[UPSC Interview 2022] – Transcript #253 : Manoj Soni Board, Madhya Pradesh Home State, Chess, American music Hobby

Date of Interview: 29 March 2023
Board: Manoj Soni Sir
Home State: Madhya Pradesh
Hobby: Chess, American music
DAF Keywords- Indore, Biology
Duration- 25 minutes, first to go. Started after 2.15 pm in afternoon shift, much later than other boards.

Opening thoughts- grand chambers of the chairman. Beautiful round table. Smiling Soni sir asked to be seated, removed mask so he can verify the picture. Said it was my choice to wear or not wear the mask.

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Chairman

1. How are you feeling today?
2. Read out DAF and said you have a variety of interests, studied from eminent institutions etc. How did you get interested in your graduation subject
3. You are from MP, so you must be well prepared with the cheetah reintroduction, so I am not going to ask anything from there *everyone laughs*.
4. Have you heard of a prestigious research institute in Hyderabad?
5. Have you visited CCMB? Did you ever think of pursuing Ph.D. from there?
6. Do you understand Sanskrit? Can you recite the full shloka of which Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam is a the ending phrase of?
7. goes on to recite it himself, as I said I dont know.
8. What is the meaning of VK and do you think this is a practical idea today? Discussed about India’s leadership on this front.

Member 1

1. (straight forward questions, few counters but no grilling)
2. Are you aware about crypto? Can it be regulated? Discussion followed.
3. What about drones? What are their applications?
4. Cannot recall some questions.

Member 2

1. Since you like American music, have you heard of Bob Dylan? What do you think about him getting a Nobel?
2. You have played chess. Tell me, if I keep one grain of wheat on one square, 2 grains on 2nd square and so on, what quantity of wheat is required to fill up 64 squares?
3. Indore has been the cleanest for long now. How has this behavioural change been cultivated in people?
4. How can you apply the same to Delhi dumps? Smiled and said, good, I think you will clean Delhi as well.

Member 3

1. (spoke very slowly, fortunately was sitting very close. Cordial member)
2. Continuing with chess, what is the difference in approach between chess and *some Chinese board game* that I hadn’t heard of.
3. What can be the implications of trans national animal habitats?
4. What security threats are posed by translocation of animals? How can this be managed?

Member 4

1. (longest interaction, almost 10 minutes)
2. Are you aware of *some south african animal corridor*? Said no
3. What is the utility of animal corridors
4. What is the difference in animal corridors built in India and in other countries?
5. Are you interested in international relations? I unknowingly did a very enthusiastic nod.
6. What do you think about the Russia Ukraine war?
7. Do you see any correlation between war and defence manufacturing companies?
8. What does your company do? (DAF)
9. What is your role? Tell us what all steps you follow once you receive a manuscript? How many hours you give?
10. What is minimum wage? Discussion followed.

Chairman: Your interview is over. Take very good care of yourself.

Mocks- 7-8 mocks. Board was not overly cordial or smiling throughout, but there was no grilling and minimum cross questions even in questions that were followed by a longish discussion. Nothing extraordinary or life changing, just another day at office.