[UPSC Interview 2024] – Transcript #3: Sanjay Verma Board, PSIR Optional, Maharashtra Home State

Date of Interview: 17/03/2025
Time: 4:33 to5:03 PM [ last to go ]
Board: Shri Sanjay Verma Sir
Optional: PSIR
Home State: Maharashtra
Background: Mechanical Engineer
Key Points from DAF: Ahmednagar, Photography, Painting, working with State GST Department

• To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2024, visit this page

Chairman

1. Look around you and tell me what different types of art forms you can see in this room?
2. Are these paintings painted using acrylic or oil paint? Is there any difference between acrylic and oil paint?
3. Developed economies and the development of art: Is there any connection between these?
4. Tell me about the Renaissance? What was the role of art in it? Did it motivate people, or was it only an expression by the people?
5. Which are the most iconic paintings you have seen in India?
6. What type of painting is used in the Ajanta paintings?
7. Tell me about some contemporary Indian painters?
Shared a story on how angry paintings can change the mode of society—about how there can be multiple perspectives on painting.

Member 1

1. You completed your degree in 2016? You got your first job in 2022. So what were you doing for six years?
2. What was your elective subject in engineering?
3. Tell me about your final-year engineering project.
4. You are working at a good level; why do you want to switch to the Central service?
5. What is the NRC? What are its benefits?
6. Is it good to deport people living illegally in India?
7. The U.S. is deporting our citizens, and we are protesting this.  On the other hand, we are also saying that we should deport Rohingyas. Why is there this double standard?
And two or three questions around deportation.
8. Isn’t it legal to deport unauthorized immigrants?

Member 2

1.  So you are working in GST. Tell me something about IGST.
2. Is there any issue of IGST settlement in GST?
3. As an assistant commissioner in GST, tell me, is GST a good thing? If so, tell me three advantages of GST.
4. Recently, there was a case of self-deportation. Do you know about it?

Member 3

1. Why don’t states keep the IGST portion themselves rather than transferring it to the center?
2. The GST rate on medical-related items and many other essential items is high. Don’t you think it should be lower?  And that other essential items should be in a lower tax bracket?
3. Have there been any reforms in this field?
4. Tell me something about Saint Dnyaneshwar.
5. What is the importance of Ahmednagar?
6. Aren’t there any military stations there as well?

Member 4

1. Is there a case study of Ahmednagar relating to administrative reform? What was it about?
2. Does Ahmednagar have municipal corporations?
3. If given the opportunity to be a municipal commissioner of Ahmednagar, what would you focus on?
4. What would you do about tax collection?
5. Since you are working in the government sector, is there corruption?
6. Have you seen any corruption in your department?  And in what areas does it take place?
7. As an independent officer, what steps have you taken under your jurisdiction to prevent corruption?
8. What reforms would you suggest for the system to eliminate corruption?

Overall Experience – The panel was very cordial, gentle, and the chairperson intervenes if any member tries to be overly critical.

Mocks – Vajirao and Reddy, Only IAS, Next IAS, Chahal IAS Academy, Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, Sankalp IAS
One-on-one with IPS Mahesh Bhagwat sir, Shri S S Jawahar Sir (Retd IAS)
PT mentorship – Shri. Avinash Gokhale Sir (Pune)

My best wishes to all candidates!