Date: 19 January 2026
Order: Second person(forenoon)
Key words- Btech ECE, Malayalam literature,Kerala, NSS, Trivandrum, Chess, cricket, EPL Football, Endurance running
Chairperson: Anuradha Prasad
The interview began with the Chairperson greeting and asking the initial questions in a light-hearted manner
Chairperson (Anuradha Prasad)
Q1. Why did you choose Malayalam Literature as your optional after B.Tech in ECE?
Q2. People in Kerala seem to love wearing white dresses. Why do you think that is so?
Q3. Do you think there is an issue with industrial growth in Kerala? Why?
Q4. Is there any prospect for the semiconductor industry in Kerala?

Member 1 (Male)
Q5. So, one of your hobbies is endurance running. What does that mean?
Q6. How long do you usually run?
Q7. I find it quite difficult to run in Bengaluru, whereas it feels soothing in Thiruvananthapuram. What could be the reason?
Q8. Why did you participate in NSS? What activities were you involved in?
Q9. How is the waste management strategy of volunteer groups in Kerala working?
Q10. What is the most recent Indian innovation in Artificial Intelligence?
Q11. Is there anything specific to voice-based AI? What benefits are associated with it?

Member 2 (Male)
Initially congratulated for reaching the interview stage.
Q12. If you are appointed as the Sports Secretary, what measures would you take to improve India’s achievements in sports?
Q13. What are India’s preparations for the Youth Olympics?
Q14. What is your opinion on the recent boycott of Bangladesh players?

Member 3 (Male)
Q15. What is GST?
Q16. How many taxes were subsumed under GST?
Q17. How has GST enhanced the tax system in India?
Member 3 interrupted and said he did not need facts or figures, just the intent and opinion.
Q18. What is India doing to overcome US sanctions?
Q19. What is your take on India’s stand?
Q20. Are we doing anything specific to enhance exports?

Member 4 (Female)
Q21. What is a stitched ship?
Q22. Can you name any dance form from Kerala?
Q23. What is the philosophy behind Mohiniyattam?
Q24. Do you know about Kumaran Asan? What are the features of his writing style?

Chairperson (Anuradha Prasad) – Closing Remark “Your interview is over.”

Overall tone: cordial,looking for opinion

Candidate Name: Pingu
Date: 5th January 2026 (Forenoon Session)
Board: Shri Raj Shukla Sir
Background: IIT Bombay (Metallurgy), CM Green Fellowship, Beauty Pageant Participant
Hobbies/Interests: Karakattam, Bharatanatyam, Culinary Tourism

Chairman: Environmental Governance & Urban Challenges
* Opening: (After a long introductory monologue) How is Delhi treating you so far?
* Bureaucracy & Pollution: Are you satisfied with the bureaucracy’s current response to air pollution? In your opinion, what more should the bureaucracy be doing?
* International Models: (Detailed discussion on international strategies) Can we adapt the China model or European models to the Indian context?
* Regional Comparison: What is the current Air Quality Index (AQI) of Chennai compared to Delhi?
* Policy Roadmap: What are the specific challenges and required policy changes for air quality management in both Delhi and Chennai?

Member 1: Environment, Education & Personal Interests
* Fellowship Experience: What was the single biggest challenge you faced during your tenure as a Chief Minister’s Green Fellow?
* Environmental Education: How would you integrate environmental education across the spectrum from primary schools to higher education? What specific policies would you suggest?
* Employability: Based on your experience in the Ministry of Environment, what measures would you introduce at the graduation level to increase employability in the "green" sector?
* Art & Society: What is the social significance of Bharatanatyam and Karakattam? Do you believe these traditional art forms inadvertently reinforce social stratification?
* Culinary Tourism: You mentioned "Culinary Tourism" as one of your hobbies. Since you are here for the interview, what are your plans to eat in Delhi? Which specific places or dishes are on your list?

Member 2: Engineering & Resource Security
* Academic Choice: Why did you choose Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at IIT Bombay?
* Mining Sector: Why hasn’t the mining industry in India "taken off" as expected? What are the primary bottlenecks?
* Strategic Minerals: What is your outlook on India’s dependency on foreign nations for Rare Earth minerals?
* Environmental Definitions: Is the bureaucracy’s redefinition of the Aravallis valid? What would be the ecological impact if a similar definition were applied to the Western Ghats?
* Sustainability: If you were posted to the Ministry of Mines, what changes would you implement regarding sustainability and resource constraints in India?
* Science & Tech: What is the Kaveri Engine? Why is the DRDO taking so much time to develop this engine?

Member 3: Corporate Transition & Philosophy of Beauty
* Career Pivot: Why choose Civil Services despite your previous corporate experience?
* Policy & Aesthetics: You participated in a beauty pageant—how would you translate that experience into making "beautiful" policies for India?
* Philosophical Outlook: What is your personal definition of beauty?
* Cultural Trends: Are we moving toward a "Westernization" of beauty standards?
* Public Well-being: How will you make the people of India feel "beautiful" (in terms of dignity and quality of life)?
* Industry Ethics: What is your take on the cosmetic industry and its surrounding controversies?

Member 4: (Brief Interaction)
* Note: Due to the member's accent and feeble voice, the questions were difficult to decipher. The interaction was brief and focused on seeking clarification.

Conclusion: The Chairperson concluded the session by stating, "Your interview is over, thank you."

Candidate Name: Pingu
Date: 5th January 2026 (Forenoon Session)
Board: Shri Raj Shukla Sir
Background: IIT Bombay (Metallurgy), CM Green Fellowship, Beauty Pageant Participant
Hobbies/Interests: Karakattam, Bharatanatyam, Culinary Tourism

Chairman: Environmental Governance & Urban Challenges
* Opening: (After a long introductory monologue) How is Delhi treating you so far?
* Bureaucracy & Pollution: Are you satisfied with the bureaucracy’s current response to air pollution? In your opinion, what more should the bureaucracy be doing?
* International Models: (Detailed discussion on international strategies) Can we adapt the China model or European models to the Indian context?
* Regional Comparison: What is the current Air Quality Index (AQI) of Chennai compared to Delhi?
* Policy Roadmap: What are the specific challenges and required policy changes for air quality management in both Delhi and Chennai?

Member 1: Environment, Education & Personal Interests
* Fellowship Experience: What was the single biggest challenge you faced during your tenure as a Chief Minister’s Green Fellow?
* Environmental Education: How would you integrate environmental education across the spectrum from primary schools to higher education? What specific policies would you suggest?
* Employability: Based on your experience in the Ministry of Environment, what measures would you introduce at the graduation level to increase employability in the "green" sector?
* Art & Society: What is the social significance of Bharatanatyam and Karakattam? Do you believe these traditional art forms inadvertently reinforce social stratification?
* Culinary Tourism: You mentioned "Culinary Tourism" as one of your hobbies. Since you are here for the interview, what are your plans to eat in Delhi? Which specific places or dishes are on your list?

Member 2: Engineering & Resource Security
* Academic Choice: Why did you choose Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at IIT Bombay?
* Mining Sector: Why hasn’t the mining industry in India "taken off" as expected? What are the primary bottlenecks?
* Strategic Minerals: What is your outlook on India’s dependency on foreign nations for Rare Earth minerals?
* Environmental Definitions: Is the bureaucracy’s redefinition of the Aravallis valid? What would be the ecological impact if a similar definition were applied to the Western Ghats?
* Sustainability: If you were posted to the Ministry of Mines, what changes would you implement regarding sustainability and resource constraints in India?
* Science & Tech: What is the Kaveri Engine? Why is the DRDO taking so much time to develop this engine?

Member 3: Corporate Transition & Philosophy of Beauty
* Career Pivot: Why choose Civil Services despite your previous corporate experience?
* Policy & Aesthetics: You participated in a beauty pageant—how would you translate that experience into making "beautiful" policies for India?
* Philosophical Outlook: What is your personal definition of beauty?
* Cultural Trends: Are we moving toward a "Westernization" of beauty standards?
* Public Well-being: How will you make the people of India feel "beautiful" (in terms of dignity and quality of life)?
* Industry Ethics: What is your take on the cosmetic industry and its surrounding controversies?

Member 4: (Brief Interaction)
* Note: Due to the member's accent and feeble voice, the questions were difficult to decipher. The interaction was brief and focused on seeking clarification.

Conclusion: The Chairperson concluded the session by stating, "Your interview is over, thank you."

Name : Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock
Board : Sujatha Chaturvedi mam
Date : 12 January 2026

Just before lunch , last to go

Mam read out daf loud, only 4 things mentioned- NAME, IIT DELHI , CIVIL ENGINEERING, SOCIOLOGY OPTIONAL
( no question from hobbies section and current affairs)

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
1. Why civil engg to sociology to civil services
2. As a dm what exactly you would do ? ( i mentioned policy implementation, last mile connectivity and inclusion )
3. What is policy
4. What is scheme
5. Difference between policy and scheme
6. What would you implement policy or scheme
7. What is last mile connectivity
8. How would you ensure it
9. Govt is already considers last mile connectivity while framing policy , why do we need to ensure it
10. What is inclusion ?
11. What is Intersectionality ?

Member 1:
1. What is financial inclusion
2. How are we doing it
3. What is jan dhan account
4. Overdraft facility
5. delhi Mumbai industrial corridor

Member 2:

1. When was iit delhi inaugurated
2. Who came for foundation stone
3. What kind of people we are inviting at iits
4. Earlier bigger personalities, buy now more of business people are being invited , why so ?
5. What is indian ocean startegy ?
6. Sagarmala project?
7. Some discussion on maritime security

Member 3
1. What is scientific temper?
2. What are elements of it
3. Where it is given in consititution of india
4. A large monologue on patriarchy, then asked is the forms of patriarchy changing ? ( i said we are moving from private patriarchy to public patriarchy )
5. Then some discussion on what is private and public patriachy
6. I used term technological patriachy , so sujatha mam asked what is it and does such a term exist ?
7. Gave a case study on superstition and how as a dm you would deal with it

Member 5
1. Why is india focusing so much on infrastructure ?
2. As a civil engg the highest bridge in india
3. I said chenab bridge , some discussion on it
4. Sir asked why it was halted
5. Dedicated freight corridor
6. Some discussion on privatisation on railways
7. Bullet train
8. Normal trains , their designed speed

Then mam said, sir i think she is fine, interview khatam karte hai ab,then she said , princess your interview is over, aap jaa sakte ho

I said thankyou mam

Overall unexpected line of questions , nothing from daf , nothing like asked in mocks , however interesting and engaging questions

Overall, wonderful experience

Mocks - vajirao and reddy, samkalp , next ias , unacademy, quintel ( sriram ias)

Name: Why you wanna know

Date: 19/12

Key DAF Details: Economics else everything was random (Some questions were technically related to economics but they were not core concepts)

Board: Anuradha Prasad Ma’am

Questions asked:
(Can write answers also if one wishes)
Chairperson -
1. Why did you leave your corporate job? Did you not like there?
1.5. What was your role there?
2. India’s unemployment rate declined in November. Why?
3. What crops are being sown these days?
4. Why did rural women work force participation increased this month?
5. What can we do to increase it further?
6. Why does food processing industry is lagging in India?
7. What if I told you we have enough cold storage facility? Why is no one using them? (Actually Google says India has terrible infrastructure but ma’am has worked in this sector, so she might have better insider knowledge).

Member 1
1. We say Bangladesh has cost advantage in textiles but India has also cheap labour in say MP. Why there is poor textile industry development here?
2. What about law & order problems?
3. Why do they exist?
4. What will you do? Follow up - as an administrator.
5. Why cotton quality is so poor in India?

Member 2
1. What sports did you play in University?
2. What is the total gold import of India? (Said I do not know)
3. What is the trend of gold and silver prices?
4. Why are they increasing?
5. Why is inequality in India persisting?
6. What about the world? (Said it depends upon country- for example in South Africa white people hold most of the land) - interrupted- What about USA?
7. You did not mention Stock market. Why?
Member 1 (interjected) - Do stock prices increase indefinitely?

Member 3
1. What is black box? (Gave tech definition)
2. I meant what is black box in aviation?
3. What does it record?
4. What does MayDay means?
5. What are our options against drones?
6. What is hard kill and soft kill?

Member 4
1. Economics is interesting. Shall I ask about economics? (Said yes. IDK what are you supposed to say in these situations)
2. What is the current base year of GDP? What will be the new base year?
3. How do we calculate the growth rate of informal sector (We assume it is same as growth rate of formal sector)
4. Is this assumption correct?
5. What will happen if we calculate it separately? (I said hard to say since there is no data)
6. What will happen to GDP when we will change the base year? (Again said hard to predict - these are complex calculations).
7. Why do we get depressed? (Completely random)
8. You mentioned happy hormones - name them.
9. Is depression physiological or caused by environment?
10. Which bollywood actress was depressed recently?
11. Is India nutritionally secure?

Chairperson - interrupted abruptly and said your interview is over.

Reminder
#csePT
#attestationform

For those candidates appearing or those who have appeared in 2025 CSE personality test -

You all are requested to kindly fill & submit your attestation form if you haven't filled it yet.

Last date : 27 February 2026 (Last day of PT)

Link: https://cseplus.dopt.gov.in/Account/Login

If you are facing login problems,try these methods -
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• Enter your registered email ID / mobile number
• You will receive 2 OTPs (one on mobile & one on email)
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Please do circulate this msg to any of ur friends who has/was supposed to have appeared for interview.

Thank you 🙏🙏

Date -16 Jan 2026
Time- Forenoon, last to go
Board - Sujatha Chaturvedi ma’am
DAF - no questions asked (only Anthropology optional)
Chairperson -
1. What were you thinking when you were walking inside the room?
2. ⁠Suppose an alien sees the earth and talks to another alien what humans have done to environment. Tell 3 negative things they will talk about
3. ⁠what is biodiversity loss
4. ⁠which species went extinct
5. ⁠ozone layer
5. ⁠Man or Women ,better administrators?
6. ⁠contributions of Dr. Ambedkar for women

Members
1. Tribals development- assimilation or integration approach ?
2. ⁠GST?
3. ⁠why Anthropology?
4. ⁠Anthropology role in adm
5. Ethics and AI - privacy violation, current issues
6. Government regulations regarding AI ( discussion on that)
7. Palaces ( of Royal dynasties) should they be taken? What should be done?
8. WW3 ? What is your opinion?
9. ⁠Global governance failing?
10. ⁠Situation- Riot in your district- will you lead from Command and control centre or go on ground?

Unable to recall some of the questions

Gratitude:
DAF analysis- Shri Mahesh Bhagwat sir ( for extensive DAF analysis and guidance)
Guidance: Utkarsh sir and Shubham sir for constant support and mentorship
O2O - Many. Arranged by MP Association , Quantel and Upwise
Mocks-9 ( Samkalp, Vajirao and Reddy, etc)

Date- 21st jan 2026/ Forenoon
(last to go)
DAF pointers- BA, History , Cooking, Cycling, Morena, Gwalior, MP, Plantation Drive
Optional-Anthropology
Board- Anuradha Prasad Ma'am

Chairperson-
1. You got award in plantation drive. What are the factors to consider for successful plantation drive?
2. What is the success rate of such drives?
3. How much was your success rate?
4. How geography contributed to MP's development?
5. Disadvantages from geography of MP?

M1-
1. You are from Gwalior, we have an air base there. Which aircrafts fly from that base?
2. What kind of aircrafts do we have in india? (cross questions followed- what is generations in aircraft, what is stealth, components of stealth building etc.)
3. why we can hear the noise of an aircraft passing in front of us sometimes but not everytime? ( Sir said - Have you heard of noise cone ?)
4. You are interesting in cycling. I am giving you two minutes speak anything about cycling?
5. You have a museum in Gwalior. What is displayed there? ( He enquired- there is also a silver train there.)

M2-
1. You have so many C's in your DAF- cooking, cycling, master of the ceremonies. The world is also moving from cooperation to conflict. What is happening in arctic?
2.What all resources do we have in arctic?
3.Any other sea route which is opening up due to climate change other than northern sea route?
4.Why the interest has increased in last decade or so not before that in arctic?
5. Coming closer home Subhash Chandra Bose and INA has a connection. What was the turning point for INA and Bose with which British got frightened?
6. Who was heading rani Jhansi regiment?( I confused laxmi Sehgal with vijaylaxmi then chairperson intervened and corrected me said- you remember Laxmi from that mixed it and everybody started laughing.)

M3-
You were born on 5th January. You must not be knowing but as per cosmology and planetary movements Lord Ram was also born on 5th January. This has nothing to do with you interview but telling you this sou you could be happy about it. (All smiles!)
1. What are CPSUs?
2. Why they are called undertakings?
3. What is the difference between partnership, pvt. limited, public limited etc.
5. Do we have a law to register companies?
6. What is privatisation? Pros and cons?
7. We take external expertise and technical help in public sector too from private then what is different in private sector?
8. Successful example of privatisation?

M4-
1. You read all the subjects under the sun maths, bio, computers , his, socio , pol sci etc then anthropology. Why?
2. What is the issue with world's biggest island currently?
3. What is Suryakiran Exercise?
4. What is discussed in Davos?(WEF)
5. Do all countries have a representation in Davos?
6. Who was Ahilya bai Holkar?
Thank you!

Chairperson- Thank you !

Mocks- PW Onlyias, Samkalp, Vajirao, NextIAS
O2O- Vikas Ahlawat Sir (PW Onlyias), Saket Sir (Civilsdaily), Satyam Sir (Understand UPSC)
All were helpful for variety of questions asked.

Upsc 2025 transcript

Name srrr

Keywords. IITG , Teaching, Bihar, Ageing, Sociology.

Board ... D.Dasa

Chairman.
1.as a Sociology student what do u think about weber's idea about Protestant ethics and rise of capitalism as modern sociologists are critical to him

2. Genz says that disrespect is earned and not respect what's ur opinion on it
3. As the dm what u will do improve condition of ur district.
4. 3 social agenda on which u will make movie as director ( don't know why he asked that)
5. Their Direct themes and the actor and actress.

M1

1. Issue of kota suicide and their cause .
2. What could be done if u will be vested with power to control suicide
3. What are the 3 benefits and 3 issue with new education policy 2020.


M2

1. What are the issue in Bihar .
2. Why bihar is not developed
3. What are good features of Bihar.

Few questions I am not recalling

M3 lady.

1. Why understanding ageing through biotechnology.
2. What are the lag in the education system as ppl prefer to go for coaching.
3. What can be done to reduce coaching needs .
4. Role of biotech in society

M4 punjabi man

1. What are the issue for old age ppl
2. Why to increase longevity of already we have demographic dividend
3. What can be done for the old age population.
4. ....


Chairman said ur interview is over .


Mostly opinion based questions from daf.


No grilling .

Date: 15 Jan 2026
Name: Anurag
Board: Sujata Chaturvedi, 1st to go
DAF: Sociology, Software Engineer, Quantum Computing, Street Plays, Tryst (Questions were asked from these only)
 
Chairman Ma’am:
Today we’re celebrating Sankranti, tell me some other Indian festivals aligned with agriculture cycle.
Why do we celebrate holi?
Why do we celebrate Baisakhi?
What are the two major type of crops?
Tell me names of some iconic living Indians (non-political)
Some iconic person from tech. industry?
What are ‘sweat shops’?
Which firms do you think are knows for being sweat shops?
Do you think there is a connection between H-1B visa restrictions, and bad work culture of Indian companies in US?
 
Member-1:
Do you think GDP is a good measure of socio-economic development of citizens?
Then, what are some better measures?
What are the components of HDI?
How many street plays were you part of?
Where did you usually perform - inside college, or outside?
Can you perform in any public space, or is  some permission needed?
Do you think street plays are part of freedom of expression?
(Case) There is some xyz person who wants to burn a religious book as part of a street play. He sought government’s permission to do so, and got it. During the play, one of the person from the security forces (meant to protect performers) is from that religion whose book is being burnt. Does this fall into freedom of expression? In which countries are such incidents possible?
 
Member-2:
Indian govt. took some steps in 2023 for quantum computing development - do you know about it?
What are its main components?
What is the status of development of quantum materials in India?
Recently, Pralay missile was in news - do you know about it? (I had no clue)
What work did you do at Microsoft?
How will you use your learnings in administration? Explain with an example.
What is corresponding part of software design in administration?
 
Member-3:
‘Tryst’ word appears in one very famous speech, do you know about it?
You did graduation in electrical engineering, why did you choose sociology as optional?
How will sociology help you in governance?
What is deviance?
Is it normative or does it talk about means only? (honestly, I didn’t get this question)
Is deviance always bad?
 
Member-4:
I am a layman, explain quantum computing to me.
Why do we want to build quantum computers?
What will be its impact on current encryptions?
 
This is what I can recall since the interview.
 
Mocks: Vision Faculty, Ekam, Samkalp, NextIAS
O2O: Quantel, Utkarsh Shukla sir

Name : Minerva
Date : 19 Jan 2026 Afternoon

Chair : Hon. Lt General Raj Shukla

DAF details asked : R&D (work experience), Kerala, Electronics Repair camp

Other DAF details: EEE, NITC, Cycling, Robotics, Optional: Anthropology (Nothing asked from Hobbies, etc.)

Chair :
So Minerva are you working? Where was it? Post? Why left?
1. How is the R&D sector in India? (Only 1 question and entire discussion surrounding it. I was trying to put my points in between his monologues as he was saying all the points I was going to answer 🫠 all the following are part of that - I mentioned about failure of Micromax due to neglect of R&D - only time he nodded 🫠)
2. Is there any startup in India which focuses only on R&D? (I said about one robotics startup which college sewage and it has R&D, he said not to say the ones which focuses on products - I said don't know specific ones)
3. Have you heard of BYD
4. What is their R&D expenditure? Tesla's expenditure? (Said sorry sir, didn't know)
5. What about your company's R&D expenditure? (Didn't know that too 🫠)
6. What's the status of your company in the automotive industry of the world? It maybe good in India, but it's not much in the rest. In my childhood, it was one of the largest in the world. Now see that status (disappointed face 🥲🫠)
7. Why private sector contribution is low and how it can be improved - don't say ANRF or support from government
8. Do you think these will make Ambanis Adanis would invest on R&D through these? (didn't allow to answer, passed to next person)


M2 (Male):
1. Kerala is known for its backwaters. Which is the water way in Kerala?
2. Why waterways are not much developed in India?
3. Your points are mostly negative impacts. I was asking challenges
4. Is there a north south divide in India?
5. But isn't the Southern states arguing about their controlled population & delimitation

M3 (Male):
1. Einstein once said that the most complex thing in the universe to understand is income tax. Did the government recently do anything to reduce this? (Had only one point, they were searching for some recent act - which I didn't know, so they changed the topic)
2. (An electronics repair camp is in my DAF) People are not repairing their gadgets nowadays. Mostly it is use and throw. Why is it so?
3. What exactly did you do in this camp?
4. Did you really have any impact?

M4 (Male):
1. In your R&D position, tell me something you did which had drastic impact on increasing the efficiency of the team. (Completely blank on this 🫠 I think they understood that and when I was going to say something, changed the topic)
2. How can Kerala's tourism success be emulated in other states?
3. There's a decline in foreign tourists to India, like we see in Goa. Why is it and how can we improve?

M5 (Lady):
1. What are the reasons for success of the Kudumbasree?
2. Did it really help in empowerment of women?
3. Say about animal rights in India (very open ended, didn't know how to start or stop, so said whatever came to my mind related to it)
4. What about Jallikkett? If you're SDM would you ban Jallikkett? (I said no, but try to reduce chances of injuries)
5. But isn't injuries happening? What you'll do then?

Chair: Your interview is over

Felt it finished too soon. I thought chair would ask something. Shukla sir was having disappointed face. All others were cordial and smiling and laughing some times. Shukla sir weren't listening when others were asking.

One on ones : constant support from Nitin sir (Fortune, Tvm), Shinas sir (iLearn, Tvm), Anuroop sir (Lead, Tvm) & my friend Akshar (iLearn Faculty)

Peer mocks interviews helped a lot

Offline mock interviews: Fortune, Lead, Sankar, Xylem, Samkalp Kerala, Kerala State Academy, Amrita (All in Thiruvananthapuram)

Online : Vajirao & Reddy, Samkalp

PT marks -- 168

Board: Hon'ble Sujata Chaturvedi ma'am
Date: 20 Jan
Name: Unique
DAF: Women shg awareness, flute, physics (graduation), teaching (father's profession), Anthropology, Nashik

Chairman:
(Ma'am Read key points in DAF to all.)
No candidate has explained theory of relativity in satisfactory terms yet. Please explain.
Can you see the calender behind you? What system of calendar is this?
What was Switzerland doing in second world war? (It was neutral)
How does a country become neutral.
Can India also become neutral.
India has highest population in the world why can't we become powerful just because of that?

M1(female)
What is Nashik famous for?
What's it famous for in modern times?
What is GER ?
Can we achieve 50%GER in higher education?
India has largest population does India have largest human resource?
What do we have to do to convert population into human resource.
Can you guess which painting is this?
What is creativity?
If I call the painting Madhubani and you also call the same is it creativity?
Still what is creativity?

M2
You play flute tell me about famous flautist in India.(Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia)
He had collaborated with someone for movie music.(SHIVHARI)
Why India didn't sign non proliferation treaty?

M3
What are rare earth minerals?
Their importance?
Where is India in rare earth minerals?
In India SHGs are primarily women SHGs, why so?

M4
Why is mother tongue called mother tongue?
Should we give early education in mother tongue,?
What is the physics of subatomic level called?
What is God particle? Which experiment was done to find it?
What are the applications of quantum physics?
What are the threats of quantum technology?

Chairman:
Your interview is over.

PT date: 20/1/2026
Board: Dinesh Dasa sir

DINESH SIR:
- How many French nationals reside in Pondicherry?
- How does the Voting process for France elections take place in Pondicherry?
- Are any French nationals in Pondicherry interested in giving French bureacracy exams?
- How are the socio- economic development factors in Pondicherry?

Member 1:
- A monologue on Treaty of Versailles and how it lead to WW2. What happened in Treaty of Versailles?
- What is nationalism and do you support it?
- What has Max Webber told about Nation?

Member 2:
- A monologue on State formation history - 1956 and 2001. What is your take?
- Do you think statehood has benefitted Jharkhand and Uttarkhand?
- Who was the first person to land on moon and what were his first words?

Member 3:
- How has Southern coast evolved in terms of Disaster management since tsunami, 2004?
- What were the issues in recent India Open?
- Should India bid for Olympics 2036?

Member 4:
- How do you see future warfare?
- Do you think tech is an advantage in warfare?
- What is digital arrest and what are the reasons?

Dinesh sir: Your interview is over.

Thanking my mentors: Viraj sir, Kalyan sir, Pankaj sir, Shubham sir.
Special mention: Mahesh Bhagwat sir, IPS.
Thanking the contribution of: Aditya, Rahul, Abi, all the peer discussion, O2Os, online and offline mocks.

Name: Monk
Board: Sujata Chaturvedi Ma'am
Date: 14/01/2026, Forenoon, last to go,
Daf key details: Sociology, EEE, education gap, Hindi medium, no question from other section...
Questions
Sujata mam
1. Aapko dar lag raha h kya?
2. Kya aapne pahle koi interview Diya hai?
3. Ham log adhiktar ek sawal puchte h ki aapko civil service me kyun aana h but sab ek jaisa hi answer dete h ki opportunity hai, diversity hai, kya aapko koi alag baat bolna hai?
4. Kya aapko lagta hai ki civil service me diversity hai?
5. Diaspora ke upar monologue dekar puchi ki kaun kaun se country me jyada Indian diaspora rahta hai?
6. Ham log America me ek negative attitude dekh rahe hai diaspora ke liye, kya reasons h?
7. Kya ye post independence phenomena h (moving outside for job) ya pahle bhi tha?
8. Mauritius me kis purpose ke liye jate the?
9. Kya kaam hota tha Mauritius me? Aur koi African country jaha jaate the?
10. Jo log waha jaate the unko Girmitya bolte the, kya aapko pata h girmitya kya hota hai? (I said no mam)
11. Aap ko pata nahi h but kya aap ek andaza laga sakte h ki kaha se belong karte rahe honge ye log?
Member 1:
1. Social media ke upar monologue fir uska impact on family, marriage and society?
2. If 4-5 members of family sitting at any place, wo baat nahi karte hain but phone chalate hai.. bache phone me hi Lage rahte hain. To iska kya impact hai?
3. Marriage me kaise impact hua? Tinderisation ka kya impact hai?
Kuch questions yaad nahi aa raha
Member 2:
1. Caste mobility- vertical and horizontal par monologue fir connect it with sanskritization- then first asked sanskritization kya hai?
2. Kya mobility ho rahi hai?
3. Koi example yaad aa raha hai aapko?
4. India North East k development ke liye kafi Kam kar raha hai to Act east ke liye kaise Kam kar raha hai?
5. Act east aur look east me difference?
Member 3:
1. Kya aap game khelte ho?
2. EA Sports- jante ho? (I told ki ek gaming ki company hai, mujhe detail me nahi pata hai will read about it)
3. Indian government game development ke liye kafi Kam kar raha h aur EA Sports ko hi contract diya hai, iska kya impact dekhte hai aap? (Sujata mam interrupted ki he said ki unko nahi pata hai)
4. He read my education section and asked about gap and what I did in the gap..
5. Asked why India is not manufacturing phone in India. 2-3 follow up question.
Member 4:
1. Whatt do you mean by feminism?
2. Feminism ka India me kaisa impact hoga?
3. What is difference in Sex and gender?
4. Enumerate its types?
5. Do you use social media? Facebook provide option of gender... (I told ki mai social media use nahi karta but told difference)
Sujata mam then said thank you, you may go now. 

My experience:
Sujata mam ne anxiety kam karaya, member 3 tried to grill but Sujata mam ne unko interrupt kiya. Board cordial tha aur grilling nahi Kara.
They mainly asked optional and Graduation and its application. Poker face was common, isliye difficult tha to understand whether I'm giving correct answer or not.

Duration- 25-30 min

Mock: Amit Jain sir (the core IAS) O2O, Pathjyoti IAS, Vajirao and Reddy, Career will (Quantel ke through), PW Onlyias, Samkalp; Next IAS, Shubham sir (vidyapeeth) O2O

Special thanks to:
1- Amit Jain sir (The core IAS) helped me in all the three stages. I'm very thankful for his support in my entire journey of preparation.
2- Pathjyoti IAS (Virendra Sir and Shaurya sir)- Really helped me through daily practice and classes, they help me to prepare most of the question asked today..
3- Shubham sir (Vidyapeeth) motivated me and helped me to overcome my anxiety.

Mocks were different from the real test but helped me to ease my nerves.

All the best to everyone..

PT MARKS-165

MentorAID STUDENT TRANSCRIPT

👇👇👇👇👇👇

Name- Cutie
Date- 20th Jan 2026, afternoon
Board- Sujata Chaturvedi Maam
Chairperson-
Read my daf
- why civil services after btech from good college
- asked me my inspiration behind this and if any of my family memebers is in administration
- duties of a civil servant
- difference between district collector, district magistrate and deputy commissioner
- history of Indian civil service
- duty of Zilla panchayat CEO
- how many IAS in India?

Member1
- why bhakti movement emerged and timeline of bhakti movement
- give other reason behind the rise
- then himself said - conversion?
-

Member2
- why 73Rd amendment
- duties of Zilla Parishad
- is there reservation in ZP wormen? If yes, how much?

Member3-
- difference between Mandala art and warli
- why EU as guest on 26th Jan
- which guest is OCI card holder
- tell me about demographic diversity
- how many ethnicites in india?
-The chairperson asked member to hurry

Member 4
- what is Panchayat pati syndrome
- what is difference between abhangas, kirtan and vachan
- difference between smriti and Shruti
- do you think that there is nothing impossible for women?

Your interview is over. Thank you




Keywords - anthropology, mandala, abhangas

Mentorship and guidance-
Utkarsh Shukla sir

O2O- Avinash Dharmiadhikari Sir, Khan Sir, Shrikant Baldi Sir, Shubham Agrawal Sir

Mocks- Samkalp, NEXT IAS, VAJIRAO n Reddy, PWonlyias, civilsdaily

Name: Mayakannan
Date: 20th January - 4th to go

Board: Suman Sharma Mam

DAF Keywords: Schooling in UAE, ECE, Sociology (rest not relevant)

Chair:
Read my DAF out loud.
1. Describe India-UAE relations in the past 2-3 years
2. How is the relationship evolving? (Mentioned diversification to non-oil sectors)
3. Which non-oil sectors is India focussing on?
4. Will India phase down coal in next 25 years?
5. What about high demand for electricity currently due to data center development? Will renewable energy be able to support it?
6. Do you know about SpaceX?
7. Should SpaceX enter Indian market?
8. What is the specific advantage/disadvantage if SpaceX enters Indian market?
9. How is spectrum allocated in India?
10. What do you know about Telecom Act 2023?

M1:
1. What is GDP?
2. Should unpaid care work be included in GDP? (and a small discussion on that)
2. If you are DM, how will you bring women empowerment?

M2:
1. Post independence, policies - in terms of administration as well as defence - have created a lot of missed opportunities. Opinion?
2. India refused UNSC seat to give to China in the past. Now we want that lost seat. What do you think of that missed opportunity?

M3:
1. Famous writer in your name from Kerala? (A small discussion on that)
2. You are a techie. Tell me whether there will be more focus on technology or humanity in the future. (Said both will be necessary)
3. But there are several issues like exploitation of gig workers, social media issues, etc. How to tackle that?
4. How will you tackle gender violence of you are DM of a district?

M4:
1. Define food security (had mentioned the term earlier)
2. Which scheme is used for it?
3. Salient features of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
4. What is sex ratio?
5. If you are DM, how will you tackle declining sex ratio? (Said legal and behavioural measures)
6. What measures will you take to ensure that law is followed properly?

Chair: Thank you

O2O : Fortune (Achuth Sir, Nitin Sir), iLearn (Shinas Sir), Lead (Anuroop Sir) -- All based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Mock Interviews : Fortune IAS, KSCSA, Amrita IAS, Xylem IAS -- All based in Kerala

Name : Carlus Magsen

Chairman: Anuradha Prasad ma'am

Date: 20 January 2025 (afternoon)

Keywords : KARNATAKA, NCC, ENGINEERING, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, NGOs ( Beach school and I care) , INMO.

Chairman : she read section 21 of my DAF.

1. What is Beach Schood and I care


2. what was your role in there


3. How did you manages the funds (mentioned crowdfunding)


4. You have such a strong background in NCC. Then why didn't you apply for CAPF.



Member 1

(1) What does SBI do? (Random)

(11) Explain its working

(111) Is it a Public or private bank

(10) What is IDBI (random)

(v) what is your opinion of
VB-G-RAM-G

vi)They could have just made these changes without changing the name.

(vii) Tell me about Weberian public administration

(viii) is it relevent in contemporary times?

(ix) Then do you think civil servants should use social media? The are showing off these days.

Member-2

(very random Questions)

(i) what is crowd funding

(ii) How did you do it in your College?

(iii) How do companies work?

(iv) what are companies?

(v) Can Entities other than Companies accept money?

(vi) How are they regulated ?

(vii) what are the ways Companies can accept money

(I mentioned equity), what is equity?

(1) Any other way?

The room was very warm and I was sweating. I asked the chairman if I could take a tissue. Ma'am was so cordial and asked me to remove my blazer too and went on to turn
off the room heaters.

Member. 3

i) hat's the function of Sweating

(ii) I mentioned "fight and flight" when we are nervous.

(Everyone started laughing)

(iii) IS VB G RAM G Supply driven or demand driven

(iv) How does it align with contemporary necessities.

(v) what is the reason for low labour force participation among women?

Member 4 :

Tell me about Karnataka's sandal soaps ( Random)

Does it have GI tag

What benefits from having GI tag

Who started sandal industry in Karnataka

What is the contribution of Wodeyars.

Do you thank sandalwood soap industry needs to be privatised

Why government is still in making soap business

How many engineering colleges in Karnataka

Said I don't know. Asked me to take a guess.

How many graduate from engineering every year.

You have studied in one of
the best engineering colleges. But there's a employability crisis with only 1% getting Jobs (factually not true) why ?

what are the reasons for such an issue?

What can you do as an administrator?

(V1) why graduate Unemployment persists?

(vl)you have strong Mathematics background, tell me how many times you can take out 5 from 25.

vi) Oh! you have been coached
very well.

I mentioned it's my passion for mathematics.

Chairman ma'am : Your interview is done. Thank you.

Interview was very random.

But it was the cordial attitude of the chairman which gave me confidence and she was smiling throughout and nodding even when I said "I don't know" multiple times.


Wishing everyone the best.

MUST FOR INTERVIEW PREPARATION :

LEADIAS - MOST STRUCTURED AND DEDICATED INTERVIEW GUIDANCE PROGRAM

8 modules with Anuroop sir

Group discussions with Ajay sir

Daily questions for Current affairs.

Specialised one on ones with multiple faculty

Communication training with Jithin sir
( and much more)


QUANTEL : Arranged more than 10 one on ones and mock interviews. Very helpful for interview preparation. ( HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for INTERVIEW).


SHUBHAM AGARWAL SIR ( HIS BREATHING TECHNIQUE HELPED ME IMMENSELY BEFORE ENTERING THE ROOM. )


MAHESH BHAGWAT SIR - His group helped immensely for daily news.

StudyIQ -Peer group discussions, Anil Swaroop sir sessions.

OnlyIAS - Multiple one on ones with toppers.

UPWISE : Multiple one on ones and interviews.

Understand UPSC : Excellent sessions from Akansha Bhatt ma'am everyday ( DNA)

Daily peer discussions ( Most important) - IRREPLACEABLE PART OF INTERVIEW PREPARATION.

Name:xyz
Interview Date: 19/01/26
Board: Dasa Sir
DAF keywords: PSIR, Gujarat, Cultural Exchange, Caricatures, Poems,Tagore,US



Chairperson: Gujarat! Kya thi cho ( from where )
But you are not Gujarati, are you ? Why did you move to Gujarat?
If you are born and brought up in Ahmedabad, why in Surat now?

Q. Tell me about your cultural exchange experience, what were your learnings?
Q. Why do we celebrate Cultural festivals with so much enthusiasm but no such zeal for National festivals like republic day and independence day?
Q. International world order, what's happening, why it's happening? (Trump)
Q.What is stick diplomacy?

M1:

Q. Psir..tell me about the relevance of Kautaliya? Compare Machiavelli and Kautaliya.
Q. Tell me how the political system works? Tell more about executive.
Q. Which acc. to you is the soul of constitution ? Why?

I said like Dr. Ambedkar I think Article 32

Chairperson intervened but Pandit Thakur Dass Bhargav said preamble
( Elaborate conversation on that )

M2:

Q. A very long monologue on evolution of the UN and asked shouldn't we just abolish it ?
Q. Samuel P. Huntington and clash of civilizations. ( Chairperson said let's talk something else than PSIR now)
Member: Ok! I'll ask history then
Q. How are narratives changing?
(Interrupted)

M3(lady) :

Q. ISRO. Do you really think we need it?
Q. What is the relevance of ISRO for India now?
Q. Since you have talked about scientific temper and have a lot of art related stuff in your DAF, tell me if you agree with this statement
“For an administrator, scientific temper is more important than artistic impulse.”
Q. You being from Gujarat just celebrated one festival (Makar Sankranti), Why are festivals important? Are they important?

M4(lady) :

Q. Your perspective about American people?
Q. Why have things changed drastically from Obama times to Trump times ?
Q. You are from Gujarat, tell me about Patola Sarees. ( Chairperson intervened, she is not Gujarati, you can skip this question)
Q. Why Gujarat is performing low in tackling Malnutrition even after being a wealthy state.

Chairperson : Thank you


I was last to go in the afternoon slot. Therefore, the board looked exhausted. Otherwise, a good experience.

Mocks: ALS, Samkalp, Shriram IAS, Quantel, Chanakyamandal
One to one sessions: Mahesh Bhagwat Sir, Jalaj Srivastav Sir, Kush Verma Sir, Bassi Sir Next IAS