My group constituted of 6 people of which all were Engineering Graduates with Work Experience though the stream differed widely. As per demography the group had a person each from Odisha, Bihar, Karnataka, Paschim banga, Maharashtra, AP. The diversity had ensured that board is not going to repeat any question.
Alka Sirohi was a new member of UPSC Interview Board and not much was known about her in terms of awarding marks. Considering the Importance, Interview has in deciding your ranking , this uncertainty was really a cause of concern for all the candidates interviewed by board.
I reached delhi few days in Advance and appeared for Mock Interview. The feed back from mock Interview was not very clear so I decided to stick to basics and Self Prepartion. During this time i tried to finish last few editions of magazines like Frontline, Chronicle. I also concentrated on latest news and Budget 2012. I also tried to brush up important concept of my optionals.
My interview was in afternoon season at UPSC Bhavan, New Delhi. I reached venue well in advance. I was wearing a black Trouser, Blue Shirt, Matching tie, Black shoes. Considering the heat I had decided against the suit. I was 4th one to be interviewed by board. I spent time chatting with fellow candidates. Finally after 90 mins my turn came.
In my life I had appeared for many interviews but I knew this one was going to be very different. Its going to judge not just my answers but my Personality as well. Finally the bell rang and here I go inside the room.
The Interview board consist of 5 members. Board President and 4 other members. The sitting location is like a circle. You are siting directly opposite to Chairman and 2 members on left and 2 members on right. I took ta deep breath and finally entered the room.
( I have put down the Interview as it happened based on my memory. )
I wished Good Afternoon to all members starting from ChairWoman.
ChairWoman ( CH ): GoodAfternoon Santosh. Please seat.
Me: Thank you madam.
CH: Ok Santosh, you know we celebrate lot of days across the world , in India. They are certain reasons behind them. ( It was World Hemophilia Day on day of my interview. i thought this is the question coming my way. I had prepared well for this question. I was elated to have very first question on the spot. )
You know Santosh we celebrate Science and Technology day in India. Can you tell me the reasons for the same.
( So , here goes my guess work. It took me few second to regain my composure. )
Me : Madam we have science and technology for the achievement in field of S&T.
CH: Yes, But whats the exact reason.
Me: Madam .technology day due to Pokharan nuclear test. ...thought for few secs and said madam I am not sure about Science day.
( Here I did not want to take any risk of bluffing or guessing and straight way accepted the same ).
CH : I know you know the answer. Try ..think..
Me. Sorry madam..I am not sure but may be achievement in space research, Satellite etc,,
CH : You talked about space , Sky ..Tell me why Sky is blue ?
Me: madam , because blue light is reflected or scattered more than any other light..
CH.. You talked about reflection , Scattering ... ( She paused ..)
( All of sudden some thing stucked me )
Me: Madam, Scattering, Scattering efffect, C.V Raman, Raman Spectrum ...Yes Mam it's discovery of Spectrum Effect by CV Raman.
CH : Yes right ..Here you go. Now tell why tech day.
Me: ( With Confidence and Smile ) Mam for sure its for Pokhran Nuclear test of 1998.
CH; Right ..See I said you know the answers.
CH: What do you know about Consitution.
Me: I explained in brief.
CH: Can you amend constitution.
Me. Yes madam and explained the ways of amendment.
CH: What is basic structure of Constitution.
Me: I explained.
CH: Can basic Structure be amended.
Me: No Madam it can not be amended.
CH: Has it always been like this?
Me. No madam. It has been shaped over the time.
CH: Tell me all cases related to the same.
Me: I explained all the cases i.e Golknath, Keshavnanda etc.. Explained it in details so as to avoid further cross questions.
CH: What according to you is most important part of Constitution.
( This one was tricky . I thought for few secs )
Me : Madam, Justice- Social , Economic, Poilty.
CH: Explain them
Me: Explained it as best as i could.
CH: Good. ( Asked member2 to take over. )
( Member2 was gentlemen of age around 65. He seemed to be an ex Defense Officer )
M2: Santosh, tell me the fuels used in Missiles.
Me. Sir, Solid and Liquid fuels ..Oxygen, hydrogen etc ( Was not too sure of my answers )
M2: tell me some more..
Me: Sorry Sir, Dont remember.
M2: Tell me some thing about Agni Missiles..
Me: Explained the same.
M2: ( After thinking for a while ) Santosh, tell me how do you see AFSPA....Do you see its legitimacy
Me: Sir , shall i explain AFSPA first
M2: Yes please do..
Me: I explained the history and present of AFSPA. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), was passed in 1958, by the Parliament of India. It grants special powers to the armed forces in what the act calls "disturbed areas" in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. It was later extended to Jammu and Kashmir as The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990.
( M2 interrupted )
M2: What is disturbed area,
Me: For declaring an area as a 'disturbed area' there must be a grave situation of law and order
M2: Who takes this call.
Me : Central Gov
M2: Whats its use:
Me: Mentioned few of below Points (Source:Wikipedia ) that how it enables Army to take swift decisions:
According to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), in an area that is proclaimed as "disturbed", an officer of the armed forces has powers to.
Fire upon or use other kinds of force even if it causes death, against the person who is acting against law or order in the disturbed area for the maintenance of public order, after giving such due warning.
Destroy any arms dump, prepared or fortified position or shelter or training camp from which armed attacks are made by the armed volunteers or armed gangs or absconders wanted for any offence
To arrest without a warrant anyone who has committed cognizable offences or is reasonably suspected of having done so and may use force if needed for the arrest.
To enter and search any premise in order to make such arrests, or to recover any person wrongfully restrained or any arms, ammunition or explosive substances and seize it.
Stop and search any vehicle or vessel reasonably suspected to be carrying such person or weapons.
Army officers have legal immunity for their actions. There can be no prosecution, suit or any other legal proceeding against anyone acting under that law. Nor is the government's judgment on why an area is found to be disturbed subject to judicial review
M2 : Now take stand.
Me: I took the side in favour of AFSPA but mentioned how slowly we need to reach stage of no use of AFSPA through Development and better policing in disturbed areas.
( CH interrupted and asked M3 to take over. )
M3 : Santosh you have taken Pub Ad and Sociology with out any back ground in the same. Why did you choose Pub Ad.
Me : Mentioned about its relevance, Interest etc.
M3: Tell me few ways to curb poverty.
Me: Explained some. Standard answers.
M3: You know Political structure of country. If given an option what would you prefer --2 party system. or .
multiparty system.
Me: ( Thought for a moment ) Sir, Multiparty system.
M3: Argue your case.
Me. Explained the diversity of country,different voices, different aspects, how country has seen one and two party system. Explained regional aspirations not addressed properly in many parts in last 6 decades. Explained how regional leaders are doing better work ..Nitish, Patnaik, Modi. Showed caution about divisive politics that how regionalism should not stall dev of country.
M3: Santosh, you know about black money..recent crusade about black money...( Paused )
If you are given all the black money stashed outside ..What will you do with it.
Me: ( Thought for few Seconds ) I said that I would use it for social Sectors scheme which dont have sufficient fund for impl. I named some schemes form Budget 2012.
M3: Have you heard of River Linking Project.?
Me: Yes sir, explained in detail starting from concept of BJP gov
M3: Why would not you use the money for the same.
Me : I said in totality the feasibility of project is doubtful. The project has good intentions but in changed socio economic situation its implementation looks difficult.
M3: Explain the problem in IMPL.
Me; Explained this very nicely. Starting from Land issues , to Power issues to difficult geographical terrain , Political issues, Engineering issues.
M3: So you oppose this project.
Me: No sir, Per se I am not against it but it should be case to case basis.
M3; Whats do you mean
Me: Sir, smaller project can be implemented and it should be taken as case study for further impl.
M3: So you are not against it .
Chairman Interrupted and asked the M4 to take ahead.
M4: Whats is judicial review.
Me: Explained.
M4: Explain Judicial Activism
Me; Explained.
M4: SC judgement on cancelling of 2G licences. How do you see it.
Me: I supported saying good for one time. mentioned the need for setting examples to curb corruption and unethical corporate practices.
M4: Why only one time ?
Me: Explained that the decision has effect on Economic side as well. mentioned about investor sentiments, Share market reaction , job losses for company losing contracts from telcos. In end mentioned the need of parliamentary supremacy.
M4: You have hobby as Stock Market. What is stock market.
Me; Explained.
M4: Have you heard of Wall Street.
Me: Yes. Explained.
M4: Have you heard of Dalal Street.
Me. Yes Sir, explained.
M4: Why such a name.
Me; Explained the meaning of Dalal and linked it with Stock Market.
M4: What is SEBI.
Me: Explained.
M4; Its functions ?
Me : Explained
M4: Recent steps by it to boost investor sentiment.
Me: mentioned few points.
M4: ( All of sudden ) have you heard of Madhusala.
Me: Poem/Kaviita by shri hariwansh rai bacchan.
M4: Whats so important about it.
Me: Explained its history, its relevance.
CH Interrupted and asked to M1 to take forward;
M1: Tell me the about S/W Industry.
Me: Explained.
M1: Success of S/W in India.
Me: mentioned general reasons. Talent, Hardwork etc
M1: I think Cheap labor is biggest reason,
Me: I disagreed mentioning the high packages in S/W.
M1: Let me give example. Amdocs has big presence in India and not other SE asian country.
Me: I took a different view here. Discussed about foreign policy. Mentioned how few of SE Asian country have Islamic effect. Mentioned strained relation of Israel and Islamic / Arab world. Talked about Israel -Palestine dispute. Mentioned how Amdocs indian counterpart take care of business in such places. Hailed it as strategy than just cheap labor.
M1: Explain the kashmir issue.
Me: Explained in very detail starting from raja hari singh times.
M1; Whats is Sir Crick and Siachin issue.
Me; Explained well.
President Interrupted:
CH: Santosh what is CCS.
Me; Sorry Mam. Dont remember.
CH : Conditional Cash transfer. Highly successful in Mexico.
Me : Yes mam I know. Explained it.
CH. How do you see its effectiveness in India.
Me: I mentioned few points. Then she told me about few new initiatives.
CH: What is difference between Soccer.FootBall and rugby.
Me: Madam you mean football or American Football.
CH ( Smiling) Football normal one.
Me: Madam Soccer and Football are same. In US its called Soccer and as Football in rest.Also mentioned American football. Then Mentioned the diff between Rugby and football.
CH: Whats is Mossad.
Me: Madam, its Israeli Intelligence agency.
CH: You have worked in Israel based company Amdocs .Do you think Mossad will be keeping watch on us.
Me: I dont think so madam.
CH: Do you think they keep watch at place where you worked.
Me: Dont know madam.
CH: Why ?
Me: Madam its an Intelligence Agency. If I knew they are keeping watch on me or I knew so and so is Mosssad agent then its not fit to be an Intelligence agency.
CH: Started Laughing. All other joined her.
( Wanted to ask something )
CH: hmmm...Ok Santosh..Your Interview is over...Thank you
Me: Thank you madam. Thank you sirs.
I Turned around and left the room quietly.
My interview went for 35 mins. These 35 mins gave me 219 marks which is probably Highest or among Highest in 2012 for Alka Sirohi Interview Board.
The most important point I noted is that you have to be humble all the times and give utmost respect to board members who are much senior to you in age and experience. Be honest and flexible. Even if you disagree with board member do it in right way.
4 comments:
Hug man. what an interview. very rare of the few which i have liked. Dont know about others u r surely going to succeed in life. U seem to be a man with guts. have a great great life ahead.
last answer I liked most...
Hi Sir, thank you for sharing your valuable experience while interview. It give us seer knowledge how to handle the situation when one struck anywhere and how good preparation results in this.
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