UPSC IAS INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE (38)

Name: Yashpal
Time: 10 Minutes

Good Afternoon Mam.
Chairperson: Good Afternoon, please be seated.

C: What is your name, roll no, date of birth etc.
Me: Told the answers in a smiling manner

C: (Showed me my passport photo & asked) is it you.
Me: Yes Mam.

C: So Mr. Yashpal you are already in a job
Me: Yes Mam I am in Indian army & undergoing training in officers training academy, Chennai.

C: Then why do you want to leave army & join forest services.
Me: Mam actually everybody seeks a job after finishing his graduation. I have seen from my college many people getting ifs and not getting too. so i kept another options open as substitute, I filled both forms together but fortunately CDS result came first and I joined if IFS result would have come first I would surely have join IFS but being a forestry graduate I have more inclination towards forest services.

C: Ok (To Member1) Sir you proceed.
M1: So Mr. Yashpal you have a forestry background.
Me: Yes sir

M1: Tell me something about forests
Me: Told definition of forest (which he was not listening)

M1: What are the roles of forests ?
Me: It broadly it can be categorised in protective productive and socioeconomic

M1: Give examples
Me: Sir wood and soil-water etc conservation. economic gain via jobs employment etc

M1: So you have studied physics chemistry and biology in class 12th so tell me something about faraday's law
Me: Sorry sir I m not able to recollect now.

M1: Asked some physics questions which I told I do not know he asked the reason so I told that its a long time since I studied physics so it is difficult to recollect now

M2: Have you ever been to Jodhpur fort
Me: Yes sir

M2: Who built it
Me: Rao Jodha

M2: When
Me: 1496

M2: What are important plantation in jodhpur
Me: Sir its pungam and ailanthus exelsa.

M2: No I want a particular thorny spp which Jodhpur Maharaja planted.
Me: Asked for a minute time and told that sir I am not able to recollect it now sorry

M3: Why you took 7 years for getting a degree
Me: Sir I prepared for medical and failed (all smiled)

So you wanted to become a doctor then you joined army now you want to come to IFS (everybody smiled)
Me: Sir I studied in government school so that much awareness was not there in time being I came to know about ICAR and passed in it

M3: Its ok so tell me about ozone depletion
Me: Explained complete procedure including reactions of oxygen free radicle

M3: So you have heard about CFC, tell me formula gor monochloromonofluoromethane
Me: I tried in air then asked for a paper and told him formula after writing

M3: So you are living in Chennai can a person make a house or hotel on marina beach
Me: No sir

M3: What will prevent him
Me: CRZ

M3: When it took place
Me: 2010

M3: So what are for CRZ
Me: Rural, urban ecological etc

M4: Tell me difference in conservation and preservation
I told answer but he was not convinced, he asked me to further elaborate which I did and was 50% satisfied

M4: Ex situ and in situ conservation
Me: Told difference

M4: Can you give me one example of each
Me: I gave.

M4: Tell me in two points what should be done to mitigate present day environmental problems
Me: Sir according to me (M1 interrupted according to you he laughed) I admitted sir I mean I feel that those two points should be one reduction of emission, two awareness

M4: What do you do in a gene bank
Me: I blabbered

Suddenly Chairperson- Thank you Mr. Yashpal
I thanked them in a surprised manner and came out. Throughout the interview chairperson was busy in reading my biodata n taking down some notes m1 was curiously watching me and taking down some notes m2 was busy and other than his question time he never looked up m3 was observing me top to bottom and taking notes on a yellow paper and m4 was busy in eating.

Exam Interview Details : IFS 2010
Subjects Taken : Forestry and Agriculture
Interview Date : 01-Feb-2011
Interview Board : Mrs Rajni Razdan
Result of Interview : Qualified
City : Jodhpur

UPSC IAS INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE (37)

Name : Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh
Interview Writeup: 31st march 2011, I was the fourth candidate to be interviewed in after noon session. Interview started at 3 45 pm. As soon as I entered even without looking at me KKP Sir told to sit. I was confused as I have not yet greeted them members. However I wished members and took my seat.

Chairmen started (KKP Sir) Dr Bhuvnesh: Whats your name?
ME:  Sir Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh
KKP Sir: Your Roll No
ME:  48756
KKP Sir: Your Date of Birth
ME:  22/7/1983 (by now I was thinking what he is up to taking interview or interrogating me)
KKP Sir: Dr you have worked in ONGC FOR 1 YEAR why did you left it
ME:  Sir, I was on contract there . which got over
KKP Sir: SO, you left ONGC or they left you ??or you left it for preparing
ME:  Sir, As contract period was over so I deciced to leave and
I had to prepare also..
KKP Sir: Your hobbies are Teaching, Writing Hindi Poems, Introspection (he read this in one go). You write what sort of poems.
ME:  Sir, For my friends.
KKP Sir: For friends or about friends? You tease your friends in your poems?
ME:  Sir. I write for my friends. I try to incorporate my emotions in poems.
KKP Sir: and this introspection.. it is same  as diary writing
ME:  Yes Sir, I do write diary also. But since I do introspection often so I have written it as my hobby.
KKP Sir: What you do
ME:  Sir I try to evaluate my behaviour. I think about how I think, I review my decisions, also it sets me right when ever I go wrong. It guides my emotion to do better.
KKP Sir: You are emotional person?
ME:  Yes sir
KKP Sir: An emotional person cannot be practical person and practical person cannot be emotional also. We don’t need such people
ME:  Sir, Shall I take an example
KKP Sir: OK
ME:  Sir, Since I am a doctor and when ever my patient comes to me. I show my emotion and my empathy towards him to accommodate him. But while prescribing the drugs I am the most practical person. I prescribe based on scientific tenets. so I think an emotional person can be practical too.
KKP Sir: Till now his face was wearing mask. He didn’t showed any facial expression and pointed fingers towards 1st member to ask question
ME: member 1 (M1: ) he was sitting left to him
M1:  So Dr. you are from Agra.
ME:  Yes sir.
M1:  Dr I call AGRA as a GUTTER despite it being tourist place it is very dirty.
ME:  Sir, I beg to defer with you here, Sir you are talking about pre 2008 status now Agra has changed a lot.
M1:  Really?
ME:  Yes sir
M1:  Ok tell me what all we can do to tackle such problems in big metropolis.
ME:  Sir we need to educate people, We should strengthen municipality corp, allow them to come up with bonds to ensure their financial instability.
M1:  and in Cities?
ME:  Sir, I am staying in Delhi from past 1 year and I saw that MCD sends their autos and truck to clean the areas. so I think we can copy this plan in other cities like Agra also.
M1:  Who is responsible for all this mess
ME:  Sir, We all!
M1:  How we?
ME:  Sir, We are the one who throw our garbage in roads and there is implementation failure also.
M1:  Government is coming up with courses like BRMS because there is scarcity of doctor and you people instead of working in rural area come and join services. Why are you shifting from your field.
ME:  Sir, An MBBS is just a beginning or a step in medical field and today's era of multi-specialisation (inter disciplinary) I think we can help more and I being doctor I am more well versed with fellow doctors problems and I think I can tackle that through Civil Services. Sir, Recently there was a news that in Maharashtra only 40 % students of 1st year reach 2nd year and I think I understand this problem better.
KKP Sir: Interrupted the M1 and asked M2 (Lady member) to ask.
M2:  Dr what are your views about traditional medicine, should we discard it.
ME:  Mam, Ayurvedahas treated our people from past 2000 year and even till today we all rely on Ayurvedatraditional medicines is deep rooted in us take for example we all eat Chawanprash which is an Ayurveda prep. Mam what I believe that Ayurveda in in its lowest ebb now and allopathic medicine in its peak.. so there is need for more research in this field.
M2:  But we do not have money.
ME:  True mam. But govt is working in this front we have AYUSH dept. we have Homeopathy, Ayurveda college etc.
M2:  Dr do you know about HDI
ME:  Yes mam
M2:  Who measures health component on HDI
ME:  And then I kept quiet for sometime and then she prompted that is national family health survey.
M2:  Do you know what is our ranking in this
ME:  Sorry mam I don’t know.. but I know we are behind srilanka n Bhutan in this
M2:  Yes. But why so?
ME:  Mam may be population pressure.
KKP interrupted mam and told member 3 to ask me was sitting right to me mam wanted to ask more question but she stopped and I gave a smile to her. KKP Sir was listening when I was telling Chawanprash stuff how ever till now KKP Sir and other mebers did not gave any expression.
M3: Dr you told you are emotional,, what is difference between emotional person and impulsive and who is better
ME:  sir, impulsive person takes decision instantaneously while emotional thinks and i believe emotional is better than impulsive
M3: asked one more ques relating to emotion which I have never heard, so I stated that I don’t know sir
M3: Dr do you take interest in foreign afFairs
ME:  Yes Sir, I do
M3: Who is India's best friend
ME:  Sir, in long term relations I it is Russia and recently it is USA
M3: WHY USA needs us, Big brother attitude of USA
ME:  Sir for balance of power with china, its strategic interest, its commercial interest. We are largest consumer of US goods blah..blah…M3: What do you think that doctors are going to USA and not serving nation
ME:  Sir, they do help us gain dollar which we require the most
M3: But dollar is no more an international currency
ME:  True sir, but we import oil which is need of hour and their payment has to be done in dollar terms so dollar is valuable for us
M3: Ok , do you know how much is foreign exchange reserve now
ME:  I was not sure and wanted to play safe so I told Sir I think its more than 250 mn dollars
M3: Ok quiet above this value. He points toward member 4.
M4: Dr as you rightly pointed out that MBBS is just beginning ,but don’t you think that doctors are not at all going to rural area what about health of rural people
ME:  Sir I beg to defer with you here,, (he nodded) Sir infact my friends are working in rural area, my seniors are also working in rural area also Sirwhen I was student during my community medicine postings I have seen doctors working in rural area.. Sirhowever I do agree that there is problem of turn over.
M4: Dr you are from Agra or Karnataka
ME:  Sir Agra
M4: But you have spent your most of time in Karnataka
ME:  Yes sir, but I was sent there.
M4: Sent?
ME:  Yes Sir, Since I had my schooling in military school so I was sent there, But Sir later I started liking that place and infact I learned Kannada also and later on did MBBS from there.
M4: what was your choice for military school
ME:  Sir, I don’t remember (that form was filled when I was in 5th and what I remember my father had filled that form)
M4:  You did MBBS from Bijapur. Bijapur is famous for??
ME:  After a pause Sirits Golgumbaz
M4: Nodding his head .. What it is?
ME:  Sir Mausoleum of Adil Shah
M4: But why it is famous for?
ME:  Second largest dome of world. Sir also one sound resonates for 7 time.
KKP Sir: Interrupts here and looks toward me and says ok go your interview is over. You can go now. I wished them thank you and good day. When I came out it was 4:15 so my interview went for 30 minutes. Dr Paul kept on giving sarcastic look through out interview.

Exam Interview Details : Written
Subjects Taken: Public Administration, Psychology
Interview Date: 31, March 2011
Interview Board : Dr KK Paul
City: Agra

UPSC IAS INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE (36)

Name: M. Rohit
Type: Interview

Me: May I come in Sir.
Me: Good Morning Mam. Good Morning Sir.
PSA: Please have a seat.
Me: Thank You Sir.

PSA: Why Madras has been changed to Chennai but the name of these institutions have not been changed.
Me: These institutions have been kept of any kind of disturbances or distortions in the society.... (PSA was n' t convinced and interrupted me and moved on to next question)

PSA: What do you think about Indian democracy. I have so many of my colleagues which say that Indian democracy it at its worst low and there is a very pessimistic scenario in the country.
Me: Sir, there have been some turbulences and disturbances in short term but Indian democracy will eventually become more stronger and mature in future in a long term.

PSA: Why do you think so?
Me: Sir, India is like an oasis in the Indian subcontinent surrounded by all failed states and it is due to our democracy only. Even TS Krishnamorthy has in his book Miracle of Democracy, India is India because of democracy only. Navin Chawla has also said that if the youth is dynamic, then all the distortions in the system will eventually wither away.
PSA: I'm not interested in others quotes, but more interested in your views.
Me: Sorry Sir,

PSA: So now tell me why do you feel so optimistic.
Me: Sir, our Judiciary has been very proactive in the last couple of years and it will become the biggest bulwark of Indian democracy in the future tomorrow.

PSA: Yes, that is one...what else
Me: Sir, Election commission has been becoming very assertive now and people are also getting empowered and now they know their rights. ( PSA wasn't looking very convinced here...I guess was expecting something better... moves to next question )

PSA: I'm happy that you think optimistically about Indian democracy.
PSA: Rohit, you have been in Chennai for last 6 years or so, If I'am not wrong. Have you picked up some Tamil?
Me: Sir, I know some words and some numbers but I often forget them.

PSA: Why, didn't you felt the necesssity to learn it in Chennai.
Me: Sir, in campus everyone from peon, sweeper, Professor all speak English. Even if one goes out, all autowalas understand English

PSA: You never went out of Chennai?
Me: Sir, I've been to some places like Madurai, Tirupati, etc but everywhere people understand English.
Me: I've a personal feeling that when north Indians go to South India they don't learn south Indian languages but when people come from South India to North India they pick up Hindi very fast. PSA: See, in this board two members are from South India and they know Hindi very well. Don't you think people are very rigid in North India?

PSA: Why do people from South India learn Hindi fast?
Me: Sir, people in South India are more forward...
Me: Sir, I don't think so people are rigid here and people learn it often.

PSA: But your case doesn't suggest so
Me: Sir, If I get posted in Tamil Nadu tomorrow, I'll learn Tamil very soon.

PSA: See, that's it. We learn it when there is necessity and not out of interest.
M1: Rohit, You know about Panchtantra?
Me: Sir, I remember reading about it in school

M1: Ok, so you know about it.
M1: Can you try to recollect what you remember>
Me: (after a pause for 5 seconds) Sir, its a book written by Vishnu Sharma

M1: Can you tell me what is the meaning of the word Panchtantra.
Me: Sir, if you give me permission, I can break the word in Hindi and try to explain it.

M1: Sure, please go ahead.
Me: Sir, Panch means five and tantra means some tactic or tool or technology to get the work done.

M1: Rohit, you are telling about Yantra and not tantra.
Me: Yes Sir, I'm wrong. I'm confused.

M1: Can you tell me about Vedanta?
Me: Sir, I know only about Vedanta Mining group

M1: (confused). PSA interrupts and says he is talking about Vendanta Industries of Orissa.
M1: No I'm talking about the word Vendanta?
Me: Sorrry Sir, I know about word Ved-Puran only.

M1: What do you know about policies towards informal and formal migrants from developing countries to European countries what policies have been taken towards them?
Me: Sorry Sir, I don't know about this aspect?

M1: What about USA?
Me: Sir, post economic recession, USA has taken many protectionist policies and has tightened the visa fees and other terms. It was very relaxed in the Bush regime. This protectionism has harmed countries like India. (He was not convinced...was expecting something else I guess)

M2: These days there have been lot of talks about different regulatory bodies in India like MCI, NCHER, etc. What is your take on it. Should they be merged into one integrated body or they should work as different bodies?
Me: Sir, they should be merged into one integrated body working under one roof. This will promote lot of cross -cultural research in the country. Technologists, managers, etc willbe able to work together and lot of new creative ideas and innovative solutions will come up. It will also reduce the red-tap in the bodies.

M2: Have you heard of IPR.
Me: Sir, do you mean I...P... R?
Me: Yes Sir, I know about IPR.

M2: Can you explain what it is?
Me: Sir, it means Intellectual Property Rights.

M2: Ok, these days lot of new companies are coming and taking up patents in agriculture...have you heard of anything like this?
Me: yes Sir, companies take the patents of seeds, fertilizers, etc and monopolise the market.

M2: what effect does it have.. .?
Me: Sir, it has led to loss of indigeneous technology of production which the farmers have and production suffers.

M2: Can you tell any specific exampple?
M2: (after remaining blank for 3-4 seconds) Sir, I remember about Monsanto case. How it mopolised the market.
M2: (not very convinced) Can you elaborate.
M2: (again not very confident) Sir, It got the patent of Bt Brinjal and there were lot of apprehensioned from people

M2: You have lived in Tamil nadu. Andhra pradesh is near to Tamil Nadu. In AP lot of agricultural universities are working and producing creative agri-models but still there are lot of farmer suicides. What is the reason>
Me: Sir, there is a gap between the research being done in the universities and the actual implementation in the farms.

M2: No, but still there are lot of models being implemented. I want a specific answer why in AP this problem is present.
Me: Sorry, Sir, I don't know any specific reason for such problem in Andhra Pradesh.

M3: Have you heard of Police Act?
Me: Yes Sir, It was passed in 2007

M3: (PSA interrupts, that is what Supreme Court has directed, he is asking something else). When was the original Police Act passed?
Me: Sir 1861

M3: Yes now you are on track. Now tell me why was it passed by the Britishers?
Me: Sir, it was passed to keep the people of India down

M3: Not only that, it was also passed to give the SPs enough powers to collect the revenue from the people and SPs use to work directly under the DMs
M3: Have you heard of Police Commissionarate System?
Me: Yes Sir, it has been started in Jaipur and Jodhpur recently.

M3: What system is in Tonk where you were born and what system is in Chennai.
Me: Sir, I'm not sure but I guess it is SP only.

M3: These days powers of DMs have been diluted and SPs have been granted more powers for law and order. Do you think this relationship be diluted.
Me: Sir, police should have some kind of regulatory body over it and DM is the best person. Otherwise there might be some police officers who have go out of the system and use their extra discretion and then people may suffer

M3: Yes you are correct
(M2 drops in again)
M2: (he explained me about secret ballot system in the Parliament for nearly 6 minutes. Even after listening to him hard I could not make a word out of it what he actually meant and what he wanted from me. I had a horrific expression on my face...He had a Bengali accent)
Me: Sir, could you...(PSA interrupts and takes over after seeing may facial expressions)

PSA: Do you remember when was the no-confidence motion adopted few years back.
Me: Sir, in 2007
PSA: for what purpose...?
Me: (not very confident) Sir, nuclear deal bill

PSA: Yes, in that Congress had 80 MPs and when secret ballot was done no one knew from where extra 18 MPs came out. It remained a mystery. Do you think this system of secret ballot should be removed?
Me: Yes Sir, it should be removed and ful transparency should be brought in the system. Opaqueness should be removed.

PSA: Don't you think it will create lot of uncertainty in the system.
Me: May be Yes Sir, but people have every right to know what decision their representative has taken on the issue. Is that good or bad? Party is secondary and people come first.

M4: Rohit, I'm not from technical background. You have written Robotics as your hobby. Can you explain me what is a Robot?
Me: Sir. Sorry Ma'am Robot is a tool or a device which can do the work which man does it from its own hands.

M4: Do you know about movie Robot?
Me: Yes Ma'am . Rajnikant is working in this movie.

M4: What did you like in the movie?
Me: Sir, Aishwarya Rai is working in that movie. (PSA interrupts and says yes that is the best thing to watch in that movie and the panel bursts into laughter. PSA again says but I haven't wathced it)

M4: I'll tell you what was there in the movie. There was a robot which finally became uncontrollable and than it was difficult to control it.
M4: Do you think such intelligence should be given to Robots?
Me: Sir, Sorry Ma'am intelligence should be given but not to the extent that they sit over man.

M4: You mean man shoud drive the robots and robots shoudl not drive man.
Me: Yes ma'am

M4: Can you tell how can Robots can be useful to society? Can you give some examples?
Me: Ma'am few days back there was nuclear meltdown in Japan and 50 odd workers are fighting there to cool down the reactor. If we can produce 50 robots in their place who can cool the reactor than that will be a wonderful contribution to the humanity. Our soldiers take enemy bullets in the war zones, if we can replace them with robots or in Naxal affected areas if we can produce Unmanned vehicles, Unmanned Ground Vehicles to detect the landmines many lives of police people will be saved.
(Interview abruptly ends here)

PSA: Thank You
Me: I was clueless and was expecting it to go some more long.

PSA: Rohit you may go now.
Me: Thank You Sir, Thank You Ma'am . Thank You Sir.

Exam Interview Details

Subjects Taken : Geography and Public Administration
Date: 26-Mar-2011
Interview Board : Purushottam Agarwal

An overview of UPSC BOARD Interview ROOM

An overview of UPSC Interview HALL

UPSC IAS INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE (35)

Name of Examiner : Gautam Singh Chaudhary

Attempt: 1st Attempt

"Board consisted of 5 members including Alka Sirohi, 4 male members.( 2 on my left side may have been proffs and the 2 on right hand side were from administrative side because of there dressing and question asking. style).

As I entered the room the board greeted me and asked me to sit. straight away they started asking questions.

Question : 1. Do you know about financial meltdown that happened in the world?

Answer: I told about the current meltdown that happened in usa.

Question : 2. What was the underlying cause?

Answer : Sub Prime crisis told.... but they asked another question.

Question : 3. Tell us earliers meltdown you remember?

Answer: Asian, us 1930's meltdown told.

Question : 4. What is the difference between the come back of 1930's meltdown and today's meltdown.

Answer : Abut India and China being the growth stories.

Question : 5. What is the difference between Indian and Chinese economy?

Answer: About Chinese being export led economy whilst India being much of self consuming economy.

Question: 6. Do you really think India Does not export much?

Answer: It Does Specially in IT, gems and stones, textiles and Parma, but not in manufacturing industry.

Question: 7. why india is lagging behind in this sector?

Answer: Labour laws (asked later Q 15 ), electricity crunch, economies of scale, govt support, exchange rates control.

ma'am passes to another member

Question : 8. Gautam Singh you have lived in border districts, specially in bikaner (skooling), barmer ( working cairn energy), what are the problems related to communication?

Answer : Jamming of mobile networks, and TV relays of other countries channels being aired.( Did 'nt understand the question much)

Question: 9. Your Birthplace is Pali, Rajasthan. Tell us about the famous Temple there?

Answer : Ranakpur Temple.

Question : 10. How many pillars are there?

Answer : 1444

member 1 (professor type)

Question : You have been involved in blood donation camps? tell us universal donors and acceptors? why you cant give just any blood?
antigens and everything answered.

member 2 (proffesor lyk)

Question :  has private players coming into oil exploration helpd india? what developments specially in barmer are going on... after this discovery?
local empowerment - 25% -- to barmer citizens. 25%-- to rajasthan ppl 25% -- to indians 25%-- world
the hiring policy of the company justified??
yes as highly skilled labour from anywhere in the world.
local residents get unskilled job... but in few years with education can change the scenario.

Question : Cairn energy stakes right now? is vedanta deal beneficial?

Question : India-iran pipeline status? what is TAPI?

member 3

Question : Labours laws in India should be there or not?

Question : In india lots of iron ore is extracted, why then the chinese import of steel costs less compared to indian counterparts?

Question : what is personal marketing?- Amway and all

Question : What is ponzi scheme?

member 4 ( senior official types).

Question : sam dam dandh bhed--- explain?

Question : willl you use dem all after you become an ias?

Question : in todays scenario is indian democracy liberal?
had no clue..... waited and asked ma'am to repeat...

Question : (reframed) right to dissent ... is being missused? argue

Question : do you know about argumentative Indian ?
yes... told about the book.

Exam Interview Details:

Interview Marks: 225
Qualified Rank: 297
Total Marks : 1130
Interview Board: Alka Sirohi Board
Date:29th March 2012
Place: Rajni Razdan (Jaipur)

UPSC IAS INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE (34)

My IAS Interview 2010

It was the culmination of 5 yrs of sustained , dedicated , hard-work and many sacrifices .I started this endeavor  from scratch only to bring good name to my guru Patriji. Only to prove that The Master is Guiding millions of souls towards proper path ...

My wife has been a rock pillar support through out , we withstood many pressures and made many sacrifices towards achieving this goal...

I thank my mentor and my good friend Hari Kiran (rank 16 2009) for his good efforts in polishing the diamond ...and giving valuable inputs ..without which I wouldn't have crossed the Toughest Mains Exam of all times (2010) with ease !

I'm putting my interview experience only to make my many well wishers know what exactly happened and for posterity.


 Actual Interview Day

After getting through one of the toughest papers in mains in the recent years , obviously my confidence was enhanced -- and I was aiming to get into service to give No-Nonsense Governance to the People(even if I'm eliminated after brief duration) ; there was no fear of the present nor the future , nor of death in the service to the Lord ; only One Vision -- Vision of Best Governance stood in front of me ! 

Thoughts maketh man ...and my very intrepid ideas Radiated a Powerful Energy and Glow around me .. this energy on that day was so Peaceful yet so Powerful that my batch mates, staff, support staff, every employee who was lucky enough to be present there in UPSC  ..were in awe looking at me ....!!!

This  in fact started from the entrance gate ! The security guards  gave me very warm alert salute -- they thought that I was an infact an Officer ! I went inside , my own batch-mates thought that I was an Officer and in fact after a while  I got used to these reactions .And when the supervisory staff  for the interviews each one saluted me as though I was top official from Govt. of India , on duty for the interviews -I started enjoying it !

Deep in my mind I know there are 2 possibilities from here -that I can lose if God hasn't  willed to take the risk of joining the services or if I cross this last hurdle , then I decided for myself then and there that no force in future can stop me until I improve  the system..,..

With this idea in my mind , and with a volcano of  tension inside me , I knocked the door , but was happy that My head was still cool above my shoulders...There was no panic nor fright , but just a flow with the moments ....It all happened very quick from then on one by one ...

First word from my mouth ---" Good Morning Madame... Good morning Sir".
they all look at me ...and are in awe for certain .

Chairman replies -- Please take your seat.

I thank him profusely and drag the chair , careful not to make any noise and sit quietly ..I wait for them to ask ...

Bur they all are taken back by my Energy , Gait ,  steady head and CONFIDENCE !

They all shuffle in their seats , I noticed it .. 

They pause for few seconds ...again they shuffle in their seats ...

They are shell shocked ! Seconds fly ....No voice still ( I can understand their dilemma ... A dove has entered into the area  of the thugs ! 

Finally one more empty second , I thought the Interview was mine , just then Chairman recoups all his strength and just barely blurts weakly --" tell me about yourself"?

Me ;Pause for a while .." Sir I'm an Mbbs Doctor, 5 yrs ago from scratch I aspired to be the top most Administrator for India , and so I'm here at the threshold of achieving my Life time goal , and this itself speaks about myself more than my words do !

Madam nods her head with happiness, 2 other gentlemen also feel the same , I Notice this from my corner of my eyes...!

Chairman - He gets all the joy in the world (sarcastic joy )-- jumps in his seat and with more energy  shouts with joy ---" Oh So you are a medical man ! 

Me - I nod my head -- yes sir !

Chairman-So do you know anything about  another medical man --that appeared in today morning newspaper...

Me - yes sir ..the MCI chief was arrested for taking bribes in granting permissions to private medical colleges  !

chairman- was he arrested or chargesheeted !

Me-(Pause ) arrested sir ..

Suddenly Chairman becomes more aggressive , shouts with top of his voice , comes forward aggressively unto my face ...and shouts " why you want to come to the services --- are you not wasting money that Govt has spend on you for your medical degree...
I was about to respond -- He stops me , mocks at me , laughs with all the other members - tries to insult me , says" if you and your family decisicon see is costing the govt many lakhs ?!!
I was about to respond again --- he interrupts me again ..sarastically laughs ...turns to other memebers , as though they are having a group discussion, leaving me all alone  !


Here I do the Unthinkable ! really unthinkable ! he might not have seen such cool reaction in all his career !


I take stock of the whole situation , here is a guy , mean looking , corrupt looking , deriving sadistic pleasure of not giving the opp to reply -- Is the interview fixed ? is there no single seat for real merit ? Should I leave the room , as there is no point sitting there without the right to reply ? I thought of my wife , my future ,is it gone? ...My gut feeling was its Gone ! having felt so i thought i would be going out with a good fight ... Thinking it the last day in my office !
I politely and my heart in my mouth  ask him in the midst of his outbursts " Can I reply Sir "
He is shocked , stops! didn't expect such guts to stop him in between and poise a cool question ...he knows that If he gets more angry than this , I would surely walk away and that to morally victoriously... so he has no other choice -- hence  hesitatingly says " yes go ahead" , "go ahead"---leans forward unto the table and says " go ahead"
Me - Sir 2ARC, 6 th PAY commission  recommends specialization of generalist IAS officer and recommends Training in domain fields. I being already a specialist would fit more aptly into these roles...As far as wasting of money is concerned , I saved infact lot of it by not being part of the BRAIN DRAIN . I would still be serving the people of my country and the benefits i would bring for the next 25-30 yrs would far outweigh the costs borne by the Govt on my medical education.

Moreover Govt of India doesn't think in the first place its waste of money , as they want to tap talent from all fields or else  they wouldn't have sought applications from us , and therefore I have every right to be here !

madame and one more gentleman  laughs loud with happiness, chairman and other 2 are stunned by this gentle but laser precise rebuke !

Chairman is forced to agree ---" yes you are right , you have every right , you have right to be here !he sincerely appreciates my bold answer ... cools his head off , and tries to see the highest merit in me !

From now on the tone mellows down drastically , it becomes soft , and pleading , they know that the person sitting opposite to them doesn't not come daily in their career but is a rare talent !

Chairman hands over to the member ...he wants to recoup his thoughts I suppose !'

Ist member..." If you become an IAS officer in what 3 fields will you do outstandingly best .

Me -- pause for a while , want to get off the tension , I ask for a glass of water ...

they offer me paper and pen also ...

I reply after a deep pause ..." Sir , as I would be in-charge of many departments , and I would be doing justice if not outstandingly best in all the fields assigned to me - namely law and order , implement policies , coordinate different departments etc.

says very good ...

2nd member -- Do you know whats happening in Myanmar... 

me - pause for a while -- yes sir .

2nd member go ahead.

me - (pauses) - sir in Myanmar pro Democratic forces led by Ms Suy ki is bringing in silent support for  her cause in the international community and this is making the Military Junta rulers to think of  releasing her from her house arrest , just to gain credibility .

2nd member -- very good thank you.

3rd member Lady- You said your hobbies are Meditation -- what is meditation .. 

me - According to Pathanjali -- meditation is Ashtanga raja yoga -- ie 8 step path --

lady member- can you name them ..

me - yes madam-- very quickly  1- 8 names asna, pratyahara, dharna, dhyana, samadhi 

lady member- very good 

lady member- how will you motivate your employees-

me - quick answer with minute pause--- " Integrated holistic approach " systems approach to motivation--- hold out carrots like  pay , perks , allowances and also sticks like punishments, censors, reprimands , and also personally set an example and have personal interaction and easy accessibility with them !

lady member -- personal interaction ---?! how much time will you take for this ?

me - bewildered by this cross - question ! take a deep breath and say madam I will take " reasonable" amount of time to meet the representatives of my staff  depending on the size , nature of the organisation.

lady member -- feels happy ...

tones down her voice -- asks what books did I follow for Public administration ?

I though this question is for her personal purpose -- maybe to guide her own kids!

Me - madam its Nicolas Henry , mohit bhatachrya , mainly and all other std text books.

4th member- tell me about telengana ...

sir it comprises of 10 districts , ruled by the nizam for 200 yrs and therefore were excluded from any devp that was seen in the British ruled neighboring areas of  Andhra and rayalseema.

4th member- what do you think Smaller states should be formed.

me - pause Sir Sri Krishna Sir and his commission is going exactly into this issue holistically .

4th member -- do you think telengana must be given.

me- if the grievance is that of lack of devp. we must ensure that this is rectified in time bound manner . devp projects should be instituted on war- footing basis. if it is for seeking power-- I'm against it --as then every district in India would be seeking a separate state , but having said this the voice of the people of telengana should be listened to and channelized in the right direction Sir.

4th member and chairman--- yes you are right ...India will then be broken into district size states...you are right !

Interview handed over to Chairman...

Chairman---- do you get angry ?

Me - I act angry but to get really angry would take lot of effort from my side Sir !

Chairman--no , we daily see on roads , everybody gets angry with everybody ...do you get angry ---

Me -- no sir ...its not civilized  behavior..

Chairman-- do you get angry with your employees...

Me-- no Sir ...

Chairman--but if someone doesn't do the work , We all get angry do you ?

Me- No sir , there are still better ways to make the work completed and anger may be the least resort Sir ...

Chairman---again becomes his original self- spins my answer --- Anger doesn't work in India ...you have got it wrong !

Me -- I pause /stunned I haven't said anger must be encouraged at any time ! he goes to the next question...

Chairman why you preferred Irs over Ips ..

Me - Sir every service is a service to the nation , there is no higher or lower service , but just its an individual preference -- And my aptitude is more for the administrative service -- as I want to give An India --- Hunger Free, Corruption Free, Disease Free, Illiteracy ,Underemployment , poverty free above all a Developed nation to the next generation.

Chairman--- softly with cajoling voice --dont want IPS aa?

Me-- As I said Sir Every Service is a service to the nation ...but my preference is more for IAS.

Chairman--what if you dont get..

me- I'm sure I will get it Sir and I'm confident about it or else can still poke syringes all my life !

Chairman--the interview is over ! now whatever is asked or said will not be used for evaluation.

Chairman- do you have any questions for me ?

me- pause -Sir Can we Discuss Ideas instead?

Chairman--raises tone---if you have qsts you ask or else say sorry sir i dont have any qsts !

Sorry Sir I have Ideas to discuss can we !

your interview is over you can leave now.

me - Sorry Sir , you said interview was over few mts ago  ! So as the interview was over how does it matter if I ask  a question or discuss an idea?

you can leave now

 Reluctantly say thank you sir , thank you madam.( Stereotyped Board expecting stereotyped answers within 4 closed walls , door locked from inside , with no cameras....just remembering My Father of Public Administration Woodrow Wilson's -" Corruption thrives in secret places"- I walk away far, very far, very very far  away thanking God that I did not work with these thugs and mafia all my life !

 I excelled in my academic performance -got 30 more marks than the topper of my batch in theory but got 120 marks less than him in the interview.

Jai Saraswathi Devi ,

Jai Sampath Vigneswara

Jai Guriji.