New Coaching centre for UPSC interview in Delhi by Former top Bureaucrats

A NUMBER of former civil servants and experts, many of whom were on UPSC interview board earlier, have started a low cost coaching and customized guidance centre in New Delhi to train IAS aspirants for interviews. Named Anugrah, this Delhi-based organization says, it will give priority to those who hail from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, though anyone including those who have not yet cleared the civil services mains examination, may enroll at the centre. Former civil servants who are guiding the young aspirants for the UPSC personality test include…

Sudhir Chandra, former chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), PJ Thomas, former union telecom secretary, SK Goel, former chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), PC Sharma, former CBI director, just to name a few. The other experts who train the aspirants are N Bhaskara Rao, founder of Centre for Media Studies, Dr OP Yadava, a cardiac surgeon, VS Das, former executive director in Reserve Bank of India, Ankur Aggarwal, advisor, Investment Banking Team, UBS, and Prof Vinay Kumar Nangia, formerly with IIT Roorkee.

The guidance is being carried out both in Hindi and English.

The applicants can register by March 31, 2016 by filling up a detailed application form. The email for communication as shown in the website is: info at ianugrah dot com. The organization says, it also welcomes students prior to the declaration of the civil services mains results. It writes in its website,“Prior to the declaration of results of the Mains Examination, it would be advisable for the candidates to seek an appointment in Jan-Feb 2016 for a day with experts of Anugrah for preliminary customized guidance - for understanding their strengths and weaknesses. This would help them to prepare in a focused manner for the personality test”. After the mains results, qualified candidates will then be asked for scheduling a personalized discussion session and mock interviews etc. with Anugrah experts. “Based on the Main Examination results and background of each registered aspirant, the number of Interview sessions required would be indicated so that up to two days are blocked by you to be with Anugrah in New Delhi”, its website adds.

Unlike the commercial coaching centres, Anugrah has kept a very nominal fee structure. For obtaining preliminary customized guidance, the fee is Rs 1,100, and for those who join the sessions after clearing the mains examination, the fee is Rs 2,100. The centre adds that it would consider weaving of fees for those may have difficulty in paying or are differently abled.

Yes, for civil servant aspirants, one more coaching avenue is born.  

Gokul G R's UPSC Interview! Rank 19, CSE 2010

My interview was scheduled for the afternoon session on the 4th of April 2011. After the document verification, by around 14.15 hrs, we were told that we will be interviewed by the board chaired by the UPSC member I.M.G. Khan. I was the last candidate in the list.

I entered the interview room by around 16.50 hrs. This is the transcript of the interview:

Me: May I come in, Sir?

The chairman asked me to come in. The room and the table were quite small. So I had a hard time distinguishing the chairman from the five members.

I got in wishing the chairman, lady member and the other members Good afternoon. But before I could finish the niceties, chairman was asking me to sit down. He seemed very cordial and the mood in the board was surprisingly fresh even at the end of the day. I sat down saying ‘Thank you’

Chairman: So you are Gokul?
Me: Yes sir, Gokul G.R

Ch: I will call you Gokul. Will that be fine? (smiling)
Me: Yes sir that will be fine. ( me too smiling)

Ch: Gokul, you have taken Physics as an optional. Are you going against the trend as we see a lot of engineers and science graduates taking non-science optional?
Me: Sir, physics is a subject that I have been studying form my school days. It is the most familiar subject for me and I like it. I wanted to take a subject that I would enjoy studying.

Ch: (going through my bio-data): So you passed out from NITC with first class with distinction. Some chap came to a place near Calicut some time back no? Who was he?
I was confused and thought for a fraction of a second when I knew he was talking about Vasco Da Gama…
Me: Vasco Da Gama sir. It was in 1498. He landed at a place called Kappad. It is quite near to my college.

Ch: The beach has a memorial saying this is where he landed. Have you seen that?
Me: I have been to the beach twice. It is a rocky beach. But I don’t remember seeing the monument.

Ch: It’s a small monument which says ‘this is the spot where….’ (the other members nod at this)
Me: sorry sir. I don’t remember seeing the monument.

Ch: Why did he have to find a route through the sea?
Me: I don’t exactly remember the details but the land route was blocked by some reason.

Ch: No No that’s not possible. They could have found some other route.
Me: Sea route is cheaper and it also facilitates large scale trade.

Ch: Yes. Besides don’t you think it is safer? Taking the land route they would have to come through hostile territories and through bandits and hooligans. But again they face pirates in the sea route.
Me: Yes sir.

Ch: Why did the Europeans land in Kerala?
Me: They were looking for trade in spices, especially pepper.

Ch: Is spices still an important component of your state’s economy?
Me: Yes sir. Spices are still a major component of our exports.

Ch: Why is that Kerala has not been able to diversify from traditional agricultural commodities? Why is Industrial growth not strong in Kerala?
Me: There is a general lethargy within the government and people about inviting capital and setting up an investor friendly climate. We also have a very strong trade unionist culture. It definitely has positives for the society. The wage rates and working conditions are one of the best in India. But various elements have misused it and used it for personal ends at the expense of industrial growth. It was a mindset that was set in the 1970s and 1980s that is still preventing investors from investing in Kerala. But we are definitely changing. We just commissioned the vallarpadam project and signed the agreement for the Smart city project.

Ch: So you think that the situation will change? That the future is bright?
Me: The change is already happening. It has already started sir (smiling).

Ch: Tell me about this smart city.
Me: It is a PPP between the Kerala Govt. and Dubai’s Tecom to set up a Technology park which will provide the necessary infrastructure for software and electronics firms to set up office.

Ch: Where exactly is it?
Me: At Cochin. Kakanad to be exact.

The chairman nodded at the first member. Having taken Physics as an optional, his questions were only on the safety of nuclear power and nuclear reactors.

M1: In the context of the Japanese disaster, do you think we should continue our expansion plans for nuclear energy or should we stop it? How safe is nuclear energy?
Me: Nuclear energy is a dangerous technology and it can never be 100% safe. But nuclear energy is a vital energy source for the future. So stopping it is not an option. But we should put in place better safety and security systems. Even in the Japanese case, the reactors withstood the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the tsunami and the reactor stopped working also. But it was the failure of the cooling system due to the damage to the electric grid that led to the current crisis.

M1: So what all should be done?
Me: We already have better safety systems. Our reactors are PHWRs as opposed to the BWRs of Japan which are inherently safer. Besides, the newer reactors have a Passive heat removal system by which air can be used for cooling in the event of failure of active cooling systems. New reactors will also have Hydrogen capture systems to prevent the kind of explosions that occurred at Fukushima.

M1: But still you think it won’t be 100% safe?
Me: Achieving a 100% safety line would be impossible but we should put in place mechanisms and safety systems to take the safety level as near to 100% as possible. Besides the safety guidelines should be placed under an independent regulatory body outside DAE.

M1: Very recently the former chairman of the AEC said that India should not import foreign reactors. Even he is not so sure about the safety of the rectors.
Me: The foreign reactors especially Areva’a EPR 1600 has untested safety features and has been rejected by a number of nations. Also, foreign reactors will have different safety systems and we will have to be experts in each of these. We will also have to depend on foreign know-how to learn their safety features also. But our reactors have been completely designed by us. So we have a better understanding of their dynamics and can better perfect the safety systems for them. Even the former chairman has supported the use of indigenous reactors.

M1: The proposed reactor at Jaitapur is coming up in a seismically active zone. What all measures need to be taken to prevent damage due to earthquakes?
Me: Building standards need to be strictly applied. Earthquake-resistant technology need to be incorporated which building. The effect of this was seen in the recent earthquake in Japan. The 8.9 magnitude quake, which is one of the largest ever killed only 20,000 people while the 7 point magnitude quake in Haiti last year killed more than 2 lakh people.

M1: You said about smart city? What all are the criterion for selecting a place for setting up a project like this?
Me: Connectivity to major city centres, road and rail connectivity, presence of good colleges in the vicinity.

The chairman interrupted asking me whether human element is also a factor that is considered.

Me: Yes sir. Availability of prospective employees is a major factor. If a Keralite is given a choice between a job in Smart city and in Bangalore, he will choose smart city even if the salary is a bit less. Given that about 50,000 engineers pass out from Kerala every year, this will give a competitive edge for the recruiters.

The turn was passed to the second member, a lady member. Her questions were about social issues.

M2 (looking at the summary sheet): You were selected as the ‘Young Scientist’ at the National Children’s Science Congress and you were second in the Regional Mathematical Olympiad. Why have you chosen civil services after coming from a science background like this?
Me: The project that we did for the Science congress has in fact played a very important role in me choosing civil services as a career. It was a social project. It was about the nutritional status of the people in a particular rural area in my district. The project gave me a firsthand exposure to the problems in the rural areas and about the various government departments working on these issues. The results of the project painted a very grim picture about the nutritional status of the people with respect to protein and vitamin deficiency. Besides, my aptitude is in an administrative job. Civil services will offer me the variety and challenges that no other job can give. I chose engineering because of my interest in science and to keep my options open. But civil services have been my dream throughout. It was always there in the back of my mind. That was why I started my preparation at the end of my third year itself.

M2: Suppose you are posted as an SDM in your state. What will you do to improve the nutritional level of the people? Are you aware of any schemes in that regard?
Me: ICDS, PDS, NRHM etc are the schemes for improving the nutritional and health levels of the people. Most of these projects suffer from poor implementation and leakages. For e.g., in ICDS, the anganawadi workers are ill-paid and their responsibilities are quite heavy. This has led to a lack of morale among them. I will concentrate on proper implementation of such schemes.

M2: But as an SDM you cannot make policy decisions. You can’t give them more salary. What will you do in that context?
Me: I will look for implementation of the schemes with support from the local bodies and community organisations. Involving of Panchayats can also create the political pressure for change.

M2: Kerala is called ‘God’s own country’. In what context is that name used.
Me: It is essentially a tagline coined by the tourism department for promoting tourism in Kerala. But otherwise also, Kerala can be called God’s own country (smiling).

Everyone laughed at this and the chairman interrupted asking me ‘Why is that Gokul?’

Me: The climate is good throughout the year, people are well educated and friendly, presence of some of the most ecologically diverse areas, greenery all around……

With this, the Third member took charge. He was jovial throughout.

M3: You have taken public administration as an optional. Do you think decentralization through Panchayati raj is good?
Me: Definitely sir.

M3: Then why is it that in spite of being inserted in the constitution, it is not properly implemented in many places?
Me: Although they have been inserted in the constitution by the 73rd and 74th amendment, it is still the prerogative of the state governments to delegate powers to these bodies. In the case of Kerala, most of the powers in the 11th and 12th schedule have been delegated. Besides, 25% of the plan expenditure in budget is passed to the local bodies.

M3: So what should be done in the other states?
Me: People should be politically motivated and should demand more powers. Education can play a very important role in this.

The member said ‘Oh, you Keralite have 100% literacy’ and laughed. Everyone joined with him. I smiled and said 94% according to the provisional census figures

M3: Tourism is affecting our culture. Should we stop tourism due to that?
Me: No sir. We should not close ourselves to anyone. The tour operators act as the interface between the tourists and our people. They should be given training and orientation to properly orient foreign tourists before they land in India. The foreign tourists should be given a basic idea about the culture and society into which they are stepping in.

M3: But shouldn’t masses be educated for this to be effective. (He turned to other members and joked ‘our sanskrithi will become apasanskrithi by then)
Me: A well educated society is definitely good for developing a service industry like tourism. That should be our long term goal. But in the short term, educating the operators will help us develop tourism sustainably.

M3: A DM was recently kidnapped by the Maoists. In such a dangerous environment, do you still want to be an IAS officer?
Me: I heard about Mr. Vineel Krishna for the first time after the incident. All the reports in the newspapers were very positive about his work as a DM. In fact, he was kidnapped when he went to check a development work in a remote area without any protection. The people of his district rallied behind him. So if you are upright and do your work, you will have the support of the people and will be perfectly safe.

M3: So you think if he is honest and upright, nothing bad will happen?
Me: Yes sir.

The turn was passed to the fourth member.

M4: Did you write CAT, GRE or GATE in between?
Me: No sir. I was preparing through my final year and gave the exam right after my final exams.

M4: So you were focused. Tell me the advantages and disadvantages of Mobile communication. Advantages first: Economic advantages:
Me: Better connectivity, ability to make fast economic decisions, buying and selling goods using mobiles, advertising.

M4: Social
Me: People and families are always connected. You can call everyone at any distance at very low rates at any time.

M4: Political
Me: Campaigning, Communicating political ideas and schemes…

M4: Any disadvantages?
When I thought for a while, he said ‘it’s Ok, if you can’t think of any’.

M4: What are the uses of space technology for people?
Me: It has revolutionized communication. Weather satellites like Metsat help us in better prediction. Remote sensing satellites help us in planning. We have recently put in orbit Oceansat which observes the ocean. The information gathered by it is beneficial for the fishermen.

M4: Cyber security is a major issue now. What do you know about it and what is being done by the Indian government?
Me: It is a very dynamic area. It is a constant battle between a large number of hackers and security establishments. We need to keep ourselves updated always. DRDO is developing an operating system for use in govt. systems. The operating systems that we use now are available throughout the world and hence are more prone to hacking. We have set up cyber cells in the major police stations. The CERT-In is the body that is responsible for cyber security at the national level.

M4: Define ethics.
Me: The set of standards that we are supposed to follow in a particular realm.

M4: Can you point out some of those that you are supposed to follow. Was there any committee that made recommendations about ethics?
Me: It was a committee that was appointed in the U.K (couldn’t remember the name of Nolan committee) that gave detailed guidelines regarding ethics in public life.

M4: No Indian committees?
Me: A number of committees to look into corruption have also given similar recommendations.

M4: Can you list out a few of those standards?
Me: Honesty, integrity, leadership by example…

M4: Those are general things. Don’t you have any set of professional ethics as an engineer? Is there any Body that sets such standards?
Me: IEEE sets the standards for us. But I am not aware of any code of ethics.

M4: No Indian bodies? IETE?
Me: Sir, do you mean ISTE?

M4: No, IETE. Ok, tell me the ethics that you are supposed to follow as a communications engineer.
Me: Respect for IPRs, honesty…
M4: Ok.

The chairman took over. The interview was in its last phase.

Ch: Very recently a Bulgarian group was arrested in Delhi for robbery. What does this incident mean for India? Have we become a soft state that people from faraway places are coming for robbery?
Me: It may be a random, off the cuff incident.

Ch: No no. It was a well organized group with a lot of members.
Me: A number of foreign groups are active in a number of nations like the Italian Mafia in USA. As the economy improves…

Ch (interrupting): So you think it is a good thing!!!( and laughed…the members also joined him)
Ch: So Gokul, what will you do after getting out. Tell me the first thing that you will do on exiting this room.

Me: Sir…..I will be removing my tie (It was a spontaneous reply)

Everyone burst into laughter at this and the chairman asked me whether candidates think they won’t be selected if they came in half sleeves without tie (Every male member in the room wore half sleeves without tie). I started with the usual answer, ‘Sir, this is one of the most important occasions for us. We respect the occasion’ when the chairman joked once again. Then I said, “Sir, frankly candidates tend to be a bit conservative in this regard”

Ch: Ok. Your interview is over. It has been nice talking to you. Thank you.

I thanked the chairman, the lady member and other members and left the room. It was 17.20 by then. The interview went for around 30-35 minutes.

The session felt more like a candidate discussion rather than a strict interview. Hoping for the best!!

Exam Interview Details : CSE 2010 Interview
Subjects Taken : Physics, Public Administration
Interview Date : 04-Apr-2011
Interview Board : Shri I. M. G. Khan
City : Palakka

21 handy tips for clearing IAS, IPS or other civil services interview.

Here are 21 interview skills for civil services

1. Start your Interview Preparation from January Onwards

First tip is start preparing from the start of the year. You will get at least 3 months to prepare. But I recommend to start preparing from one year onwards so that you get enough time.

2. Give respect to the members who will take your Interview

Once you enter the interview room then give due respect to the members who will be going to take your interview. The board members will notice mannerism and decide whether you will be fit or not. So take mannerism seriously.

3. Do Not Forget what your wrote in your Mains Exam

You will only come for the interview after successfully clearing the written mains exam. So while you give interview you will be asked what you did in your mains. So remember and revise what you did there.

4. Have Positive Views in Your Mind

Go for the interview with a positive mindset. Usually, it happens that negative thoughts would start coming to your mind. Especially, who are giving interview for the first time? So be positive and think right.

5. Have proper command on Your Language Skills

It does not matter what is your medium of the interview. Be it Hindi or English. It really does not matter. What matters is the command over the particular language.

6. It takes more courage to listen than to speak

You must listen to the interviewee before you answer anything. It is good to listen completely and then answer rather interrupting when they are speaking.

7. First question why you want to join IAS?

Seventh interview technique would be to prepare for this question because you will be asked. This will be perhaps the first question that you have to answer. So prepare an honest reply beforehand. You will find it easy to answer.

8. Speak Your Heart and Do not lie Yourself

If you are asked with tough questions or questions that you would not like to answer then do not tell a lie. Never create a fake story to boost yourself just tell them truthfully it does not really matters.

9. Show Confidence talk to them not at them

You should always look into their eyes and then talk. This is very basic interview tip for a civil service interview. Do not look down or elsewhere and answer. If do then they might think you do not have self-confidence.

10. For Serious Question give a Serious Reply

Although you should give a smile and give answers laughingly. But if you are asked a serious question then your answer should be serious too. You have to show them that you care about what they are asking.

11. Prepare what you’re going to Say for Hobby Section

This is again very obvious question that you will be asked in a civil service interview is about your hobby. You should answer this question in a light mood. The board members must get a chance to laugh at some point in time.

So make this answer entertaining as well as unique.

12. Take Your Additional Subjects Seriously

The additional subjects that you will choose for the civil service exams must be taken seriously. Normally, it is seen that candidates tend to neglect their additional subject. So when they are asked questions from it they are not prepared.

Therefore, do not neglect your additional subjects because they might ask some tough questions from it.

13. Your Views must be impartial and fair

In an interview, when your asked some questions which are very political in nature then you must present a fair and balanced opinion. You must not be biased about a particular subject or topic.

They must get a sense that you are very balanced in your approach.

14. Be in Touch With Current Affairs and other Latest Developments

You will be asked a lot of questions about current affairs and state of the country. Thus keep updating yourself with the things going around the world. You must know what is happening in the country and around the world.

15. In Depth knowledge about the State, City and District you come from

Questions will be asked about the state, city and district you come from. So collect some knowledge about your state, city and district. They would like to know how much you care about the country.

16. Good General Knowledge Very Important

General knowledge is always a key to success in any interview. You should know about some great personality from India and around the world.

17. Keep Your Calm even when they Say you do not know about this Topic

If you are asked about a particular subject and you do not know but still giving some irrelevant and in the end interviewee says that you do not know anything about the subject. Then do not get angry and behave normally.
18. If do NOT know the answer then be Candid to Admit you don’t Know

Continuing from the last point, if you seriously do not anything about a topic you’re asked then admit it that you do not have any idea. You should hesitate to give a frank answer that you do know about this subject.

There is nothing wrong in admitting honestly.

19. Download Debates and Discussions from all India Radio & BBC Documentaries

This point is more to do with preparation just like the first point I made. You can download debates and discussions from various sources present online. You can search many such website which are offering downloads.

20. Do Not Show anger or frustration if rejected

After the entire discussion, if you feel from the body language of the interviewers that you will not be selected then do not show anger or frustration at them. Just take it on your side.

21. Do NOT lose Heart

Finally, if not selected then do lose your heart. You can prepare for second. It is normal that candidates clear their interview in second or third attempt. So do not give up.

These 21 interview skills will come handy if you are appearing for civil service interview.

Revu Muthyala Raju IAS exclusive interview..

Inspiring story from waiter to an IAS Officer

If you don't succeed the first time, try, try and try again

K Jayaganesh's story is similar. He failed the civil service examination six times but never lost heart. The seventh time -- his last chance -- he passed with a rank of 156 and has been selected for the Indian Administrative Service.

Jayaganesh's story is inspiring not because he did not lose heart but also because he comes from a very poor background in a village in Tamil Nadu, and though he studied to be an engineer, he worked at odd jobs, even as a waiter for a short while, to realise his dream of becoming an IAS officer.

Read on for Jayaganesh's inspiring achievement, in his own words:

Childhood in a remote village

I was born and brought up in a small village called Vinavamangalam in Vellore district. My father Krishnan, who had studied up to the tenth standard, worked as a supervisor in a leather factory. My mother was a housewife. I am the eldest in the family and have two sisters and a brother. I studied up to the 8th standard in the village school and completed my schooling in a nearby town.

I was quite good at studies and always stood first. Coming from a poor family, I had only one ambition in life -- to get a job as fast as I could and help my father in running the family. My father got Rs 4,500 as salary and he had to take care of the education of four children and run the family, which you know is very difficult.

So, after my 10th standard, I joined a polytechnic college because I was told I would get a job the moment I passed out from there. When I passed out with 91 per cent, there was a chance for me to get entry to a government engineering college on merit. So I decided to join the Thanthai Periyar Government Engineering College to study mechanical engineering. My father supported my desire to study further.

Even while doing engineering, my ambition was still to get a job. If you look at my background, you will understand why I didn't have any big ambitions. Most of my friends in the village had studied only up to the 10th standard, and many did not even complete school. They worked as auto drivers or coolies or masons. I was the only one among my friends who went to college.

I understood the importance of education because of my parents. My father was the only one in his family to have completed school, so he knew the value of education. My parents saw to it that we children studied well.

In search of a job

Four days after I completed my engineering in 2000, I went to Bangalore in search of a job and I one without much difficulty. My salary was Rs 2,500 at a company that reconditioned tools.

It was in Bangalore that I started thinking about my village and my friends. I wondered sadly why none of them studied and worked in good companies. Because they had no education, they always remained poor. There was not enough money to buy even proper food. There was no opportunity there; the only place they could work was the tannery in the nearby town. If they didn't get work at the tannery, they worked as auto drivers or coolies. In short, there was no one in my village to guide the young generation.

I thought would I be able to help my villagers in any way?

Getting interested in the civil service examination

Till then, I had not even heard of something called the civil services examination. It was only after I went to Bangalore and saw the world that I was exposed to many things. I came to know that a collector in a small place could do a lot. At that moment, I decided that I wanted to be an IAS officer.

I resigned and went home to prepare for the examination. I never thought resigning was risky because I had the confidence and knew I would do well.

My father also supported me wholeheartedly. He had just got a bonus of Rs 6,500 and he gave me that money to buy study material. I sat in my village and studied from the notes I received by post from Chennai.

Failed attempts

In my first two attempts, I could not even clear the preliminary examination. I had no idea how to prepare for the exam, what subjects to opt for and how to study. There was nobody to guide me.

I had taken mechanical engineering as my main subject. That's when I met Uma Surya in Vellore. He was also preparing for the examination. He told me that if I took sociology as an option, it would be easy.

Even with sociology as the main subject, I failed in the third attempt. But I was not disappointed. I knew why I was failing. I didn't have proper guidance. I started reading newspapers only after I started preparing for the examination! So you can imagine from what kind of background I came from.

To Chennai for coaching

When I came to know about the government coaching centre (external link) in Chennai, I wrote the entrance examination and was selected. We were given accommodation and training.



Because I got tips from those who passed out, I passed the preliminary in my fourth attempt. We were given free accommodation and food only till we wrote the main examination. After that, we had to move out. I didn't want to go back to the village but staying in Chennai also was expensive.

I tried to get a job as an engineer but my efforts turned futile. I then decided to look for a part time job so that I would have time to study.

Working as a waiter in Chennai

I got a job as a billing clerk for computer billing in the canteen at Sathyam Cinemas. I also worked as the server during the interval. It never bothered me that I, a mechanical engineer, preparing for the civil services, had to work as a server. I had only one aim -- to stay on in Chennai to pass the examination.

Attending the interview in Delhi

After I got the job at the Sathyam Cinemas, I was called for the interview. As counselling was my hobby, a lot of questions were asked about counselling. I was not very fluent in English but I managed to convey whatever I wanted to. Perhaps I did not articulate well. I failed in the interview.

Preliminary again, the 5th time

Once again, I started from the beginning. Surprisingly, I failed in the preliminary itself. On analysis, I felt I did not concentrate on studies as I was working at Sathyam Cinemas.

I quit the job and joined a private firm to teach sociology to those preparing for the UPSC examinations. While I learnt the other subjects there, I taught sociology. Many friends of mine in Chennai helped me both financially and otherwise while I prepared for the examination.

Sixth attempt

I passed both the preliminary and the main in the sixth attempt but failed at the interview stage.

While preparing for the interview, I had written an examination to be an officer with the Intelligence Bureau and I was selected. I was in a dilemma whether to accept the job. I felt if I joined the IB, once again, my preparation to be an IAS officer would get affected. So, I decided not to join and started preparing for one last time.

Last attempt

I had to give the last preliminary just a few days after the previous interview. I was confused and scared. Finally, I decided to take the last chance and write the examination. Like I had hoped, I passed both the preliminary and the main.

The interview was in April, 2008 at Delhi. I was asked about Tamil Nadu, Kamaraj, Periyar, Tamil as a classical language, the link between politics and Tamil cinema etc. I was upset since I did not wish the interviewers at the start and they did not respond when I said thanks at the end. Both the incidents went on playing in my mind. I just prayed to God and walked back.

The day the results were out

I was extremely tense that day. I would know whether my dreams would be realised or not. I used to tell God, please let me pass if you feel I am worthy of it.

I went to a playground and sat there meditating for a while. Then, I started thinking what I should do if I passed and what I should do if I didn't.

I had only one dream for the last seven years and that was to be an IAS officer.

156th rank

Finally when the results came, I couldn't believe myself. I had secured the 156th rank out of more than 700 selected candidates. It's a top rank and I am sure to get into the IAS.

I felt like I had a won a war that had been going on for many years. I felt free and relieved.

The first thing I did was call my friends in Chennai and then my parents to convey the good news.

Warm welcome in the village

The reception I got in my village was unbelievable. All my friends, and the entire village, were waiting for me when I alighted from the bus. They garlanded me, burst crackers, played music and took me around the village on their shoulders. The entire village came to my house to wish me. That was when I saw unity among my villagers. It was a defining moment for me.

What I want to do

I worked really hard without losing faith in myself to realise my dream. My real work starts now. I want to try hard to eradicate poverty and spread the message of education to all people. Education is the best tool to eradicate poverty. I want Tamil Nadu.


May Almighty make you IAS What we learn from Jayaganesh

1) not to lose hope- After failing five times he still sat for the exam the sixth time.

2) Tremendous self belief- Any ordinary person would have grabbed the chance to become become the IB offcier after the 5th attempt but Jayaganesh wanted to be a civil servant.

3) Passion- Jayaganesh did not hesitate to work as a waiter inspie of being a mech. engineer in his quest for the final goal.

These are my learnings………..

What you learn from Jayaganesh := please add your learning’s in the comment

 — with Chronicle Ias, Ias Aspirants, Cracking Ias Study Circle and www.iasaspirations.blogspot.in

IAS Topper Talk.......Aditi Singh.

-
CSC: What are the elements required for success?
Aditi Singh. I can te ll you my experience only. My choice for the
career, that I wanted to pursue was clear. I didnot try for any other option. So my first aim was to remain focused on this exam. Second was my perseverance, I just stuck to the exam though there were temporary setbacks as I could not get through in the last two attempts. Thirdly in the last two attempts I did not pay more attention to GS in the main examination. So what I can say is strategy really matters which I changed this time by following a very balanced approach.

CSC: Tell us about your previous attempts.
Aditi Singh: In the last two attempts I wrote main exam in which I scored well in optional papers, especially in sociology. But I could not
perform well in GS. In my third attempt I took guidance from Sriram sir. He helped in improving my writing skill for the mains.

CSC: What was the key element of your strategy?
Aditi Singh: My focus was time bound preparation. Because syllabus changed this year, I had to cover lots of new topics. So I did not
follow last attempt’s plan.

CSC: What were your optionals?
Aditi Singh: Political Science and Sociology. I took Political Science because of my academic background. And after analyzing syllabus of
sociology I found it very complementary to Political Science. Sociology needs analytical approach very similar to Political Science. I also
thought that my approach as a humanities student will help me. Fortunately my strategy clicked.

CSC: How did you prepare optionals?
Aditi Singh: I wrote my Political Science tests with Shubhara Ranjan. I did not attend any regular class for it because I did well in my
graduation and post-graduation with PoliticalScience. Writing practice test was very important, as this exam is very different from university
exams. Since Sociology was a new subject of me, I attended Mr. Upendra Gaur’s sociology classes.

 CSC: What was your plan for General Studies?
Aditi Singh: For prelims my plan was to cover as much areas as possible. I did not attend any coaching for it. For mains I took Mr. Sriram’s guidance and regularly practiced tests.

 CSC: What about essay?
Aditi Singh: No Special preparation for essay. No extra readings. I totally relied on my optionals preparation. In the last two attempts I did well in essay. For essay writing you need to be clear about topic. Do not use complex language. As humanities student, I had an edge because I
always practice writing answers. So I was comfortable in writing. 


CSC:You appeared thrice for the UPSC Exam.Finally you are through. What was your biggest mistake; now that you are among toppers’?
Aditi Singh: My biggest mistake was not to pay much attention to GS in theprevious attempts and second mistake was not to follow writing
tests for Political Science in the first attempt.These were my mistakes otherwise I was very confident that one day I would definitely in this
service.

 CSC: How was your Interview?
Aditi Singh: My board was of Mr. I.M.G Khan. It lasted for 25-30 minutes. Members were asking question from very diverse area, very little from my subjects. And when I came out I thought I did
not deliver up to my expectations. They started asking questions about my Schooling. One member told me that since I am an engineer, i would ask questions from engineering. I was taken aback since my background is humanities. He asked me about the role of an engineer, the
difference between an engineer and scientist, about APJ Abdul Kalaam- whether he was an engineer or a scientist? Then the next member asked my about the Satyam Scam which he asked me to explain. As I finished the answer next member asked my about the IPL. Another
member asked me about my Service Preference. Before leaving the same member asked me if I was ever interested in politics. So it questions were very diverse.

CSC: The Configuration of the questions has been changed in this exam. More questions are asked with current orientation. How did you prepare current affairs?
Aditi Singh: I was thorough with the Hindu. Reading newspapers religiously a was part of my strategy. I also relied on my G.S. Class notes.

CSC: What determines success in this exam?
Aditi Singh: Determination, focused preparation, understanding of the subject. More importantly you should know your weaknesses. One should not baggy their direction throughout the exam.

 CSC: Often students count their labour and strategies in terms of hoursthey spend on reading. Does it work?

Aditi Singh: No. Try to build skillful strategies because general studies are extremely vast. So, you must be very selective as well extensive
while preparing for general studies.

First of all select important areas and then go for extensive study. Reason behind this argument is the vastness of the syllabus and changing configuration of questions. Year after year toughness of competition has been multiplying and so is the case with predictability of success.

UPSC interview of Mr.Bharat Gupta IAS

Description:

(UPSC Board Interview)
Name: Narayana Bharat Gupta
Civils Rank: 17
Place: Gutti, Anantapur
Optional: Public Administration and Anthropology

Panel chairman: Nirbhay Sharma
Four other members were m1, m2, m3, m4
Entering into the room after all the wishing and seating...

NS: okay Narayana Bharath Gupta... so you are a first division candidate. And
you completed your MBBS from Kurnool Medical College. How was your entry into
this college? Did you pay money or get selected through a common entrance
test?
It’s through a common entrance test sir.

How much did you have to pay?
Only ten thousand per annum sir.

So you have kept your hobbies as cooking Andhra and Karnataka food. What food do you cook? Something special?
Pesarattu and bisibelebath.

Sounds interesting… I never heard of such things over here. Why don’t you
start an eatery in Delhi?
Sorry sir. But here there is a lot of competition and it’s difficult to overcome that sir.

Are you afraid of competition?
It’s not like that sir. It’s more a hobby rather than a profession.

What did you do after finishing your Degree?
Sir got my degree in February only sir. I had no time after that sir.

Ok being a doctor and having a good prospect of joining a post graduate seat
and earning cool money. Why did you join this field? Can you explain and
convince me?
I fumble a little. I ask permission to drink water. They console me tell me to drink water.
Joke a little.
After completing my final year I was left with three choices sir.

1.   To join post graduate course and start a clinic of my own in an urban area and
services limited to a particular section of people.

2.   Be satisfied with my MBBS and join a PHC where there are no facilities. No
gloves, no syringes, no medicines.

3.   To join civil services.

My answer is interrupted in the middle without completing.

What changes have taken place in the district administration and tell
them briefly.
Panchayati raj system in India has been implemented after the 73 and 74 amendment
act sir. It facilitates a three tier administration in the district level. Gram sabha,
panchayat samiti and the zilla parishad.

What do you mean by gram sabha?
It’s a term used for all the legible voters in the village.

What are their functions?
They elect the members of the panchayati and the sarpanch.

How is the sarpanch elected?
He is either directly elected or nominated from amongst the members themselves.

M1: How can there be two systems? Only one should be there...
Me: Sorry sir. I mistook, the sarpanch is directly elected by the people.

What about the next level?
Panchayat samiti is the next level sir. It covers for approximately 15-20 villages.

What about the next one?
Zilla parishad sir.

Who is the head?
Zilla parishad chairman sir, he is an elected member sir.

How is administration carried out?
The district collector is head of the executive part of the ZP.

How is the functioning done?
The executive prepares the plan. Submits it to the ZP and then does the work sir.

Tell me about the distribution of funds from the district level to the grass root
levels?
Sorry sir. I am not aware of it.

Tell me about the women reservation in panchayati raj.
There is one third reservation for women in the system sir, which has been recently
increased to fifty percent.

What about SC and ST?
There is representation in proportion to the population for the SC and ST Sir.

Tell me about the total reservation.
Approximately 20 percent for SC and ST combined and female reservation is reservation
within reservation.

Don’t you play any games?
Sorry sir. I don’t. But I used to play kabaddi.

Don’t you think they are necessary?
But in view of the current intermediate education....< answer is interrupted>

Member 2 takes over!

So you like cooking... your old CM NTR told that he loved Ulava charu. Can you
tell me how to cook it?
I tell a little about it. He asks...

How much time does it take to cook...?
Approximately half an hour sir.

I think it takes 7-8 hrs.
May be sir. Now days all the instant items are available sir. They may do within a short
span of time.


Can you name one chief minister who rose from the level of an industrial
worker?
Madhu koda.

From Andhra Pradesh?
No idea sir.

It’s Anjaiah. Have you heard of him?
Yes sir.

What’s your opinion about your Indian budget this year...?
It’s a very good budget sir. In the current view of global recession and keeping the
inflation under control all the measures have been taken.

More...
The social sector spending has been doubled sir.

What’s the current social sector spending?
9 percent sir.

No I think your number is far from the real one....
Sorry sir, I have no idea then.

What is India GDP?
1.4 trillion dollars sir.

How much does one trillion dollar mean?
Approximately fifty lakh crores sir.

What’s the share of India in the foreign trade?
1.5 percent sir.

Yes you are little near. But it does not matter.
Have you heard about European Union? Tell me about it.
It’s a union of 27 countries. They form a custom union and offer free movement of
people across the boundaries.

Are you talking about schengen visa?
Yes sir.

But UK does not come under it.
Yes sir. But most of the countries come under it sir.

What about Euro?
It’s a common currency for most of the EU countries. It’s touted to emerge as a
competitor for the dollar sir. Approximately 40 percent of the world trade is carried out
in the Euro sir.

What is the duration of 11th five year plan?
Up to 2012 sir.

Do you know the allocation for various sectors?
No sir...

Now member 2 takes over:

Dr. Bharath Gupta. Is it possible for someone to have a title doctor even
without completing MBBS?
Yes sir. Anyone who has completed PhD can have a doctorate sir. Even they may be
conferred honorary. someone told me a small difference between
the MBBS doctor and the other one sir. MBBS one is Dr. While the PhD one is DR.
All of them laugh... no no... Nothing is like that.

Dr. NTR is given... Was he a doctor?
No sir. He was conferred honorary doctorate by the Andhra University sir.

Are doctorates recognised?
Yes sir.

I think no.
Then I don’t know correctly sir.

Suppose a patient comes to the emergency room with chest pain and your
junior doctor suspects it as cardiac pains even though its gastric pain. What will
you do?
I tell all the treatment strategy of angina and MI.

Suppose your junior has done the mistake of diagnosing the Gastric problem as
MI. What will you do?
He has done no mistake to condemn sir. Its basic dictum that anyone with severe
symptoms of chest pain has to be looked for the anginal pain and the other entire
possibilities next sir.

Suppose he has done another mistake?
I will train him sir. And if it’s a grave mistake putting danger to the lives of another. I
will take the matter to the higher ups and see that he is reprimanded for the same.

Is there any Supreme Court ruling in this regard?
Yes sir. Francis D Souza from Nunavut hospital case regarding this.
NTR from your state. He does not act very well. Why you think was much hit?
Sir he has a charisma and required charm sir. Whenever he donned the role of Lord
Krishna or Rama people took him to be a god sir. Hence he was a very big hit sir.

Had Rajanikanth been similarly hit in your state?
No sir.

I say food is culture specific... what do you say...
I give him explanation regarding the culture, cuisine, and local availability and give
sufficient examples.

Do you say cuisine and climate are related?
Yes sir. Indirectly they may be related due to the food production affected by the
climate. And secondly people living in different climates may be having different food
needs.

Why do Andhra people consume more curds rather than west Bengal? Do you
give any explanation?
May there is lot of buffaloes in Andhra. Other than that I can’t find any relation sir.

Are 73rd and 74th amendment act same?
No sir they are different. One related to the panchayat and the other to the municipality.

What is the one distinct feature of municipality plan?
He gives me a clue regarding the planning. I tell DPC. He then positively corrects my
mistake.

Member 3:

What do you know about green revolution?
I explain him.

What are the components of green revolution? Tell me other types of
revolutions. Which decade was this implemented?
I answer all of them.

Name the scientist connected with this revolution from India.
Swami Nathan.

Where is he now?
He is currently in Tamil Nadu. Having his own research institute and developed a salt
resistant variety of rice sir.

Do you know about north India?
Yes sir.

Capital of Jammu and Kashmir, capital of Punjab, capital of Haryana, status of
Chandigarh?
All answered.

Why is it called Punjab?
Because five rivers flow sir.

What are they?
I tell all of them.

Does Jhelum flow through Punjab?
I think yes sir.

No.
Sorry sir.

Suppose you become health secretary and what will you do break the nexus
between the doctor’s pharmaceutical companies?
I tell about the unethical act of doctors and tell them that the onus of administering the
medicine resets on the pharmacy graduate holders and the dispensaries.

Member 4 takes over.

To tell about him. He is an old person whose language is barely understandable.
Tell me about bare foot doctors.
I tell about the history. Its value to the china health system.

Is it relevant in India?
I tell about the rural MBBS and its use. Few stats also quoted.

Tell me about CBI.
I tell him.

Can CBI intervene without state government permission?
Yes if there is significant central government interest in it.

Are you aware of the recent Supreme Court amendment regarding that?
No sir.

Tell me about Muhammad bin Tuglaq.
I tell about him as a ruler of misdirected energies. His miscalculated numismatic
experiment and the transfer of capital from Delhi to Devagiri fired back very badly.

Tell me about the dowry system and methods needed in this direction.
I told about the relevant law. Further said that women empowerment, awareness
generation, education are required to bring the number of cases under it.
Finally...
All are good and doing great.