Indian Civil Services 2010-11: All India
An exclusive Interview
UPSC Board Interview
Interview
1. How did you prepare for the interview?
Firstly I realized coaching institutes had no role in interview preparation. One minor function is that they can arrange for mock interviews. I sincerely suggest candidates to attend interview program with Manidha Naeyam IAS Academy
My preparation was completely different from others. I aimed at 240 and openly spoke about it. People even mocked at me but I knew what I was working towards. Finally I secured 234 in Razni Razdan madame’s board. I lost 6 marks because of certain delay in my interview.
My hobbies were watching documentaries and world cinema. I did not want to go to interview like any other candidate. So I attended a film festival and wrote a lot of movie reviews. My eyes was literally burning when the show ended but I was awarded the “Film Buff Award” at the 8th Chennai International Film Festival.
My first option was IPS. I wanted to prove to the board that I was very passionate about IPS hence I wanted to do something in order to help the police work better. Hence I decided to work at Human Rights Commission where 80-82% of cases are registered against Police. The internship experience was very useful and I knew I was proving my authenticity to the board.
I also wanted to think, talk and behave like an administrator. Hence I searched for an administrative internship. I failed many a time but finally got permission from Seoni District in Madhya Pradesh (my friend is an IAS officer there). I did a week long internship there and it was literally equivalent to Foundation Course at LBSNAA, Mussorie.
I did not want to attend interview classes or read current affairs. I requested Manidha Neyam Institute to call for experts on various topics and I listed out the topics like e-governance, transgender issues, women issues, police reforms, environmental conservation, river water disputes etc. Experts were invited (I was the one who decided who the speakers should be) and they delivered scintillating lectures. No institute can give such authentic information as these experts give in their respective fields. This institute offered me so much freedom to work.
I also looked out for happenings around the city in newspapers and websites. Whenever a seminar, debate, conference was taking place and if it was open to the public then I would definitely be a participant. In one seminar Ms.Nirupama Rao spoke. I also had the opportunities to listen to Mr.Subramanyam Swamy, Mr. Gopal Krishna Gandhi etc. I also raised questions in these forums and they gave due respect to the fact that I was a civil service aspirant. Youngsters like us should attend such forums and contribute to the debate.
2. Please share the details of the interview? What was its duration, strength of the interview panel and what kind of questions were asked?
Interview went on from 11.05am to 11.45am. I was the second candidate in my batch. The chairman of the board was Ms. Razni Razdan. There were 4 other male members. I shall list out the questions here:
1) Is Anna Hazare's demand implementable?
2) What are the problems you foresee if Anna Hazare's requests are agreed by the govt?
3) The image of the police is nefarious in the society. As a police officer how will you try to change it?
4) Tell us the rank hierarchy of Indian Army
5) Who is the Japanese film director who is world renowned for his style? Name two movies which he directed.
6) What is judicial activism? Is it justified? Quote two examples of JA.
7) You completed your dentistry. Then you became an Assistant Commandant in CRPF. Now you want IPS. Why is your career plan so confused?
8) Is there a need for police reforms? If so tell the reforms.
9) Situation Reaction Test: You are an officer in Railway Protection Force. One poor man does not have travel ticket. One University Professor who has bought a ticket has lost it. How will you handle both of them?
10) Based on a survey mapping, it is found that the number of SCs are very less in areas where STs are concentrated. Why is it so?
11) What is Phishing?
12) If you become an IPS officer, which is the organisation that you aspire to join; is it BSF, CBI, State Service.......?
3. Were you confident in the interview hall? How did you remain calm and composed in what is usually considered a stressful situation?
It is a stressful situation as long as candidates believe that they are not well prepared and when they think that the board is looking forward to reject them. The style of preparation will itself make you feel so confident. It is just an interaction with few learned men and women and there is no need to panic. Use it as an opportunity to ‘market’ and advertise yourself. They are after all paid to listen to you.
4. Finally, what is your opinion on the changes made in the Prelims exam?
UPSC is a trust worthy and respectable body working under a Constitutional mandate and it is implemented CSAT which means CSAT would definitely be a level playing field. Candidates with a proper attitude and aptitude will clear this examination with flying colors.
5. Do you think the exam is shifting towards application of knowledge? If yes, how?
The exam has always been focusing on application of knowledge. This is not new. One cannot say that candidates recruited and recommended in 1990s were writing an examination with minimal application of knowledge. UPSC is trying to make the recruitment process dynamic and befitting to the changing times. It will do its best to select the best brains.
6. What is your advice for candidates who did not do well in interview?
I do not have any advice tailor made. But from what I did during my interview preparation a few lessons can be taken. Every profile is different and valuable in its own way. It is up to you to enrich your resume. Work towards enriching your resume and your personality as well. Again I’m tempted to quote Sachin Tendulkar. Let that child like desire to win and outperform others be always alive in you.
7. Do you think that good understanding of current affairs can play a significant role even in optional papers?
Unquestionably yes. If one does not have a good understanding of current affairs it simply means he/she does not have a good understanding in anything related to this exam.
8. How can someone apply day to day knowledge in the CSE?
In my opinion the three stages of CSE is just one personality test broken into three sub parts. Be the change you want to see. While preparing for preliminary exam itself start behaving, thinking, working and deciding like an administrator. You may not have all the resources but still you can achieve your targets with the resources available at hand. That is what is required of an administrator too.
9. Any advice to civil services aspirants?
My entire interview, stated above, is a comprehensive package of tips. You can consider them as advice too.
10. What is your goal in life and how will you now work towards it?
My goal is to improve the image of the police. Make it more human rights friendly, people friendly, service oriented, dynamic and technologically upgraded. I shall lead by example and inspire my colleagues to work for a safe and secure India India
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