UPSC Interview Transcript of IRS Vikas Prakash Singh
My transcript might be able to give an idea about the type of questions being asked.
Profile <Often, the questions revolve around one’s profile, and I was no exception>
Graduation: B.E. (Computer Sc. & Engineering), MIT, Manipal (Karnataka)
PG: PGDM, IIM Raipur. Student Exchange Scholarship (France)
Hobbies: Travelling (18 Countries), Social Media (own a Facebook Page)
Board: Dr. Hem Chandra Gupta
Date: 19th April, 2016. Afternoon session.
The duration was about 25–30 minutes.
L1,L2: 1st and 2nd member on my left
R1,R2: 1st and 2nd member on my right
Chairman: Manipal-Mangalore region is known for having head offices of a lot of Banks. Can you name five banks that have HO in that region?
Me: *A little surprised by this related-yet-unexpected question*. Sir, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Canara Bank. I am not able to recall others.
Chairman: Vijaya Bank and Bank of Karnataka
Chairman: Where is Prime Minister today?
Me: <Totally not able to recall anything. Confidence level takes shallow dive!>
Chairman: *Prompting me* Jammu & Kashmir?
Me: Yes sir, he is Katra today. (Recalling the Rajya Sabha TV 10AM News!)
Chairman: What is he doing there?
Me: Sir, he is there to inaugurate the Mata Vaishno Devi Hospital
Chairman: Capacity of the hospital inaugurated by him (in terms of number of beds)?
Me: Sir, 300.
Chairman: Are you sure?
Me: No sir, I am not sure.
<300 Crore was actually the cost of the hospital>
Chairman: Where else will he go in Katra?
Me: Sir, he will be attending the convocation of Vaishno Devi University.
Chairman: Shree Mata Vaishno Devi University
Me: *Nodding in agreement*
Chairman: Is the university private or Govt.?
Me: Sir, I am not sure.
Chairman: It is owned by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Me: *Nodding in agreement*
Chairman: Why PGDM from IIM Raipur, why not MBA?
Me: Sir, only universities can confer degree.
Chairman: U mean to say that IITs are universities?
Me: Yes, Sir
Chairman: No they are not, they would love to be universities though! <no idea why!>
Me: Sir, actually they have been established by an act of parliament.
Chairman: Good, and the IIMs?
Me: They are registered under the Societies Act
Chairman: What is the fuss about IIM Bill?
Me: <Explained about the erosion of autonomy. He asked me about specific provisions. Told a few, quoted a couple of them wrongly>
<L1 Begins>
L1: Where all have you traveled?
Me: Sir 15 countries in Europe and three in South-East Asia
L1: When was European Union formed?
Me: Sir, it began with the formation of European Steel and Coal Community in the 1960s and gradually emerged as….
L1: Is it Steel and Coal, or Coal and steel?
Me: Sir, Coal and Steel
L1: Sure?
Me: Yes, Sir
L1: Based on your profile, you would be better suited for Indian Foreign Service, then why IAS as first preference?
Me: Answered it.
<L2 Begins>
L2: What is DTAA?
Me: <Explained it>
L2: How many countries does India have DTAA with?
Me: Sir, I am not aware
L2: DTAA with which country was controversial? Why?
Me: Is it Mauritius?
L2: Yes, what was the issue?
Me: Sir, it was due to the issue of round tripping.
L2: What is round tripping? How does it affect our country?
Me: <Explained it>
Which countries in South-East Asia did u visit?
Me: Sir, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
What is ASEAN? Is India a member?
Me: Explained ASEAN. No sir, not a member
What is APEC? Is India a member?
Me: Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation. No sir, not a member
Is India a member of SCO?
Me: Sir, I am not sure
Is India a member of BIMSTEC?
Me: Yes, Sir
<R2 Begins>
R2: How did u go to Europe?
Me: Sir, I had received a scholarship from the Government of France, to undertake a student exchange program
R2: How many countries did u travel to?
Me: Sir, 15
R2: Did u travel as tourist or as a hitchhiker?
Me: As a tourist
R2: So u booked a tour?
Me: No Sir, we used to travel on our own
R2: Name the countries that you visited?
Me: <Named them>
R2: Which city did u visit in Poland?
Me: Sir, Krakow
R2: Why is Krakow famous?
Me: Sir due to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp
R2: No no, that was during the world war, it was famous long before that. Why?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware
R2: There is a fort in that town, did u visit it?
Me: No sir, I didn’t
R2: There is another place on the outskirts called <xyz>. Did u visit it? <I am not able to recall the name of the place>
Me: No sir, I didn’t
R2: So u only visited the camp?
Me: Yes, Sir
R2: What was it about the camp that moved you the most?
Me: Sir, I saw a pile of kids’ shoes.
R2: Any other Concentration Camp that u visited in Europe?
Me: Yes, Sir, Dachau Concentration Camp in Munich
R2: How will BE and PGDM degree add value to you as an IAS?
Me: <Two different degrees would have made it a really long answer, so I focused on the PGDM part and explained why marketing is important in governance>
R2: How will u apply marketing skills to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and building of toilets?
Me: Sir, there are two aspects to it. We have often seen in the past that the people aren’t using the toilets that have been built for them, and continue to defecate in the open. Therefore, 1st aspect would be focussed on behavioural changes, by creating awareness among people about the drawbacks of open defecation. This can be achieved through different modes for communication, such as print, loudspeaker based, tv ads etc. The 2nd aspect is to inform people about the government schemes that are providing funds to support the construction of toilets.
<R1 Begins>
R1: What is Avadh Region famous for?
Me: Sir, it is famous for its Cuisine. Also, the chikan work is quite popular. Further, it is also famous for various buildings such as Imam Bada, as well as the nawabs that ruled the region
R1: Were the rulers of Avadh ever in conflict with British rule?
Yes, Sir. During the revolt of 1857, Begum Hazrat Mahal offered strong resistance to the british and even established the nawab rule for a short time, putting her son Birjis Qadr on the throne.
R1: Why did they fail? <I was not sure if the question was specific to the Avadh rulers or for the entire opposition, with respect to revolt of 1857, so I gave a general answer! :P >
Me: Sir, the revolt wasn’t well organized. Everyone had their own motives for the revolt and there was a lack of common cause as well as direction
R1: What is MSME?
Me: <Expanded the acronym. Further, was explaining about micro, small….and was interrupted.>
R1: How does government define it?
Me: Sir, it is categorised based on the turnover. <It is actually based on the amount of Investment>
R1: How exactly?
Me: Sir, upto 50 crores for Small enterprise.
<Chairman interrupts>: Crores or Lakhs?
Me: Sorry sir, I am not sure.
R1: What is the reason behind banks having high NPAs?
Me: <Explained it>
R1: How can it be prevented in future?
Me: Sir, the banks should form industry specific committees that will make an independent assessment about a particular industry that will help in making an assessment regarding the risks associated in disbursing loans to that particular industry. Further, company specific reports should also be prepared to assess the risks associated with a specific company.
Chairman: You may leave now.
Me: Thank You Sir.
It was my first tryst with the Personality Test. I received 171/275 marks. But, couldn’t make it to the list!
