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BEST OF THE BEST
Systematic Preparation, Mock Interviews And Keeping Relaxed Helped
Though my Mains had gone fairly well and I was hopeful of getting an interview call yet
there was some apprehension till the Mains results were declared. I prepared for the
Interview along with my friend. We divided the entire spectrum of topics to be covered
into certain areas and carried out an in-depth analysis of each topic by posing questions
to each other. The mock interviews that we practised well were extremely helpful. On the
day of Interview, I wore blue-black trousers, a white shirt and a blue tie. I was the last
 candidate to be interviewed in the afternoon session. While waiting for my call, I spent
the time chatting with the other candidates and kept myself relaxed.
— Dr. Abhinav Ttikha, IAS Topper I was a bit nervous when I entered the interview room.
My Interview focussed largely on the health sector in our country and how to improve it.
The first question was, What is the quality in you that would help in Civil Services ?
 and the last question was, Is man intelligent despite the fact that he has created so
 much mess on planet Earth ? The Board Members were cordial. They asked questions in a
sequential manner. They asked me several ticklish questions, but I think the last question
 was the most knotty. I was quite satisfied and happy when my Interview ended. I think
 that I gave lily maximum that I would have given. Eg2
of not only the newsworthy affairs and scoops,  but his knowledge and understanding of
what is going on around him is also judged because it will give the Board an idea about
the degree of his alertness and concern. In short, we can say that the physical appearance
is necessary only for the first impressions. If the candidate does not possess other
positive qualities, he would certainly appear to them useless and shallow, not a candidate
to be selected. Deepak : You are right, Mr. Sanjay. I have heard about a number of people
 who fared badly and others who were selected. The study of their cases corroborates your
 view. They were usually asked one question each on their respective States, their
optional subjects, on current national and international affairs. They were allowed,
rather encouraged, to put forward their personal views. If some of them candidly admitted
that they did not know anything about a particular question or subject, the Board did not
show them the door. They were also selected. Their candid admission went in their favour.
 Neena : Is it really so ? As I have been a science student and possess a B.E. degree,
 Ill have to admit my ignorance of many subjects that are special to only arts students.
 I dont have any in-depth knowledge about those subjects. Sanjay : You need not worry
 Miss Neena, what Mr. Deepak has said is absolutely right. I have also heard such things.
 I have been told by a successful candidate that moral and intellectual integrity goes in
the candidates favour. All that they want from a candidate are truthfulness and
 down-to-earth approach. A candidate is never supposed
to know everything as none of the members is himself an authority on every subject.
 Do you not agree ? Rajesh : Do you want to suggest that if your answer to every question
 is Sorry Sir, I do not know, it is going to be in your favour ? To my mind, it is
better to answer something than not answering at all. At least it will make them feel
that the candidate has tried his best. Sanjay : No, my dear friend. As we all know, this
 interview is not merely a., question-answer affair. We have already discussed that this
 interview is meant to` judge a candidate from all the angles. His right answer is as
 necessary as his approach to the topic. How he puts forward his ideas in his answer to
a question is more important. It may be that a candidate knows the answer to the question
asked by the Board, but if his approach is not right, the Board will not appreciate.
The answer given by the candidate gives the Board an idea about his grasp, knowledge,
understanding and attitude. They form the idea about his ability to take decisions,
 social priorities, etc. The Board is interested in knowing the candidates areas of
 interest and will try to ask him questions pertaining to those areas. Your apprehension
 that every time you will have to say no will go against you is quite baseless, I think.
 You need not get frightened. The Board will certainly find out your best aptitude and
 strengths. Rajesh : Thank you, Sanjayji. You have cleared the doubts that have been
 weighing heavily on my mind. I feel a lot more confident now. All that we need is not
 to get excited or upset. Throughout the interview we should maintain cheerfulness
and gravity as well. There should be an attempt to present the answers in a balanced and
clear language; that is what you are tryiiig to say. Am I right ? Sanjay : Yes, y..-_-2re
 100% right. Deepak : Please tell me something about how to behave before the interview
Board. Are there anything like Dos and Donts in such an interview ? I think if we have
 an
 idea, it will help us a good deal in making ourselves more presentable and acceptable.
Sanjay : That could have been available to you through the narration of successful
candidates of the accounts of interviews in their own words. The Competition Success
Review has been giving the aspirants the success stories of such candidates so that they
 can benefit from successful candidates past experiences. (Sanjay  has been summoned for
 the interview and he takes leave of them and they all wish him best of luck) Comments
: The first impressions of Sanjay are quite encouraging. He has come all prepared to face
 the Interview Board. As he has conversed with other fellow candidates we have not seen
 that he will find it dcult to get through successfully. His confidence makes it clear
that he has good grasp of his optional subjects, therefore everything seems to be in his
 favour. His attractive personality in addition to his refined taste of dressing to and
 wise skill of presentation stands him in good stead. All other candidates called for the
 interview are quite convinced that he will face the Interview Board with confidence and
 all the members will appreciate his analytical approach, command of language and general
 awareness. His vitality and dynamism cannot be questioned. He proceeds with a smile on
 his face and faces the Interview Board wishing all the Members



and the Chairman, Good Morning. The Chairman also Wishes him the same and tells him to
take his seat. He pulls the chair gently towards him and seats himself thanking them.
 Chairman : Mr. Sanjay, as your records say, you hail from Mehrauli, South Delhi. You have
received your education in Delhi and I am confident that you can throw some light on the
cultural heritage, of Mehrauli. Sanjay : Yes Sir. Why not ? Mehrauli is one of the most
well known places in Delhi owing to its historical importance. It is here that the Qutub
Minar is situated and a great number of foreign visitors come to see it every year.
 It attracts innumerable Indians also. It is a rare monument of the Slave period which has
 been declared a world heritage site. 1st Member : Mehrauli had been in the news some time
back again due to its historical importance. Do you know why ? Sanjay : Yes Sir. It had
 been in the news because it was found by the authorities that a 14th century monument had
been defaced and whitewashed. This monument is protected by Archaeological Survey of India
and used to be brown in colour. This monument is the tomb of Khan Shahid who was the son
of Ghiyas-ud-din Balban, the ninth Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty. There is a mosque and a
graveyard in the same compound. One could see people drying clothes on the roof of another
 small monument next to the mosque. Some people also live inside the mosque. 2nd Member :
 Why did terrorists choose this place for an attack five or six years ago ? Sanjay :
Actually every year a week long ceremony known as Phoolwalon Ki Sair is celebrated as a
 symbol of the Hindu-Muslim unity and this unity appears to terrorists as an obstacle in
achieving their goal. Their ideology is based on hatred between the two communities.
They want to convince fundamentalist elements that the world should be turned into a
Muslim one because only Islam can lead the people on the path of enlightenment. That is
why they cannot tolerate unity in diversity. Islamic scholars dont accept their views,
because they know that in Islam there is no room for the killing of innocents which the
terrorists resort to. Terrorists are often referred to as Jehadis whereas `Jehad,
according to scholars, is not the appropriate term to be used in such a context. They say
 that Jehad is the crusade against wrong doers and unbelievers. Secular Muslims call the
terrorists Fasadi, as they engage in the worst kind of acts not permitted by Islam.
They believe in mindless killings that yield nothing. 1st Member : In Mehrauli, just at a
stones throw from the Qutub Minar, there is an old stone structure which also appears
like a tomb. Do you know about it ?
Sanjay : Sir, you are perhaps referring to the one present on the right side of
Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road. If so, let me say Sir, it is Balbans tomb. Balban, whom I referred
to earlier, was the father-in-law of Razia Sultans frail brother. Razias pale-looking
brother ruled for only a brief period and died young. After him, ambitious Balban ascended
the throne. He was a very strict administrator who took stringent measures against the
highway robbers. He established police posts by the highways and almost all the robbers
 were captured and killed. Historians dont forget to mention that he introduced Turkish
 manners in his court and lived a very lavish life, as if he were a natural heir. It is
 during his reign that the practice of Paibos was introduced in the court. All the
courtiers and people who came to the court had to kiss the feet of the monarch. This was
 not an Islamic practice, but nobody dared challenge him. All remained mute spectators,
because he was notorious for his cruelty. 2nd Member : Tell me about some equally
 important historical monument which is not looked after well by the people. Sanjay :
 One such otherwise neglected monument is situated at the Mehrauli bus terminal also.
It is the tomb of Adham Khan, Akbars General. He was made general after the dismissal of
 Bairam Khan. The common people call it Bhool Bhulaiya and the ASI has left it almost,
 abandoned on the mercy of the local inhabitants. People think that this structure also
 belongs to the Sultanate period, whereas emperor Akbar had built it. When Adham Khan
 killed the prime, minister, Shamsuddin Khan, Akbar was so infuriated that he ordered his
 soldiers to throw him off the ramparts of the fort. Let me mention here, Sir, that it is
 the only instance of Akbars cruelty, otherwise he is referred to by the historians as a
 forgiving and tolerant monarch. Adham Khan was very close to Akbar as his mother had
nursed Akbar in his childhood. This historical monument a victim of the governments
 apathy and neglect. During the day, it offers haven to idlers and noisy crowds and in the
 night beggars use it as their shelter. Comments : The candidate is proud of the cultural
heritage of his country. At the same time he knows his surroundings well By hinting at the
 governments neglect of and indifference to our historical monuments he seems quite
interested in preserving our cultural legacy. It also gives one ample proof that he can
do anything to stop any practice that is not healthy. His love for the diversity of our
culture gives one an idea of his firm belief that our liberal tradition is praiseworthy.
 He detests the narrow fanatical ideology of the terrorists and appreciates the right
approach of Muslim scholars which gives a proof of his respect for secularism and
religious tolerance.
2nd Member : What does the Global Nutrition Report 2014 want to drive home ? Sanjay :
Sir, the report says that with half of the worlds population facing malnutrition in
 some form, it has become a global challenge, and it is one that does not discriminate
according to income. According to the 2014 Global Nutrition Report, almost every country
in the world deals with malnutrition in at least one of its forms, whether that be
undernutrition or obesity and overweight. 2nd Member : Which organisation prepares the
tool for mapping the multiple impacts of malnutrition around the world ? Sanjay :
 The Malnutrition Mapping Project, developed by the Global Alliance for Improved
Nutrition (GAIN) with funding from Amway, is a new online tool revealing the global
 burden of malnutrition in all its forms. It includes data from more than 30 countries
 representing low, middle and high incomes and provides an/easy path to country-by-country
 statistics and insights into nutritional challenges. The goal of this project is to raise
awareness of malnutrition in all its forms so that political, health and business leaders
can discuss, develop and ultimately implement solutions. The project highlights the double
burden of undernutrition and overweight and obesity. 2nd Member : Tell me something about
 Amway and GAIN. Sanjay : Amway is a $10.8 billion direct-selling business based in Ada,
Michigan, USA. Global sales in 2013  made Amway the No. 1 direct-selling business in the
 world, according to the Direct Selling News 2014 Global 100. The Global Alliance for
Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is an international organisation launched at the UN Special
Session on Children in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Its
 programmes are on track to reach more than a billion people with improved nutrition in
 20-15. Comments : The candidate is quite aware of the day-to-day developments taking
place around the world. He has updated himself on all burning issues and answers quite
confidently. He tries to have a deep understanding and is not shallow in his approach.
3rd Member : In January 2015, the second edition of the India Yoga Festival was organised
 in Goa. What was the Western response to it ? Sanjay : It had an amazing response,
because the ancient practice of Yoga is no longer confined to India only. Such festivals
have global response due to their international appeal. These festivals are thought to be
the first stops to making everyone aware of his/her body and, in turn, his/her
subconscious mind. There are a large number of Westerners who

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believe and practise Yoga. They are also happy that the Government of India has created a
new Ministry called AAYUSH and thank PM Mr. Narendra Modes effort to get June 31 declared
as the International Yoga Day. The festival offered a number of choices like hatha, Iyengar
 ashtanga, vinayasa, anusara, kundalini and jivamukti, etc. to the participants. Comments
: The candidate is aware of the important events taking place in the country and knows the
 importance of our ancient traditions which have attracted people across the borders and
 the globe. This shows his diversity of knowledge and a person like him always tries to
expand the individual intellectual aptitude. At no point of time, he is supposed to befool
 people around him. He will certainly prove a sincere and honest administrator. A sincere
 person can never fail to take proper decisions. 5th Member : Mr. Sanjay, do you agree
with the view that India has come of age by putting a 3.75-tonne unmanned crew module into
 a sub-orbit as per plan, making GSLV-Mark III the perfect launch vehicle ? Sanjay : Sir,
 India has time and again proved that it is a force to be reckoned with and GSLV-Mark III
success is only one of its achievements so far as coming of age in Space Science is
 concerned. Chandrayaan-I had shown the world Indias prowess in 2008 itself. On September
24, 2014, India became the first country in the world to put its spacecraft, Mangalyaan
into Marss orbit in its very first attempt. In January 2014 its GSLV-5 had put the
 communication satellite, GSAT-14 into a precise orbit. On December 18, 2014, GSLV-Mark
III only strengthened its claim to the area of space exploration. 5th Member : What did
the GSLV-Mark III signify ? Sanjay : The historic event signalled that India had taken the
first steps towards its ambition to send Indian astronauts into space. The mission
demonstrated ISROs ability with regard to technology and developing the braking
 technology, deceleration technique and thermal protection systems for the crew module.
 6th Member : Tell me something about GSLV-Mark III ? Sanjay : Weighing 630 tonnes,
 the GSLV-Mark III is a new-generation launch vehicle. It is 43.43 metres long. Its core
liquid stage, L110, uses 110 tonnes of liquid propellants. 6th Member : What did this
mission cost the country ? Sanjay : Sir, the Union Government had approved the GSLV-Mark
 III project in 2002 with an outlay of Rs. 2,500 crore. Even after 12 years, the project
was completed with Rs. 2,500 crore. ISRO engineers belonging to its Human Spaceflight
Programme are very happy as the Mission supplied them with lots of data on the modules
aerodynamics, the performance of the control thrusters and the thermal protection systems.
 
Continents : The candidate keeps himself updated on the latest developments in all spheres
and remains in touch with newspapers to have a holistic idea. A person like him is always
eager to enrich his knowledge. A well-informed person like him is aware of his duties and
 does not get nervous in an uncalled for situation. 6th Member : What is the future of
 Indias efforts in the field of renewable energy (RE) ? Sanjay : On the surface, the
future of RE in India appears to be very bright, given the success of the Renewable Energy
 Global Investors Meet on January 15, 2015 inaugurated by PM Mr. Narendra Modi. It was a
 success owing to commitments of investment up to 2,60,000 MW of RE. But the problem is
 how much premium will Indian people be willing to pay for the RE? RE will certainly be
costlier and the Indians are thought to be price-sensitive. 6th Member : It seems that
 you
 do not like the idea of depending on the RE ? Sanjay: Pardon Sir, I disagree. I am very
 much in favour of the RE. But I am in favour of proper accounting and specialised effort
 to its grid implications as well as suitability. Renewable sources of energy like solar
energy and wind energy have a very bright future according to me. They must play a crucial
 role in Indias power security and growth. The RE should not be viewed in isolation as a
drop-in-supply-side solution, but as part of a transition if not transformation of the
grid. It includes variable and dynamic pricing, distributed generation, storage
technologies and smart grids, as an expert has opined. 4th Member : India and China have
 had many rounds of talks in order that strained relations might be normalised. What has
 been the outcome ? Sanjay : India-China relations cannot be normalised very easily. The
talk ends every time on an indecisive note as soon as the border issue is raised. No
agenda can be carried on excluding the border issue. India has not been able to forget
the bitter experiences of the 1962 War. India accepted the Chinese suzerainty over Tibet
 and China thought India was too weak to oppose its claim. India was, in fact, interested
 in a long-lasting relationship with China based on mutual trust and cooperation. China
had attacked India which was under the impression that China was its friend. Caught
 unawares, we had to lose thousands square miles of our land in the Northeastern region,
Ladakh and near Sikkim in the Central Sector. China violated the demarcation called
McMahon Line. Such a treachery-by the cofounder of Panchsheel was unbelievable. India
has not been able to give a befitting reply to China to date. After a lapse of 30 years
 India-China talks were restarted, but to no avail. Hitherto, we have been able to decide
our border in the Central Sector only. We have already talked of Arunachal Pradesh where
 talks have not materialised. It seems,
we have to wait for some more time as time is the greatest factor. We will gain more
 strength in the field of global politics and China will have to yield under the global
 pressure. 4th Member : What about our trade with China ? Sanjay : So far as our bilateral
 trade is concerned, we are increasing it at a very fast pace. Another area where we are
 of utmost importance to China is our collaboration in the field of Information Technology.
 The Indian software expertise is much sought after by China. But for one thing Im sure,
 China will maintain a distance from us so long as we maintain good relations with the US.
 China perceives it as an encroachment upon its position as an Asian superpower.
6th Member : What is the way forward ? Sanjay : By and by we can improve our relations,
 but it should never be a one-way route. China will also have to do the needful on its
part. Nevertheless, so long as the status quo is iaintained on the border issue, there is
 no indication of any imminent confrontation, but for a permanent solution, China will
have to give up its imperialistic ambitions and give back the parts of India it had
occupied by force. Apart from changing its border stance, it has to stop helping Pakistan
 which has been aiding and abetting the terrorist activities to weaken India. It is China
which is alleged to have supplied nuclear technology to Pakistan. Comments : Sanjay Kumar
 has shown that he is quite aware of Indias foreign policy and has formed a sound idea
about its relationship with China. He is very down-to-earth in his assessment of the
Chinese perception, and his approach to the problem arising out of the Chinese
imperialistic policy is quite clear. He endorses Indias claim that territorial integrity
 should be maintained and problems should be sorted out through positive dialogue. He has
 optimistic ideas and he can handle any problem in a fruitful way. Chairman : Well
Mr. Sanjay, it was the concluding part of our interview and all the members • have already
 asked you pertinent questions. Have you any doubt ? Sanjay : No, Sir. I do not have any
doubt. I enjoyed your company and got a lot of encouragement. Thank you all, Sirs.
 Chairman : Thank you. We all wish you a very good day. Sanjay : Good day, Sirs. Thanks.
 Concluding Comments : Sanjay has shown a lot of confidence during the course of the
interview and has remained cheerful all through. His answers to questions were quite clea
r and impressive which is an evidence of his intelligence and clear perception. He is
quite aware of what is going on both at home and abroad. He is polite and soft spoken
 which gives the indication that he does not get irritated in the company of others.
A well-mannered and well-read person like him can carry out any assignment in a very
positive way. Selected and awarded good ranking.M3