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Interview Transcripts of CSE/IFoS 2024

Please post Interview Transcripts of UPSC CSE or IFoS 2024 here, so that all can access and get benefitted from them.

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Date of Interview: April 04 (Afternoon)
Chairman: Hon'ble Sheelvardhan Sir

Relevant details- BHU, Reading Fiction and Non Fiction, Spycraft, Optional- Public Administration

Chairman Sir
(Keenly observing throughout the interview)

1) So you love reading spycraft novels, do you know about Eli Cohen?
2) Tell me about his life.
3) What happened to him?
4) Why was Vienna 'the spy capital of the world' during the cold war?
5) I am telling you that New Delhi is the new spy capital of the world. Now tell me the factors which can make New Delhi the new spy capital.

M1
1) Why incidents related to L&O are increasing.
2) So much of expenditure on vehicles and technology by Police but still so many incidents.

M2
1) Problems in land acquisition
2) Solutions
3) People will always be dissatisfied with compensation, what can be done?
4) Issues of urban areas
5) 1st National Commission on Urbanisation came in which year

M3
1) Continuing on the topic of urbanisation- difference between Urbanisation and Urban Development
2) Are you sure that most cities do not have a master plan or development vision. What are the real issues?

M4 (Lady Member)
1) Our hill stations are over crowded. What can be done?
2) How to deal with development vs environment conflict?
3) Last book you have read. What did you learn from it.
4) Favourite Book

Chairman Sir
1) Tell me how land was acquired for BHU. Any famous story.

Sir said thank you. We had a good discussion with you.

Board members were cordial. Overall a good experience.

Mocks- 02 at NextIAS and one at Chahal Academy
One to one- BS Bassi Sir (IPS Retd)

Discussions with friends helped build confidence. Heartfelt gratitude to the Transcript Community for sharing their experiences.
1.7k views
DAF Details: Kerala , Engineering, Kendriya vidyalaya, Kerala Cuisine, Mural Painting

Chairman : Sanjay Verma Sir

1. Kerala Cuisine that is considered part of Tamil Nadu but originally from Kerala
2. Places where Contemporary mural arts are found
3. Famous mural art of Delhi
4. Recent issue which became a hot topic in Kerala yesterday ( Chief secretary Facebook revelation)
5. Even after the high literacy rate of the state why superstition is still in kerala?

Member 1
- If a person is doing sericulture and another one apiculture. What do you understand from it ?
- What is Boko haram
- How is risk analysis done and different types
- Literary tradition in Kerala which was parallel to rig Vedic period
- Oldest famous mural painting found in India and it's difference from Kerala mural painting
- An example for paradigm shift at present

Member 2
- People prefer private institutions over Kendriya Vidyalaya's .Why
- The latest news related to BrahMos
- IIT Chennai or IIT Madras . What is it actually ?
- What is lNDUS X
- An issue that is similar in Kerala and punjab
- iCET

Member 3
- Situation based- As per law should we convict a person if he did a crime like stealing while he was intoxicated involuntarily
- Famous biriyani of kerala
- Opinion on delimitation and three language policy and what is Kerala's stand
- What is Thrissur famous for and about Thrissur pooram

Member 4
- What is jail breaking
- Legislation for violence against women at home and violence at workplace
- Does the domestic violence act cover an unmarried woman facing violence in her household
- New online gambling apps and is it legal
- Evolution of mobile phones and services provided by latest mobile phones
- Delimitation why Kerala is raising the issue

Mocks : Fortune IAS Academy , Amritha IAS Academy, State civil services Academy, Vajirao and Reddy, Chahal

O2O : Fortune IAS Academy - Achuth Sir and Nithin Sir , iLearn IAS Academy Shinas Sir , Lead IAS
1.7k views
Date: 04/04/2025
Board: Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla
Optional: Economics
DAF Keywords: IIT Bombay (Electrical Engineering), MA Economics, Hobby Sharemarket, Working in Audit Department, Posted in Goa, Voluntary activity Beach Cleaning, Birthplace Khajuraho

Chairman :
Are you working somewhere? (Yes sir, posted in Goa, Audit Dept)
Gave loooong monologue on the need to fundamentally reform the Audit Dept, focusing more on outcomes rather than processes. Randomly started talking about defence startups. Questions were unclear but talked about possible reforms in auditing, role of CFO in companies, GeM portal, GFR.

Member 1:
1) Why Economics optional after Electrical Engineering, despite good CPI?
2) Can we use a shunt motor in electric train?
3) E-governance initiatives in Audit Dept
4) What is special about Khajuraho?
5) What measures should be taken to promote tourism in Khajuraho? 
6) What is the ratio of foreign & domestic tourists in Khajuraho?
7) What measures would you take as DM to boost tourism in Khajuraho? (repetition of points from previous answer)

Member 2 (Smiling, nodding):
1) Causes of rail accidents in India?
2) Can privatisation address the situation?
3) What is KAVACH?
4) Why do you want to leave Audit Dept, a peaceful job?
5) If you are SP and there is custodial death in your district, leading to public outrage, what will be your steps in chronology?
6) Cut me in between and asked, what are the Supreme Court guidelines on custodial death? (Himself answered that a murder case needs to be registered against SHO)
7) Is tourism declining in Goa? Why?

Member 3 (Lady):
1) Asked about beach cleaning initiative mentioned in the DAF.
2) There was a landslide in Wayanad. Is Goa on track to experience similar natural disasters if unabated development continues?
3) Is Goa overpopulated?
4) What can be done to ensure that tourism doesn't harm environment?
5) Single-use plastic was banned few yrs ago, but still there are mountains of waste. What will you do as DM if there is a similar issue in your district? How to address this huge issue of waste management?
6) How will you spread awareness among public regarding eliminating plastic?

Member 4 (Poker face):
1) You studied Electrical Engineering from a prestigious institute. How did you use your electrical engineering knowledge in Audit?
2) Most of the IITB graduates do a software job or go abroad. Why did you choose to do neither?
3) Give positives and negatives of IIT Bombay?
4) What do you mean by "good quality education"?

Chairman: Thank you, All the best
Overall, the board was cordial.

Mocks given: Samkalp (great experience), O2O with Ravindran Sir, VisionIAS, Chanakya Mandal.

Special thanks to Shubham sir (Vidyapeeth) for his continued guidance in the last 2 years.

Most of the mocks focused on economics and sharemarket, but completely untouched in the actual interview.
1.7k views
Date - 04 April 2024
Board - BB Swain
Optional - Anthropology
Background - BSMS (Chemistry) IISER Mohali
Keywords - NGO, Sketching, Swimming, Tissue Engineering, Drugs


Chairman
Should we have small districts?
What about the recent roll back by Rajasthan?
Can a district exist on its own?

M1
What is pedagogy?
How you teach, details about Ngo?
Why you did this degree?
Sketching vs Drawing?

M2
Private company name in Wind energy projects?
Swimming how you practice? About different styles?
A quality needed in ias?
Some case study related to this and discussion

M3
Team sport vs individual?
Autocracy vs democracy?
How to fight corruption?
How to solve air pollution?
Discussion about hockey and cricket

M4
Nato?
Issue of Europe?
Diabetes and it's types?
Application of tissue engineering?
Social media age negatives
Healthy sportsmanship
Your timings in sports

Cordial Board

Special thanks to Shubam sir (Vidyapeeth ias) helped boost confidence.

Apart from that one to one with Ravindran sir and Bassi sir, mocks at Chahal & Chankyamandal were very helpful
1.7k views
Board : Sheel Vardhan Singh
Date : 03/04/2025 AN 3rd to go
DAF : chess, Badminton, Global politics, Mechanical engineering, ITS, Kerala, Gujarat

Chairman:
How do your friends address you?
1.You play online chess. Have you heard of Joshua Waitzkin?
(Said no then he explained)
2. How did you learn chess? Whether by King and pawn or random positions?
3. Which combination of pieces in chess is more advantageous?
4. Should India hold the Olympics considering how badly it effected the economies of Brazil and France? (Said yes)
5. Which is the skill that India should be focussing on to improve employment? (said coding)
6. So should India spend money on developing coding skills or on Olympics?

M1
1. You were born in Kerala, but grew up in Gujarat. Can you tell what both people can learn from each other?
2. What can both states learn economically from the other?
3. The number of applicants for Civil Service from Gujarat is less. Why so?
M3
1. You have hobby of following Global politics, what exactly do you in it?
2. In the last quarter, what we're the major events that interested you?
3. If the Russia - Ukraine war is stopped at the current position, what are the wins and losses for both Ukraine and Russia? ( Chair interjected asking why is Ukraine's capital spelled as both Kyiv and Kiev? (Didn't know and he replied ). Further asked have you heard of Chicken Kiev speech ( saying watch it since you are interested)
4. The era of annexations were believed to be over with World War 2. Is it making a comeback now?
M3
1. How will you use your mechanical engineering skills in administration?
2. How will you use in meeting Net Zero targets? (started with Renewable energy but intervened asking is Net zero only about energy)
3. How will you use skills for meeting Net Zero in waste and water management?
4. Earlier India had good badminton players. Why is India not producing similar players now?
M4
1. Kerala and Gujarat both have linkages with the Middle East since ancient time continuing to this day. Can you elaborate?
2. India is now trying to have connectivity through IMEC. Which country in the region is opposed to it?
3. India is building another connectivity project in the region. Which is it?
4. What India is constructing as part of the project?
5. Since you are from DGFT, what is your opinion on the tariffs of Trump on India?

Chairman said your interview is over. It was nice talking to you.
1.6k views
25/03/25
Name- V
Board - Sanjay Verma sir
Key words daf- pencil sketching, watching travel vlogs, yoga and meditation ,blood donation
Work exp- wipro, group c state service -registration department ,ECE, sociology optional

U are currently working with government..is it  through exam..
Where do you work- head office/ sub registrar office
You worked with wipro..what was your role
Education boards  available in india- intl board-IB
What do you think about travelling..is it only for photos, videos and show off..don't youthink it is the major reason for surge in travelling...they don't like to know about history, importantance of place
What do you think
If any product you have..how will you market in India
Major pencils available in India
Do you know any cartoonist- famous ppl
What do you sketch
Ashtanga yoga
Times person of the year- women- who?
What is Gotra?
What are  components of blood? What is plasma..
What is unit of battery in smartphone..what is preferable..battery capacity..
quote - it doesn't matter whether cat is black or white as long as it does it's job..who said..what is it about
North- south division, do you think such division exists..what are such division..follow up.
China- traditional and non traditional threats
How will it affect india
Do you think trump will acquire Greenland
What is it for world order..is it possible
What is trumps take..
Do you think India's youth population is positive or challenge
Some quote..who said it
Some books you have read
Stamp paper scam..how to control bogus docu..how to control
Main issue in it
Technology in registration..central and state govt scheme, and follow up on it.
Have you read any book apart from syllabus

Chairman- we have time..will ask you a question..
Let me give you a task to sketch a person who has no description..I will give you a lakh rupees for it..will you sketch it for me
It is prophet Mohammed..

Board cordial..listening and gave answers also..30 minutes.mocks-10; more one on one sessions;thank you for interview transcripts and my friends.
1.6k views
Date -late march
Board- Shri . BB Swain sir
Keywords - MBBS, medical officer job at PHC, at TB hospital , self help books, social service group, work in tribal areas, anthropology, NGO.
 
 
Chairman sir
 
 
1. You worked in difficult area, what type of challenges you faced.
2.Some discussion about feeling of isolation during work.
 
 
 
Member 1 :
 
1. Why civil services ,after doing well in medical field?
2. Don't you feel that 1  medical seat  will be waste. there should be guilt about it. So how will you overcome this guilt?
3. COVID 19 time- 3 challenge , from your work area
4. COVID 19 time- 3 things to improve , especially in medical field
5. Sometimes Doctors are not behaving in good manner, they don't give sufficient time to patients... what are reasons ?
6. Which self help books have you read ?
7. Are these  books helping you ?
 
 
 
 
Member 2
1. Human evolution line-what is controversy and debate about neanderthal
2. Tribal region have resources under forests, threat to their rights, and there is demand of resources for development, so which approach to follow to balance both these things?
3. Trust between tribal communities and government, what are reasons for some good working NGOs holding trust of tribals
4. Some doctors are making unnecessary prescriptions, what are reasons?
5. Reasons on doctors side, is there any pressure
 
 
Member 3
 
1. Some hospitals have their own pharmacy shop, sometimes  they indirectly compelling patients to purchase medicine from these  shops only, so as A DM which step will you take
2. Clinical establishment act, how to make more transparency
3. Jago grahak jago campaign
4. Objectives of campaign
Name of online platform for something related to some awareness ...(I don't know)
5. How will you promote gender equality at family level
6. Some discussion on Self help books
7. One of the most appealing line to you on reading books,
 
 
 
Member 4
 
1. SDG related to health sector
Our progress in this sdg
2. What are reasons for not able to achieve success in achieving targets?
3. Man's search for meaning book, what is mean by searching of meaning ?
4. Writer name
5. Logotherapy?
6. Why you founded social service group, what measures taken by group
7. Sir suggested me 2 books to read in self help books category
8. New branch of study/ science emerging combining medical field and humanities..?  (I don't know).
1.6k views
Name:Amoghavarsha
Date:3/04/25, 5th to go in afternoon session
Lasted for:~25 mins
Keywords: Self-reflective journaling, Watching movies, Anthropology, Computer Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Chairman: Sheelvardhan Sir
1. Any recent movie you watched?
2. Analyse the character of the police officer in *Laapataa Ladies*.
3. How should the police officer have behaved with the woman?
4. Do we need such police officers in the service?
5. Is it okay to be efficient while accepting bribes?
6. Do you journal?
7. Would you be okay with sharing your journal with your friend?
8. If not, then why do we write about a lot of things on social media while we are not ready to share our journal?
9. Does that mean everything written on social media is a lie?
10. Today, we generate a lot of data on social media. Should a person have the right to erase their data after their death? (Said YES)
11. But then, companies won’t benefit. As a person planning to start a company, would you go for such a move?
12. Would it be profitable for companies?
13. In Indian customs, we have a concept called 'fasting'. Do we need such fasting in digital spaces, such as 'digital fasting'?
14. What is your social media use policy in your personal life?
15. What is net neutrality?
16. Do we have net neutrality today?
17. How do we promote it?
18. What about issues related to internet connectivity?

Member 1  
1. What has been the status of Naxalism?
2. Can you name the states where it is prevalent today?
3. Do you think that we can see more progress in the coming days?
4. Why do we have the concept of an open-book exam?
5. Drugs – what measures have been taken, and why haven’t they been successful?
6. What should we do about it?
7. What is fentanyl?

Member 2  
1. Have you done NCC?
2. Why didn’t you join the army?
3. You are from Karnataka. There are some irritants with respect to Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. What are they?
4. What is the status?
5. With respect to Naxalism, what developmental works has the government undertaken to deal with it?

Member 3  
1. What is the utility of Computer Science and Engineering in administration?
2. What is the origin of Naxalism?
3. What is KAVACH?
4. Who built it?
5. Why is the government saying that we should teach humanities to science students?

Member 4  
1. How does the composition of Northeastern states impact the foreign policy of India?
2. Why haven’t we signed a global agreement on indigenous people?
3. There are many historical places in Karnataka – Aihole, Badami, Shravan Belagola, Beluru, Halebidu, Hampi, and Kittur Rani Chennamma. Can you arrange them chronologically?
4. What are we doing to create enough awareness about our history among our children?
5. Are we taking them to visit these places?
6. Tell me the difference between matriarchy and matrilineal systems.
7. Are there any tribes in Karnataka that follow this practice?

Chairman: Your interview is over. It was nice talking to you.

The board was cordial, and overall, I had a good experience. Sheelvardhan Sir was trying to have a very deep discussion on common yet open-ended questions, but I couldn’t match up to his level or expectations!

Mocks: SAMKALP(closest to actual interview ),Vajirao, Next, Vision, Shankar IAS, India4IAS, etc.
Utility: Makes you more comfortable with difficult or uncomfortable questions. In no way similar to the actual interview, but needed for practice, though in a limited number.

O20: Vinay Sir, Mahesh Bhagawat Sir

Thank you to all the members who are posting transcripts!
All the best to all.
1.6k views
Name: GOOD ONE
BOARD:  SHRI SHUKLA SIR
KEYWORDS : anthropology, covid , doctor, Maharashtr a

Chairman sir
1. Your name is..
2. Where are you from...
3. What was the Vision behind the Constitution of India
4. What is so unique about the constitution of india
5. Secularism and Socialism why not included in the constitution from beginning


6. M2 ———————Why civil services
7. Why anthro as optional
8. How anthropology will help in administration
9. Situation based , Dm on health
10. Do dr serve in rural areas in Maharashtra
11. What are the problems with Maharashtra's health care
12. Suggestion on health


13. M3——————-do you know this place... ( sorry sir)
14. Situation Dm on left wing extremism
15. Tell me abt the global hunger index
16. Criterias in it
17. India's rank
18. What is the ideal maternal mortality rate?
19. India's progress


20. M4 —————I never heard abt ANAPANA tell me abt it
21. Health benefits of anapana
22. Govt policy do you think we should promote meditation as part of wellness
23. Forests are declining, your suggestion


24. M5 ————Do you read books/ Literature
25. What's your take on Fiction in academic curriculum in addition to science math
26. Why ?
27. Give examples
Chairman sir said thank you

● shri Mahesh bhagwat sir (one on one was helpful)
● shri  Shubham sir from vidyapeeth IAS, He helped me a lot
● Gave many mocks ( utility : confidence building only )
1.6k views
Interview Transcript
Name : fakeer aadmi
Date- 02/04/25 Forenoon
DAF- MA IR from JNU, Reading Non Fiction and military biographies [Rest of it is irrelevant]

Chairperson (I1)

1. USA is attacking Iran — do you know of any movement in that region?


2. What's your take on this US action?


3. Don't you think this will push Iran further into instability?


4. What could be the implications of such an action?


5. How much nuclear enrichment has Iran done so far?


6. How much time will it take for Iran to create a bomb?


7. Can the USA destroy Iran’s bombs completely?


8. So you mean to say they can delay but not destroy?


9. What steps will Iran take in response?


10. Do you think the USA can eliminate top commanders?


11. Some more comments on Iran-China-USA triangle.


12. Can you elaborate on your comment that USA is in relative decline?


13. Don’t you think Trump did the right thing by ending endless wars?


14. So you think Trump is unwise?


15. So you agree with his strategy, but not the means?


16. [Later] You talked about Bangladesh. Talking with Jamaat? Won’t that increase terror in the Northeast?


---

Member 2 (I2)

1. What do you think is the most important quality of a civil servant?


2. Why innovation specifically?


3. Suppose you're an SDM and your junior is underperforming, what will you do?


---

Member 3 (I3)

1. Suppose you are an SDM and receive conflicting orders from seniors — what will you do?


2. Suppose your senior gives you illegal orders — what will you do?


3. Suppose your junior is going through a personal problem — how will you handle it?


---

Member 4 (I4)- Lady

1. What is your service preference?


2. Do you agree — “Disarming Hamas won’t solve Israel’s problem”?


3. Is there a way to solve the Israel-Palestine issue?


4. Do you know about Mohammad Yunus’s recent comments on India’s Northeast?


5. As Foreign Secretary, how would you respond to such statements?




---

Member 5 (I5)

1. You talked about Bangladesh — how would stopping the Brahmaputra’s water work?


2. Israelis don’t care about law — shouldn’t India also act like that?


3. You read military biographies and nonfiction — why not fiction?


4. Do you think literature and fiction should be taught in schools?

At the end Chairman sir Said, I do agree with most of Bangladesh solutions given by you, but I think talking with Jamat may get counterproductive as they may involve themselves in terrorism in North East. But chaliye, is topic pe kabhi aur charcha karenge, aaj waqt ki thodi kami hai!

Interview over.

Remarks- Cordial environment, Shukla sirs format is a bit different. He rarely asks straight questions and instead gives a few statements and goes silent! [Which gets problematic at times as it creates uncertainty as to what he wants from us]
Overall It was fun!
Duration- God Knows!
1.6k views
Date of interview~ 12/02/2025
Board~ honourable Raj shukla sir,last to go
Time duration~ approximately 25 to 30 minutes
Daf keyword~ AGAR MALWA,MADHYAPRADESH, HINDI LITERATURE, SURYA NAMASKAR AND YOGA PRACTICE, MAA tujhe pranam yojna, DAVV indore, JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA new delhi, political science, english literature and Geography subjects during college time,


Mai andar enter hua aur sabko namste kiya

Chairperson sir
Aaiye aaiye bethiye, kaha ke rahne wale hai aap?
Thik hai. Hum apni baat judiciary se start karte hai
Do you think that at present time judiciary is working independently? And some cross questions
Give some latest examples where you seen that judiciary is independent
What are challenges of judiciary and a very long monologue on how judiciary is not woking good.
Bar council members and power of senior advocates in judiciary


Panelist member 1]

1.Aap kis district se hai? I said AGAR MALWA madhya pradesh s hu.
2.aapke yaha koi temple bahut famous hai kya naam hai uska?
3. Scope of renewable energy in your district? Solar and wind both?
4. Wind energy ka scope itna achcha kyu hai aapke yaha?
5. Maa tujhe pranam yojna kya hai? Kya hota hai? Kya benefit hua?
6. Ramcharitmanas kisne likha hai?

Panelist member 2 (lady member; she is from north east

Tell me something about Sikkim’s history? Random questions
India m kyu aaya sikkim? Nepal bhutan ke pass kyu nhi gya? Thoda grill kiya
University m politics kyu hoti hai? Is it beneficial for student? Aur kis type ki activity hoti hai university k level par and some cross questions..
How important is money in a person's life? Can he make his life much better with money?

Panelist member 3

Aapne keshwanand bharti case ki baat kahi thi chairperson sir s baat krte time… who was keshwanand? Chief justice the…ya koi aur the? What is basic structure? Kya kya include hai isme?
Fundamental right aur DPSP kaha se liya hai constitution m? What is basic different between both?
Which fundamental right is most important according to you? I said sir article 14 …. Then he replied that if i give you choice to choose between art 21 and art 14? What you choose? Then i said sir article 21 and Justify it.
Hindi literature me time period ki history bata dijiye basic si?



Panelist member 4 (lady member) bahut achchi mam thi bahut achhe s baat kr rhi thi

You fill yoga as a hobby in your DAF।
Are you aware about soft power? Give me definition and examples of soft powers?
Then what is hard power?
She asked me that which power is good for india? Soft power or hard power? I said SMART power,
Would you think that our literature like RAMAYAN is also play important role as a soft power?
Difference form of ramayan in the world?
Give an example of any International religious place which shows that india is doing good for developing our soft power,, i said buddha circuit and UAE swaminarayan temple….

Mam n chairperson sir ki aur dekha…. Thoda pause lene ke baad sir n mujhe bola thik hai aapka interview ho gya hai.. aap jaa sakte hai.. mene unhe Thank you bola aur mai bahar aa gya
1.6k views
Name- Special thanks to SOMP
Date - 03/04/2025, Afternoon (2nd last to go)
Board -BB Swain sir
DAF entries asked - PSIR optional, Commerce, hobby-cooking, watching science fiction movies

Chairman sir -
- When you got selected, in 2021 ?
- Malwa, what is this malwa ? Is it a place ?
- What is malwa cuisine?
- What is dal bafla ?
- How will you promote it ?

M1
- This department of telecom and post has become redundant, do you see any role ?
- What is the one positive of private players coming to telecom ?
- Do you cook just dal bafla or other things also ?
- Is malpua also from malwa ?
- Movies which you have watched recently
- Dont you think ott needs to be regulated ?
- What is this IMC ?
- What role you performed ?
- On which topics sessions were arranged ?
- Why we need bsnl ?
- There are lot of issues when you lay infra for telecom like forest clearance , what are they ?
- Don’t you think cooking is a woman job, there is a clear separation between household duty ?

M2
- (in hindi) atta guthna aata hai ?
- Do you know a book written on malwa cuisines ?
- There is one sweet malwa dish which has meat in it ? Do you know ?
- What is e commerce ?
- What is difference between people from malwa and people from delhi ?
- Why people of malwa lives a life of contentment ?
- Do you see any change in their aspirations , are they doing something in startups ?
- What is the different aspect of indian scifi movie, do you really consider them scifi ?
- What is science fiction ?

M3
- You just cook dal bafla or something else also ?
- (In hindi ) bhindi mein kitna paani daalte hai ?
- Why you want to be ias when you have such a great hobby of cooking , just open a startup and earn crores of rupees ? What you will do in govt service, where do you see yourself in government of india at the age of 60 ?
- Where do you adjust loss in networth ? Does it affect networth ?
- What is networth ?
- What is the issue of VI recently in news ? What government will get out of it ? What is the exact amount that has been converted to equity ?
- What role you are looking after in DoP ?

M4
- Starlink coming to india, tell me three things which it will change ?
- Will it be feasible to use such a huge satellite network which will cost crores.
- Shall we go for it ?
- Can we connect whole globe with satellite without laying ground infrastructure?


Okay Son, Your Interview is over, we will surely try dal bafla.
I told please sir come to Indore i’ll host you.
He replied- Arre! you are staying in Delhi, won’t you be able to cook here itself.

Overall Experience- Very Good. Board was very cordial.

Relevance of mocks - Gave 7-8 mocks, they were helpful for practicing and improving speaking skills.

Gave a few O2Os with Samkalp,Puneet Sir SOMP, S. Baliyan Sir,
Thankyou everyone for sharing the transcripts. All the best.
1.6k views
Interview date - 4 April 2025 afternoon session, last one to go
Board - Raj Shukla sir
Keywords- Jabalpur, MP, Ramacharitmanas, Rani Durgavati, psir

Chairman - Read out a few things about my DAF and began discussing Ramacharitmanas and asked its salience and difference from Mahabharat. As I started answering, he described how he saw a play and a long monologue . Then asked , why don't we know about our scriptures in depth? Why have we not promoted our scriptures well enough?
Do you think initially humans were good later they became cunning as time progressed?

Member 1
- Industry based assessment of Jabalpur as a city
- If you were made the Collector of Jabalpur how will you boost industrialisation there?
- MP Tourism places to visit
- Places to visit in Ujjain other than Mahakal (I mentioned Ujjain in previous answer)
- How can we bring about inclusive growth?

Member 2-
- what was the contribution of Rani Durgavati in Indian History?
- Fav Doha/ chaupai
- why sundarkaand is most popular?

Member 3- (Lady member)
- Sri Ram is an ideal but the way he abandoned Maa Sita was it appropriate? [I said he had his reasons for Praja Bhakti, yet I consider it unjust] cut me short and counter questioned me
- Have you been to abroad? Which place would you like to travel in India? I said Kerala. Why so many disasters there? Why has the govt not prepared itself enough for it?
- what are the 3 biggest issues facing the humanity today- I said Climate Change, Geopolitical disturbances and wars and before I could give 3rd, she asked isn't terrorism one? I said yes mam, it's a major challenge too. Then she asked do you also consider X as a non state actor? I said yes technology MNCs are critical non state actors in current geopolitics. She said why and how. I explained the polarising effect it has on people's ideas, increasing extremist perspective and narrowing down identity lines.

Member 4-
- Why all wars happen in Afganistan? What's the problem there? I mentioned in contextual sense, reason for various wars, but Chairman asked me for more reasons, I said geostrategic location, mineral endowment nearby,etc
- Such a big mishap happened in Bangladesh. Why?
- why anti India sentiment? Apart from big country, small country syndrome, political calculations and multicultural society, I mentioned the role of China and Pakistan. He countered - but they have always been there, why have we not been able to predict such an occuring? Kept grilling me and I had to say sorry sir, I'll read more on it.
- 5 fugitive economic offenders from India.

Chairman again-
- It is seen that increasing Militarisation is seen as promoting wars but less military spending leads to weak ground deterrence and hence more wars. Do you agree that if Europe had spent more on its military, I could have deterred Russia?
- Is it apt for India to spare just 1.98% of its GDP on defence? What should we do?

Chairman said- Thankyou and I left.

Overall experience - The board seemed bored and saturated with questions. Seemed to be in a hurry to finish, didn't even listen to complete answer. Was DAF based but not much "happening" CA was asked. No smiles, blunt faces.

Panel Mocks-
2 at Samkalp (lil confrontational in reviews), Vajirao and Reddy (grilled a lot), Vision (cordial and decent), Chahal (good experience), Chanakya Mandal Parivar (gave my best performance here).

One to one- Understand UPSC Satyam Sir ( gave extensive analysis of all my answers and suggested specific ways to improve answers (not personality😝).
Special thanks to Smartwork Labs for spending hours in fine tuning my answers and current affairs revision. Also MPOA for regular online one to one sessions with officers (gave 6-7).
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Date - 3rd April
Board - Sheel Vardhan Sir
DAF - IRS, Jhansi, Economics honour, Pottery, Rural development, Spirituality, Wellness Program

Chairman
- Rational behind intermittent fasting? keto diet?
- are they marketing driven trends lacking scientific backing?
- gender based quotas in high performance and merit-driven domains?
- India tax t -GDP ratio is still low. As an IRS, some practical and applicable policy changes which you suggest ?
- I suggested few then he counter that aren't all these implemented ?
- FTA agreements affect MSME and local artisans ?

Member 1
- How to make spiritual tourism secular? - i connected it with rising stress and mental health issues.
- National Monetization Pipeline is being questioned in rural areas. Do you think public assets should be monetized ?
- is there any law regulating fitness influencers and wellness gurus in India ?
- India soft power gain or lose credibility when politicians openly promote spiritual gurus ?

Member 2
- govt schemes focus more on rural science labs or building smart classrooms ?
- One Nation One Health policy ?
- but with poor rural infrastructure does not are we missing the basics ?
- Suppose a village school was giving expired food in the mid day meal. Then who should be held responsible - the cook or the panchayat or the government?
Member then ask if I have to choose one among them then who would you hold responsible - My answee was I would hold the panchayat responsible coz it nodal monitoring body.
While government handle policy and supply logistics... the cook executes instructions butit is the panchayat that act as bridge between policy and ground implementation.

Member 3
- AI generated research and essay becoming common now a days so is it ethical to use such tools in academic competition ?
- Is rural cluster development effective?
- As a DM of Jhansi how you encourage reverse migration of professionals ?

Member 4
- What type of clay you used for pottery?
- tariff rationalisation causes job losses in small domestic industries and now you have to balance trade liberalisation and livelihood security?
- Tax terrorism and shadow economy ?
- Can an atheist person be spiritual ? - I said yes and went on to give example where spirituality can be explored through scientific lens.
Member were very keen to discuss this topic further but chairman sir intervene and sai your interview is over.

Overall the experience was very good. I was better prepared than last time and the interview went largely along expected lines.
No unexpected or tricky questions were asked, and the board members seemed quite satisfied with the answers I gave.

Mock Interview - Samkalp, PW, Nextias. Didn't gave much mock this time though i would suggest that those who are giving there first interview should attend 5 to 6 mock.

One to One with Puneet Sir and Ias Pcs Pathshala Rahul Sir. Both guidance were extremely helpful. Rahul sir covered almost all the daf point very exhaustively.

Thank you community for the transcripts.
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Board: Raj Shukla Sir (Forenoon: 1st to go)
Date: 4th April 2025
Name: Majnu bhai

Key DAF Details: Debating, West Bengal, PSIR Optional (rest not asked)

Chair (entirely conversational- lots of back and forth with Sir- no Q&A as such- might have spent around 10 min on this):
1. So you were the President of the debating society- why is debating important
2. What is the point of students debating when at the highest levels of the country, we see a decline in quality
3. Nehru had said Vajpayee would be future PM after listening to his parliament speeches- Vajpayee also a statesman- civility, decorum, respect for opponents etc- now in India and in the US etc also, we don't see that
4. How can we change this?
5. What is the role of social media? (At some point I had mentioned social media)
6. In history, accusations on both sides of distortions- opponents not saying unreasonable things, they are making an argument
7. Even for trump then- many cases against him- some fabricated, some true- liberals haven't always been liberal
8. China says its political model delivers, democracy has stagnated, has democracy failed?
6. Will we see a change in the nature of debates and democracy in the future?

M1:
1. What are the qualities of a good administrator? Is integrity not important (I had forgotten to mention it)
2. How many districts in WB. If you are posted in any district, what would be your priorities
4. A few good things and bad things about WB
5. Opportunities and threats wrt WB
6. Have you visited Tagore museum (I said no. Wasn't sure which one he was talking about)

M2:
1. Women's reservation in parliament- do we need it, any issue with Article 16
2. Differences between old silk road and current silk road or BRI
   2. What is snorkeling (no idea why this was randomly asked)

M3
1. 4th April significance? (I had looked this up- Martin Luther King assassination)
2. Impact of that? Which law was passed
3. Black lives matter movement
4. Difference between US and India's affirmative action
5. Microsoft was also founded today- its impact?
6. Your Optional is PSIR- there are protests in Turkey, will the country become more authoritarian
7. What is the significance of Turkey for Europe
8. What are the issues between India and Turkey
 
M4
1. Just a more personal question- you have studied English, Hindi in school. Can you speak, write, read Bengali? Why is there a trend nowadays of children learning languages other than the mother tongue, what does it say about society

M4 only asked one question. Chairperson said thank you. In my case, this genuinely wasn't a knowledge test at all. Could have appeared for an interview with these questions in January as well- general, analytical questions.

Mocks- 16 overall (Satyendranath Tagore centre in Kolkata, Vajiram, NextIAS, Drishti, Chahal, Vajirao etc etc) Got speaking practice and topic areas were repeated in actual interview
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Name: Injun
Board: Hon' Sanjay Verma sir
Date: 07/04/2025
Keywords: Travel vlogs, Odisha, NGO, NDA

President of the Board
1. Give me names of 2 countries each from Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa( one having best governance and 2nd worst in governance)
2. In WW2 aircrafts which came back safely were observed to have bullets marks on wings and under carriage, does that signify that those parts were the strongest and how it was tackled in later versions.
M2(lady)
1. Have you heard about Visakha Guidelines, tell me its provisions?
2. What is the composition of the internal committee?
3. What can be done to tackle the non verbal non physical harassment that women face at workplace?
4. How can we do gender sensitization?
5. You worked in Cyclone Fani Relief work, tell me what all you did?
6. What can we do to avoid the problems that underprivileged people face during such calamities?
M3(lady)
1. Give me the names of 4 backward districts in Odisha and point out 1 major issue of that district.
2. Tell me one place that we should surely visit and why?
3. We are seeing that women officers are increasingly joining the armed forces of India, should we allow them in combat roles on the frontline?
4. Is our society ready for it? I gave example of IDF, so she said that our society is different than that of Israel, will it he possible?
M4
1. What happened at the NDA?
2. Tell me about the 2.5 front war?
3. Can we have deterrence with China in near future?
Follow up questions, thej chairperson told to stop and told next member to ask
M5
1. You talked about tariffs, what should be the best possible stance for any country and India in view of US Tariffs?
2. How US benefits from having the reserve currency as its currency?
3. How can a country maintain its fiscal stability? I answer gold is the solution
4. Can US keep on printing dollars? What are the consequences?

Sanjay Verma Sir said thank you your interview is over

Messed up in initial ques on best countries in governance, he didn't looked satisfied, some answers to M2 were generic, rest was fine

Mocks given: Akriti Ias( Aradhana Johri Ma'am feedback was great, Prateek Bhatt sir was a wonderful mentor throughout), Apti Plus, OnlyIas, Vajirao and Reddy, Samkalp, Next Ias, Sleepy classes
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Date : 07/04/2025
A GIRL HAS NO NAME
Board: Sheelvardhan Sir.
Keywords: Rajeevika, Dholpur, Healthseeking behavior, IR, Bhaktigeet and Raag, Police mitra

Chairman Sir: Your friends call you xyz? We will also call you that okay? Welcome to this discussion.
1. What work did you perform as YP in Rajeevika?
2. You worked in Dholpur, this is also dholpur house, who were kings of dholpur?
3. What is healthseeking behavior?
4. Do you know Varier elvin's study about gonds? ( I didn't knew)
5. Why kiev and Kyiv two different spellings?
6.who was president of ussr at the time of dissolution? What is glasnost and perestroika?
Member 1.

1. If you were given sole power how will you solve Israel hamas issue? What will you do about jerusalem?
2. What's happening in middle East? Explain like you wrote in you articles.
3. What did you write in magazine? Any favorite memorable piece? ( told about Berlin Wall etc.)
4. Asked about Berlin Wall.
M2

1. Do you sing bhaktisangeet on classical basics? Do you know pandit jitendra abhisheki
2. which raga do you know? What's speciality of raag yaman?
( other questions don't remember)
M3.
Marathi names are very difficult, yours is a tongue twister ( remark on my name:p)
1. What was role in rajeevika ( repeat)
2. What work did you do as police mitra?
3. Now a days such police volunteers are also employed to help senior citizens, what sensitivities should be kept in mind? Is it right to use them?
4. Senior citizens should also be trained to not give sensitive information right?
5. Do we need more focus on job creation or kn R&D?


M4

1. What is scenario in investment, import export, employment, mfg and service sector
2. Impact of tariffs on which sector. ? What is impact on software sector?
3. Why India has more workforce in IT than China?
4.why more floods, landslides etc. Happening ?
5. What measures acc to you should be taken to stop this.?


Very positive experience, cordial and welcoming board. No grilling, gave ample time to express my thoughts. Shared one laugh too.

Mocks helped in reducing nervousness and getting used to situations.
Gave 10+ mocks and one to one.

One to one daf discussion with IPS Mahesh Bhagwat sir, O2O mock with Avinash Dharmadhikari sir, Shubham Agarwal sir (Vidyapeeth ias).

Vision group discussions, JP group discussions, ytf forum and Ketan Patil sir guidence.

mocks: Chahal, Sankalp, Hamdard, Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, vision, vajirao and ravi, sriram ias, forum ias etc...
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3rd april, 1st to go
Lasted for 28 mins
Board: BB Swain Sir
Keywords: women, IRMS (other topic nothing asked)
Greeted good afternoon. The room was too small. I had members sitting just beside me like we were eating on a circular dining table.

Chairman sir:
You are in IRMS. What has really happened now ..the merger and the demerger.
Did you choose any option?
He just said then you will join in December... Then realised that this result will also come.

M1: Tell me about your essay(daf)
What is the difference between Japan's trains and ours?
How can we improve our punctuality?
Did you work in slums?(Daf)
If you were municipal commissioner for a day what issues do you see in a city?
Tell me a city in ancient times which was very well developed?
Are you interested in sports?
What are different companies of EV?
He asked something technical...what if we use electricity and battery something like that. Cannot recall exactly.

M2(woman):
Tell me 2 women who changed the way the world sees a woman.
Do you know about Maya Angelou?
You like to watch sitcoms. Tell me 2 women ...1 who is typical indian and other who defies the criteria of woman
What is budget short form of?
What does budget represent?
You had science in 12th then arts then why accounts now?


M3:
You will join in December. What do you do in your free time. One does not study for 24hrs.
How many crores are in 1tn?
What is railway doing for women safety?
Is there any commission for women? Can one approach it directly?
What is meri saheli initiative that you mentioned?
Issues of higher education

M4:
You mentioned nep. What are 3 problems in it?
What will you teach uniquely to children of class 1 to 5?
What is your opinion on women in the army?
What can be done to increase women in labour force?

Chairman sir:
Do you want to say something?
All the members said all the best.

All members were listening. Very cordial.
Mocks given: nextias, chanakya mandal, pwonlyias.
1.6k views
Name - Anonymous
2.Date and Session of Interview - 7 April, Afterenoon
3. Board's Chairman - Suman Mam
4. DAF - IITK civil engg(rest not asked)                                              Chairperson                                                                                              1. U did civil engg from IITK
2. Why buildings use so much glass despite it trapping heat
3. what r green buildings, how to identify it
4. Is there any agency giving some rating
5. What r criteria; u r missing very important one(building material - how its most imp i dont know)
6. Kota suicides - what govt is doing
7. Why hostels r vacant(i said ki suicides, high cost, online - she said no no there is one imp govt regulation b/c which they r empty)
8. Do u know abt CBAM
9. Why; n which major industries r will be impacted by it
(envt, named various industries - she said okay they r but there is one imp reason n specific industry - i said Protectionist, iron n steel (haash pehli br imp vala bta dia))
M1 -1. U did civil from IITK(i was like haa bhai btaya toh)
2. Why did u choose civil
3. How your thought change abt civil in graduation
4. Seeing so much devp in infra didnt it motivate u join civil
M2 -1. Tell me abt BIMSTEC
2. Whats happening
3. Is there any pblm b/c of Myanmar
4. Alternative sea route apart from Myanmar
5. What r we doing in AnN island
6. Malacan dilemma(i talked abt chinese oil n trade)
7. Oil toh sbke paas hai aaj - i then told Chinese exports, influence in the region(but he was not convinced ig)
8. What AnN is for Malcca, what is for Lakshadweep
9. Can Lakshadweep overcome the loss we have had in Maldives
M3 -1. U did civil from IITK
2. EQ resistant buildings
3. How EQ resistant for rural, remote n poor sections
4. What is Hawala transaction, how its done - explain me how practically move from one hand to other , no theoritical answer
5. PMLA - is it effective(dont know data)
M4 -1. Why civil services;
2. But they r just servants of politicians n corruption
3. Hardwork, destiny, luck - what ull choose
4. Diff bw architech n civil engg
5. There r many archi recruited in govt, they work for yeard n then layed off - how to solve it
Chairperson -u may leave
Overall experience GOOD(Okayish baki marks will tell) but i must say ki Suman maam itni bhi buri nhi hai(she has a very pleasing personality); Members were giving expressions n in some questions they seemed convinced but in some not
Mocks  4 - Next Ias(faculty); vajirao n reddy; vision(faculty); Samkalp(they demotivated me so much ki mai vapas lucknow a gya)
One to one - The GREAT Shubham Agrawal Sir(vidyapeeth IAS) - special thanks to him, motivated a lot, answered my doubts even when he was driving, in early morning(he will give u everything from knowledge to confidence, On 6th april he told me how to deal with Suman Maam n he was bang on - u need confidence, calmness n optimism)
1.6k views
Board: Suman Sharma ma'am 
Date: 07/04/2025 (Forenoon)
Keywords: Gujarat, Haryana, Chartered Accountant, PSIR (nothing else asked from DAF, no question from hobbies)

Chairperson:
1. Gujarat has a lot of semiconductor industries coming to it. So tell me what are the companies which are coming?
2. In which region they are coming in?
3. Why Dholera SIR? What is it's significance?
4. But Gujarat has a lot of SEZs also to incentivise these companies. So what is the difference between SEZ and SIR?
5. You mentioned that in SEZ tax exemptions are provided, so aren't any incentives provided in SIR?
6. On one hand we say that smoking kills, on the other there is a lot of tobacco cultivation in Gujarat. So what is your take on that, should we ban it?
7. If we respect consumer choice, should we legalise marijuana in India?
8. Currently, wars like the Russia Ukraine war is going on, so do you think that another nuclear arms race is into play?

Member 1:
1. Gurcharan Das in his "India grows at Night" has mentioned about the rise of private sector amidst public failure, as was the case with IT sector as well. So do you think govt should stop interfering?
2. How has govt supported the IT sector or has it risen by itself? Which policies have the govt initiated to support them?
3. Why are companies in the SEZs of China more successful? What have they done right?

Member 2:
1. As you are aware that Trump has imposed reciprocal tariffs all over the world. What are its advantages for India?
2. What are the challenges for India w.r.t. above?
3. The recent remark about Indian startups engaging in delivery apps is on the rounds. So give me three reasons why startups and MSMEs are not progressing in India in this regard.

Member 3 (lady member):
1. What is the role of independent directors in a company? 
2. Whom do they report to? Where do they report? 
3. Who are the intended stakeholders for such reporting?
4. Suppose a fraud happens and the independent director has no knowledge of it. Would he be accountable as he is an independent director?
5. What is your opinion on the recent negotiations regarding India-USA bilateral trade agreement? Will it be successful? 
6. With how many countries does India have an FTA? Name a few countries?
7. What is your observation on the various FTAs that India has with other countries vis a vis the proposed bilateral trade agreement with USA?

Member 4:
1. Tell me 5 good things and 1 bad thing about Haryana.
2. What is the contribution of Haryana to the Indian economy?
3. What is the difference between the Democrats and Republicans of USA?
4. Which one is better: Democrat or Republican ideology? 
5. You are sitting in Dholpur house, so why is it called Dholpur? 

Chairperson: Thank you, your interview is over.

Mocks: Vajiram, Samkalp, Chahal, Drishti, Chanakya Mandal, Next IAS, Symbiosis IAS (Gujarat), 
O2O with: Mahesh Bhagwat Sir, Shubham Sir (Vidyapeeth IAS), Vivek Thakar Sir (Symbiosis IAS), Jaymin Patel Sir (Gujarat Administrative Services), Ravindran Sir (Vajiram)

Overall experience: It was a round table setup. All the panel members including the chairperson had a serious face the entire time. Mocks are useful for practice and confidence purposes, no questions repeated otherwise. O2O proved better for me. Thank you to the community for sharing the transcripts as a few questions were repeated.
1.6k views
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