My first answer on Examnut

That feeling of qualifying for UPSC personality test/interview is in itself amazing and something which every aspirant dreams of realising. I was one of those lucky candidates got selected for CSE-2016 interview.

My interview was on 12th May 2017 that means almost 50 days after commencement of interviews. Getting interview date at the end has its own benefits and disadvantages.

Disclaimer: It is going to be lengthy post as my interview went on for 45 minutes. (2.30 PM to 3.15PM)

Unfortunately morning of 12th May wasn’t a pleasant one for me as I woke up with 101 degree F temperature with cough and cold. Hence I was skeptical about my interview but confidence of effective preparation gave me all strength and outcome was I was awarded 201 out of 275 marks. It was one of the highest marks. In the final sacred PDF my name was in 410th row ie AIR 410 and allocated IRS- C&IT

My background:

Name: Vinay Mallipudi; Optional: PHILOSOPHY; Attempt: 2nd; Graduation: B.tech In ECE Pondicherry University; Birth place: Andhra Pradesh; Currently living: Yanam, Pondicherry; Work experience: 1 year In TCS; Hobbies: cricket and movies.

Time 2.25 PM- called up on by the staff and while walking towards Chairperson (CP) room inquired about CP and he said with military tone that it was Air Marshal AS Bhonsle sir. My face was literally blank with no expression because he was a new member of UPSC and there was a talk that new members are conservative in giving marks. (And later it proved to be another baseless rumor as happens always in ORN or Mukherjee Nagar)

2.30 PM-Door opened by the staff and I entered the CP room. There were 5 members in the board (one lady members and 4 gentlemen including CP). Wished CP first followed by remaining members. He offered me to sit and I tried to pull the chair. I didn’t expect chair to be so heavy or maybe I was weak, it made a disturbing kind sound. When I sat CP asked me “ don’t you know that you shouldn’t make sound while pulling the chair?”(in a military tone)). I tried to keep myself calm and apologized for it. But in a moment of time he smiled and said” if the chair is so heavy it makes sound, what’s there in that?. If you feel thirsty please have water even in the middle of interview.” This conversation made me feel comfortable. He said-“ all set let us start.” To which I replied –Yes sir (confident tone)!

Chairperson:

Q. You are from Yanam. Why is UT of Puducherry set up in such 4 distinct geographical regions? Isn’t it difficult for administration? Why can’t Yanam be merged with Andhra Pradesh? (Why so lengthy? )

A. Answered

Q. You have a very good academic record from childhood to graduation. So your parents must be loving you very much. Right?

A. Sir I think even with poor academic record my parents would love me because I am their child. Academic record and parents love need not be necessarily related.

(Had few laughs and continued)

Q. Yes you are right but they must be very happy with your academic performance

A. Yes sir

Q. Now tell me whether you faced any difference of opinions with your parents and if so how did you resolve such dilemma in such a young age?(Very interesting question)

A. Answered (after thinking for a while. Yes we can take some time (few seconds) to think and frame answer for certain questions)

Q. Are your parents happy with you now?

A. Yes sir

Q. Why?

A. I am facing the board of UPSC interview and my father is waiting outside with smiles and excitement all over.

Q. Cricket is your hobby. can you tell me about bodyline series?

A. answered

Q. Now tell me is it ethical on part of England resorting to such tactics on ground and If you were the captain of England in that scenario what you would have done?

A. Cricket is a gentlemen game and it is unethical on part of England to resort to bodyline deliveries. If I was captain I would not be resorting to such tactics. Failure is not weakness but resorting to such unethical means fearing failure is certainly a weakness.

Q. What is the name of dismissal named after a cricketer?

A. Vinoo Mankad

Q. Describe it.

A. Answered

Q. is it ethical?

A. One time warning must be given and if repeated then it must be given out. Gave example of Courtney Walsh during WC 1987.

(If your hobby is cricket or any other sport expect some in-depth questions on it for which you must answer.)

Member 2(lady):

Q. Do you still find any French connection in Yanam?

A. Answered

Q. Why British able to conquer India and why not French?

A. Major reasons were weak naval strength of French vis-à-vis British and ineffective French generals with exception of Dupleix but British had clive ,Eyre coote etc., (There are many prominent reasons but nothing came to my mind other than these)

Q. Why French helped American war of independence 1775 when they were facing economic and political crisis? (But why focus on history?? No. All because I am from Pondicherry state. So prepare very well on all aspects of home state and birth state)

A. Because French knew that the lifeline of British colonialism was America and its resources. It wanted to break that lifeline and also as a revenge for seven year war defeat.(Keep answers short)

Q. Significance of Yanam and what are its basic socio economic and governance problems as you observed all these years?

A. Answered.(Make a note of socio economic and governance problems in your area and try to think some solutions taking into factor ground level realities ie practical solutions.)

Member 2:

Q. Philosophy as an optional. What are the major differences between Indian and western philosophy?

A. Indian philosophy is school based (horizontal development) but western philosophy is vertical development. Indian philosophy focuses on both epistemology and metaphysics whereas western philosophy largely focuses on epistemological questions. (Many more points can be said but I tried to keep it short)

Q. Prime Minister went to Srilanka to participate in UN Vesak day. Why is he focusing on such events rather he should visit to resolve some more serious issues like fishermen issue and CEPA , signing some strategic and economic pacts etc.,

A. Answered on the lines of cultural diplomacy and India being birth place of Buddhism.(Keep it short)

Q. Why Buddhism almost not present in India at present although India is its birth place but having a significance presence in east and Southeast Asian countries?

A. Answered

Q. Liquor prohibition in Bihar- is it a good solution? If you are IAS what would you suggest to government on such policy?( why suddenly this question? Because it was based on my answer to previous question on social problems in your area. My answer was liquor addiction)

A. Answered.(Such questions are purely personal opinion based there is nothing like right and wrong answer)

Q. Motto of Pondicherry University (literally shocked after hearing this question but tried to remain composed)

A. I am sorry sir. I am not aware of this.

Q. It is in French. Don’t you remember your university motto?

A. I couldn’t remember it sir. (I don’t think they expect us to know this but they only wanted to check if you feel any pressure)

Member 3:

Q. Which country is known as land of mid night sun?

A. Answered

Q. Norway and other Scandinavian countries though small in area, population and present in hostile climate (low temperature) but still highly developed Why?

A. Skilled human resources and effective governance mechanisms like ombudsman etc…

Q. What is ombudsman in India ?

A. Lokpal and lokayukta( hesitatingly said)

Q. Why Lokapal has not yet been constituted?

A. Government delay in amending Act regarding Leader of opposition clause. (Few more questions followed on the same issue)

Q. Assume you become a prophet and established a new religion give me its important characteristics. Can you also give a name for it?

A. Answered

Q. Give it some name

A. Nothing came to my mind. So simply said’ Humanism’.

Q. No think of even better name and let me know at the end of interview.

Q. What is current TCS RatanTata vs cyrus Mistry issue? Do you think it reflects the larger issue of corporate governance problems?(Question because I was TCS employee)

A. Answered

Q. Do you think there is still bright future for IT industry considering current crisis it is facing?

Member4:

Q. Compare Ancient silk road and present OBOR project?

A. ASR was only economical/trade related whereas OBOR is both trade and strategic dimension. ASR was not dominated by one particulate kingdom whereas OBOR is solely china project

Q. Why so many countries showing interest in OBOR project?

Q. Why India is not showing interest in OBOR?

A. Pok issue (CPEC effects our sovereignty and territorial integrity); might be used for Chinese military troop movement; may lead to china entering into J&K issue.

Q. If CPEC is removed from OBOR then can India join it? If yes can you tell alternate route for CPEC so that pak china and India interests reconciled at least to some extent?

A. Yes sir if CPEC is removed we can definitely be positive about OBOR. Regarding alternate route my opinion is corridor connecting Xinjiang to Afghanistan from there to Pakistan Gwadar port. It thus sidesteps passing through PoK.

Again CP came into picture

Q. What change you want to bring if you become an IAS?

Q. How do you integrate old age people/ senior citizens into administration to resolve their problems?

A. One Sunday in every month a dedicated helpline only for senior citizens to express their grievance to district collector directly. One day in every month make it mandatory for all gram sabhas to listen to and address concerns of senior citizens only and periodic follow up regarding action taken by district authorities .

Q. So Mr. Vinay How you going to spend rest of the day? (Refreshment at the end of interview)

Your Interview is over and you may go now. But before leaving I remembered that Member 3 told me to give another name for the religion. So I turned towards him and said-“Sir I stick to Humanism”. Meanwhile CP told me to sit again and was about to ask few more questions but was interrupted by other members and said that he was trying to answer previous question only. CP gave a nod and said-“Thank you. Your interview is over”

I thanked them and left the room. Wall clock outside showed 3.15 PM. 45 minutes????

MY observations:

1. Personality test is all about DAF. Hence every word in your DAF is extremely important.

2. You can expect dynamic interview even with common hobbies like cricket, movies, reading books. Do not feel insecure.” Hence it is good to make it simple and original.

3. Even saying “I don’t know sir” is acceptable as they won’t expect us to know everything.

4. Keep your answers short (I repeat this often considering its extreme importance)

5. Most of the questions depends up on your answers to previous questions. So need to be careful while choosing words.

6. Candidates with philosophy optional need to put extra efforts in preparing it in entirely different manner from mains preparation.

Final Marks- 201 Out of 275.

P.S: If someone feels less confident on D-day, don’t worry. The moment you see UPSC dholpur House and walk along the corridors instantly morale boost up. Magic indeed!!

Thanks for reading. Cheers, Good luck!!

See less