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Interview Transcripts of CSE/IFoS 2022

Please post interview transcripts of UPSC CSE or IFoS 2022 here, so that all can access and get benefitted from them.

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Date: 21 March, Afternoon session, 5th to go

Board: Honourable Satyavathi ma’am

Optional: Medical Science

College: Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh

Keywords: MBBS, Horology (wrist watches), blog writing, sports- basketball, athletics, Chandigarh

CM: You’re a doctor, what extra would Civil services provide you with?
CM: So you said dynamic. What do you understand by dynamic?
Medical services are also dynamic, you see new patients, different signs and symptoms, different diagnosis?

When did your internship end? (July 2022). What are you doing since then?

Okay I’ll give you a scenario, you are the DM and in your area there’s a village that has no infrastructure. It has no schools, roads or a PHC/Hospital. You have funds for only one project. Which out of the three will you work upon?

M1:
So Dr, I’ll pick up on the dynamic thread as stated by you and chairperson Ma’am. You’re an athlete, played basketball, high jump, running, so why not the armed forces? You will have cases of trauma, gunshot victims, high altitude, daily different challenge?
So before evolving- army, after evolving upsc? He clarified that he meant it as just a light hearted statement
You do blog writing? On what do you write?
What type of writing on wrist watches you do?

M2: Smiling throughout, encouraging
Horology? That’s the first time I’m seeing this, very interesting.
Smartwatches- will they end the mechanical watch segment?
Monologue on digitisation age and Swiss watchmakers embracing smartwatch culture by sir
Mortality number in India due to Covid? Different agencies give different numbers. You can give your own number.
Just a guess? Okay we will not press you on the exact number.

M1 aptly mentioned you are an athlete. So name a sport which has multiple sports assessed within it in the Olympics?
So who won the gold medal in Olympics in Decathlon?

M3:
Has India been successful in tackling Covid? How?
Indo-Pak relations and role Punjab can play in them.
What is Covid diplomacy?
What is basketball diplomacy?


M4:
Why Covid spread and cases more in urban areas than rural areas?
Any role of antigen in forming immunity in rural population?
NHM or NRHM as it is called, has it been successful?
Has our family planning been successful?
Chandigarh- should cities be planned like this? Is this a good model?

CM: Anybody wants to ask more questions?
Thank you, All the best

Utility of mocks- Good for motivation and facing the fear of unknown. The real interview was very pleasant with almost no grilling as compared to mocks. No current affairs asked. Everyone (including me) was smiling throughout and it was a relaxed atmosphere.
1.4k views
Date - 21/03/23
Name - Sab Changa Si
Afternoon session, last to go
Chairperson: Preeti Sudan Ma’am
Homestate: Madhya Pradesh
Optional: Mathematics
Keywords: Electrical Engineering, Taiwan, Teaching Assistant, Beatboxing
 
Questions:
Chairperson:
1) You have good academic background, why civil services?
2) You were Teaching Assitant, Don't you think we need more teachers. Why not teaching?
3) You went to Taiwan, how was your experience? (DAF)
4) How will you implement earlier mentioned learning if you are a administrator. (DAF, based on previous answer)
 
M1
1) In the contect of G20, Why there is increased significance of India?
2) Name 4-5 classical painters of India?
3) Name 4-5 classical dancers of India?
4) Name 4-5 classical vocalists of India? (couldnt name them, LOL)
5) Why interstate border dispute arises in India, What kind of disputes are there? (follow on questions on these)
6) Why do we have inter-state water disputes, could you give some examples?
7) What were the main reasons behind Narmada river dispute? (Follow up on last question)
 
M2
1) What is cryptocurrency, how are we regulating them?
2) What is difference between e-rupee and cryptocurrency?
3) What is difference between e-rupee and UPI?
4) Recently RBI took steps for easing up of intercountry money transfers, what are those?
5) Can you tell me about Vostro, Nostro Accounts?
6) What are the negative consequences of depreciation of Indian rupee vis-a-vis USD?
 
M3
1) What is Beatboxing?
2) You must have read Feb RBI Monetary policy committee minutes, what are the headwinds according to RBI?
3) What factor will US Fed will need to consider in its upcoming meet for interest rates? (Based on previous answer)
4) Why did US Fed was required to increase interest in first place?
5) What are main reasons why farmers protested well intentioned farm bills? (2 follow up questions on this)
 
M4
1) What are Dirac Matrices? (Electrical Engineering + Maths)
2) If a function is irrotational then there exists another function whose gradient is the first function. What is this function called? (Maths, EE)
3) Have you heard of Khandwa? (district in MP)
4) Tell me something about topologicial and anthropological relation in Khandwa? (He wanted to know about Korku tribe, I didnt know)
5) What is significance of Burhanpur Gap in MP’s economy?
6) Already Chattisgarh was split from MP, Do you think today we need to seperate Vindhya Pradesh from MP or Vidharbha from Maharasthra?
7) Then Why Left Wing Extremists are more focused on demand of seperate states here and why they are more active? (I am somewhat unclear what was exactly demand of question here, tried to paraphrase to best of my ability)
8) What do you understand by identity-based politics?
 
Chairperson: You interview is over, Thank you!
 
 
Expericence: Board was cordial, 40% from DAF (either too simple as Chairperson asked, or very specific DAF based as M4 asked), Rest generic Mains questions.
 
Mock utility: Real is unlike any mock interview. It helps gain confidence and refine generic answers (why civil service etc). Chahal, Vajirao mocks were good.
1.4k views
Date of interview- 23/03/23
Session - Forenoon
Board- M. Sathiyavathy Ma’am( chairperson)
( one female member + 3 male members)
Optional - PSIR
Graduation- Mathematics
Time Duration - 29 minutes
I was third to go
DAF keywords - Uttarakhand, Haridwar, Non fiction books, Cricket, Quiz

Chairperson
Ma’am read aloud the whole DAF, other members were taking note of the same.
1. What are you doing after graduation? Are you working?
2.You are from UK,tell me after Joshimath issue what will be the impact on tourism?
3. How will you promote tourism in Uttarakhand?
4.How will you bring change when even educated people throw rappers and garbage after eating something like chocolate?
5. How many districts in your state?
6. What is ODOP?
( I also mentioned about One district two product of Uttarakhand)
7. Tell me five districts and ten products of UK?

M1(lady member)
1.How Mathematics can be used in cybersecurity like forensic etc?
2. Today is world meteorological day and asked a question
(Could not comprehend)
3.What is New pension scheme?

M2(male member)
1. Why PSIR after mathematics?
2. Tell me the tourism potential of UK?(long discussion on this)
3. Tell me what all places/ districts have you visited in Uttarakhand?
4. Chardham yatra Yojana and ensuing widening of roads what will be its impact?
5. How people will go to Badrinath when Joshimath’s road are badly impacted and broken?

M3 (male member)
1. Who is (asked me the name of some quizmaster)?
2.Have you read this book( asked me some book whose name I don’t remember now)
3. Tell me name of five Indian mathematicians of prominence currently working in India?
4. Any mathematician of India you know?
5. Who is Manjul Bhargava?
(Follow up from previous question)
6.He is famous for what and any book written by him?
7. What is Karmakar theory?
8. What is Ramanujam number?
9. Tell me what is special about it?
10. Why Ramanujam died so young and what he used to do?
11. Have you watched the movie based on his life?
12. You read non fiction books, which books have you read recently?( told him three books)
13. Any other book from IR/ foreign affairs?(told him I am primarily interested in IR)
14. Have you watched the movie “ A beautiful mind”?( follow up from above as I told him about book by Sylvia Nasser)
15. What was John Nash famous for?(told about Nash equilibrium, game theory and Nobel prize in economics)
16.He was suffering from some disease, why mathematicians suffer from such diseases and become crazy😎( everyone in board was very curious and chairperson ma’am even interjected me)
17. Tell me some contemporary issues other than IR/ foreign affairs?
18. You follow budget ,tell me the size of budget of Delhi?
19. Tell me the size of budget of Union government?
20. How much has been the allocation for Science?
21. Tell me how recent bank failure will impact India?

M4(male member)
1. What are the exact reasons for SVB failure, give me four reasons? ( carry forward from M3’s last question )
2. There is global body for payment to transfer funds?Do you know about it?
3. What India is doing for making payment in local currency? (Like in case of buying oil from Russia?)
4. Tell me about the relationship of India with Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, SriLanka in one- one line.

Ok your interview is over.
1.4k views
Date -23 March 2023
Board- M.Sathyavati Mam
Home state - Haryana
Job profile -Indian corporate law service
Working state - Tamilnadu
Relevant key words in daf- department of women and development in college, ngo for slum education children
Optional- sociology

Chairperson clarified about service and training periods,then she asked why preferred cadre is different than that of home state.

1st member (male)
1.Why to give education to slum people when ultimately unemployment is there (hinting towards skilling)
2.What is the number of people residing in slums (I knew percentage so told only that)
3. Social issues in Rajasthan related to women (preferred cadre)
4.How will you solve these issues as DM ...(I earlier mentioned child marriage,poor women literacy)
5.new scheme of Haryana where women can go for grievance redressal ( I said sorry)


2nd member (female)
1.definition of slum sociologically
2.what are the challenges of women in slum different from other women
3.I talked about menstrual hygiene so she asked further on it for scheme for the same.
4. Role of dept of women and development in your college

3rd member (male)
1.name of karnal...why so
2.mgnrega scheme should be dismantled
3.How to reduce cost of millets for urban consumers and reason for the same.
4. What challenges did you face after got selection and came for training.

4th member ( male)
1.Sociological difference between north and south society
2.Dravidian model of governance
3.CSR
4.Why then govt should do welfare when corporate sector is also doing
Chairperson then said thankyou and everybody greeted.
1.4k views
Satya ma'am Board
23rd March Afternoon
Daf keywords : Quora, PHD,Mphil, Diamond ECOWAS ,peacekeeping climate change , Africa

Chairwoman
1 - Why IAS , why not teaching
2- findings of your mphil research
( Discussion on findings , which involved Africa in climate negotiations , 100billion usd finance)

M1
1 - On what issues do you write on Quora
2 - what is project udan in your daf
3 - why Indian peacekeeping efforts not giving returns in terms of military partnerships
(Discussion on this)
4- Top contributors
5 - What is India doing to increase defence cooperation with these countries
6- India China different approach in Africa
M2
1- recent IpCc report
2 - what are the new timelines for climate agenda in the report
3- climate finance , what's the progress ?
Discussion on this
4 - what developing countries are doing since devloped countries not fulfilling responsibility
5 What is ESG

M3
1- why ECOWAS peacekeeping not working
2- why not AU peacekeeping
3 - ECOWAS issues
4- why South Sudan not improving despite resources
5 - your service preferences
6 - why diamond mining decreasing in Panna
7 - As Panna DM how will you improve diamond mining status

M4 (lady)
1 - What is swajiland in Africa
2 - What is gender gap , how is it calculated
3 - self help groups and their role in women empowerment
4 - HDI , and states with HDI , how is it calculated

Thank you
Thanks To PT extended family and telegram community and kaptan bhaiya for full Sumport.
1.4k views
Board: Smt. M. Sathiyavathy Mam
24th March
Morning, Last to go
Optional: Commerce & Accountancy
Professional qualification: CA & CFA
Work Experience: Audit and Taxation at a CA Firm
Home state: Madhya Pradesh (nothing asked)
Daf Keywords: Played hockey at states level, Volunteer for organ donation awareness, Leadership positions (Treasurer at Student Council in college, Head Boy of School), Interests cooking

First impression: Lovely grand room, big round table with flowers kept in the middle, Chairperson mam sitting right opposite to me with framed portrait of all previous UPSC chairpersons on the wall behind, Yellow lights made the room bright

Chairperson:
- Read the whole DAF, asked me what am I doing since 2019?
Post this overall discussion revolved around Old Pension Scheme and New Pension Theme
 
- She said as you are CA I'll like to talk about OPS and NPS. Tell me which of them is better for govt and which is better for govt servant
- Next she said how can we make NPS more attractive
(I answered we can followed middle path suggested by Andhra Pradesh govt covered and explained it in detail)
- She then cross questioned that it might lead to fiscal burden with the state. I re-explained my case. She countered with another set of issues again, said giving you one more chance
- I covered other wayouts for which she was only partially satisfied. After exhausting all my options I thought its better to hit a circuit breaker so that we can discuss something else. Once I said I'll have to read more on it. She said okay keep reading, keep learning and passed on to M1

All this might sound like an argument here but it was in a normal conversational tone.

(I guess Madam has served as Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment. This is no way mean that we have to dig profiles of member in detail)

M1: Said I'll talk to you on International Relations
- Big monologue before each question, made me wonder what he gonna ask ultimately😅
Q: USA entered Iraq, Afghanistan and now indirectly supports Ukraine via NATO. Tell me what will the next front where USA will confront? And why does USA choose to do all this confrontations?

Q: Monologue around Taliban. Then asked how US withdrawal and Taliban rule will affect India?

Q: Asked what is the political as well as strategic reason behind bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q: Told that there is a train which is expected to start by Dec 2023 and will go till Baramulla, so tell me how it will benefit the overall region. I told sir I'm not completely aware about it. So he said it's a train which will connect Baramulla thru Srinagar. So I gave my take.

M2:
Q: What is the status of GST in India?
Q: Chartered Accountants have got a lot of work due to GST. So do you really think it has reduced the compliance burden or has it increased it further?
Q: What is GSTN? Which company runs it?
Q: Tell me sth about your cooking, what do you cook? (After I told them chairperson mam started smiling)
Q: Started talking about organ donation. Told me to highlight issues and solutions (in the middle mam of his question mam gestured to pass it on)

M3:
Covered e-commerce overall, the discussion was generic so will try to cover its gist only

Q: Asked the status of ecommerce?
Q: Said what about international trade?
Q: Then said issues like grievance handling are prominent
Q: Tried to draw some links with WTO etc (seemed like he had some experience in working with the WTO)

M4: Lady member (right next to me)

Q: How to improve organ utilisation? (later added that we do not where exactly we will die so that's an issue)
Q: Asked me how to promote hockey in the backdrop of popularity of cricket?
Q: How will you use your optional/work ex in administration?
Q: What were your lessons as a leader and its application in civil services?
Q: Final question, as you have been a leader. Let me give you a situation that you are in the phase on India's freedom struggle in 1900s, now tell what will you do as a leader there?

Post this chairperson said your interview is over, All the best!
1.4k views
Board- Preeti Sudan mam
Date-21/03/2023
Forenoon (1st one to go)
Background- Optional sociology,
Hobby- watching inspirational movies, yoga and Om meditation

Mostly my PT on my daf and it's related current news

Enters the room, chairman mam asks me to sit and make me more comfortable by asking to remove mask and told me we will have conversations and if don't know anything then it's ok and if u dont understand any Q then ask us to repeat it again.
Chairman:
1.Tell me about your district, why is it famous.?
2.What is women literacy of your district?
3.What to do to improve women literacy in your district?
4.what is beti bachao and beti padho scheme?
5.Does swachha bharat abhiyaan has any impact on improving women literacy?
 Member1( lady)
1.There are different types of social stratification in India, so tell me what step has been taken since independence to eliminate it ?
2.What are the factors responsible for its existence in present society?

Member2
1.UNGA has declared various important day and years for each day and years, so can you tell me which important day is today?
2.why forest is important for us?
3.Which important day and year is accepted by UNGA proposed by India?
4.Why 21st June is choosen?
5.Which yoga are you doing?
6.Why are you doing Surya namaskar?
7.What change have you seen in yourself today due to yoga?
8.who was your yoga teacher?
9.what are you doing after graduation as you have done graduation in 2017?
Member3
1.Have you heard the term too big to fail in any sector?
2.what is difference between bank and NBFC?
3.What are different regulations for bank and NBFC?
4. .You practice yoga and have certificate course in yoga, so have you participated in any event on 21st June ?
5.Which inspirational movies have you watched?
6.What are your learning from MS Dhoni movie?
7.How many run Dhoni scored?
8.Do you follow cricket as sports?
9.Do you follow any other sports?
 Member4
1.Ask one particular yoga?
2.Give me long sanskrit shlok from yoga sutra of patanjali, asked me to interpret it?
3.what is acid?
4.what is modernization in sociology?
 Lastly, chairman- Thank you, your interview is over.

Overall experience- cordial and also help me in some Q.

Experience of mocks- chanakya mandal pariwar , chahal academy like environment and is helpful.

One to one with vikas Ranjan sir( Triumph IAS) help me a lot.

Best to luck everyone....
1.5k views
Transcript
Name - लिस्ट म आएगा तो पता लगुगा😄
Board - Sathyavati Mam
Date - 24/03/2023
College - IIT Kgp
Grad./Optional - Electrical
Job - IOCL ( Resigned)
Keyword - Cricket, NCC, Gate, Historical Movies

Chair
 Why Gate, Future Plan, what since resignation from last job, how ATF different from petrol and Diesel
What additives are mixed in it, your responsibilities in IOCL, Wireless transmission of electric current, Electricity Amendment Bill and states issues

M1.
Q. NCC Camp, activities there, values from NCC, Russia Ukraine war disscussion, ( Some more questions, not able to recollect)

M2
Changes done in NCC to incentivize participation, Gender Gap Index, Gender Inequality Index, India's standing, Rajasthan Gender issues, which area lagging in Rajasthan, How to improve on it

M3
Recently watched Historical Movie, Another movie before it, Any Indian Historical Movie you watched, WPL Status, Is WPL comparable to IPL, How it will improve women's status

M4
FTAs, what precautions we should while negotiating FTA with Developed countries and disscussion on it, Steps in Agri especially considering it's Aridity,

Interview Over
1.4k views
Board: Preeti Sudan Ma'am
Date: 24th March, 2023 (Afternoon)
Place: Tirupati / Nellore (AP)
College: St. Stephen's (Political science, Economics), JNU (IR)
Optional: PSIR
Service Preference: IFS (nothing asked explicitly)
Hobbies: Social Service volunteering
DAF Key Words: NET-JRF

Chairperson:
Take your seat. This is just a conversation
1. So, you are born in Nellore? (Brought up mostly in Tirupati though)
2. Tell me why Tirupati has high number of child marriages and cases of domestic violence
3. What will you do to curb it? (Education, Awareness involving the temple admn was one suggestion)
4. Is education enough to tackle these problems?
5. So, you are from JNU and Stephen's
6. Compare these 2 institutions
7. Since you are a JNU student, tell me what learnings you did while in college and how will you use them as an administrator. (I was in Online-COVID batch, but told whatever learnings I had)
8. Good, you have a NET also, why don't you pursue teaching? (Told that I am not sure about teaching, but research will continue irrespective of my career choice)

M1:
1. What grievance redressal mechanism is there for telecom related complaints? (I thought he was asking of portals etc and then he only suggested TRAI)
2. What other mechanism you know? (He mentioned some other name I couldn't recognise; I said I don't know)
3. How and what research you would pursue? (Mentioned about applying for PhD program and on wait list currently for the seat)
4. Have you submitted thesis? (I said it's still at proposal stage)
5. He inquired what it was?

M2
1. Argue in favor of the statement - India will be a developed country by 2047
2. What are the main road blocks that prevents from that road
4. Status of infrastructure in India
5. What financing options we have for infrastructure
6. What are the global implications of the Russia-Ukraine war? What has changed?

M3
1. So you said you are volunteering in the social sector; tell me about the what we could do about persons with disabilities? Firstly tell me all the disabilities you can identify(Mentioned both Physical and Mental disabilities and types I could identify)
2. What are the key issues?
3. What provisions do we have? Heard about the PwD Act?
4. Apart from Reservations what other schemes are there?

M4 (Lady Member)
1. Do you agree with the statement that we are having worse ties ever with our neighbours ? (I said mixed view about the statement and explained why so)
2. What about Nepal? (The conversation on these 2 questions went on for a while)
3. What are the foreign policy measures that you commend or not commend?
4. Internationally, name 3 personalities who have impacted global affairs. (I said Mikhail Gorbachev and why, Indira Gandhi)
5. Indira Gandhi is more of national leader, tell me internationally (I said also international because impacted the course cold war, signed India-USSR and liberation of a new country, Bangladesh)
6. Third personality? (I said can't think of anyone else)
7. She suggested, Heard of Henry Kissinger? (I said Yes, Mentioned a few reasons why & she added a few more points)

Chairperson - Thank you, you may leave now

Overall Experience: It was a good conversation that captured most of my interests. Smooth experience. Felt happy afterward.

Utility of Mocks: Chahal, Vajirao, KSG was good. Rau's I enjoyed even more (The IFS member here actively took interest in my words, spoke to me in French as well).
Vision Faculty Online Mock helped me prepare well (through some grilling)

Mocks helped me work on my formal speech, gestures, greetings etc. Helped me pick the right saree for the day as well. Some Mocks were held in big hotels. This helped me maintain composure and not be overwhelmed even after seeing the grandeur of UPSC Bhawan as a first timer there.

O2O Discussions: Mohan Sir of IAS Baba, Vinay Sir of Insights helped me shape some answers and perspectives. Khan Sir cleared last minute doubts. Vision DAF Analysis session was very detailed.

All the best!
1.4k views
Board- Shukla sir
Last to go on 24th march
State - Chhattisgarh(not asked)
Electrical engineering(not asked)
Anthropology optional(not asked)
Hobby - oil pastel , listening to rendition and sufi song of bollywood
Prize n award- debate and essay

Chairperson
1. What are the changes that debate has brought in you?
2. Are Indians good at debate or simply argumentative ? Gave some statement of amartya sen to explain which was in context of debate.
3. In villages, people without formal education sit and debate, is it worth of time?
4. About my university, is it recently established , it's achievement n different program it offers.
5. Are Indians good at ideation or execution? Why chinese hv taken over us in invention?
6. Is our education system not practical oriented? Will NEP address it?

M1(lady)
1. Asked about NAAC scam, what r problems n how to tackle?
2. Any name similar to bilaspur(hometown), what is it's speciality(of other place with same name)
3. Steps u would take regarding water conservation?
4.Carrom...tell me something about it, as I answered she interrupted n asked what do carrom word mean?(represented at university level)
5. Tell me about 3 international events that hv taken place in last 6 months?

M2
1. Gave monologue on oil related issue of central govt. with TN govt. based on centre state relation, I said sorry for not knowing the issue still he persisted, when I couldn't figure it out he himself gave answer.
2. What do you like in the Constitution, what to do if article 17 gets violated?(based on my answer)
3. Who r the prominent singer of sufi music?Impact of strained Indo - pak relation on sufi music?

M3
1.Difference between writ jurisdiction of SC and HC?
2. Who's mandate is to control inflation, then discussion on it
3. Told about recommendation that should students be directly taken after 12th for civil service like nda or army? My opinion on it
4. One more question (couldn't recall)

M4
1. Difference between fiscal deficit and primary deficit?
2. Compare Indian economy with any other country on 3 parameter? I said one as inequality so discussion on ginni coefficient.
3. Discussion on green hydrogen . N challenges of it.

Utility of mocks- confidence building n to learn body language.
But mock r essentially daf based factual question while upsc daf question r all together different.

All the best to all
1.4k views
Preeti Sudan ma'am's board
24 March forenoon; fifth to go
DAF keywords: Geoinformatics, Visakhapatnam, English club, Reading hobby, essay writing first prize, IB-ACIO
Duration: 30 minutes

Chairperson:
1. Why do Google maps go haywire sometimes? They show wrong routes and stuff
2. What is your opinion about vizag being made the capital of AP?
3. You won the first prize in an essay writing competition in college. What was the topic and follow up on that.
4. What did you do in the Communicons English club? Why the name?

Member 1:
1. As a Geoinformatics engineer, do you know why Android is more susceptible to hacking in comparison to iOS?
2. Define intelligence (based on my job)
3. What are the main ingredients of a good report?
4. What are the main challenges to internal security today?
5. What is the main role of IB in assisting the govt?

Member 2:
1. Why is inflation on a rise across the world today?
2. What has been the response of nations to deal with inflation?
3. What did India do? Why is the interest rate being hiked?
4. What is the impact of high interest rates in dealing with inflation?
5. Is zero-inflation good?

Member 3:
1. Which agencies are exempt from the RTI Act?
2. Is it a complete or conditional exemption?
3. Why is there a difference between development indices in the north and south of India?
4. What is the role of female-led development in the same?
5. What will you do if posted in North India about the empowerment of women?

Member 4:
1. Reading as a hobby - what do you read?
2. What's your last book?
3. What are your learnings from non-fiction books?
4. What are the changes that we witnessed after the Nirbhaya incident?
5. What is done with Nirbhaya funds?

Overall, it was a pleasant and positive experience. The members were cordial and interested in having a good conversation.
1.4k views
Preeti Sudan ma'am's board
24 March forenoon; fifth to go
DAF keywords: Geoinformatics, Visakhapatnam, English club, Reading hobby, essay writing first prize, IB-ACIO
Duration: 30 minutes

Chairperson:
1. Why do Google maps go haywire sometimes? They show wrong routes and stuff
2. What is your opinion about vizag being made the capital of AP?
3. You won the first prize in an essay writing competition in college. What was the topic and follow up on that.
4. What did you do in the Communicons English club? Why the name?

Member 1:
1. As a Geoinformatics engineer, do you know why Android is more susceptible to hacking in comparison to iOS?
2. Define intelligence (based on my job)
3. What are the main ingredients of a good report?
4. What are the main challenges to internal security today?
5. What is the main role of IB in assisting the govt?

Member 2:
1. Why is inflation on a rise across the world today?
2. What has been the response of nations to deal with inflation?
3. What did India do? Why is the interest rate being hiked?
4. What is the impact of high interest rates in dealing with inflation?
5. Is zero-inflation good?

Member 3:
1. Which agencies are exempt from the RTI Act?
2. Is it a complete or conditional exemption?
3. Why is there a difference between development indices in the north and south of India?
4. What is the role of female-led development in the same?
5. What will you do if posted in North India about the empowerment of women?

Member 4:
1. Reading as a hobby - what do you read?
2. What's your last book?
3. What are your learnings from non-fiction books?
4. What are the changes that we witnessed after the Nirbhaya incident?
5. What is done with Nirbhaya funds?

Overall, it was a pleasant and positive experience. The members were cordial and interested in having a good conversation.
1.4k views
DOI- 21st march, forenoon, 4th to go
Duration- 25-30 min
Board- Raj shukla sir
Keywords- PSIR, IIT(ISM) DHANBAD, TATA MOTORS , MEDITAION, MANAGEMENT GAMES.

CHAIRPERSON-

1. Why there is so much talk about semiconductor, + monologue on semiconductor.
2. Where India I lagging, is it about human resource or capital, or technology or any thing else.
3. He explained in brief about a book called "chipwar" by chris Miller. And asked why in recent meeting called by govt only few semiconductor companies came up.
4. Tell me name of any indian semiconductor company.
5. Asked the name and department of an engineer in tesla company whose payment is more than elon musk.

MEMBER 1

1. Issues of coal in dhanbad(Daf)
2. How to tackle coal theft using technolgy.
3. About mindfulness meditation(Daf).
4. Importance of management games in working.(Daf).

MEMBER 2

1. What changes u have observed after conversion of ISM Dhanbad into IIT(ISM) Dhanbad.
2. At what level different iits collaborate.
3. Are u aware of any body being formed to regulate iits and iims.
4. Drivers of budget 2023-24, sanptarishi, allocation to education sector.
5. Use of AI in different sector


MEMBER 3

1. Take a problem of any sector, and solve it using technology, then some follow up questions.
2. Don't u think anti defection law is curbing fos&e of legislatures.
3. What is anglosphere.

MEMBER 4

1. Govt is formed by getting 35% vote, 65% go unrepresented , how to tackle this.
2. Explain list system.
3. When was last time PM Modi visited your district(kushinagar) and for what purpose. Some follow up questions.
4. Tell me name of a PM from ur area.

Then MEMBER said thank you.

Chairperson told me ur interview is over u can go now.
THE_DEMON_KING,
2.1k views
Date -24/03/2023
Chairperson - Satyavati mam
Read daf out loud

Chairperson
Why did you quit your job?
Why civil services?
States are reluctant to set up chemical industries because of pollution - why?
What is the solution?

M1-
You went to Manchester, is our relationship with UK worsening?
What is the way forward other than people to people linkages?
Should we ask our diaspora to exert pressure on the UK PM to have favourable policies?

M2-
What all places did you see in Manchester?
Why did you choose anthropology?
What did you like in anthropology?
Explain cultural relativism and holisim?
What are PVTGs?
Name some PVTGs

M3-
Why do we call it chemistry between two people and not mathematics or physics?
Other than lyon and Manchester abroad, what all places did you visit in MP and India?
Bhimbetika relevance (based on previous answer)
What are the measures taken there to protect the paintings?
As an administrator of Raisen district (based on previous answer) what all additional would you need to acquire to function there?
How do we reach places currently unreached by administration in MP and what all needs to be focused upon there? 

M4-
What is sickle cell anaemia?
Why are tribes more affected by it?
What are the possible treatments available?
TB day - current situation, government measures, what needs to be done?
Endurance running (hobby) - what do you do
What is the ultimate test of endurance?
Do you know about triathlons, Ironman, ultimate Ironman?

Chairperson -
Thank you, your interview is over
1.3k views
Date and session of interview-27 march 2023, Forenoon ,Second one to go
Board-Hon’ble R.N Chaubhey sir😅
Optional-
sociology
Hobbies-
Travelling,Reading,Physical Exercises
Your experience in interview-
overall good feeling.
Utility of mocks or O2O (if any)-
Practice helped in improving articulation of answers in a concise manner.Not a single Question repeated from the mocks in actual interview
Total time: 19 minutes
Firen

Chairman sir:
Q.1 tell us about your academic and work experience
Q.2 if you are not satisfied with services delivered by a cab driver,whom will you sue in the consumer court- driver or cab company?

Member 1
Q.1 How did you reach here?
Q.2 what is the distance between bhiwani and delhi?
Q.3 Did you face traffic?
Q.4 long monologue- People in urban areas are frustrated with high traffic congestion..How do you see the future of public and private transport in india?
Q.5 suppose you have to frame a india’s transport strategy,what would you suggest?

Member 2:
Q.1 We are building new airports and promoting air travel,Is it sustainable?
Q.2What is your biggest passion?
(i said understanding working of mind)
Q.3 how far have you progressed in that?

Member 3
Q.1What is government policy for elderly people?
Q.2 Why people in israel are protesting?
Q.3 What are the proposed judicial reforms by the Israel government?

Member 4
Q.1 There are so many cases of doping among weightlifter.So could you tell me the banned drugs and how this testing is done for doping?
Q.2 is doping is done on cricketer?
Q.3 Should it be done?

Chairman: We have asked the questions we wanted to ask,do you want to share anything that we haven’t covered?
I planned to say ‘thank you sir’ but the overall ambience compelled me to say”I want to express my gratitude to the institution of UPSC and it’s workforce for such a trustworthy recruitment mechanism “
Sir said,”Very pleased to hear that”
Thank you
I said thank You to all Members and left the room.
1.4k views
Board: Satyawati mam
Date: 22nd March 2023 Forenoon session 3rd to go
Kewords in DAF: Chemical Engineering, Proctor and Gamble, Bio pharma, clinical trials, Manga, NSS, Gardening, Database management systems, UP, Head boy and Cultural committee

Optional: Anthropology

Mam read the DAF for all members
Chairperson
1. Why did you quit your job and why civil services?
2. Took you 2.5 years to realise it?
3. Tell us about the work you did
4. Bio pharma vs pharma
5. API issue. Why are we focusing on it?
6. Why didn't we have API industry till now? some follow ups on it cause I didn't know exact answer
7. Name one company in API manufacturing in India after PLI
8. Manga. Why do you read it? Why not other countries comics?

member 1: male
1. Tell me a very important problem of your district. i told him few but he was looking for the one he had in mind and later told me about it. I gave the gist of the issue then aka water management
2.  what will you do for water management as a DM? How would do implement drip systems in rural area?
3. Sri lanka exonomy crisis. He told few pointers on his own. I told him about organic. as soon as I mentioned it. He went into details of why it failed and what is being done
4. Little culture of Margaret mead. Didn't knew this one
5. Asked for anthro's key concepts vis a vis sociology
6. How would I use anthro in education

Member 2(lady)
1. Aims and objectives of NSS
2. How it develops the personality of an individual?.
3. asked me my favourite area in anthro. I answered evolution bit but no further questions on it
4. Functionalism of Malinowski
5. Field work tradition
6. Role of anthro in rural india as a DM

Member 3(male)
Some funny banter on manga and his interest in comics
1. why J&K was bifurcated? I gave few reasons but he asked for more. I said sorry
2. Ladkah issues of recent demand of 6th schedule. What is govt doing?
3. What is the distribution of roles and powers between Hill councils and Lt. gov of ladhak? said sorry
4. He gave a monologue on China's incusions in Doklam, galwan, etc. Is it a part of larger strategy? if yes, some other info and ques where do you think next incursion will take place?
5. Arunachal pradesh but why? why not Himachal and Uttrakhand?
6. Has JnK situation improved after revoking of article 370?

Member 4(male)
1. He started with highlighting that API issue's history right from 60s and then asked me what can be done for Biopharma industry

2. I highlighed all issues across various verticals. He argued that we can't create a profitable market along lines of affordability and then went on to discuss 'novel drugs' and asked why such poor condition over that area
3. I answered research+ various other issues. Then he countered there are various global collaboration centres in India. we have research. we should be no. 1
4. I replied yes with more reasons in line with his argument and then he asked me what to be done then? etc.
5. Asked about book on V. Elwin published recently. Sorry sir
6. Asked me of recent amendment to rules of clinial trials
7. What is being done more?

Then mam told me that your interview is over. Thank you! I said namaste and left
1.3k views
27 March 2023 and afternoon session
Shri Manoj Soni sir board
Bsc (PCM)
MSc (Mathematics) form Bangalore University
Optional - Mathematics
Home state - Uttar Pradesh


Guest lecturer for a semester at Maharani Cluster University ( MCU ), Bangalore

Keywords in DAF : Teaching Mathematics ( Question were asked only from this here)

Chairman sir

Talked about , have you lost weight ?😅
Talked about my marks in grad and post grad

1. Use of Mathematical models in social problems
2. Meaning of name
3. Which saree are you wearing and name some other saree arts
4. Why did you leave your job as guest lecturer?
5. Is MCU private ?

M1
1. Does the name Luis Caffarelli ring any bell to you ?
2. Talked about , our finance minister is fond of sarees and she deals with numbers , if you are made FM , what kind of number crunching you would have in your budget ?
( I didn't expect that I would be put in the FM 's position, the way the question was started🙃 )
3. Why should we select you as civil servant - convince the board

M2

1. Some very complicatedly structured question, about some leader qualities
2. Another very complicatedly formed question - crux was how to develop rigour in students ?

M3
1. AI is in news why ?
2. Moral dilemmas associated with it ?
3. Is it value neutral ?

M4 ( lady member )
1. Disconnect between education and jobs ? ( Words used were different, not able to recall right now )
Many followups here

2. What's the role of indep directors ?
3. What is CSR funds ?
4. If you have ₹  5 CR under CSR funds , what would you do ?
5. If you donot make it to civil services, would you go back to teaching as a profession ?
1.3k views
Manoj Soni Sir board
Daf banking, Kerala, environment, sociology
Chair
1.3 problems faced in banking
2.why Kerala is called gods own country?
3.why nationalisation then and privatisation now

M1
1.Difference between global financial crisis 2008 and present banking crisis in usa
2.how inflation is controlled
3.importance of mangroves
4.what are backwaters?

M2
1.is rbi a good regulator
2.new steps needed in bank regulation

M3
1.sociological changes in Kerala
2.communist govt and still Kerala called gods own country

M4
1.what is social resilience?
2.is ukraine resilient?
3.is Pakistan resilient?
1.3k views
Date 28/3/23
Afternoon batch, 2nd to go
Chair - Preeti Sudan maam
Currently in IPS, UP cadre
Optional: Political Science and IR
DAF: Kerala, Btech EEE
Projects: Electricity price prediction model at Adani, PwC Offshore Wind project, Urban planning evaluation of Panaji (Goa)
Time - 2 35pm, approximately 25 minutes

Chairperson
1. What was the objective of your Urban planning paper?
2. Did you communicate your findings to the government?
3. How has your journey from corporate to IPS? What are the differences in working culture?
4. Going from Kerala to UP, what are the things you expect from your cadre?
5. What prompted your interest in Arabic music?

Member 1
1. Tell me about hot pursuit with respect to IR.
2. What is the Exclusive Economic Zone?
3. Do we need permission to utilise our resources in our Exclusive Economic Zone? What if some other countries come to our EEZ, what actions can we take against them?
4. What are the crime statistics against women in UP? Has it decreased?
5. What can be done in order to reduce crimes against women?
6. Is attitudinal change enough, and can it be done easily?

Member 2
1. What are the measurements of soft power?
2. What are the variances of soft power that India uses?
3. Culture is one aspect. What are the other ways in which we exert soft power?
4. What are some areas in which police reforms can be carried out?

Member 3
1. What was the margin of error for your price prediction model?
2. Would your price prediction model work for other power exchanges?
3. What is a K shaped recovery?
4. Suppose your seniors and juniors are not as transparent and honest as you. What would be your approach?
5. Are you aware of the consequences of your course of action, and would you be okay with it?

Member 5
1. What interests you the most about international relations?
2. Can nationalism and international go together?
3. Superpowers often are hypocritical when it comes to what they say and what they do. What is your opinion on that?
4. What is your opinion about schemes like PDS that are fiscally and economically unviable?

Experience - cordial
1.3k views
Date and session of interview- 27/03/2023, afternoon session, 2nd to go.
Board- Smitha Nagaraj Mam.
Optional- History
College- PGDAV college, DU
Profession (if any)- No
Hobbies-  Composing songs, mentoring underprivileged aspirants for CSE.
Your experience in interview- Cordial board. Helped me answer wherever I couldn't think of a point. It was opinion based and only few questions were asked from DAF or current affairs. Felt like a purposive conversation, enjoyed it.
Utility of mocks or O2O (if any)- Helps cover DAF, build confidence and practice speaking. But as many have already suggested, actual interview is quite conversational unlike mocks.

Smitha nagaraj mam:
1. You have studied from Delhi University, why have we seen an increase in cases of eve teasing, hooliganism in DU?
2. Is it because of youth being bold in groups?
3. Would an individual do it if there were no consequences attached?
4. Is this an issue of family and their role in such incidents?
Delhi related points of women security.

Member 1:
1. You do Mentoring, where do you do it and how?
2. Name of 2 mentees?
3. Have they achieved anything yet?
4. Comment on India's Soft power?
5. But do you think soft power is enough to tackle China?
6. India's soft power and hard power, are we overemphasising on soft power?

Member 2:
1. Is this the golden age of Indian history?

Member 3:
1. What would have happened had Britishers not conquered India?
2. Who would have been Constitutional monarch? (Related to my previous answer)
3. Who are Gangu teli? (Related to DAF entry of Raja Bhoj)

Member 4: 

1. What is the wall of steel? (I said cannot recall)
2. Explained its related to China,  Xi Jingping elected as president for 3rd time and now China has claimed it will become impenetrable (wall of steel). Your opinion on it. What would be the impact on India?
3. How can India be useful to China, what do we offer them?
4. China- Russia coming close, what would be the impact on India?

Thanks for this initiative. It has been very helpful for many aspirants like me❤️
1.3k views
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