Name: SHM

Date: 21/1/26. Forenoon. 1st to Go. 26 minutes.

Key DAF details ask: Gender responsive governance, Global conflict and security, geopolitics and Karnataka PSIR.

Board: Suman Sharma Mam.

Chairman: after the greetings
1. First ask about whether AI is positive or negative for gender governance.
2. Islamic Nato will feature world order be religious order.
3. Economic impacts of work from home, social impact-positive and negative, sectors where work from home is prevalent.
2nd Member:
1. Article 23 and 24 geographical over view of child trafficking, Legal provisions of anti-trafficking act (Not related to DAF).
2. What is POCSO and how POCSO is different from other sexual harassment act (looking for some legal angle).
3. What is Khelo India (Not related to Daf).
3rd Member.
1. National security (Mentioned economic, defence, energy security etc), traditional and not traditional threads as I had mentioned in my previous response, government policies to tackle these threads.
2. What is HDI, should GDP be only criteria for development (I talked about integrating GDP and HDI for a measure of development). What is India’s rank in HDI
4th member
1. Why US want green land, National security reason US is talking about.
2. What are internal security threads in Pakistan.
Last member
1. What is the issue between Karnataka and Maharashtra (Belagavi issue).
2. Why India’s GDP is at 8.2% despite geopolitical issues.
3. Why logistic cost in India 13% of GDP where as it should be around 8%.
Actual experience: Board was cordial it was more like discussion, encouraging (Specially Suman Sharma Mam), overall, it went well.

Mocks: Vajirao & Reddy, Sankalp, PW, Vision IAS, Chanakya Mandal.

O2O: Shubham Agarwal sir, Vidyapeeth IAS (was really helpful), Mahesh Bhagwat sir IPS.

O2O with friends help me a lot.

Transcript

Name: Anonymous
Date: 3/2/26 — Afternoon (1st to go)
Board: Suman Sharma Ma’am
Keywords: ICT, MA in Public Administration, Research project, Surat, Gujarat
(Nothing else from DAF)

Chairperson
• Surat is a diamond hub. Now LGDs are coming into the market. What type of challenges are they creating?
• Let’s talk about DISCOMs. Private DISCOMs are much more efficient than government DISCOMs — why is that so?
• India–Maldives relations are going through ups and downs. What went wrong?
• Recent AI developments — she mentioned two chatbots talking to each other about humans. What do you think about the future of AI?
• Will it surpass humans? Go way ahead?

Member 1
• Sardar Sarovar Yojana is the lifeline of Gujarat. It got delayed for many decades — what happened at that time?
• What is more important: development or rehabilitation?
• Dholera SIR — what is the status now?
• Vantara project — what is the controversy regarding it? (I said I can’t recall.)

Member 2
• Research project — how is research carried out? (Can’t remember the exact question.)
• Panchayati Raj Institutions in India — why are PRIs important for the State?
• Under NEP 2020, a Master’s (PG) degree in India can be completed in different durations. Do you know about this? (I didn’t know.)
• GER in higher education has a target of 50%. Do you think it is desirable when youth unemployment is already high? What’s your opinion?

Member 3
• Online radicalisation is happening through digital platforms. How can the State act on it?
• How can freedom of speech be managed simultaneously?
• Administrative reforms in the last decade — what is still missing?
• What more can the government do regarding effectiveness of reforms?

Member 4
• Long monologue on the Gujarat Model of Development — what is so distinct about it that makes it unique?
• What is the role of GIDC? (Because I mentioned GIDC earlier.)
• Is this model inclusive too?

Chairperson: Your interview is over. You may go.
I said: Thank you.

Ma’am was actively listening during the entire conversation.
One member was asking questions in pure Hindi, which was difficult to interpret.

Mocks:
Samkalp, PWOnlyIAS, Unacademy, StudyIQ, NextIAS, VisionIAS, ExamShala, TathastuIAS
One-to-one:
Vivek Sir (SymbiosisIAS), KK Jalan Sir, Sajal Sir (SarrthiIAS), Shubham Aggarwal (Vidyapeeth)

Name- Mastermind
Date- 05/02/26, Afternoon 2nd to go

Board- Sanjay Verma Sir
Key words- Anthropology, biotechnology, genetics, genomics, Bhopal, Doing Stand up Comedy, watching movies, online gaming, editor of magazine 'Genomica', Jainism (rest nothing asked)

Greeted the board and was asked to sit.

Chairman sir-
1. You are from Bhopal, we were discussing about the Bhopal gas tragedy, what is happening at the site right now?
2. How are you doing your masters in Delhi from Bhopal? (IGNOU)
3. What's the last movie you watched, which had anthropological significance?
4. How long was the movie?
5. How does anthropology help in stand up comedy?
6. Have you been to Bharat Bhawan in Bhopal?

M1-
1. There are two very famous archeological sites near Bhopal? (Said Bhimbethka and Sanchi)
2. What is the significance of these site?
3. Who excavated Bhimbethka?
4. What does these cave tell us about the past?
5. Have you been to Bhojpur temple? What is special about it?
6. Was it different from what was planned earlier?

Chairman sir again-
1. What is genomica? Does this word mean anything?
2. Is this patented or copied?
3. When was your college established?

M2-
1. What is genome?
2. How is different from genetics?
3. What are the benefits for studying genomics and DNA sequencing?
4. What is Genome India project?
5. How can biotechnology help today to solve our challenge?
6. How is mobile gaming being regulated and what was the recent law?

Chairman sir read my service preference (IPS first and smiled at me)

M3- lady member
1. Why do people burn waste at roadside or at their neighborhood
2. What principle of Jainism can help in managing waste management? (Said- Aparigraha)
3. Give two examples from your life where you have reused or recycled anything. (Mentioned Father's Kirana Shop?
4. Why do you use single use plastic and not cloth bag?
5. Do you promote your friends to reuse?
6. Tell me the Qualities of an Elephant?
7. What is your priority while editing a magazine?
8. What would you keep in mind while editing a magazine for adolescents?

Chairman sir again-
1. But if everyone practice aparigrah, the companies will fail?
2. Do you believe conscious consumption can work?

M4-
1. What are industrial regions around Bhopal?
2. What industries does Mandideep has? (said- FMCGs, Pharma, electronics)
3. What are FMCGs? How do they influence market behavior?
4. Why does biotechnology as an industry is not growing very fast?
5. How we increase the R&D spending?

Chairman sir again-
1. But in India we dont do research of our own and copy everything, tell me one thing that's our own innovation from a Public sector enterprise?
2. You don't seem very kadak IPS to me? What can we do about it? (I said, today we need empathy and compassion rather than kadakness but if my duty calls i can be very kadak alsa)
3. Have you ever beaten anyone or drawn blood from someone?
( i said sir the only person i have beaten is my younger brother, everyone laughed on this)

Chairman sir said okay, your interview is over.

The experience- It was totally DAF based and board was cordial, Chairman sir was smiling and listening to everything very carefully, he asked questions in between members also.
Time around 35-38 minutes

O2O- IPS Mahesh Bhagwat sir, MPOA Officers.

Mocks- Samkalp, Next Ias, Vision IAS, P.W, Chanakya Mandal, Study IQ

Name - Harivansh rai bachhan
Date- 06/02/26 afternoon, 3rd to go

Daf - SAGAR, COOKING SATTVIK FOOD ( rest not asked)

Background- commerce, sociology.

Chairmen ( Sujata ma'am)
- Why sagar is named sagar
- I'll give you two options, u choose one and then I'll ask from that option only- nagaland Or girl child. ( I chose the obvious)
- Starting from the point of conceiving a girl child, and growing further i.e. birth, growing up, education, higher education, employment, marriage. Tell me what govt schemes are available for each of the stages (this was a very engaging conversation)

Member 1
- What is happening in Balochistan?
- Why they are protesting?
- Pak accusing two countries for it, name them
- Why Afghanistan and not Iran supporting baloch ppl
- Monologue on partition- suppose you're the governor General at that time, how will you ensure transfer of population across border without any violence.

Member 2
- Politics is a novel profession- do u agree?
- Will u join politics after being a civil servant
- Should india set up military base in Diego garcia?
- Which country has its base there?
- Have you heard something called naked officials in China?

Member 3
- You've studied commerce and sociology so tell me difference between accounting standard and Indian accounting standards
- What is NFRA
- Monologue on risk- how do ppl in finance estimate risk in a business
- Dedollarization- what, why?
- Which other currencies are strong other than dollar
- Position of rupee in this context

Member 4
- Difference between sattvik cooking and vegetarian cooking
- But heat is necessary for the body? Don't u thing you're undermining other types of diet?
- Economics leads to friendship between rivals- can we apply this in context of China?
- How india can cooperate with China
- Does India's prosperit leads to Chinese prosperity?
- Buddhist peacee march in usa.
Ma'am stopped him here and said thank you you can go now.

Mocks given- Samkalp, Vajirao, ALS IAS, Sriram IAS, PW.

Special thanks to Mahesh Bhagwat sir and Shubham Agrawal sir for their help and guidance.

Name- Hope

Board-B B Swain Sir

Date- 05/02/2026(First in AN)

DAF- Azamgarh, Varanasi,Hindi Literature,Watching movies( relevant for interview)

Chairman

1)How are you?
2)Hope,you're a movie person, so which is last one you watched ?
3)Okay, give a review for this movie (homebound)
-He laughed as I completed the review in one long sentence (as he said review in one point) and then discussed it with the lady member)


M1(Lady)
1) Hope,You lived in Varanasi, So what development has been done there?
2) Didn't this hampering the heritage and creating suffering to local people?
3) How will you manage the trilemma of development,tourism economy and heritage preservation?

(Some questions I am able to retrieve )


M2
1) What is being done in Uttar Pradesh; Don't you think the status is entrenched in religious matter more than the development?


2) Situational awareness -If DM ask for no use of force to control the mob and you find that without use of force it can't be controlled. What will you do as SP ?

3)Will you defy the DM for law and order, really?( 02-03 follow ups)

(Some questions I am able to retrieve )


M3

1)What are the three areas where you don't agree to the Union budget?

2)Don't you think that you are becoming more defensive to budget?

3) Isn't increase in STT a bad idea which forced the market to crash?

4) I don't think that development will lead to higher tourism in Varanasi; shouldn't we go with the heritage preservation than high investment in infrastructure?

5)What is the status of industry in Varanasi?


M4

1) Why you chose Hindi as your optional subject when you are a Geography( hons) from India's top most University?

2) Okay, So tell me why your district Azamgarh is famous and infamous?( Gave 05 Points for famous and 02 for infamous part)

3) So,What is ODOP of your district? IS it  being exported and where?

4) What is GI tag of Varanasi?

5) Some provisions in budget for Varanasi?

6)Did there was something related to municipal governance too?

7)Hope,You are a Hindi Literature student then let's discuss about it-He recited four lines and asked for its writer, context and meaning?

8) As I answered first poem correctly so then he recited one more poem and asked for the same?( I was again  right then he also explained the meaning)

(He asked 03-04 more questions but I am able to collect them)
Chairman

1) Do you want to tell something else?
2) He told that it was good when I get the right answers for the two poems)

Okay,Hope,Interview is over

I thanked to all and left


Mocks/O2O-20+(All were helpful for me)

Acknowledgement-  To All I have

Name- Mastermind
Date- 05/02/26, Afternoon 2nd to go

Board- Sanjay Verma Sir
Key words- Anthropology, biotechnology, genetics, genomics, Bhopal, Doing Stand up Comedy, watching movies, online gaming, editor of magazine 'Genomica', Jainism (rest nothing asked)

Greeted the board and was asked to sit.

Chairman sir-
1. You are from Bhopal, we were discussing about the Bhopal gas tragedy, what is happening at the site right now?
2. How are you doing your masters in Delhi from Bhopal? (IGNOU)
3. What's the last movie you watched, which had anthropological significance?
4. How long was the movie?
5. How does anthropology help in stand up comedy?
6. Have you been to Bharat Bhawan in Bhopal?

M1-
1. There are two very famous archeological sites near Bhopal? (Said Bhimbethka and Sanchi)
2. What is the significance of these site?
3. Who excavated Bhimbethka?
4. What does these cave tell us about the past?
5. Have you been to Bhojpur temple? What is special about it?
6. Was it different from what was planned earlier?

Chairman sir again-
1. What is genomica? Does this word mean anything?
2. Is this patented or copied?
3. When was your college established?

M2-
1. What is genome?
2. How is different from genetics?
3. What are the benefits for studying genomics and DNA sequencing?
4. What is Genome India project?
5. How can biotechnology help today to solve our challenge?
6. How is mobile gaming being regulated and what was the recent law?

Chairman sir read my service preference (IPS first and smiled at me)

M3- lady member
1. Why do people burn waste at roadside or at their neighborhood
2. What principle of Jainism can help in managing waste management? (Said- Aparigraha)
3. Give two examples from your life where you have reused or recycled anything. (Mentioned Father's Kirana Shop?
4. Why do you use single use plastic and not cloth bag?
5. Do you promote your friends to reuse?
6. Tell me the Qualities of an Elephant?
7. What is your priority while editing a magazine?
8. What would you keep in mind while editing a magazine for adolescents?

Chairman sir again-
1. But if everyone practice aparigrah, the companies will fail?
2. Do you believe conscious consumption can work?

M4-
1. What are industrial regions around Bhopal?
2. What industries does Mandideep has? (said- FMCGs, Pharma, electronics)
3. What are FMCGs? How do they influence market behavior?
4. Why does biotechnology as an industry is not growing very fast?
5. How we increase the R&D spending?

Chairman sir again-
1. But in India we dont do research of our own and copy everything, tell me one thing that's our own innovation from a Public sector enterprise?
2. You don't seem very kadak IPS to me? What can we do about it? (I said, today we need empathy and compassion rather than kadakness but if my duty calls i can be very kadak alsa)
3. Have you ever beaten anyone or drawn blood from someone?
( i said sir the only person i have beaten is my younger brother, everyone laughed on this)

Chairman sir said okay, your interview is over.

The experience- It was totally DAF based and board was cordial, Chairman sir was smiling and listening to everything very carefully, he asked questions in between members also.
Time around 35-38 minutes

O2O- IPS Mahesh Bhagwat sir, MPOA Officers.

Mocks- Samkalp, Next Ias, Vision IAS, P.W, Chanakya Mandal, Study IQ

Name: coronation

Date: 04/02/2026 || Afternoon session

Key DAF Details: Civil Engineering, Environmental engineering and management, IIT Kharagpur, Ola electric, Startup, Bhagwad Gita, Nagaur, Rajasthan, Self awareness, Artificial intelligence, volleyball, Mental health, Sociology, NSS

Board: BB Swain sir

Questions asked:
Chairperson:
1. Everything else is understood, explain me about this 'X' Project. (X was about improving self awareness using AI)
Gave a holistic answer, no cross questions and asked other member to ask questions

Member 1
1. Why do you have to read Bhagwad Gita again and again? Reading it once should suffice, right?
2. Did you use your learnings from Bhagwad Gita during job switch and how?
3. What was your role at Ola and what is the issue in service of scooters and why?
4. Do you know about governance change at ola after IPO
5. Do you think our economy will sustain the growth?
6. How budget will help in sustaining growth, give few examples.
7. Who is your role model and why?

Member 2
1. It is said that "everything that happened, happened for good, everything what is happening, is happening for good, everything what will happen, will happen for good", do you think everything is good now?
(Not so, took the answer towards acceptance and reworking)

2. You have cleared JEE and now you are here, so you have a neck of competitive examinations. Suppose one of your friend, graduated from not so good college and is also giving interview. On the day of final result, he gets selected and you don't. So will you think it is all because of Karma and how do you react?

3. We are doing so many Global summits on environment, is this only for optics or we are really doing something. how we are progressing towards environmental goals at global level?

4. Is india doing Good in environmental role, rate it on scale of 1 to 100.

5. Why did you take sociology as optional?

6. Will you pursue sociology in future? (I said "yes, maybe I will do Masters alongside whatever job I will be doing")

7. Why did you do masters in environmental engineering then? (He got confused, mine was a dual degree program, I explained about it. Chairman also intervened and explained)

Member 3
1. In today's time many young people, talented people are leaving their jobs and joining cults to pursue ascetic life. what is the reason for this and do you think they will regret it later?

2. Do you think GenZ dont want to shoulder any responsibility and are afraid of commitment?

3. With issues with American visas etc, students who used to go to America to do UG, whose parents could afford will also come to coaching centres and maybe fight for JEE etc. so this competition will increase, also students are under pressure during preparation what do you think about it?

4. You stayed in Bangalore and it is said that there is an engineering college in every corner of Bangalore.  but now a days employability is not good for engineers also, what do you think?

Member 4:
1. You are from Nagaur and Mirabai was from Merta in nagaur, what do you know about her? How will you apply her ideas in administration
2. What is pax silica?
3. Why is Netherlands in there?
4. Should india join? What would be your call?

Chairman: Thank you.

The interview was very conversational. They listen very attentively. Most questions were contextual, probing and based on deeper enquiry.

020: Shrikant baldi sir, Utkarsh Sir(Mentor Aid), Shubham Aggarwal sir(Vidhyapeeth IAS), Gurukul IAS, Ravi Kapoor sir, Dharmadhikari sir(CMP),

DAF discussion: Mahesh Bhagwat sir, Vikash sir (VK IAS), Bassi sir, B singh sir, Satyendra Garg sir(samkalp),

Mocks: Samkalp(2), NextIAS, Vajirao and reddy, Vajiram and ravi, few online with upwise.

I am grateful and indebted to a lot of more people for giving me their valuable time and helping me understand things! People are way too kind, from bureaucrats to friends! 🙌🙌

Keywords :Agriculture ,Cooking, warli art ,Public administration(optional),Tamil nadu ,Tiruppur.Others not asked
Board : Sanjay Verma sir
Date 06.02.26(AN) 3rd to go

Chairman
Welcomed me twice.Sir said ,welcome ! I said thank you sir .Again sir smiled and said welcome .

1.Tell me the name of three private players that we need to bring into the government
Then sir asked why did you choose them?
Then follow ups on it
2 .Asked about diff between indo us deal and indo eu deal
3 what is the idea of india . later sir clarified it
4 let me know about the link between human evolution and cooking
Members
1 .long monologue on private sector qualities like
Risk taking ability and government risk averse which leads to delayed decision making
2.three challenges faced by farmers in tamilnadu .I said irrigation
3 tell me about kaveri issue
4.what is land port (insisted me to take guess three times)
5.what are challenges of landlocked country
6.any examples
7.what is island arc
8.give examples and explain me the formation indonesian archipelago
9.tell me the quality of private sector that government wants
10. Sanction vs tariff vs quota
11. Prioritise the following for a good production
Seed ,fertiliser,mechanisation
12. Where will you switch a suite (rank it)
Tailor ,showroom,e commerce
13.wont the cost from tailor shop will not be higher (follow up from the previous question)
14.tell me about warli art
15.tell me three section that will you suggest the art form
16.will you cook pasta
17. Long discussion on cooking rice (lady member said why your face blooms by hearing rice )
18. When can add salt to the dish and 3 follow ups on it
19. Do you know pm kusum scheme
20. Have you seen any solar powered pumps in your Village
21. What Tiruppur exports for Russia
22. And what is the mode of payments between India and Russia
Sir said your interview is over
You may leave now...

Name : Shankaracharya
Date- 2th Feb 2026. Forenoon. 5th to go(last). Around 25-30 min.

Chairperson - Honourable Sanjay Verma Sir.

DAF keywords - Advaita and pratical vedanta, Social issues based movies, Rajasthan, Bikaner, Anthropology, B.Sc, changed board from CBSE (10th) to RBSE(12th).

Said Good afternoon to chairman first and then all members. Chairman sir asked to have a seat.

Chairman Sir
1. Ok shankaracharya, Are you working anywhere?
2. Do you have any Work-ex?  Have you ever been employed?
3. Just a B.Sc, you never thought of doing any masters, even from an open university. ( Here explained Situation during Covid and for job security i prepared for SSC- CGL, then cleared also, but didn't join as wanted to give a try for cse).
4. Chairman sir - Ok Ok, then it's fine. So you are a reader of Advaita and pratical vedanta, don't you think it is inapplicable in our present reality. They say that this world is unreal, how you will tell this to an aggrieved person as an administrator. Don't you think you have to segregate your personal view in professional life?  Explained it's not like that, rather very pratical. Unreality or mithya is from transcendental pov not from vyhavaric. Then answered the aggrieved qxn, told sir that this is exactly what pratical vedanta of swami Vivekanand is. At last he was convinced that it covers everything.
5. Ok, watching socially relevant movies. Don't you think it's making zero impact in the society. Films like dhurandhar attracts a large audience whereas only a bunch of people go to watch social issues based movies. It's like already progressive people watching progressive movies. What's your take on it. Told while commercial element is missing and they attract a fewer audience but they do make an impact by increasing awareness ( gave example of menstrual hygiene thru padman), removing prejudices and age old biases( Article 15 and Jai bhim), making new normal( sitaare zameen par)
6. Ok, I'll you 100 cr, on which social issue you wud like to make movie on. Told 100 cr is a big amount wud like to divide it into various fronts as these movies are low budget and commercial element is low. Started saying disability, tribal issues. Chairman interrupted and said these are already been made. Give your original perspective or an issue which you have seen. Took a pause for 2-3 second and very confidently told 'Men's right' as people are misusing stringent laws and making false cases against them. ( Had a look towards lady member here, she was a little surprised, i thought I did a blunder here). Chairman sir jokingly said then give me my money back, whole room started laughing. He then asked me you wud make movie on an exception ( out of 100, only 1 case will be of misuse). I told sir increasing awareness about that one is also necessary. He looked satisfied but I don't know. This answer can land anyside.

Member- 1.

7. So you are from Bikaner, do you think Rajasthan in general and bikaner in particular have 'Colonial mindset'. I started answering and got little diverted, then chairman sir interrupted and said you didn't hear the qxn properly.
8. Then we talk about royalty mindset in bikaner rather than colonial mindset. Chairman sir said it's very feudal mindset. I said definitely It is but nowadays it is changing, MLA, MP are rising from ground and at the same time royal leaders did good development( mention of Gang canal by Maharaja Ganga singh which inspired formation of Indira Gandhi canal).
9. Can you explain why did you change your board from CBSE to RBSE as CBSE is considered superior?

Member- 2( Woman)

10. What are recent changes in climate of Rajasthan due to Climate change and global warming. ( Mentioned desertification and rising frequency of extreme climate events like heat waves, erratic rainfall etc)

11. Few days ago I went to Jaipur and in one of premium school more than 95% students were boys. What's your take on it. ( I told we cannot generalise this to whole of Rajasthan, it might be because of specific issue of that school as female education overall is rising in Rajasthan).
12. Then some conversation regarding increasing dropout rates of women. What are the reasons etc.
13. How advertisements in india are changing? I answered then she asked what is some major ads which has a profound impact on your life. I paused for few seconds but still couldn't recall. Then she said they haven't impacted you much then. I seconded her.

Member- 3

14. You talked about Indira Gandhi canal, what's your opinion regarding River interlinking? I told postives and negatives and told there cannot be one size fits all approach rather issue to issue analysis and based on that decision should be taken.
15. What are major projects which we are undergoing. ( Answered ken Betwa and ram jal setu project in Rajasthan).
16. Certain specific qxn on ken Betwa and issues regarding it ( mentioned panna tiger reserve).
17. Certain discussion regarding water scarcity.

Member- 4

18. You mentioned about tiger reserve. What approach you would take as an administrator - maintaining water security or preserving biodiversity? Said Sir both are interlinked and as an administrator I wud wish to preserve both by doing proper EIA and at the same time ensuring drinking water availability.
19. So you are a student of anthropology, which is largest tribe in india and what are their Major issues? Mentioned it's either Bhil or Gond and gave 4 challenges faced by them.
20. Who was Birsa Munda. Major contribution of him.( Mentioned Ulughan revolt, Birasait sect and social upliftment and women empowerment works).

Chairman sir again.
21. Is it wise to use 'Bhagwan' on a mortal being. Don't you think we are politicising Bhagwan birsa munda for our use. And using bhagwan shows low IQ of tribals. ( Mentioned concept of ancestor worship here and told it is bottom up reverence due to his mentioned contribution rather than top down politicisation). Chairman sir said that is a very good line of thought. Have you read it or thinked just now. I told from my limited understanding of tribal cultures and I have come to this conclusion.
22. He then asked can you name other tribal leaders who are worshiped like this. I could only name Alluri Sitarama raju and said there are a few but currently I'm unable to recall).
Ok shankaracharya, your interview is over. You can go now. Said Thank you to everyone.

Experience- Board was very cordial. All members are keenly listening each and every line and kept nodding. There were good 2-3 moments in which they seem impressed at the same time there were a few moments which raised their eyebrows. All they want is a good conversation I guess.

Mocks given.
One to one- Utkarsh Shukla Sir ( I was enrolled in his mentorship course. A must I would say for interview prep. Helped me a lot for overall personality development). Mahesh Bhagwat Sir IPS( Sir helped with complete DAF dissection, immensely helpful for preparing DAF related questionnaire). Shubham Aggarwal Sir, Vidyapeeth IAS( Sir's WhatsApp group helped me in building various perspectives on controversial questions. One on one was very helpful for structuring answers). Asif sir( For DAF dissection). Retd IAS Srikanth Baldi Sir( Very helpful for questions on each DAF keyword).

Panel mock- Vajirao(2, very good), Chankaya mandal( Good quality of questions asked), LevelUp IAS( unnecessary grilling), Upwise and Quantel helped for both offline and online mocks. Samkalp(2, very similar to main interview experience). Next IAS helped with giving content of various daf keywords

In the end I want to thank all my friends and family for helping in this entire journey.

Name: xyz

Date : 03.02.2026

DAF details : Teaching underprivileged children, Philosophy, Sociology, Jammu n kashmir, pikleball

Board name: B.B.Swain sir

Questions asked:

Interview transcript

Chairperson
1. U teach underprivileged children. Elaborate how since we have limited info in DAF.
2. ⁠what can be done on an institutional level
3. ⁠what more needs to be more.
( some more follow up questions)

Panel member 2 :
1. Why is the difference in development in west and east of india.
2. ⁠ pikleball amalgamation of which sports
3. ⁠why pikleball? Its relatively new.

Panel member 3
1. India used to account for a huge % of goods exports in ancient times now its reduced to such a less %. Why do u think that is. What philosophy should india follow. Why do u think this is happening and what do u think shohld be the attitude of india towards the west.
(Sir gave a huge monologue) and ended the question with who is ur favourite philosopher

Panel member 4
1. What is the situation in Jammu n kashmir now
2. ⁠what is the status of kashmiri pandits
3. ⁠have they been able to come back.
(Long conversation and rather v grilling on how they havent been able to come back, its all talk, parties in j&k creating create vitriolic environment how will things improve, why no people to people engagement has been there.

Panel member 5
1. Which 2 commands are there in Jammu.
2. ⁠if u were DM of doda district how would u apply chanakyaneeti there
(I took a long pause)
- Chairman intervened n said why only doda ask her what philosophy would she apply as an admin in entire Jammu

Your interview is over.
Thank you.

Name : Shankaracharya
Date- 2th Feb 2026. Forenoon. 5th to go(last). Around 25-30 min.

Chairperson - Honourable Sanjay Verma Sir.

DAF keywords - Advaita and pratical vedanta, Social issues based movies, Rajasthan, Bikaner, Anthropology, B.Sc, changed board from CBSE (10th) to RBSE(12th).

Said Good afternoon to chairman first and then all members. Chairman sir asked to have a seat.

Chairman Sir
1. Ok shankaracharya, Are you working anywhere?
2. Do you have any Work-ex?  Have you ever been employed?
3. Just a B.Sc, you never thought of doing any masters, even from an open university. ( Here explained Situation during Covid and for job security i prepared for SSC- CGL, then cleared also, but didn't join as wanted to give a try for cse).
4. Chairman sir - Ok Ok, then it's fine. So you are a reader of Advaita and pratical vedanta, don't you think it is inapplicable in our present reality. They say that this world is unreal, how you will tell this to an aggrieved person as an administrator. Don't you think you have to segregate your personal view in professional life?  Explained it's not like that, rather very pratical. Unreality or mithya is from transcendental pov not from vyhavaric. Then answered the aggrieved qxn, told sir that this is exactly what pratical vedanta of swami Vivekanand is. At last he was convinced that it covers everything.
5. Ok, watching socially relevant movies. Don't you think it's making zero impact in the society. Films like dhurandhar attracts a large audience whereas only a bunch of people go to watch social issues based movies. It's like already progressive people watching progressive movies. What's your take on it. Told while commercial element is missing and they attract a fewer audience but they do make an impact by increasing awareness ( gave example of menstrual hygiene thru padman), removing prejudices and age old biases( Article 15 and Jai bhim), making new normal( sitaare zameen par)
6. Ok, I'll you 100 cr, on which social issue you wud like to make movie on. Told 100 cr is a big amount wud like to divide it into various fronts as these movies are low budget and commercial element is low. Started saying disability, tribal issues. Chairman interrupted and said these are already been made. Give your original perspective or an issue which you have seen. Took a pause for 2-3 second and very confidently told 'Men's right' as people are misusing stringent laws and making false cases against them. ( Had a look towards lady member here, she was a little surprised, i thought I did a blunder here). Chairman sir jokingly said then give me my money back, whole room started laughing. He then asked me you wud make movie on an exception ( out of 100, only 1 case will be of misuse). I told sir increasing awareness about that one is also necessary. He looked satisfied but I don't know. This answer can land anyside.

Member- 1.

7. So you are from Bikaner, do you think Rajasthan in general and bikaner in particular have 'Colonial mindset'. I started answering and got little diverted, then chairman sir interrupted and said you didn't hear the qxn properly.
8. Then we talk about royalty mindset in bikaner rather than colonial mindset. Chairman sir said it's very feudal mindset. I said definitely It is but nowadays it is changing, MLA, MP are rising from ground and at the same time royal leaders did good development( mention of Gang canal by Maharaja Ganga singh which inspired formation of Indira Gandhi canal).
9. Can you explain why did you change your board from CBSE to RBSE as CBSE is considered superior?

Member- 2( Woman)

10. What are recent changes in climate of Rajasthan due to Climate change and global warming. ( Mentioned desertification and rising frequency of extreme climate events like heat waves, erratic rainfall etc)

11. Few days ago I went to Jaipur and in one of premium school more than 95% students were boys. What's your take on it. ( I told we cannot generalise this to whole of Rajasthan, it might be because of specific issue of that school as female education overall is rising in Rajasthan).
12. Then some conversation regarding increasing dropout rates of women. What are the reasons etc.
13. How advertisements in india are changing? I answered then she asked what is some major ads which has a profound impact on your life. I paused for few seconds but still couldn't recall. Then she said they haven't impacted you much then. I seconded her.

Member- 3

14. You talked about Indira Gandhi canal, what's your opinion regarding River interlinking? I told postives and negatives and told there cannot be one size fits all approach rather issue to issue analysis and based on that decision should be taken.
15. What are major projects which we are undergoing. ( Answered ken Betwa and ram jal setu project in Rajasthan).
16. Certain specific qxn on ken Betwa and issues regarding it ( mentioned panna tiger reserve).
17. Certain discussion regarding water scarcity.

Member- 4

18. You mentioned about tiger reserve. What approach you would take as an administrator - maintaining water security or preserving biodiversity? Said Sir both are interlinked and as an administrator I wud wish to preserve both by doing proper EIA and at the same time ensuring drinking water availability.
19. So you are a student of anthropology, which is largest tribe in india and what are their Major issues? Mentioned it's either Bhil or Gond and gave 4 challenges faced by them.
20. Who was Birsa Munda. Major contribution of him.( Mentioned Ulughan revolt, Birasait sect and social upliftment and women empowerment works).

Chairman sir again.
21. Is it wise to use 'Bhagwan' on a mortal being. Don't you think we are politicising Bhagwan birsa munda for our use. And using bhagwan shows low IQ of tribals. ( Mentioned concept of ancestor worship here and told it is bottom up reverence due to his mentioned contribution rather than top down politicisation). Chairman sir said that is a very good line of thought. Have you read it or thinked just now. I told from my limited understanding of tribal cultures and I have come to this conclusion.
22. He then asked can you name other tribal leaders who are worshiped like this. I could only name Alluri Sitarama raju and said there are a few but currently I'm unable to recall).
Ok shankaracharya, your interview is over. You can go now. Said Thank you to everyone.

Experience- Board was very cordial. All members are keenly listening each and every line and kept nodding. There were good 2-3 moments in which they seem impressed at the same time there were a few moments which raised their eyebrows. All they want is a good conversation I guess.

Mocks given.
One to one- Utkarsh Shukla Sir ( I was enrolled in his mentorship course. A must I would say for interview prep. Helped me a lot for overall personality development). Mahesh Bhagwat Sir IPS( Sir helped with complete DAF dissection, immensely helpful for preparing DAF related questionnaire). Shubham Aggarwal Sir, Vidyapeeth IAS( Sir's WhatsApp group helped me in building various perspectives on controversial questions. One on one was very helpful for structuring answers). Asif sir( For DAF dissection). Retd IAS Srikanth Baldi Sir( Very helpful for questions on each DAF keyword).

Panel mock- Vajirao(2, very good), Chankaya mandal( Good quality of questions asked), LevelUp IAS( unnecessary grilling), Upwise and Quantel helped for both offline and online mocks. Samkalp(2, very similar to main interview experience). Next IAS helped with giving content of various daf keywords

In the end I want to thank all my friends and family for helping in this entire journey.

Name:

Date:Feb 3, morning session,
3rd to go

Key DAF details:Kerala, sociology, watching socially relevant movies (nothing else was asked)

Board:Sujatha mam

Sujatha mam-read the DAF out loud
1.I will first ask you a very simple question,why do you want to be a civil servant ?
2.Asked me what should we talk about?(I mentioned the India USA trade deal)
3.What was the trade deal about.was it signed or is it going to be signed?
4.Are you aware about the  India EU trade deal and what is Pakistan's angle in it ?
5.Do You know about the  movie Great indian kitchen?Tell other members about the movie
6.Isn't such things an exaggeration?..our mothers and grandmothers  also worked like that .Some follow up questions on that

M1
1.You are from Kerala..there are many famous sportspersons like PT Usha from Kerala.Why does kerala have such sportspersons?
2.If appointed to a post in charge of sports department what changes would you bring in order to improve sports in india
3.You are a sociology student.Tell me difference between matriliny and matriarchy ?
4.Has matriliny improved condition of women.Discussion on that
5.There are many famous temples in kerala ..like the guruvaayoor temple ..they are under the state govt ..don't you think govts intervention in such matters violate the idea of secularism?

M2
1.What is the population of india?
2.Is it increasing or decreasing?
3.What is population of china?Has it started decreasing ?
4.What did china do to decrease its population
5.Is there any difference in population in northern and southern states?
6.What are the consequences of that(sir himself mentioned about Delimitation)
7.What happens to LS seats of southern states when Delimitation is done ?
8.When is the next Delimitation exercise ?
9.Why do we need so many people..isn't having so many people bad ?
10. You mentioned the word sustain earlier ,coming to that ..tell me what is sustainability from the perspective of tourism
11.Can you give any example in which sustainable tourism is practiced ?(I told about Responsible Tourism mission in kerala and about Kumarakom model-Sujatha mam intervened and asked more details)

M4
1.Tell me advantages and disadvantages of having large population?
2.what is the most important thing to do to reap demographic divident ?
3.Tell me 3 good things from budget (i mentioned about Biopharma Shakthi)
4.What is india doing currently in pharma sector and what changes india is planning to bring ?

M4
1.About the India USA trade deal you mentioned earlier..what all things President Trump mentioned in yesterdays tweet ?
2.Are you aware of the incident that happened some time back when Afghanistan's foreign minister visited India?
3.What did India do and what was the outcome?
4.If Russia and Ukraine have to stop the war what all things you think should each side have to give up ?Some follow up on that.

Chairman -Your interview is over

Mostly conversational and follow up questions were based on previous answers

O2O:Nithin sir(Fortune ias),Shinas sir(ilearn ias),Anuroop sir(lead ias)

Mocks-Fortune ias,kerala state civil service academy, Sankalp,Pala civil service academy,Xylem ias

Name: xyz

Date : 03.02.2026

DAF details : Teaching underprivileged children, Philosophy, Sociology, Jammu n kashmir, pikleball

Board name: B.B.Swain sir

Questions asked:

Interview transcript

Chairperson
1. U teach underprivileged children. Elaborate how since we have limited info in DAF.
2. ⁠what can be done on an institutional level
3. ⁠what more needs to be more.
( some more follow up questions)

Panel member 2 :
1. Why is the difference in development in west and east of india.
2. ⁠ pikleball amalgamation of which sports
3. ⁠why pikleball? Its relatively new.

Panel member 3
1. India used to account for a huge % of goods exports in ancient times now its reduced to such a less %. Why do u think that is. What philosophy should india follow. Why do u think this is happening and what do u think shohld be the attitude of india towards the west.
(Sir gave a huge monologue) and ended the question with who is ur favourite philosopher

Panel member 4
1. What is the situation in Jammu n kashmir now
2. ⁠what is the status of kashmiri pandits
3. ⁠have they been able to come back.
(Long conversation and rather v grilling on how they havent been able to come back, its all talk, parties in j&k creating create vitriolic environment how will things improve, why no people to people engagement has been there.

Panel member 5
1. Which 2 commands are there in Jammu.
2. ⁠if u were DM of doda district how would u apply chanakyaneeti there
(I took a long pause)
- Chairman intervened n said why only doda ask her what philosophy would she apply as an admin in entire Jammu

Your interview is over.
Thank you.

Name: Philosopher Queen
Date: 16 Jan, 3rd to go (Forenoon)
Board: Sanjay Verma sir

DAF Keywords: Kerala, Malayalam fiction, Local Heritage, Personal journaling, KELSA quiz, PSIR, DU

Chairman
1. What should I call you ? (Name) or (Surname)
2. How many years have you been in Delhi ? What are the Heritage spots that you visited in Delhi ? ( Mentioned about Ashokan pillar- then few Qs on its history)
3. You read malayalam literature. Any connection between malayalam authors and malayalam cinema ?
4. Follow up - Favourite work of MT. Why?
5. Any North Indian book that you read? ( Only book that came to my mind was White Tiger and Chairman said Aravind Adiga is Telugu. I said the plot is set in Delhi. He accepted it by recollecting the movie)
6. Compare the writing style of Benyamin, KR Meera and another person ( not aware of the third writer)
7. Have you been to any literature festivals ? (Yes Mathrubhumi lit. Fest)
8. Follow up- Where is Kerala lit. Fest conducted? Who is the sponsor?

Member 1
1. Why Kerala God's own country?
2. Sabarimala is very famous. What is your opinion on women entry ?
3. If you become IAS officer in Kerala cadre what are the things that you do to promote industries?
4. You do personal journaling. Can you share anything that you wrote which is very significant ?

Member 2
1. Betta tell me where is Kollam. Is it towards South or North of Kochi ?
2. Have you visited Kochin shipyard? What is it's significance ?
( Mentioned his experience of visiting Kovalam last year and he was totally disappointed since the place was very dirty)
3. Kerala now is promoting port led model of development. What is it's significance ?
4. Now let's asks something related to legal matters. What is ADR? Difference between Arbitration and Mediation?
5. Do you see a divergence between USA and Europe?
6. Any recent serious issue? ( Greeland )
Chairman interrupted - Do you think Denmark forces can counter US forces ?
7. Role of Malayali diaspora in Middle East?
Member 3
1. What are the unique reasons that made EU a success when no other organisations of similar nature succeeded?
2. What is the difference between European Commission and European Council ?
3. There is high pendency of cases in India. What are the structural reasons for this? Don't mention infrastructure, no. of judges...etc

Member 4
1. What do people call you name or Surname ? ( In Kerala name and in Delhi surname. Everyone laughed )
Member 3 joined the conversation and said I will say what your surname signifies- your father's name. I said no. Then again he said then the name of your place. I said it's my grandmother's name.
2. Who are the Travancore sisters?
3. Tharavadu system of Kerala has historical and social significance. But it also has very important cultural significance. How to preserve that ? ( Mentioned 2 ways- not satisfied with the answer. He asked again)
4. Do you think Communist govt as the reason for low industrial base in Kerala?
5. One more Qs with two subparts asked. While answering the 1st part chairman said your interview is over

Overall, board was very cordial. It was a different experience compared to the mocks

Offline Mocks:
Fortune IAS, Amritha, Sankalp

One on one:
Nitin sir (Fortune)
Shinas sir (Ilearn)

Online mocks:
Sankar IAS, Sankalp, Vajirao, Civils Daily and one on one's scheduled by upwise.


Had peer mocks almost daily and it helped a lot.

Name: Philosopher Queen
Date: 16 Jan, 3rd to go (Forenoon)
Board: Sanjay Verma sir

DAF Keywords: Kerala, Malayalam fiction, Local Heritage, Personal journaling, KELSA quiz, PSIR, DU

Chairman
1. What should I call you ? (Name) or (Surname)
2. How many years have you been in Delhi ? What are the Heritage spots that you visited in Delhi ? ( Mentioned about Ashokan pillar- then few Qs on its history)
3. You read malayalam literature. Any connection between malayalam authors and malayalam cinema ?
4. Follow up - Favourite work of MT. Why?
5. Any North Indian book that you read? ( Only book that came to my mind was White Tiger and Chairman said Aravind Adiga is Telugu. I said the plot is set in Delhi. He accepted it by recollecting the movie)
6. Compare the writing style of Benyamin, KR Meera and another person ( not aware of the third writer)
7. Have you been to any literature festivals ? (Yes Mathrubhumi lit. Fest)
8. Follow up- Where is Kerala lit. Fest conducted? Who is the sponsor?

Member 1
1. Why Kerala God's own country?
2. Sabarimala is very famous. What is your opinion on women entry ?
3. If you become IAS officer in Kerala cadre what are the things that you do to promote industries?
4. You do personal journaling. Can you share anything that you wrote which is very significant ?

Member 2
1. Betta tell me where is Kollam. Is it towards South or North of Kochi ?
2. Have you visited Kochin shipyard? What is it's significance ?
( Mentioned his experience of visiting Kovalam last year and he was totally disappointed since the place was very dirty)
3. Kerala now is promoting port led model of development. What is it's significance ?
4. Now let's asks something related to legal matters. What is ADR? Difference between Arbitration and Mediation?
5. Do you see a divergence between USA and Europe?
6. Any recent serious issue? ( Greeland )
Chairman interrupted - Do you think Denmark forces can counter US forces ?
7. Role of Malayali diaspora in Middle East?
Member 3
1. What are the unique reasons that made EU a success when no other organisations of similar nature succeeded?
2. What is the difference between European Commission and European Council ?
3. There is high pendency of cases in India. What are the structural reasons for this? Don't mention infrastructure, no. of judges...etc

Member 4
1. What do people call you name or Surname ? ( In Kerala name and in Delhi surname. Everyone laughed )
Member 3 joined the conversation and said I will say what your surname signifies- your father's name. I said no. Then again he said then the name of your place. I said it's my grandmother's name.
2. Who are the Travancore sisters?
3. Tharavadu system of Kerala has historical and social significance. But it also has very important cultural significance. How to preserve that ? ( Mentioned 2 ways- not satisfied with the answer. He asked again)
4. Do you think Communist govt as the reason for low industrial base in Kerala?
5. One more Qs with two subparts asked. While answering the 1st part chairman said your interview is over

Overall, board was very cordial. It was a different experience compared to the mocks

Offline Mocks:
Fortune IAS, Amritha, Sankalp

One on one:
Nitin sir (Fortune)
Shinas sir (Ilearn)

Online mocks:
Sankar IAS, Sankalp, Vajirao, Civils Daily and one on one's scheduled by upwise.


Had peer mocks almost daily and it helped a lot.

Transcript

Jarvis520
2nd feb 2026 (AN). 4th to go
Sujata ma’am board
Around 25mins

Sujata ma’am
1. Please introduce yourself
2. What are your two qualities
1. How are you connected to nature?
3. In this budget, what is there for sports?
1. What is in khelo India mission?
4. What are two big sports event going to be held in India?
1. Is Olympics 2036 confirmed for India? Or still bidding.
2. Which organisation provides turn for Olympics event? it has specific name –not IOC.
5. What is sportswashing?
Member 1 (male)
1. What is full form of DAV?
2. What is Anglo vedic?
3. Tell about Swami Dayanand Saraswati
4. Difference in spiritualism and religion
Member 2 (male)
1. What’s your view of prohibition in Bihar?
2. If I have hundred crore to invest, why would I invest in Bihar , not in Gujarat?
3. Start-up is growing heavily in India. What do you think?
Member 3(male)
1. Why start-ups are failing? what are its issue?
2. So, you never get corrupt ??
3. US approach towards China for G2, what are its positive and negative for world ?
Member 4(male)
1. If you become Nepal ambassador, what will be your priorities?
1. What do you understand by better people to people connect?
2. What will be the stand of five countries – India, Ghana, Fiji, France in UN for climate change discussion.

Ravi sir (versatile IAS) has been THE CORE, a one stop answer for all phases..,words are not enough to describe his contribution. Especially for interview, his one to one was on similar grounds. DAF discussions with him also helped.
On his guidance, i gave 5 mocks (board) and all of them were good ones with highly experienced bureaucrats.
It was vajiram & reddy + vajiram & Ravi + unacademy + vision + sankalp.
Sir also advised me to have session with friends in my medium (English) , this also helped.

Other tried - o2o jice ias (good) + only ias board & O2O + vision faculty

Name: Neymar Junior
Date- 05 Feb
Chairperson: Hon. Sanjay Verma sir
Keywords from DAF: Tamilnadu, Zoology, Anthropology, Athletics and Football, Historical fiction, Outreach programme in slum, Youth Red Cross society, Loyola college
AN session- 3rd to go

Chairperson:
After I entered the room, chairperson asked me if I was okay and whether to adjust the room temperature, Then he said sit down and let’s talk.
1. Let’s play a game, I’ll state some stuff from history and you have to guess if that is a fact or a fictional story
1a. Buddha ate pork
1b. Akbar and Jodha’s love
1c. India’s contribution to world gdp was 25% during Aurangazeb’s reign
2. Loyola college’s contribution to Indian society (long discussion)
3. ⁠Movie watched in the last month it’s director and plot of it (I said i was in interview preparation so didn’t watch any movie sir, then he told to tell a movie I watched in the last two months)
4. ⁠Name a Hindi/Urdu poet (I said Kabirdas and he asked about any work of kabirdas)

Member 1: (Poker face)
1. Name any tribal sportspersons
2. ⁠Any tribal sportspersons in hockey
3. ⁠How to engage tribal youth in sports
4. ⁠Problems faced by tribal youth
5. ⁠Contribution of you as a Zoologist to Society
6. ⁠Follow-up- Zoonotic diseases and one health approach (discussion on this)

Member 2:
1. List down industries of TN
2. ⁠List down automobile companies in chennai
3. ⁠About Reduction of US tariffs
4. ⁠Their impact on TN industries and exports
5. ⁠List down religious sites in TN
6. ⁠List down minerals found in TN
7. ⁠Which state Kabirdas was from?
(Chairperson was encouraging me as I was listing down the answers)

Member 3:
1. Political parties of TN and their agenda apart from DMK and AIADMK
2. ⁠What are the historical fiction books you read and discussion on that (Chairperson also joined)
3. ⁠Long monologue- Do you know that everytime Chinese president visits Mahabalipuram in a year, there is tussle between India and china at the border the next year( I was speechless what to react to this or whether I have to answer)
4. ⁠Importance and advantages of metro projects in chennai
5. ⁠Why metro, why not existing train system and buses?

Member 4: (Lady Member)
1. What is imagination according to you? What do you imagine?
2. ⁠What you got by participating in treasure hunt?
3. ⁠What is treasure to you? (Long discussion and chairperson also joined)
4. ⁠What you did in YRCS, have you donated blood recently?
5. ⁠Boold shortages in blood banks? How would you encourage youth to donate blood?
6. ⁠How would you reduce Zoonotic diseases in your district
7. ⁠Do you know about Government’s Eat right movement?
Duration: Around 25 minutes

The board was very cordial, chairperson was interacting with me through the interview, Overall a very positive experience that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Mocks: Kingmakers IAS Academy, Naan mudhalvan, Aram Academy, Officers Academy, Manithaneyam Academy, Vajiram and Ravi, Vajirao and reddy, Sriram’s IAS

One to one: D.P. Agarwal sir, Jawahar IAS(Retd) sir, Dr.Sankara Saravanan sir

Name:
Date : 2/2 /26
Board: Anuradha Prasad mam
DAF key words:  AIR-7 in ICAR PG exam, Belagavi, Apiary, volunteer in Tiger census-22 and Elephant census - 23, Forestry, Geology optional, Certified NSS Volunteer
Chairperson:
1.Asked about ICAR pg exam and why didn't join MSc and asked whether I can join now
2.Appreciated unique interests specially in wildlife. Asked about Apiary (Bee keeping) , whether India is the largest exporter of honey, challenges in apiary, and what measures can be taken to boost production.
3.Scientific lab method to check quality of honey and adulteration.
4.Border Belagavi dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Was is it wrong decision to reorganize states on linguistic basis? Any other factor that can be used instead of language
Member 1( looks very knowledgeable about wildlife)
1. Asked about Certified NSS volunteer, was it voluntary? I said it was satisfactory course in graduation.
2. Asked who was the man behind project tiger - I said Indira Gandhi, he not PM but who designed it, I said M K Ranjithsinha
3. How much food (gazelle sized /deer sized animals does a tiger consume in 365 days? I said a tiger requires 52-55 deer sized animals.
4. In order to produce that much surplus prey what should be the prey base
5. Methodology of tiger estimation?
3 stage: 1. Herbivore- carnivore sign survey. 2. Line transact survey. 3. Camera traps
4. How will you differentiate individual tiger? I said based on stripe patterns as they are unique like our fingerprints
5.Elephant corridors : Bandipura TR, trijunction of protected areas in karnataka Kerala and TN?
Member 3
While granting blocks for mining government itself decides to grant mining lease. After that Environmental Cleareance is sought from MoEFCC. Isn't EC just a namesake requirement.? I said for any non forestry activities Central government permission is required under  FCA -1980 . A thoroughly done Environmental Impact Assessment under EPA- 1986 to come up with a "management plan "
2.What activities need to be done to mitigate damage from surface and underground mining
3.What is Human wildlife conflict? How can we solve this?
Member 3 :(female)
1.Asked about Data centres and AI and tax holiday upto 2047. India's investment in health, education is very low . We have high poverty . Do we need to invest in such technology?
2.What are environmental impacts of such data centres? I said water requirement, Power requirement. Mam said infrastructure and construction materials
3.Mentioned one geological report that was related to Seismicity in Himalayas. Asked whether I read it or not.,? I said No".she said read about it.
Member:4
1.Asked about hybrid engines, electrical vehicles. Aren't we slow? How long will it take? Some discussion on it
2.What are Bitcoins? In what form they exist?
3.What are paramilitary forces in India? I asked may I take a guess as I was unsure. Two members wholeheartedly said yes yes you can! I said CISF, ITBP and BSF. (I said BISF by mistake and 3rd member corrected me)
Chairperson mam said your interview is over. You can leave.
Overall the board was cordial, encouraging

Name: Yash Dodani
Interview Date: 03/02/2026 – 3rd to go.
Board: Shri Sanjay Verma Sir
Key DAF Details: B.A.LL.B (Hons.), Law Optional, Refugees, Climate Change Refugees, Disability Law, Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, Bollywood Songs
Interview Duration: 32 Minutes
Chair:
1. Which is the oldest Bollywood song that you know and can sing and which one is the latest?
2. Who apart from the singer is involved in a Bollywood song?
3. Do you think that the actors have a role to play in a Bollywood song?
4. You have done law, tell me which personality you have gained after becoming an advocate which was not present when you joined the law school and which part of personality you have lost because of you becoming an advocate? There was a long discussion on this around my answer.
This lasted for around 5-6 minutes overall.
Member 1 (Female):
1. Who are refugees?
2. What are the objectives that you will keep in mind while framing a policy around refugees and what will be your approach as a civil servant in such situation?
3. Who are climate change refugees?
4. are they given international recognition through any convention?
5. Should India have a national policy for climate change refugees?
6. What is your opinion on the morality of death sentence?
Member 2 (Male):
1. You are a lawyer, tell me how to become a judge?
2. What is your opinion on the three year practice norm that the Supreme Court has given for anyone who wants to be a judge?
3. How much minimum experience will I need to climb up from district judiciary to the High Court? You may take a guess.
4. Is there any role of the collegium system in appointments?
5. What is your opinion on the collegium system?
6. Do you use JAWS while reading or using computer?
7. What is the basic difference between JAWS and NVDA?
Member 3 (Male):
1. Why do other countries especially the western ones have compliance of disability law but in India we have seen a different story. What could be the reasons?
2. What are the major legislations that deal with disability in India?
3. Do you think that the public places are accessible for persons with disabilities?
4. What was the Rajive Raturi ruling?
5. What would be your approach to make places accessible as a civil servant?
Member 4 (male):
1. Who were the farmers who protested the most against the farm laws?
2. What were the names of three farm laws and what were they trying to do?
3. Punjab farmers grow a lot of paddy, why?
4. For irrigation, do they use ground water or river water?
5. What is your opinion on the Supreme Court orders on the stray dogs? Do you think that the state will be able to spend money on making shelters for the dogs?
Overall, the board was good. I gave around 10 mocks to practice. Samkalp was the best among all of them in terms of experience with the actual interview.