IAS Interview Experience 2016

• Interview date ­ 10.03.2016
• Board­ Arvind Saxena
• Profile ­ production engineer in PSU
• From ­ Haryana
• Hobbies ­ trekking, workout in the gym, sketching  

ROUND1
Chairman: You have a diverse profile, with experience in product work and teaching for a brief period, and currently working in PSU. Can you tell me more about your exact profile?
Me: I explained my final product work to the Chairman.

Chairman: It seems like you see the final products and take pride in serving the country. What are the challenges that your organization is facing today?
Me: The challenges include imports from China, a sluggish market, and the future expansion of the solar sector, which my organization does not have expertise in.

Chairman: What do you think about the future of your organization?
Me: If the organization fails to diversify itself, maintain quality levels, and follow delivery schedules, then the future is not bright.

Chairman: Where do you think your organization should diversify?
Me: The solar sector is one option. Although my organization is presently involved in the Rajasthan solar project, it needs to increase its pace of diversification in the solar sector.

Chairman: Is it the downfall of your organization that you want to join the civil services?
Me: No, sir. I am attracted to civil services because of the huge responsibilities, authority, and opportunity to serve the public at the ground level.

Chairman: What are your views on trade unions?
Me: I have seen that while permanent workers are properly supported by trade unions, contract labor is not provided enough security. Sometimes, trade unions can be heavy-handed and hamper work, but they do contribute to the welfare of workers and help meet production targets. However, some devolution of powers is needed.

Member 1: I heard that you like trekking. Can you tell me about the treks you have covered?
Me: I named a few treks and told the number of days required for each trek.

Member1: We have top cars like Mercedes that run above 200 km/h easily and aircraft like Tejas flying at approximately 200 km/h. Why do aircraft fly and cars don’t? Please explain using paper and pencil.
Me: I explained the aerodynamic profile of wings in simple terms and Bernoulli’s theorem behind it.

Member 1: What are the other types of brakes besides mechanical brakes? What is the difference between hydraulic and pneumatic brakes?
Me: The other types of brakes are hydraulic and pneumatic. The difference is in the fluid used; hydraulic brakes use liquid, and pneumatic brakes primarily use air for applying the required force.

Member 1: If we change the fluid of hydraulic brakes to air, will it become pneumatic?
Me: No, the parameters of the design will also need to be changed.

Member 1: You had home science as one of your subjects in 12th grade. What did you learn?
Me: I learned about food preservation, prevention of communicable diseases, home making, cloth care, stitching, etc.

Member 1: As a mechanical engineer, how would you see these things now?
Me: As a mechanical engineer, if given a cooking stove, I would try to improve it. If given a sewing machine, I would try to understand its mechanical working and improve it.

Member 2: You mentioned the Neelkanth trek. Which rocks did you see?
Me: I saw sedimentary rocks.

Member 2: Does the vegetation change there?
Me: No, because there is not much height variation.

Member 2: How is the locality of your PSU, and which trees are predominantly present there?
Me: I told him that the locality is a nice place, and he mentioned the types of trees that are predominantly present there. He also asked me about the animals entering the company, and I answered his question.

ROUND2

Member 2: Suppose you are an SDM in an area where there are cases of human-animal conflict. What will be your actions towards it?
Me: Sir, my first step would be to create awareness among people about the problem. As my organization does, I would try to ensure the installation of security cameras for capturing animal movement, have contact in case of emergencies, and set up a quick response team.

Member 2: What if an elephant comes?
Me: I have given some thought, but I was not able to think about elephant corridors. My plan would be almost the same.

Member 2: Okay, can you tell me some sports persons from your district?
Me: Saina Nehwal and Chandagi Ram.

Member 2: What about boxer Vijender?
Me: Sir, I thought you were asking about Hisar. He is from Bhiwani, which is my birthplace.

Member 2: Have you read yesterday’s newspaper? He gave some statements about the knockout. Do you know?
Me: Sorry, sir, I do not know.

Member 2: You are an engineer. Why don’t you want to go to IES? There is good scope in the future because of bullet trains, etc.
Me: Sir, I am ready to serve in that profile too. I have given the ESE too, but my final aim is CSE because of its diversity.

Member 2: Means you have written ESE?
Me: Yes, sir.

Member 2: What are your views on the mushrooming of private engineering colleges in recent years?
Me: Yes, sir, when I entered my graduation, I saw the large-scale mushrooming of private colleges. I have seen some colleges and worked in one too. They do not have the required infrastructure, quality teachers, labs, etc. All they are creating are non-employable engineers, which I don’t think is good for our country. So it is required to have strict guidelines, and we have them, but we require proper implementation of these guidelines.

Member 3: Do you listen to poetry?
Me: No, sir.

Member 3: Can you name an Indian poet who writes in both English and Hindi?
Me: Sorry, sir.

Member 3: So you are not interested in poetry. Okay, do you listen to songs?
Me: Sometimes.

Member 3: Can you name a songwriter?
Me: Sorry, sir.

Member 3: Okay, what does this stand for? (referring to my college acronym)
Me: [I told him]

Member 3: Is it a minority institution?
Me: No, sir.

Member 3: What is the difference between normal and minority institutions?
Me: Sir, I think it’s about autonomy regarding curricula and management.

Member 3: Specify.
Me: Sir, I think it’s about religious instructions.

Member 3: No.
Me: Sorry, sir, I’m not clear on that.

Member 3: What are three problems facing Haryana agriculture?
Me: Water table, landholdings, marketing.

Member 3: What is the solution for the water table and landholding issues?
Me: Sir, it requires a switch from water-intensive to less water-intensive crops, and that requires awareness and changes in government procurement policies to promote other crops.

Member 3: What are some other crops that could replace rice and sugarcane?
Me: Sir, I see potential in horticulture due to the presence of the NCR region as a good market.

Member 3: Do you think Delhi has unmet demand? Can you name a fruit deficit in Delhi?
Me: Sorry, sir, I can’t name one, but we need to assess the demands of Delhi regarding surplus or deficit and then plan for Haryana accordingly.

Round 3

Member 4:You studied your whole schooling in Holy Child?
Me: No sir, only after the 9th class.

Member 4:But you have written in your DAF that you were in Holy Child in 10th.(Chairman checks and confirms)

Member 4:Ok, tell me which Christian church is associated with Holy Child.
Me: Sorry sir, no idea.

Member 4:Ok, you like trekking, and you must be aware of Siachen. Pakistan used to conduct trekking campaigns on its side, but not India. Don’t you think we made it late and woke up late?
Me: Sir, I think we were not late but exactly on time, as we succeeded in militarizing that area.

Member 4: Ok, we have lost many lives there continuously. What can be the solution?
Me: Sir, it is a matter of trust and at present, we do not have trust between India-Pakistan and also not in the present future. So, I think we cannot demilitarize Siachen at present due to its strategic location.

Member 4:How strategic?
Me: I forgot the exact location, so I said, sir, I am not able to recall its exact location.

Member 4:China?
Me: Yes sir, China is a factor.

Member 4: You do gym, what state can do for promoting health? Should the state do something to promote health?
Me: Yes sir, it should and has the responsibility to do it, but for the state, I will recommend promoting sports instead of gyms for two reasons, promotion of health and gaining sports persons.

Member 4:Is football a people’s game or not?
Me: No sir, not so growth.

Round 4:
Member 4:why
Me:­Sir lack of promotion by state
Member 4:sponsorship
Me­:Yes sir, lack of sponsorship too
Member 4:you said the informal sector is doing enough or not
Me: ­No sir not doing what is required
Member 4:what about epic
Me­: Sir matter of quality
Member 4:Do it include the informal sector
Me: ­Said not sure sir
Member 4:AT&C losses
Told
Member 4:T&D losses
Told
Member 4: How much can we tolerate
Thought he was asking about which one so said T&D
Member 4:No no what percentage
Sir presently 24%
Interrupted and said ok the last question
Member 4:about middle east, pattern why ??
Sir no idea
Also asked about Marshal coming in between interviews by a member, failed to satisfy them
Interview over
Very cordial interview, but no facial expressions of satisfaction on the faces of the board members especially
the chairman was looking too conserved.