DR. GAGANDEEP SINGLA, IPS, Rajasthan Cadre
INTERVIEW MARKS 185
INSTITUTE : CAREER QUEST, Delhi
My interview was scheduled on March 29, 2010 in the afternoon session. I dressed up in a sky blue shirt and grey trousers with a grey tie and reported at UPSC at 2 pm. After initial formalities, I came to know that I was assigned Mr. Nirbhay Sharma’s Board. I was third in line to be interviewed. Though, a lot of calculations started in my mind about the board but I kept myself cool, confident and open by talking with fellow candidates. I was called by the peon at 3:30 pm. While waiting outside the room, I was taking deep breaths and also ensured that my dress was proper. When my turn came up around 3:50 pm, the peon opened the door.
Me: May I come in Sir?
Chairman: Yes, come in.
Me: (While walking towards chair)
Good afternoon Sirs (All male members in my board)
Good afternoon.
Chairman: What is your name?
Me: Sir, Gagandeep Singla.
Chairman: What is your DoB?
Me: Sir, its 18th Feb 1985.
Chairman: What is your role number?
Me: Sir, its 160002
Chairman: OK, take your seat.
Me: (After taking a seat) thank you, Sir.
Chairman: Mr. Gagan, you are a doctor?
Me: Yes, Sir
Chairman: You passed out in 2008, so what are you doing these days?
Me: Sir, I am totally devoted to civil services preparation.
Chairman: Ohh! So you haven’t done anyjob after passing out?
Me: Sir, I have done JRship for 5 months from Dec-2008 to April 2009
at KBM hospital, Ambala.
Chairman: What are your preferences?
Me: Sir, services preferences?
Chairman: Yes, Services preferences.
Me: Sir, myfirst choice is IAS, second is IPS.........
Chairman: OK, OK
Chairman: China is increasing its influence in Pakistan, what do you
have to say?
Me: Definitely China is increasing its influence in Pakistan by
developing port (Gwadar), supplying arms and communications,
nuclear fuel etc.
Chairman: Yes, Yes why China is doing so?
Me: India is an emerging power in South Asia region and seen as a
strong competitor by China, so to neutralise that growing influence of
India in the region, China is doing so.
Chairman: India is hosting commonwealth games. Where?
Me: New Delhi
Chairman: When?
Me: This year only.
Chairman: Specify month?
Me: Sir, October 2010
Chairman: How many nations are there in the commonwealth?
Me: Sir, 53 nations.
Chairman: Which Nations?
Me: Sir, nations which were earlier colonised bythe British Empire.
Chairman: Whyit is called the commonwealth?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware of this.
1st Member
Member: What are the various education reforms occurring in India?
Me: Sir, starting from primary education?
Member: No, No come directlyto higher education.
Me: Sir, in the field of higher education, recently four proposals were
passed bythe cabinet committee viz. National Accreditation Authority.
Member: These are Bills or proposals?
Me: Sir, till now these are proposals only.
Member: OK, tell me in context of introduction of semester system.
Me: Sir, Government is planning to introduce semester system at college level and is also considering the recommendations of Yashpal Committee like setting up NCHER in place of AICTE, UGC etc.
Member: What is this AICTE?
Me: All India Council for Technical Education.
All members: Good, Good......Very Good.
Member: What do you understand by EU and its structure?
Me: European Union. It has a common Parliament, Central Bank etc.
Member: How many nations are there in the EU?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not able to recall.
Member: What is Eurozone?
Me: The EU nations which opted Euro as currency.
Member: Which other currencyis there?
Me: Pound
Member: What is the relation between Euro and Rupees?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: Compare IMR of India with surrounding countries?
Me: Sir, I know IMR of India but I do not know IMR of surrounding
countries.
Member: OK, tell me IMR of India.
Me: Sir, its 54, according to 2004 data
IInd Member
Member: budget is presented in February but passed in May-June
why?
Me: It is forwarded to PRSC for consideration.
Member: “Small steps lead to big leap...........” Who said this statement?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: It is related to Moon.
Me: Sorry Sir, not able to recall.
Member: Have you heard of Neil Armstrong?
Me: Oh....Yes Sir, Yes Sir. Now I can make out. I have read it
somewhere.
Member: Ha, Ha, Ha. (Big laugh from the chairman.)
Me: It somehow slipped from my mind.
IIIrd Member
Member: You are gold medalist in ophthalmology; tell me the
difference between ophthalmologist and optometrist?
Me: Sir, optometrist has a limited scope pertaining to vision whereas
ophthalmologist has a wider area dealing with every type of disease
related to the eye.
Member: What is etiology of cataract?
Me: Sir, Old Age, Hypertension, Diabetes etc.
Member: What happens to anterior chamber during cataract surgery?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: What are the drugs that cross Blood Brain Barrier?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not able to recall.
Member: What percent of GDP is formed by agriculture?
Me: Around 20 percent
Member: Do you agree that health of Punjab agricultural land is
deteriorating?
Me: Definitely Sir, it is deteriorating.
Member: Where is a green revolution possible now?
Me: According to Mr. Pranab Mukherjee’s statement, we are now
looking towards eastern states like eastern UP, Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh etc.
Member: What is white revolution?
Me: It is related to diary products.
Member: Blue?
Me: Related to fishery.
Member: Pink?
Me: Related to pharmaceutical.
Member: Black?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: From where do the micronutrients in crops come?
Me: Sir, mainly from soil because fertilizers are meant mainly for macronutrients.
Member: Who is the 10th Sikh Guru?
Me: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Member: Now which Guru?
Me: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
IVth Member
Member: What is the difference between Panjab (my university) and Punjab?
Me: There is no difference. Both words are derived from Panj + ab.
Member: No, No. Relate it with some sociological aspect.
Me: Sorry Sir, I could not understand the question.
Chairman: Bombayis Mumbai, Madras is Chennai, Calcutta is Kolkata. Why?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Chairman: Punjab represents colonial legacy while Panjab represents
modern India, do you agree?
Me: Sir, Punjab University was established in 1956 in India so by that
time the concept of Pa-Panjab might emerge rather than Pu-Punjab.
Member: Scientific name of Mango tree?
Me: Sorry, Sir I am very weak in scientific names.
Member: Suppose you are DM of a district and you are allocated Rs 100 crore and you have 3 options to spend upon:
a) school b) hospital c) clean water On which one you will spend?
Me: On School.
Member: Why?
Me: Because I do think illiteracy is root cause of many problems. If we
spend on school then at a time we can directly hit on many problems.
Member: What if people are sick?
Me: Sir, presently GoI is running such wonderful health programmes but because of lack of awareness, people are not accessing such facilities.
Member: Ok, but being a doctor you should go for drinking water.
Me: yes, that is also important.
Member: Which one is bigger 1/3 or ¾?
Me: sir, ¾.
Chairman
Chairman: What do you understand by paid news?
Me: I was explaining it when the chairman interrupted me.
Chairman: Ok, what is your opinion?
Me: Sir, paid news should be banned.
Chairman: What is harm if someone is paying for some service?
Me: But it is against the ethics. People should get correct information about their candidates and party.
Chairman: Mr Gagan, your interview is over.
Me: Thank you, sirs.
My interview lasted for 35-40 minutes. They asked me questions from every field. Though, I was not fully satisfied, I was happy that nothing wrong happened inside. Interview training at Career Quest by Sanjeev Kabeer sir was really helpful. I gained the confidence and also came to know how to face interview.
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Chairman: Yes, come in.
Me: (While walking towards chair)
Good afternoon Sirs (All male members in my board)
Good afternoon.
Chairman: What is your name?
Me: Sir, Gagandeep Singla.
Chairman: What is your DoB?
Me: Sir, its 18th Feb 1985.
Chairman: What is your role number?
Me: Sir, its 160002
Chairman: OK, take your seat.
Me: (After taking a seat) thank you, Sir.
Chairman: Mr. Gagan, you are a doctor?
Me: Yes, Sir
Chairman: You passed out in 2008, so what are you doing these days?
Me: Sir, I am totally devoted to civil services preparation.
Chairman: Ohh! So you haven’t done anyjob after passing out?
Me: Sir, I have done JRship for 5 months from Dec-2008 to April 2009
at KBM hospital, Ambala.
Chairman: What are your preferences?
Me: Sir, services preferences?
Chairman: Yes, Services preferences.
Me: Sir, myfirst choice is IAS, second is IPS.........
Chairman: OK, OK
Chairman: China is increasing its influence in Pakistan, what do you
have to say?
Me: Definitely China is increasing its influence in Pakistan by
developing port (Gwadar), supplying arms and communications,
nuclear fuel etc.
Chairman: Yes, Yes why China is doing so?
Me: India is an emerging power in South Asia region and seen as a
strong competitor by China, so to neutralise that growing influence of
India in the region, China is doing so.
Chairman: India is hosting commonwealth games. Where?
Me: New Delhi
Chairman: When?
Me: This year only.
Chairman: Specify month?
Me: Sir, October 2010
Chairman: How many nations are there in the commonwealth?
Me: Sir, 53 nations.
Chairman: Which Nations?
Me: Sir, nations which were earlier colonised bythe British Empire.
Chairman: Whyit is called the commonwealth?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware of this.
1st Member
Member: What are the various education reforms occurring in India?
Me: Sir, starting from primary education?
Member: No, No come directlyto higher education.
Me: Sir, in the field of higher education, recently four proposals were
passed bythe cabinet committee viz. National Accreditation Authority.
Member: These are Bills or proposals?
Me: Sir, till now these are proposals only.
Member: OK, tell me in context of introduction of semester system.
Me: Sir, Government is planning to introduce semester system at college level and is also considering the recommendations of Yashpal Committee like setting up NCHER in place of AICTE, UGC etc.
Member: What is this AICTE?
Me: All India Council for Technical Education.
All members: Good, Good......Very Good.
Member: What do you understand by EU and its structure?
Me: European Union. It has a common Parliament, Central Bank etc.
Member: How many nations are there in the EU?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not able to recall.
Member: What is Eurozone?
Me: The EU nations which opted Euro as currency.
Member: Which other currencyis there?
Me: Pound
Member: What is the relation between Euro and Rupees?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: Compare IMR of India with surrounding countries?
Me: Sir, I know IMR of India but I do not know IMR of surrounding
countries.
Member: OK, tell me IMR of India.
Me: Sir, its 54, according to 2004 data
IInd Member
Member: budget is presented in February but passed in May-June
why?
Me: It is forwarded to PRSC for consideration.
Member: “Small steps lead to big leap...........” Who said this statement?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: It is related to Moon.
Me: Sorry Sir, not able to recall.
Member: Have you heard of Neil Armstrong?
Me: Oh....Yes Sir, Yes Sir. Now I can make out. I have read it
somewhere.
Member: Ha, Ha, Ha. (Big laugh from the chairman.)
Me: It somehow slipped from my mind.
IIIrd Member
Member: You are gold medalist in ophthalmology; tell me the
difference between ophthalmologist and optometrist?
Me: Sir, optometrist has a limited scope pertaining to vision whereas
ophthalmologist has a wider area dealing with every type of disease
related to the eye.
Member: What is etiology of cataract?
Me: Sir, Old Age, Hypertension, Diabetes etc.
Member: What happens to anterior chamber during cataract surgery?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: What are the drugs that cross Blood Brain Barrier?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not able to recall.
Member: What percent of GDP is formed by agriculture?
Me: Around 20 percent
Member: Do you agree that health of Punjab agricultural land is
deteriorating?
Me: Definitely Sir, it is deteriorating.
Member: Where is a green revolution possible now?
Me: According to Mr. Pranab Mukherjee’s statement, we are now
looking towards eastern states like eastern UP, Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh etc.
Member: What is white revolution?
Me: It is related to diary products.
Member: Blue?
Me: Related to fishery.
Member: Pink?
Me: Related to pharmaceutical.
Member: Black?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Member: From where do the micronutrients in crops come?
Me: Sir, mainly from soil because fertilizers are meant mainly for macronutrients.
Member: Who is the 10th Sikh Guru?
Me: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Member: Now which Guru?
Me: Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
IVth Member
Member: What is the difference between Panjab (my university) and Punjab?
Me: There is no difference. Both words are derived from Panj + ab.
Member: No, No. Relate it with some sociological aspect.
Me: Sorry Sir, I could not understand the question.
Chairman: Bombayis Mumbai, Madras is Chennai, Calcutta is Kolkata. Why?
Me: Sorry Sir, I do not know.
Chairman: Punjab represents colonial legacy while Panjab represents
modern India, do you agree?
Me: Sir, Punjab University was established in 1956 in India so by that
time the concept of Pa-Panjab might emerge rather than Pu-Punjab.
Member: Scientific name of Mango tree?
Me: Sorry, Sir I am very weak in scientific names.
Member: Suppose you are DM of a district and you are allocated Rs 100 crore and you have 3 options to spend upon:
a) school b) hospital c) clean water On which one you will spend?
Me: On School.
Member: Why?
Me: Because I do think illiteracy is root cause of many problems. If we
spend on school then at a time we can directly hit on many problems.
Member: What if people are sick?
Me: Sir, presently GoI is running such wonderful health programmes but because of lack of awareness, people are not accessing such facilities.
Member: Ok, but being a doctor you should go for drinking water.
Me: yes, that is also important.
Member: Which one is bigger 1/3 or ¾?
Me: sir, ¾.
Chairman
Chairman: What do you understand by paid news?
Me: I was explaining it when the chairman interrupted me.
Chairman: Ok, what is your opinion?
Me: Sir, paid news should be banned.
Chairman: What is harm if someone is paying for some service?
Me: But it is against the ethics. People should get correct information about their candidates and party.
Chairman: Mr Gagan, your interview is over.
Me: Thank you, sirs.
My interview lasted for 35-40 minutes. They asked me questions from every field. Though, I was not fully satisfied, I was happy that nothing wrong happened inside. Interview training at Career Quest by Sanjeev Kabeer sir was really helpful. I gained the confidence and also came to know how to face interview.
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