataka is drought prone or faces water scarcity problems, if you are the made the administrator, what 3 measures will you take to solve the issue ? M4 : Lets talk a little bit more about Karnataka. Mutts/ sanghs broadly part of CSO are providing education but are also seeking tax benefits. Do you think it is right ? Mutts also are engaged in politics. Should this be accepted ? Shivaraj, Sri Lanka is a small island country, do you think big country like India should have relations with it ? What is there for India ? How should we go about in this aspect of maintaining relations ? We are investing so much in High speed rail when we have other areas for development. We already have Vande Bharat running at great speeds, why do we need HSR ? Do you think it should be continued ? HSR only connects areas between Ahmedabad and Mumbai ? Will it help ? CM : Okay shivaraj it was good talking to you. Your interview is over. Is there anything you feel we should have asked or anything you want to tell us ? ( I said sir, I have been the captain of university hockey team and am aspiring to be an Indian foreign service officer ) 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

IIT KGP, IIM A Workex - IT (1 year) abc Bank (1 y), ongoing (2year, presntly working) Hobby - Value investing, paper folding, swimming, choreography Optional - Management Panel - TCA Anant sir. 23rd July, morning Timing 35 minutes Chair - Read my educational and job journey completely. Asked whether students be disciplined or left alone to study. Asked whether they done were wrong in their time? Difference between organization and different roles post mba. What is the role of CFO. L1 - aked what happened recently in the xyz bank. What would you say if 'T' is removed from 'management'. Why do you paper fold. Have you watched money heist? Said no, He told about the protagonist also folded paper. L2 - what is value investing? When will it find its values. Objective parameters used to invest. It's Difference from growth investing. What knowledge is required. Example of Einstein, buffet discussed. What is long term/short term? Discussed on the time horizon of investing. What is denoted by share price - company/ sentiments * Discussions went deeper on multiple nuances, examples of good companies like royal Enfield, Page industries R1 - Types of mutual funds Tax implication? LTCG, comparison with normal income tax slabs. What is LTCG, STCG, Intraday. What is equity mutual fund. Percentage of equity exposure in same - told that unaware Reit ( answered completely wrong after telling that I didn't know it completely) Mention Debt instrument with sovereign backing. (Told not sure but guessed it would be PF). Went deeper into debt mutual fund( told didnt know as no exposure) Why IIM A do not give out degrees? R2 - discussed what is choreography What was the play i had participated. No follow-up questions. Asked some choreographers. Asked about saroj khan, her works ( told didnt know).He pointed out you should have known. Whats is hongkong issue. History of same. How and what was china response and approach. He asked history of student movement in Hong Kong. Reason for it. (Guessed it was Tianman square). He further asked about the details . In failed attempt I told that I don't know and is compared with jaliawalah bagh) Chair - interview is over you may go now. No question on current affairs( except hongkong), home state (jharkhand), undergrad, swimming, HR question why how etc Overall investing took more than half of the time. Panel members were watching closely and were Interested and and went very deep in investing. Asked some very sharp and pinpointed questions. Panel members are seated very far. So seeing all of them is difficult while answering. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Aditya Date 21/2/2020 Background :civil engineering  Optional - sociology  Hobbies-cricket and football  Home state -Delhi Board -Bs bassi sir Chairman  1. Is it your photo,-   cant see clearly said yes, but it wasnt me,  again showed me,  i said no sir. He smiled and talked in hindi  2. Why you want to become Ias. Sir joked in between gundagardi to nhi karni.. everyone laughed 3. Why you didnt joined any company? your academic background is good. 4. Why not open a company? M2  1. 27 october 1947 what happened?  2.  Tell me something about 1947-48 war. 3 when un convention was signed 4.. Some civil engineering marvel that inspired you. .  M3 1. Contributions of mn srinivas 2. Delhi is called rape capital, what we need to do.  3. Interstate migration is a issue.  4. Question on mgnrega 5. Gates of Delhi.  M 4 1. Difference between plebiscite and referendum. Follow up question on this?  2 indian economy and issues with it.(speak 2 minutes) M5  1. Prefabricated  structure  2. Grade of cement.  3. 5 cement company's name. 4  How to do rain water harvesting in village. Follow up question on this. Chairman again Tell some other building. I mentioned qutub minar etc. How arches are bind answered. Wanted some specific name. Replied - i would definitely read this sir.thanks sir. Showed me photo again and smiled. Overall a good experience. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

State : Kerala Optional: Sociology Background: Chemical engineering, Loss prevention engineer in insurance firm  Board: Smita Nagaraj Madam Ch:  Asked me to pull the mask down and be comfortable. Where are you working? What is your role? How are your clients in India? Give a comparison of your clients in the US and India. Private sector has lot of benefits but issues as well, public sector cannot be ignored. Your take on it. Compare with an example. Something about LIC and it's strength..not as a question but a statement. M1: Mention the ports in Kerala Colombo is of strategic importance. Why Kochi port couldn't materialize it? Heard about matriarchal system in Kerala? ( I replied about the Nair matrilineal system and Sir said yes yes matrilineal) How Lineage is traced in it? Who gets the property? How is the naming done? Indo -US relation What are the trade disputes? Recently India removed from something by US? (Talked about GSP) M2: Weber's view on bureaucracy. With what is happening in UP and TN , do you think that is how it is? Who is responsible bureaucracy or society? Why society is ok with extrajudicial killings? Is it judicial delay alone? What changes in the criminal justice system are you suggesting? M3: What is this 'Nagar' in your school's name? What is this Vidya initiative of yours? Tell me about the learning outcome of students in government and private schools. Now, which teacher earns more, government or private? So why the paradox?  So being in a 20-30yr long service with job security, don't you think you will also be less productive. Is the tribal area you have mentioned in Wayanad? How long did you stay and what did you observe? Did the place have enough government officials? If I'm placing you as DM of some tribal district in Odisha what is the first step you'll take ? Recently a senior IAS officer from Kerala is an accused in a gold smuggling case. Your take on it? M4: Why is it mentioned in your DAF Trivandrum and Thiruvananthapuram & Calicut and Kozhikode. ( M1 intervened saying both are same...then Sir said that's exactly his question) What is Reinsurance? Heard of Swiss Re and Munich Re? Is your firm into reinsurance? Said he likes LIC more than private firms in terms of trust ? Asked if I agreed. ( Stopped me when I started explaining and told me to give a yes/no) Why is inheritance in place? Why can't you give your service to your kids when you retire? Why is it that then some family businesses are passed on to kids? Do you think it is ok for civil servants to buy property? ( When I said that if the source is legitimate and can be proven...sir stopped me and asked to give a yes/no) Ch: 1.I just noticed that you have preferred Karnataka instead of Kerala. Why so? 2. ( When I just started explaining…stopped me) I understand that, what is wrong in Kerala that you don't want to work there ? 3. Your spouse is working in Karnataka?  4. Thank you. Your interview is over. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Name: MP Date of interview: 23/07/20 B.tech, MA Work ex: 2 years Infosys Hobbies: Voluntary teaching, meditation, playing guitar. Board: TCA Ananth Time: afternoon, fifth to go. Chair: read the main points in DAF loudly. 1. Why left the job? 2. Why MA? 3. What have you been doing since 2017( year I completed MA)? 4. Skill development and NSQF. (Related to MA) M1. 1. Shekhawati (Rajasthan) haveli tourism. Why not taking off? 2. Cement plant near my home town. Pros and cons. 3. Economy of my home district. M2. 1. Why different time zones in USA? Discussion on day light saving. 2. Demand for a new time zone in India? Why? 3. Why civil services? 4. Explain diversity in civil services. 5. Environment in JNU, Freedom of speech- too free? 5. Discussion on idea of life long learning. M3 1. What are the components of parliament? 2. Why do we need two houses? Can Rajya Sabha be dissolved? 3. Explain the entire process of law making in the parliament. 4. Why is the industry asking for labour reforms? M4. 1. Why China in focus? 2. India China relations. Why despite India’s outreach, China behaving the way it is? 3. Issue of minorities in China? 4. What is mindfulness? 5. What is transcendental meditation? 6. Beatles lead guitarist? Overall, very cordial. All members wearing masks, voices were muffled. Suggestion: touching suit or face shield with gloves might leave white powdery marks. Be careful. 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Biswajit Panda PK Joshi board Optional Psychology Home state- Odisha Graduation- electrical engineering 1st to go in forenoon. 22nd July Chairman- why civil services, why engg then civil services, why psychology, what does linde manufacture ( the company I worked in). Technology behind solar power. Challenges in solar power. Solar tree. Different types of losses in transmission. M1- advertisement on social media, should be taxed? What govt is doing. M2- teaching experience (my hobby), characteristics of underprivileged children, relation between education and diplomacy. M3- psychology vs psychiatry, Rogerian self, demonitisation good or bad, heredity or environment which is more important, bullet train vs poverty hunger- shall we go for it. M4- why public resentment over industry in odisha, what should be done, was REC more national in nature and NIT made it more regional? ( I am from NIT RKL) Chairman- lakhs of engineers not finding employment, why, what steps govt has taken, any regulator for technical education? 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript

Name: OA Date of Interview: 23rd July 2020 Time of Interview: Forenoon Session, 5th (last to go), entered at 12:50 PM Duration of Interview ~20 min Board: PK Joshi Sir Committee Room 1st attempt, Mathematics Optional Background: BTech EE (IIT Delhi) 2018, Hailing from Haryana Hobbies: Sheet Music, Playing Guitar, Travelling Terms mentioned in DAF: France, KVPY, INSPIRE, Hackathon, Charpak Scholar, NSS, Conference Paper Overall evaluation: Mostly factual, remotely related to DAF, No COVID related ques., Too many questions for I said IDK myriad times, can be called a stress interview. CP was expressionless, even went away for sometime in between the interview, never acknowledged my answers. CP: You completed your B.Tech in 2018, what have you been doing since then? CP: Why are you not interested in Electrical Engineering and coming towards Civil Services? CP: (Situational) Okay, suppose in a village, there are kids not able to attend school, what would you do? CP: (Follow Up) Are there any institutions made by the govt. to ensure the same? (getting kids to school) CP: What about NCERT? Tell me its full form. CP: What does NCERT do? CP: Okay, how would you improve taxation in the country? i.e. increase coverage etc. CP: What is the difference between Tax Evasion & Tax Avoidance? Passes onto M1: was cordial, patiently listening M1: When so talented people like you are leaving engineering jobs, brain drain happening, why people come to civil services? How do we stop them doing so? M1: What is Sheet Music? M1: How is President elected? M1: Has relevance of PSEs withered away? Why was they made in the first place? Passes onto M2: M2: Tell me 4 fundamental contributions that Indian mathematicians made to the world. M2: (Follow up) What about Ramanujan? Tell me about Ramanujan Number, it's importance. M2: In India, we have number of ministeries which are fragmented while in countries like US, there are only a few. What are your thoughts about it? M2: What is the threshold limit of High-Speed Trains? M2: What is the limit for Hyperloop? What is Hyperloop? Any project going on? Which company doing it? Passes onto M3: This is where the stress beings. He was always giving an expression that he wasn't satisfied. factual qs, said- IDK on the trot, he asked if I was comfortable with any area? One que. he asked from IR and I was blank as well. M3: What is ease of living index? Tell me about parameters of Ease of Living Index. M3: Antarctica is often in news. Can you tell the context? M3: What are Ozone Depleting Substances? Name a few. M3: What is Zero Based Budgeting in the corporate sector? M3: Any area which you are comfortable with? I said- IR/Security M3: Why was Vladivostok in news? M3: Why Haryana doing well in sports? Why not UP, Punjab? M4 (lady member): most intimidating, always seeking a chance to pounce upon me. Really put me in a stressful situation. often made comments like- you don't read the newspaper, why an intelligent person like you not able to think? Even a normal person knows about it, what will you read about it? M4: What is TFR? M4: What is India's TFR? M4: There has been a recent report about the same in newspaper. Tell me about it. (said not aware) M4: Okay, I will give you the context. Some states have TFRs lower than national average. Tell me why? What do you think? M4: (Counter Qs) How would family planning programs of 80s help today? M4: (Counter Qs) You mentioned they are running even today, tell me what are the programs? M4: (Counter Qs) How would literacy programs like BBBP help in TFR? They are for young girls only. CP: Thank you. Your interview is over. Don't remember many questions due to which that stress vibe actually built up. I will add as and when I remember. Good luck to all! 👇For interview transcript @upscinterviewscript