[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #62: RN Choubey Board, Tamil Nadu Home State, IRS Service

Date of Interview: 15.01.2024
Board: RN Choubey
Home State: Tamil Nadu
Session: Afternoon, 2nd to go
Service: IRS
Key Words: Chemical Engineering, IRS, Tamil Nadu, Science Fiction Writing, Enforcement Directorate, Foreign Service

I had gotten Chaubey sir in 2022 as well and the interview that time was mostly current affairs based. This time though, the interview was mostly restricted to DAF.

Entered in. Chaubey sir’s dialogue – we are not scary people, we just want to talk to you etc etc.

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Chairman

1. How are you feeling? Did you have lunch?
2. What did you have?
3. Okay. Please tell us about yourself with reference to education and work experience. (I mentioned that I had been allocated IRS IT in the previous exam).
4. Ohhh. So you are already a very important person? (I said, no no… humble type answer)
5. Ok. But you’ve got a good service. Why write the exam again? (mentioned my interest in IFS and my reasoning for writing again because of it).
6. Fine. I’ll ask questions on Income Tax and external affairs. There is an NGO in Nagpur that has told something about income tax. What is it? (I told they had a suggestion to abolish income tax and to replace with banking transaction tax).
7. Yes, you’re right. What’s your take on that? Income Tax is very tiresome to file right? (Gave points in favor of IT and some issues with BTT)
8. So, you believe it shouldn’t be abolished?
9. Ok. Tell me what is progressive taxation and redistribution of wealth? (from my previous answer).

Member 1

1. So, you like to write science fiction?
2. What are you writing about currently?
3. So you must be trying to read about the frontiers of science as a scifi writer?
4. Then, can you tell me about ‘early dark energy’? (I gave a basic answer but she replied with excellent. Not sure if she meant it or mind games).
5. Do you know about EODB? (Clarified that it was ease of doing business).
6. Do you think it’s a worthy exercise? Have states benefitted and come up?
7. Are you aware of the truckers strike? Tell about it?
8. If you were in a position to decide, would you delete the section 106 in favour of truckers? (said no but some measures can be taken to make it easier for them to comply with the law).

Member 2

1. Tell about the difference between ED and police functioning.
2. Does ED have power to arrest? (mentioned a court case in the answer).
3. Why many IRS are going to ED?
4. Does ED have its own cadre?

Member 3

1. Can you tell about the difference between act east and look east policies?
2. Long monologue about Myanmar issue – finally asked what is India’s stand. (mentioned that India was trying to persuade the junta to transition back to democracy)
3. So, is India supporting the rebel groups? (Mentioned that it’s not exactly that, but we are engaging with stakeholders and trying to resolve refugee crisis, work with ASEAN to bring transition to democracy.
4. Ok. Can you tell me trade of India and ASEAN? (mentioned it is above 100 billion) and can you tell me ratio of India ASEAN trade and China ASEAN trade? (Said no sir, have to read).
5. Can you tell me who is really funding the rebel groups in Myanmar? (felt like a trap, said I didn’t know). He was very friendly though, said no issues.

Member 4

1. I could sense that you were interested in foreign service from your answers and intro. (said thank you sir).
2. Are you interested in going overseas? (said yes sir).
3. But you are a chemical engineer, are you aware that you could have gone overseas like gulf countries with your background?
4. Fine. Can you tell me about auto sector in Tamil Nadu?
5. How are we handling water flood and water deficit in TN?
6. What is the extent of rain water harvesting in TN?

Chairman

Ok. Your interview is over. Is there anything you want to tell us? (said no sir, but wished the board for Pongal and Sankranti – M3 laughed and said “Don’t forget Bihu”. Chairman didn’t reach much to it. Lady member wished me back).