[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #8 : RN Choubey Board, Mathematics Optional, Haryana Home State, Basketball hobby

Date of Interview: 2nd Jan, afternoon
Board:  RN Choubey Sir
Optional: Mathematics
Home State: Haryana
Keywords : Public Policy, Governance, Online Chess, NCC, Podcasts, Basketball
Work Ex – Government of Andhra Pradesh as Associate Consultant in planning department

• To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page

Chairman: (Famous monologue)

1. This is not interview we want to discuss …..
2. Pick one event that you think is significant in the history of East India Company (EIC) and explain why?
3. I answered – Battle of Plassey and then he asked about the parties involved in the battle
4. Why do you think the British emerged victorious among all European powers?
5. What lessons and strategic insights we can draw from the EIC colonization of India?
6. Any Contemporary relevance of them?

Member 1

1. Explain your experience of working with the government (I worked with the Govt of AP)
2. One broad question on how does the government function?
3. Moved to the Manipur crisis, do you think the Government was proactive in resolving the situation?
4. what would you have done?
5. If there is a call from higher authorities to slow down your approach, what would you do?

Member 2

1. Why is there no Noble prize in Mathematics?
2. 2024 is the year of elections in the world. Tell me 4 countries where elections will happen.
3. what is their significance for India?
4. 1-2 more questions I don’t remember

Member 3

1. Started with a monologue about Russia-Ukraine War then asked don’t you think it is a paradox that Western Nations are supporting Ukraine and putting economic sanctions on Russia but also indirectly buying Russian oil and hence financing the war?
2. Shifted to Israel-Palestine War. Do you thing Israel should stop the war? Yes/No. Giver reasons.
3. I said Israel should stop, and as I begin to give reasons..
4. the member became a bit aggressive and hostile, and started interjecting and cross questioning without allowing me to speak, Chaubey sir had to intervene and he sort of summarized my arguments and we moved on..

Member 1

1. (Public policy background) what is public interest and what is public good.
2. (Haryana is my home state, and I have worked in Andhra Pradesh) Asked me to compare the administration and governance between the two.
3. Is there anything that Haryana can learn from AP?
4. while smiling brought back the discussion to the Israel-Palestine conflict and asked me to bring out 2 differences between Ukraine-Russia and the Israel-Palestine war.
5. 1-2 questions he asked, not able to recall.
6. In the end, Chaubey sir gave me the opportunity to ask/tell them anything I want.

Overall – The interview was a little bit random as the opening Q was from Modern history and many keywords from the DAF were not covered, that is Mr Chaubey for you. Except for one member, the board was very cordial and allowed me time and space to complete my answers peacefully.