Civil Services Board Interview 2011-12 – IAS Topper Aparna-129th Rank

UPSC Civil Services Board Interview 2011-12 – IAS Topper Aparna-129^th Rank

An Exclusive Interview

Name: G.Aparna

Rank: 129th Rank

Roll No: 38928

Board Chairman: Alka Sirohi

My interview was on 9th April, first candidate in the afternoon session. I relaxed in Delhi for 2 days and went to interview with less anxiety. The hour before the interview, where they check the certificates reduces my anxiety further. Meeting other candidates and talking to them was good. Our board was announced. Alka Sirohi Ma'am board. My name was called and I was asked to sit outside the room for 5 minutes. It was a difficult wait.

I entered, wished the board. Chairman was lady and there were 4 other members seatted around in a small round table. It felt more like a round table discussion than an interview session.

The chairman asked me to sit and started with the first question.

Chairman (C): Aparna , are you from Pondicherry?

Me: I lived for a few years in Karaikal, pondichery. But now I am in Chennai

C: what are the administrative units of pondichery?

Me: Make in keralla, Yanam in A.P, Karaikal surrounded by Nagapattiam district of Tamil Nadu and Pondichery

Member 1: what is you specialisation in biology

(I m M.Sc (Hons) biological Sciences)

Me: I explained him our college system. We don’t specialize in any one particular field. Its an integrated course for 4 years after 12th

M1: BITS, Pilani (my college) is famous for an education system in which you study all fields of engineering? how is it useful?

Me: In the present context it is difficult to isolate one field of study from another. We follow an integrated approach. In biology we use technology from physics, chemistry and even computer science as in bio informatics. Basic knowledge in engineering and sciences field is really helpful in development of better research

 M1: what are bio sensors?

Me: those are engineering tools which measure some physiological phenomenon and helps in detection.

M1: what is PDS system?

Me: I gave a simple answer. It is a public distribution system also called ration shop where essential things like rice, wheat, kerosene etc are sold at subsidised price.

M2: Do you have idea about how much grain is wasted?

I never answered this question as 2 of them went into a discussion and it was dropped.

M2: Do you think permanent commission for women in army is essential.

Me: I accept the court verdict that women should be allowed for permanent commission if they are willing to. An officer should be seen as an officer not as a male or female officer. Their training will ensure that they are enoughly prepared for all kinds of circumstances. They will be prepared for facing psychologically tough situations too.

M2: What are the solutions to solve problems of river water sharing (kaveri)?

Me: The Kaveri river water sharing commission as given its verdict. Its for the states to follow it compulsorily. The verdict should be honoured. There are countries that are sharing water. It won’t be difficult for two states in the same country to share water. The problem with India is that the states don’t think as a country they think as separate linguistic units.

the only solution would be to create value across both borders. People should feel that water is an essential commodity and it’s a natural resource that everyone has an equal share. And the Tamil people should realize that water resource has become less due to scarcity of rainfall and we should develop crops that use less water and use water resourcefully

M2: what are the feelings of Tamil in srilanka

Me: it is a country which has just come out of war. People are rebuilding lives. It will take a long time. Our country is also providing great amount of resource and money to pace up the work. People are under trauma, it will take tears for them to lead normal life but they are willing to.

C: what was the last book you read? tell us about it

Me: I told the theme of the last book I read

M3: what kind of music do you listen to

M3: what is the difference between Indian classical and western classical?

Me: I told them that the basic notes are the same and I have not heard many western classical and don’t have idea about the same

M3: how does music appeal to one?

Me: Music appeal to the mind. We have unique interests in music. It appeals to our physiology too. there is nervous conduction specific to each kind of music and excites us differently. There is raga which induce sleep and one which awakens us

M3:Is the interest in music biological or cultural

Me: its a mix of both. Initial exposure is essential that is brought about by the family then its our own taste and interest and its biological.

M3: explain consciousness biologically, psychologically and socially?

Me: first I took a lot of time understanding what he said. He repeated the question thrice for me. And I managed a few sentence though I was not clear myself and in the end I told him sorry sir I am not able to tell you correctly.

M3: do you think science can explain all? Where do you put god in this context?

ME: sir, science tries to explain as much as possible. there are still areas that science cannot explain. Science can explain that certain centres in brain are related to the feeling of love but it cannot still explain so many differences like a mother’s love and that of the other kinds. So, I believe in both.

M3: asked about biophysics. I was blank. i told them I cannot recollect anything from it.

C: how many kinds of fauna are there?

Me: There are 45000 species of flowering plants ma'am.

C: i asked about fauna

Me: sorry ma'am i got it wrong. I m not sure of the answer.

C: it’s around 90000 species

Me: thank you ma'am

M4: what is the theme of the world health day?

Me: sorry sir , I m not able to recollect

M4: its related to old age people.

M4: what are the problems of old age

Me: I told them economic problem, health, psychological issues

M4: what is the number of old age people below poverty line

Me: sorry sir, I don’t know the data

M4 what is PTSD

Me: sir, it is post traumatic stress disorder. Its the psychological issues that arise after a person undergoes a traumatic experience

M4: what is the psychosocial support for PTSD:

Me: i told about psychological supports like counselling but social support was not clear. I told them that the community should not see them as someone different and separate them. They should be treated as the same person even after some incidences as in the case of rape victim. ( i was not very clear)

M4: what is stress and what is its effect

Me: I cloud not remember definition of stress. I made up something in my own words and not a good one. and it effects , I told them a few like physical, psychological effects

M4: is the process (stress) biological?

Me: yes sir. i told them that brain stimulate hormones according to stress level and that has effect on the body

M4: what are the hormones involved in it?

Me: I could not remember any. I told them sorry sir i m not able to recollect

C: what is demographic dividend?

Me: It explain about the population growth in a country. From it we can know if a country has young or older population.

C: explain DNA structure

Me. I told them as much as I cloud remember and recollect, though it took me by surprise and I had to request her to repeat the question.

C: Why is India not affected much by recession?

Me:  (i took as much as help from the chairman.) i started with policy. (she stopped dint want to hear about policies ) i dint know anything much. i told her that Indians are there everywhere. There is not so much recession in Middle East and other Asian countries like Europe and America so we still get good remittances.

Indians save a lot and they save in traditional way so stocks don affect majority of population.

 (With some help) large population so big market. We specialise in technical side and demand for workers in this field is always there. so there is always opportunity to work.