Name: Anshul Singh

Date: 19 Feb 2026 Forenoon (2nd to go)

Key DAF Details: PSIR, Convergent Journalism (Masters), F1, Cricket, Model United Nations, Bihar Caste Survey, Interest in Contemporary Indian Politics, Sports Editor, Delhi (East Delhi-Dilshad Garden)

Board: Sanjay Verma Sir (30 mins)

Chairperson:
1. How many interviews have you given before (Not counting earlier UPSC interviews since this was my first interview and second attempt)?
2. What were the shortest and the longest interviews?
3. Views whether Indian journalism in converging into a black hole?
4. What are the reasons responsible for the same?
5. What are some of the alternative media platforms that are emerging?
6. Why should I follow contemporary Indian politics?
7. Shouldn't I just save myself from all the noise present in Indian politics today?
8. What do you mean by democratic backsliding?
9. What are the two semi-finals you are looking forward to in the ongoing T20 World Cup?
10. Shouldn't India avoid playing Pakistan in the semis or finals as we can lose against them?
11. What is the one change that you would make in the current Indian line up? (Said Kuldeep for Arshdeep)
12. What is his (Kuldeep's) batting strike rate? [Only question I couldn't answer]

M1

1. What would you prefer A good neighbourhood first policy or India's good ties with great powers like USA? [Picked the former and explained why]
2. Don't you think it would cost India's relationship with USA and Russia?
3. What is online trolling?
4. Why is it becoming a huge problem lately and steps to curb it?
5. Do you think dissent is important in a democracy and why?

M2

1. Why do you think East delhi has problems like high crime rate and more crimes against women?
2. What steps do you suggest to improve?
3. We see a wave of cricket nationalism in India. What do you think should be done to promote other sports in India?
4. Ho can private sector role be increased in promoting other sports? [I said from CSR and even the Govt could form a Fund of Funds with collaboration of private sector for the same and he said that is a great suggestion]
5. Gave me a situation where riots have taken place due to a social media post and asked for the short term and long term measures

M3

1. Do you think Delhi's East and North East region could be compared to East of India in general?
2. Do you we should go ahead and do a caste based census when such a thing happens no where in the world?
3. Do you think caste is relevant today?
4. Why do you think no educational qualifications were adopted in the Constitution for the post of MLA and MP?
5. Don't you think we should amend the Constituion and include educational qualifications for MPs and MLAs now in the present scenario?

M4 (lady member)

1. What do you mean by 'Spiral of Silence?'
2. Do you think in India, with emerging issues of majoritarianism, such a trend is being witnessed?
3. What is the utility of conducting MUNs (Model United Nation) in schools and colleges when the UN is losing relevance?
4. Do you watch K-dramas or are aware about them? [I said I don't watch but am aware about some of them]
5. Why do you think GenZ in India watch so many K-dramas even when their reality is so much different than ours?

Board was really cordial and it felt more like a conversation than an interview. Board members were acknowledging my responses and reacting positively on some of the answers.

Mocks: Vajirao, Sankalp, NextIAS, Vajiram, Quantel, Unacademy, Upwise
O2O- Mahesh Bhagwat Sir (Detailed DAF analysis with potential questions), Sunil Oberoi sir (Best one, helping in opinion making), Ayush Sinha Sir (helping to control tempo and pace), Vinay Sir

Board was really cordial and it felt more like a conversation than an interview or a personality test. Board members were acknowledging my responses and reacting positively on some of the answers. Overall a great experience. Now, prayers and hope....

Name: Gagan

Date:19th Feb,2026 Forenoon session
First one to go.

Last attempt.

Key DAF Details: MBBS, Medical Officer, Sleep patterns, Malnutrition, Reflective Diary writing.
(Most questions were out of DAF)

Board: Honourable Suman Sharma ma’am
( Last time Shukla sir😔 and got too low marks.)

Half round table like format.

Two members were sitting just besides
me

Questions asked:

Chairperson:
Honourable Suman sharma ma'am

Greeted me with smile. Are you from this district? Said yes ma’am.
So, you left job in 2021 right? Said, yes ma'am.

🫳French PM’s visit to India.
What was related to health?
Will France benefit from Indian AI?

👉 Is there any other hub of pharma apart from Gujarat?

👉Why is Gujarat hub of Pharma?

👉Why is not India good in APIs production? We are good at Generic medicines.

👉Why the global trade has been disrupted?

👉In which sector you would advise to promote India's trade?

👉What is the contribution of MSMEs?

M1 : (lady member)
Serious look

Manufacturing sector contribution in India?

What are the problems of MSMEs?

👉How can you promote MSMEs as health secretary?

👉Women in MSMEs necessary?

She was closely observing how I was speaking.

M3:

Just left side of me
After sitting he deliberately observed my style of sitting and any foot movement.
After asking tricky questions they all looked at each other..Dekho kaise fasta hai ab! Like..

Tried to trap me by asking tricky questions.

👉What are the health challenges in Gujarat region wise?

👉So, Government is not aware of inequality?

👉Cough syrup deaths. Who can be blamed?

👉Should gujarat remove liquor prohibition?

👉As a Advisor to CM what would you suggest?

👉Liquor is available everywhere in Gujarat.
So do you think that there is corruption in the Government?



M4: very old age. Supported my answers.


👉Problems in Geriatric Care in India? Do you think we should promote?

👉Do you think India should follow Insurance based model from Western countries?

👉Robot vs cybort? Said don't know sir

👉Tiger reserves promotion? What are current status?

👉Do you think UN reforms necessary? How ?

👉Do you think India should follow two party system as it is successful in USA?


M4:

👉What is start up bridge?

👉Why is there sleep disturbances in people?

👉So, should India commercialise Sleep clinics?

👉What are the role of Incubation centre?Name any one

👉Is health sector is about business?

👉How do you visualise India at the Global stage?

Approx: 20 minutes

Chair person ma'am was writing countinously in diary.

Other members were writing something in DAF or diary by pencil.

Tricky questions against government. Tried to know balance of judgement.


Mocks/O20 (If any):
13 mocks given online.
PW only IAS gave the opportunity to have maximum mocks with them.
Vision ias -, and Samkalp best.

Unacademy - taught me to speak with humility.

Jice Academy - too much aggressive marketing.

Upwise arranged two online mocks.

Others online: Apti plus, Vajirao and reddy, GS score, PW only ias,

DAF analysis,: Shri mahesh bhagwat sir ips: Very nice person.

Offline - gave 3
Samkalp, Vision, Pw only ias.

PS: Interview was totally different from mocks. Just one question was repeated in actual interview. So, be prepare for random questions.

As last attempt and having experience of this journey I have observed that the pt is subjective. The marks variation are from 100 to 215. So, I would Like to advise folk to Score maximum in Mains. Take the optional which give you maximum marks.

In the Whole process, please don't waste too much time. If you spend 3 attempts and don't clear prelims please start back up options. The ones who pass after 6+ attempts might have financial backup. But if anyone without any financial backup spend 6+ years and even after multiple interviews, don't get selected then it would be too frustrated. So please guys give this exam with visionary decision.

In the overall process, thank you for my relatives, SPIPA Ahmedabad, and the State government of Gujarat for supporting me. Thank you very much.
Signing off.
Be sthitpragnya whether in success or failure. This what UPSC taught me in 6 years.

Board - lt.Gen Raj Shukla sir.

Date - 11/02/2026 Afternoon

DAF keywords- military school, marketing assistant, water conservation workshop, writing poem, latur, kitchen gardening.


Chairman-
1. From military academy how you landed in agriculture.
2. What is your role in agro marketing( job exp.).
3. Long monologue over trump and his maga campaign. And changing usa policy for manufacturing.
4. If you are advisor for pm what will your priority sector.
5. Monolog deue over farmers behaviour for resistance to structural change.


Member 1

1. Water conservation strategy for latur district.
2. What method you will implement there.
3. Recite one poem.

Memb. 2

1.discussion on water grid development , it's challenges and solutions.
2. Reason for delhi pollution and role of stubble burning.
3. What is government doing to tackle stubble burning.
4. How we can incentivised farmer for stubble mgnt.
5. What are difficulties in adoption.
6. Why farmer don't use new short duration crop varieties.


Memb. 3

1. What is bureaucratic red tapism. It's causes and how to tackle.
2. Case study - in your office a officer is most competent but currupt. How will you tackle it.

Memb. 4

1. Status of agri mechanisation.
2. Is it fesible in labour rich country like India.
3. Issue of farm labour availability.
4. Case study- as election officer how will you improve voting percentage.
5. Discussion on kitchen gardening and how will you promote it.


Mostly from DAF.

Mocks - samkalp, Maharashtra sadan, next ias, shankar ias and quantel,IDI delhi.

O2O- shri Ram sir, Mahesh bhagvat sir,Shubham Aggarwal sir (Vidyapeeth IAS), kanagraj sir (Agri optional). Deepak sir (Yukti ias). Asif sir (next ias), Utkarsh Shukla sir(mentor AID), Farees Rahman sir.

Special thanks - Shubham Aggarwal sir (Vidyapeeth IAS), vidhya probhadhani (kolhapur). Share india (smile foundation) and manobal foundation.

Name- Chhote Pandit
Date - 17th Feb, Afternoon session, 3rd to go
DAF keywords - Solar, Tadpole design, Military memoirs, Mental health challenge, Mechanical engineering, Geography optional, Dramatics, Lakhimpur, Jaipur
Board- Anuradha Prasad ma'am
Chairperson-
1. What is Solar Tadpole design Vehicle ?
2. What was your motivation behind this project ?
3. Was it a business idea as well or just normal project?
4. So what happened to the business idea?
5. Why wasn't it commercialised?
6. Which military memoir you last read?
7. What were your learnings

Member 1
1. Have you read any memoir on chinese war of 1962?
2. What were reasons for our loss?
3. Which law governs mental health in India?
4. It's salient features?
5. What changes were made in this act related to suicide?
6. What was Greenland issue? Why Trump wanted it?
7. Why he backtracked?
8. Which is largest island?
9. Why Australia is called continent and not island?
10. New technologies in Manufacturing.
Member 2
1. You lived in Lakhimpur UP as well as in Jaipur, what difference you see?
2. Tell me about people and culture and not geographical settings .
3. Does Demography change has any impact?
4. What should government do?
5. Views about changes in border areas like in Assam and what measures should we take?

Member 3
1. India has very low rank in Press freedom index. Is it just perception that media in not free or is it a reality?
2. Difference between El Nino and La Nina
3. Why trade winds weaken during El nino
4. Impact of both on India?
5. Which Dramatics play you used to do? Adaptations or original script?
6. Which one you wrote? It's theme?

Member 4
1.Meaning of your name?
2. Why more cyclones on Eastern side and less on western side?
3. Difference between landslide in Himalayas and in western Ghats

Chairman said Thankyou, your interview is over
Duration - about 25 min

Mocks- GS Score, Unacademy, Pw, Quantel ( keystone ias), Upwise( Rathod IAS), Vajirao and Reddy, Next IAS, Samkalp
One to one- Shabbir sir, Deb Sir ( edukemy), CMP
( All one to one were very good)
Special Thanks : Yatharth Dikshit ( AIR 411 , 2024 CSE) and to my peer group for regular discussions and refinement

Name -:)

Board - Suman Sharma ma'am (Nothing was asked from DAF and it was very random )

Date - 17 February

Golden visa laaye india to uski viability usse related aur questions and counter questions

Inland waterways viability

Sabrimala revisited

Himalayas no longer the barrier they used to be. . Elaborate

Enemy china or pak

Riparian principles and way forward for inter state water disputes

Present bid of India's membership to unsc as representative and counter questions

Defend bulldozer justice as representative of up govt

Diaspora ka use.

Reverse brain drain

Ferozabad se related child labour

Non traditional security threats.

Geopolitics and technology intersecting. What prompted the trendand illustrations


Novel laureates who not worked in india. Why.


Where are spaces where india and Bangladesh are competing.

Aravali.

How to minimise concerns of human rights violations in counter terrorism Operations..

Should govt go for full transparency ?

Lessons india can draw from GENZ protests in neighbourhood

Mocks and one to ones - Almost 20 (Though the interview went quite random, it helped me in staying calm and structuring answers)

Special credits - Smartwork Labs (Ankit sir), Anantham IAS (Ashish Sir and Rahul Sir), Study IQ (Abhishek Sir ).

Name: PS
Date: 20/2/26
Daf keywords asked: Cricket, Ministry of Road Transport, Civil Engineering.

Board: Sheel Vardhan Singh Sir.

Chairperson:

1. What role do you perform in a team?
2. Favourite cricket shot?
3. Are other forms of cricket losing charm bcoz of T20?
4. Zomato CEO controversy regarding 10 min delivery?
5. What is gig economy?
6. 3 things you will do to improve there condition?
Monologue on my previous answer

Member-1(Female member)

1. Ill effects of 10 min delivery? 2 points
2. Driverless vehicles- sustainable in India?
3. Electric Vehicles- asked me to give cons on environment
4. What are critical minerals?
5. Contribution of Renewable energy in total installed and production capacity.
6. EV charging stations and discussion about super chargers.

Member-2

1. Whicj are the 2 hostile meighbours of India?
2. discussion over it based on my previous answer.
3. Why do we need to cooperate with china only? Should we not cooperate with Pakistan?
4. 3 things to be done to improve relations with Pakistan?
5. Should we coope with pakistan?
6. benefits of cooperating with Pakistan?
7. 5 things for rainwater harvesting
8. Urban planning and rainwater harvesting

Member-3

1. Which civil engineering journal you read?
2. Which newspaper u read?
3. longest road network in the world?
4. difference between US and Indian roads?
5. Why indian roads have lesser quality?
6. talk over administrative will and corruption
7. Platform and non platform based workers.

Member 4

1. BRIEF US about Indo US deal?
2. Asked if final agreement has been signed yet?
3. Has india started purchasinf oil from venezuela?
4. Difference between Venezuelan oil and other oil?
5. Why india is purchasing?
6. what if india refuse to purchase? Will trump put additinal tariff again? Everyone Burst into laughter

Chairperson:

Thank you. It was pleasant talking to you.

Hello people,
You are requested to share your interview transcripts of CSPT 2025 for common good (in following format)

This way you will be able to keep your transcript in memory for you also. It is important for you also.

Name: (If you wish to reveal- Real/ Tg/Other)

Date:

Key DAF Details:

Board:

Questions asked:
(Can write answers also if one wishes)


Mocks/O20 (If any):

Can give in chat/text format or word format

Can use your preferred language or the language of PT


Please forward transcripts on following ids —
@Pegasus_IND
@psm0506
@kaptaanjacksparrow
@Lankapati1729

#Sharing_is_caring
#SabHongeKaamyab

Best wishes! ✨❤️

Team @csetranscripts

Name- xyz
optional- anthropology
interview date- 19/02/2026
panel of 5 members- lt gen raj shukla-chairman
daf keywords- iit bhu, ece, software engineer-currently working, jharkhand, data science project- cassandra event name, student mentor, listening to ghazal hobby
chairperson
Aaiye baithiye
Where are you working?
Member 1: A very disturbing incident from jharkhand today- i nodded- a woman killed for witch hunting
1. why witch hunting happens?- kept interrupting in between my points to explain each point thoroughly
2. How will you solve this if a case comes to you
Member 2.
1. what is the importance of data?
2. data is not very secure, why to bother so much about data then?
3. Any data breach incident you are aware of?
4. How to secure data?
5. why do we need mentors?
6. what you did as a mentor?
7. Were you able to understand their problem or pay proper attention to them?
8. why can't faculty be mentors?
9. Why suicides still happen?
10. A new rule has come regarding mentors, are you aware of that- i said no
11. he told the rule that if a suicide happens - mentors would also be held liable- what will be effect of this rule on mentors?
Member 3.
1. who was cassandra? Kept adding questions to this - like who cursed her? Why?
2. Lets talk more on witch hunting
3. Villagers don't come out as witnesses in such cases- what should we do? kept countering on my answers
4. Recently vinod gupta pleaded guilty , why?
5. what is govt doing to handle this?
Member 4.
who popularised ghazal? how and why?
1. why should we allow data centres in our country- it has so much energy footprint
2. I told about some climate smart solution exist for water cooling- Can you explain that technology?
3. jharkhand formed along with chattisgarh- why didn't it grow?
4. What are the land issues there for industries?
5. Are you aware of jadugoda?
Chairperson- Thik hai aap ja skte hai

Mock- vajiram & reddy, nextias, shankar ias, Quantel- rashika mam, unacademy, pw,
one-one- Aditi mam,don't recall some names, friends

16th, feb 2026. Afternoon last to go
Board - Dinesh Dasa Sir. (All male board)
DAF Keywords- Anthro, Andhra Pradesh, ECE, listening to songs.
Chairperson
1. Your hobby is listening to songs, Do you sing also?
2. IT sector contribution in AP's GDP has reduced from 3000 crores to about 300 crores after bifurcation. Why? and what steps is AP taking to bridge this gap?
3. Three capital issue- sir gave examples of Gujarath, MP where there are 3 centres of development and asked If you are the Chief Secretary to AP what will you suggest?
4. Among three tribal approaches- (integration, asaimilation, isolation) which one would be better suitable in this digital age?
5. Davos summit- investments to AP? Asked specifically about MoU with an AI based company.
6. Talked about Jallikattu and Sabarimala cases and asked why SC is intervening in these issues?

M1
1.You had good marks in Engineering. Why civil services?
2. Quantum computing and problems
3. AI summit
4. Milan exercise in Vizag, fleet review.
5. situation- how to encourage startups in my district if posted as DM?

M2
1. Situation- You are posted as DM in a tribal district with no proper connectivity. How will you use your ECE knowledge?
2. Situation- I had to choose whether Tribals will be relocated to a different place for their better development or they wouldn't be relocated?
3. When did u come to Delhi? Did you see any changes in Delhi air?
4. What is AQI? What are its components?
5. What is PM 2.5,10 what is the unit?
6. Which are secondary pollutants?

M3
1. If you are posted as a DM of your district what are the priority areas that you would work?
2. Talked about IIT coaching institues culture in AP and Telangana. What could be done?
3. Election funding.
4. Criminalization of politics
5. Temples control by state should it be done away with?

M4.
1. Farthest man made object in space. (Answered-Voyager-1)
2. How is it communicating with Earth?
3. Data centres and problems.
4. Problems of GCCs to Indian compnies like TCS, Infosys.

M3 again.
1. Asked about Tirupati Laddu issue and If I am posted as TTD EO what will you do?

Chairperson- Thank you. Your interview is over.

O2O: Thank you Anupam Sir(Smartworks). His guidance during both mains and interview was very helpful.The questions that were discussed in O2O have been repeated in actual interview as well. His approach towards interview was very insightful and helpful it helped me remain calm and confident.

Thank you Umesh Reddy sir and CSB IAS academy for your constant support,current affairs sessions and O2O.

Name- xyz
optional- anthropology
interview date- 19/02/2026
panel of 5 members- lt gen raj shukla-chairman
daf keywords- iit bhu, ece, software engineer-currently working, jharkhand, data science project- cassandra event name, student mentor, listening to ghazal hobby
chairperson
Aaiye baithiye
Where are you working?
Member 1: A very disturbing incident from jharkhand today- i nodded- a woman killed for witch hunting
1. why witch hunting happens?- kept interrupting in between my points to explain each point thoroughly
2. How will you solve this if a case comes to you
Member 2.
1. what is the importance of data?
2. data is not very secure, why to bother so much about data then?
3. Any data breach incident you are aware of?
4. How to secure data?
5. why do we need mentors?
6. what you did as a mentor?
7. Were you able to understand their problem or pay proper attention to them?
8. why can't faculty be mentors?
9. Why suicides still happen?
10. A new rule has come regarding mentors, are you aware of that- i said no
11. he told the rule that if a suicide happens - mentors would also be held liable- what will be effect of this rule on mentors?
Member 3.
1. who was cassandra? Kept adding questions to this - like who cursed her? Why?
2. Lets talk more on witch hunting
3. Villagers don't come out as witnesses in such cases- what should we do? kept countering on my answers
4. Recently vinod gupta pleaded guilty , why?
5. what is govt doing to handle this?
Member 4.
who popularised ghazal? how and why?
1. why should we allow data centres in our country- it has so much energy footprint
2. I told about some climate smart solution exist for water cooling- Can you explain that technology?
3. jharkhand formed along with chattisgarh- why didn't it grow?
4. What are the land issues there for industries?
5. Are you aware of jadugoda?
Chairperson- Thik hai aap ja skte hai

Mock- vajiram & reddy, nextias, shankar ias, Quantel- rashika mam, unacademy, pw,
one-one- Aditi mam,don't recall some names, friends

Name -:)

Board - Suman Sharma ma'am (Nothing was asked from DAF and it was very random )

Date - 17 February

Golden visa laaye india to uski viability usse related aur questions and counter questions

Inland waterways viability

Sabrimala revisited

Himalayas no longer the barrier they used to be. . Elaborate

Enemy china or pak

Riparian principles and way forward for inter state water disputes

Present bid of India's membership to unsc as representative and counter questions

Defend bulldozer justice as representative of up govt

Diaspora ka use.

Reverse brain drain

Ferozabad se related child labour

Non traditional security threats.

Geopolitics and technology intersecting. What prompted the trendand illustrations


Novel laureates who not worked in india. Why.


Where are spaces where india and Bangladesh are competing.

Aravali.

How to minimise concerns of human rights violations in counter terrorism Operations..

Should govt go for full transparency ?

Lessons india can draw from GENZ protests in neighbourhood

Mocks and one to ones - Almost 20 (Though the interview went quite random, it helped me in staying calm and structuring answers)

Special credits - Smartwork Labs (Ankit sir), Anantham IAS (Ashish Sir and Rahul Sir), Mahesh Bhagwat sir , Mahesh Bhagwat sir Study IQ (Abhishek Sir )

Name- नट
20 feb
Sheelvardhan sir 
4th to go.
Daf- hindi poetry, cricket, maths, UP (rest not asked)

Chairperson - 
1. When is hindi diwas?
2. Isn't it shame to celebrate hindi diwas in hindi land?
3. What do u feel about great nicobar project?
4. Which migratory species come at nicobar?
5. As a karuna ras poet, what does that species feel?
6. Excited or anxious About AI?

M1(lady)
1. Celebrating hindi diwas and forgetting hindi rest of the days? Like women's day!
2. What have u learnt from cricket?
3. Any more lessons?
4. And kept asking for more lessons.
5. Discussion on that.

Chaiman again-
1. If I ask AI to give me lessons will it not give me 70 more?(I said it's the process of imbibing which is important)

M2-
1. Who has won Bangladesh 
2. Who will he visit first India or China?(Said China)
3. Convince him to visit India.

M3-
1. Many btech taking humanities optional why yours maths?
2. Famous about district?
3. Why up in news?
4. Bulldozer justice Good?
5. Poets from shringar and karuna?
6. Lines of rashmirathi?

M4- 
1. Where are water contamination problems in India?
2. Who's responsible?
3. What will you do?

Chairperson - interview is over can go.

Experience - very friendly, cordial, ni grilling, logical flow of questions, more like conversation.

Mocks- many through quantel and upwise, next, sankalp, CMP, vision.
O2O- vidyapeeth shubham sir, Mahesh Bhagwat sir.
Peer interaction , senior guidance.

Thankyou.

Name - Charaiveti Charaiveti
 
Board - Anuradha Prasad ma'am
 
Date - 16 February forenoon, first to go in.
 
DAF keywords- Metallurgy, Work experience, Industrial Problem Solving, Comfort food, coffee
 
Duration- 29 minutes
 
Chairperson:
1 Why did you leave your job?
2 What will you do if you don't qualify for CSE?
3 What is this Industrial problem solving and what was the problem that you solved?
4 Did the company adopt your solution?
5 Why companies don't invest in RnD in India?
6 What can be done to boost RnD in India?
Other members:(The questions are not in a order. Listing them as I recall.)
1 What is Indus water treaty?
2 Will withdrawing unilaterally from the treaty set a bad precedent?
3 What are the major issues going on globally?
4 Implications of Russia-Ukraine war on India?(based on my previous answer)
5 Why are prices of metals rising?
6 What are rare earth elements? Give me some practical applications.
7 Why India lacks in this sector?
8 What are we doing in this sector?
9 What do you think about social media ban for children? Should the solution be technical or social?
10 What is comfort food?
11 Why this interest in coffee?
12 Recommend me three unique coffee that you've tried from India
13 Will water be the cause of WW3?
14 Discussion on India- Bangladesh relations.
 
• Some follow-ups on the above questions. Mostly discussion rather than questioning. Some questions I can't remember.
• All the members were actively listening
Mocks given- Around 17. Almost every major institute. All of them were helpful in some way.
All the best to everyone!

Name : KS
Date: 20 Feb 2025, Forenoon

Key DAF details - Jharkhand, Journalism, Proofreader, Officer Trainee (Public Relations), PSU, Blog writing on IR

Board : Mrs. Suman Sharma Ma'am Board
Board Composition - President + 1 female and 3 male Advisors

Chairman -
1. You are going through training or it's done ?
2. You work in a PSU, These PSUs directly contribute their CSR money to PM Relief fund, What's your take on this? (2-3 followup questions ultimately satisfied with the answer)
3. You are a PR Officer at your PSU, If CBI arrests a high official for Corruption, how will you build the narrative? (Counter Questions and Ma'am finally seemed dissatisfied with the answer and said achaa okay leave)
Only 2 questions prr discussion on them was long. Both were Opinion based and Situation Based.

M1 (Female) -
1. AI is going through its UPI moment, What do you understand from this? (follow up)
2. How can Jharkhand benefit from the Indo-EU Trade Deal? ( I said steel)
2. What about the CBAM and Carbon Tax concerns?
3. Do you know what is logistics?
4. how to logistics help the industries in Jharkhand?
5. Which is the cheapest mode of transportation?
6. Are waterways there in Jharkhand?
7. What about women working in night shift? (Told about Gujarat Law)
8. Is there any provision for this in Jharkhand?
9. Your opinion on women working in night shifts?

M2 -
1. You worked as a proof reader and the job of proofreader is to find mistakes, What life lesson can you give me from this job?
2. ⁠Suppose you are given a copy to proof read and it say "The Chairman of your PSU has allowed more women to work in night shift". Do you find anything wrong in the statement? (then he emphasised on the word "allowed")
3. Is finding such errors job of a proofreader or content writer?

Not remembering other questions.

M3-
1. India has put Indus Water Treaty in Abeyance and has stopped the supply of water? What can we do to make this sustainable?
2. Which form of Media do you think is more reliable, TV, Print or Social Media ? (Follow-up Questions)
3. Jharkhand was long affected with LWE, now many have surrendered, Are there chances of resurgence?
4. Measures to control resurgence.
5. ⁠How are Coal Blocks distributed?
6. ⁠What was the earlier mechanism?

M4 -
1. You write blogs, You are proofreader, You are proofreading a book and find that this book has a paragraph which you have read in other book earlier, Will it violate Copyrights? What will be your course of action?
2. Everything around IRAN-USA issue.
3. What is Iran doing?
4. What will happen if Gulf of Hormuz is blocked?
5. ⁠What is the land dispute between Iran and UAE? Do you know?
6. Do you think a war will happen between Iran and USA

Unable to recall some questions.

It was a very different experience than the mocks. Most questions were very high quality and unpredictable. (Transcript can't give the context, it's just the framework)

All members of the board were *cordial*. Board President was keeping a very serious face.
She smiled in the beginning and end but when other members were asking questions, She was staring at me (She paid heed to the complete conversation), (But it was like a death stare 🫣) .


Panel Mocks - Around 15 (Every coaching one can think of in Delhi 😅), Next IAS and Chanakya Mandal Parivar were good.

DAF Discussion - With Mahesh Bhagwat Sir, IPS (It was helpful, Very high regards for his continuous efforts)

Gratitude to all others who helped in this journey 🙏

Name: Harvey Specter
Board: Sheel Vardhan Sir
13th February 2026, Afternoon Session, 2nd to go
DAF Pointers: NIT, Idea Cellular, PSIR, Climate Change, West Asia, JNU

Chairperson
1. We see that you are interested in studying Climate Change in West Asia. Why only West Asia?

2. What is so peculiar about West Asia?

3. What is the impact of Climate Change on North East India?

4. Rivers change their course every now and then, how is it related to climate change?

5. Suppose we have to weaponize climate change and make climate weapons, deploy it on China and Pakistan, how will you do it?

Member 1 (Female)

1. You did engineering, then Masters and now pursuing a PhD, why have you taken so many things?

2. You have been to both NIT and JNU. If you have to compare and give me differences, what are these?

Member 2

1. We see that in the name of democracy, the USA has engaged itself militarily all across the world. How would you react to this statement?

Few questions and counter questions on this, which I am unable to recall at this moment.

2. Many professors from JNU are not that much supportive with respect to the Civil Services Examination. What is your view on this?

3. We have heard about "What and Idea Sirji". What was it all about? Who was the main character in it?

Member 3

1. Suppose you have to fight an election, what all do you need?

2. Why do you need a team (as I mentioned in my previous answer)

3. In student politics fighting elections is generally considered as anti-establishment. Are you an anti-establishment person? (I disagreed with a smile and gave my reasons why I am not anti-establishment)

4. What do you know about the artillery guns?

5. What is the difference between the artillery guns and rifle guns?

Member 4

1. Climate change is a regular natural phenomenon on the earth, what is so special about it this time?

2. How many extinctions have we seen on the earth?
A bit of discussion on this aspect.

3. What is the impact of climate change on other plantery things?

4. USA has been engaged in military incursions be it Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq. But it has never been victorious. What is your take on this? Why does the USA keep on doing this even though they have faced defeats?

Had a very engaging discussion with the board. Sheel Vardhan Sir was very attentive throughout and was keenly listening to the discussion with other members.

Mocks: Vision (Faculty +Bureaucratic Mock), PW Only IAS, Sankalp, UPSCPrep
O2O with Khan Sir (KSG) gave me a good perspective in answering and dealing with different situations. Hopefully this will transform to better marks.
Sankalp and Vision Bureaucratic mock was closest to the real interview.

Name: PQR
Date: 20/02/26
Board: Hon'ble Sanjay Verma sir
DAF Keywords: History, JNU, World War, Bihar, Chess, dark humor fiction.

Hon'ble Chairman Sir

1. Your name is interesting, what does it mean in English?

2. Can you name 5 Indian brands that are trustworthy?

3. Is hon'ble PM a brand?

4. You're from JNU. One good and one bad thing about JNU.

5. Why is medieval Indian history such a politically charged subject today?

6. Is there something positive about medieval history?

7. Let's play fact or fiction: India's share of global GDP during Mughals was 24%.

I said yes. He asked why are Mughals criticised then. Isn't it a good thing? (I focused on marxist critique of Mughal oppressive revenue regime).

8. I'll name 3 people, you have to mention what they do: Swapna Liddle, (rest 2 I forgot and had never heard of them)

9. Have you read Subaltern history? Who is your favorite Subaltern historian?

(I answered Ranajit Guha. )

10. There was no other great subaltern historian after Ranajit Guha?

11. Have you reaad anything by Ramchandra Guha? What did he write about?

M1:
1. There are famous people by your name, can you name one?

2. What is the problem with Marxist historiography?

3. Distinguish between imperialist, nationalist and marxist historiography.

4. Compare administrative system of Mauryas, Mughals and British. Which one do you like and why?

5. What is bullet chess and what is blitz chess?

6. What do you know about sufi movement?


M2:

1. I will give you 2 dates regarding world war. Tell me what happened on these dates. 1/09/1939 and 6/08/1945

2. "Those who donot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. " Give any contemporary development where this applies.

3. Was world war 2 caused because of weakening of League of Nations or there were other factors as well? What were those?

4. We are giving free food to 80 cr people. What's our total population?

5. Do you think we should feel happy about this that we are giving free food to so many people?

M3:

1. What's your opinion on Shri Karpoori Thakur ji? What was his contribution?

2. Which other leader do you think has done great things for Bihar?

(I told present hon'ble CM)

He asked whether he should be given Bharat Ratna.

4. Why is Bihar so underdeveloped?

5. How to tackle flood?

6. But we cannot stop the water from moving. So what are some other solutions?

7. Long monologue on Tibet's history. Asked specific events before 1947 that shaped developments regarding Tibet.
(I Said sorry sir)

8. Long monologue on Wahabism. Asked why was there a push for reform within Islam.
(Said sorry)

9. What steps is govt taking for cyber security in India?


M4:

1. What's your role in EPFO?

2. What are human rights?

3. Does our Constitution have human rights?
(Didn't seem satisfied with my answer, so I said sorry sir)

4. You're from JNU. Why so many anti national activities.

Hon'ble Chairman sir:

1. Okay, any recommendations you'd give us regarding Dark humor fiction?

2. Any movie recommendations

(Told Gangs of Wasseypur, and everybody laughed.)

Thank you.

Overall: cordial board.

Mocks given: Pwonlyias, visionias, samkalp, spipa, nextias

No mock was close to the real interview.

Name: Shaun the Sheep
Date: 16.02.26
Forenoon session, last to go

DAF: Permaculture, Social Fiction on Menstrual Awareness, Agriculture (Rest not relevant)
BOARD: Hon'ble Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla


Chairman
1) Is agriculture your area of interest?
2) Recent agriculture related issue wrt USA-India deal- why are farmers protesting?
3) India protects it's farmers too much- isn't it high time to open our market?
4) Long monologue on RCEP. Tell me is Russian oil bought by Indians decreasing?
5) Do you think it'll go down to zero to ensure the 25% tariff doesn't return? (Long monologue on- how Kremlin is upset and ties with Russia are important)
6) Would you buy oil if you were MoPNG Secretary? (Monologue on diplomatic answer vs practical reality difference)
7) How do we solve the russia ukraine war?
8) How do we get Russia to Freeze the fighting?

M1
1) You are from Hometown. How are you? How is Hometown? I see you've studied in some of the best schools in the area.
2) As the DM of Hometown what is one issue you would focus on solving?
3) As someone from NE adjacent area- what are five changes you've seen in past fifteen years vs now.
4) Let's look at Manipur- what caused the Kuki Meitei crisis?
5) Are hills always a focal point of unrest?
6) Why did they have weapons if lack of access is truly an issue?
7)Why isn't tribal protection status enough?
8) What is permaculture?
9) How does it help our farmers?
10) You studied math in 12th- how are mathematical skills used to study social issues?
11) Branch of math that does this?
12) What is God particle?

M2
1) Operation Sindoor- name of weapons?
2) Was s400 used? What is that?
3) Why did india agree to buy Rafale jets and not Russian Jets despite promise of tech transfer?
4) What was the global defense learning from Operating Sindoor?
5) Chicken neck Siliguri corridor- what is the govt doing to fortify it?
6) Any air base in Siliguri?
7) Name specific airforce assets in that air base?

M3
1) So, what is contract farming?
2) Why don't the farmers want contract farming?
3) You mentioned pine nuts with the chairman. Can contract farming help the US-India trade deal?
4) If you had to pick yes or no- what would you say to contract farming?
5) Now, if you were the DM of a district with small and marginal farmers- how would you introduce it?

M4
1) The book you've written- tell me about it?
2) How would you raise menstrual awareness as a DM specifically applying the learnings from your book?

Chairman was in grilling mode. Rest members were cordial.

Panel Mocks- Vision IAS (Faculty+ Bureaucratic), Samkalp IAS, Next IAS, PW OnlyIAS.

O2O- PW Only IAS

DAF Session- IPS Mahesh Bhagwat sir.

Date: 18/02/2026

Key DAF Details: Economics graduation and optional, following international affairs as hobby, Chinese language, NITI Aayog (nothing else asked)

Board: Dinesh Dasa sir

Questions asked:

Chairperson:
1. Asked me to introduce myself and why I was learning Chinese
2. Asked about the Nixon shock. I hadn't heard of the term so sir mentioned Bretton Woods and the system that followed, then asked me about that. When I got to the point of US President Nixon shutting the gold window he explained that that was what he was asking in the first place. I thanked him for this information
3. Discussion on the currency exchange rate system after this point in history to the present
4. Gave a monologue on Indian women keeping more gold than several countries' central banks, then asked if the government could do something to leverage the sky high market prices of gold and monetise the same. I recounted the South Korean example of a similar activity in 1997 during the IMF crisis (although that involved donation), talked about offering gold loans for idle assets so as to boost consumption in the economy, but also the fact that there is an emotional angle attached to Indian women keeping gold as savings so they may not part with it easily. Somehow despite a long conversation on this sir kept countering but he was smiling throughout the interview

Member 2:
1. Said it wasn't related to the interview but asked why I was wearing a blazer over a saree. I had seen this question before in a transcript but at the time I could only say that it was cold today (since it had rained early in the morning). Sir laughed and said me too
2. Discussion on Quad and its wavering momentum, whether we should continue in the present form or head towards securitisation. Counter questions on the same. When I tried to take a middle path (because I genuinely felt so) and explained my rationale, he said China is already hostile towards all so why not go for full securitisation. I said something along the lines of preventing undue conflict would be in the best interest of all
3. Asked about some naval event happening in South India. Somehow I completely skipped the full page ad in the newspaper talking about it which didn't go down very well. Conversation went on regarding maritime security
4. Long discussion regarding the Board of Peace and whether I think it will be successful or not

Member 3:
1. Asked if I know the amount of gold that male and female individuals can hold (I couldn't remember the exact value) then told me himself. A follow up question on this that I can't remember
2. Monologue on how 99.5% of candidates fail and yet people keep wasting their youth on UPSC (perhaps because it was my 4th attempt). Asked what can be done about this so I answered both from the perspective of one of these aspirants as well as an economist's but his expression was changing the entire time so I don't know if he was satisfied with the answer

[After this Dasa sir said that I can leave. I found it quite strange because two panel members hadn't asked anything. As I stood up to leave, the other panel members pointed out that fact as well so they asked me to sit down again]

Member 4:
1. Wanted to know why USD is the world's reserve currency and which grouping has been talking about challenging that. (At this point Dasa sir said we've already asked too much of economics so you can choose another topic if you want. Since I knew the theme I went with it.)
2. Again wanted to know why I was learning Chinese but kept interrupting

[Member 5 didn't ask anything. Dasa sir said that he was a professor of economics so he only observes those with a background in the subject and doesn't ask anything to them. Again he said that I can leave but there was probably some time left so discussion started once again]

Chairperson:
1. So you have worked at NITI Aayog. (I told him that I had interned there. I thought he would ask about the research topic but as they said too much economics had already been asked.) It has been 10 years since the organisation was established, but the building is the same, what changes did you notice in the working? How is it different from the Planning Commission? Do you think NITI Aayog is grounded to reality? I answered all of these and also mentioned the experts involved in the body as well as the role of advisers, young professionals, interns etc. and the various verticals under which work is carried out. Further elaboration along these lines drawing from my experience and what we generally study for mains
2. Sir looked at the panel members and recounted the days of the Planning Commission and how their officials would be welcomed in states to secure funding while this doesn't happen anymore. Then he asked me if NITI Aayog holds any significance when it no longer has any financial devolution powers. I gave my rationale. At the end there was more discussion wherein he was happy to hear that it was a good thing that the organisation was no longer of a political nature and purely an advisory body

Duration: 25-30 minutes

Vastly different from any mocks but they were quite helpful in terms of getting used to putting forth your opinions in front of multiple senior people. The actual personality test seemed to be more of an analytical nature wherein a single topic was discussed in depth rather than several topics at surface level, but I suppose that's down to one's luck and varies from board to board, person to person, day to day

Special thanks to Mahesh Bhagwat sir (IPS) for sharing interview-relevant news and content on the WhatsApp group; the DAF discussion with him gave much needed clarity. Immensely grateful to all the civil servants who provided me with their guidance and support throughout this process, especially Rekha Raikar ma'am (ICAS), D Sai Amutha Devi ma'am (IP&TAFS), Alok Pande sir (IPoS), Manoj Kumar sir (IRS), Sanjana Arya ma'am (IFS), and Shubhankar Pathak sir (IAS)

Name- S.B.S.B.S.B.
Board- Hon'ble Sheel Vardhan sir
Date- 17th February

Chairman-
1. What were the conclusions of your research project on Persons with Visual impairment (PVI)
2. I have read this - "PVI are most privileged within PwD" Do you agree.
(Cross questions on this)

Female Member
1. Full form of LGBTQ (word in DAF)
2. Difference between Queer and transgender.
3. What do for the people on those on road.
4. What will you do as an administrator.

Member 2
1. Monologue on Naxalism - What are the major pillars of strategy to counter it.
2. Use on tech in countering Naxalism.
3. FRA craims by people are genuine or not.
4. You as an administrator deploying a team to counter it.

Member 3
1. Being a Trans is a Physiological or Psychological (follow up questions)
2. What would you as US President would do.

Member 4.
1. Some areas that you can want work particularly with.
2. Women empowerment.
3. Challenges that they face.

Chairman gave me the opportunity to ask a question -
I asked why are the Previous two generations apprehension and distrustful towards GenZ.
All of them replied - 1-2 points.

Overall cordial board.
Gratitude note-
1. Biggest Thanks to my Guide, Friend philosopher- my mentor in the entire journey- Faisal Hussain sir.
2. Big thanks to Sumit Kapoor sir for his help.
3. Big thanks to Mushtafa Ali Shah sir (Forum IAS)
4. Big thanks to college professors for their help and guidance.
5. Big thanks to Mahesh Bhagwat sir was DAF discussion and materials on Group.
6. Big Thanks to Shubham Agarwal Sir for his informative videos and discussion on the group.
7. Most heartiest thanks to my peer group and all my friends who prayed and wished me.

Mocks- Samkalp, Vajirao and Reddy, Forum IAS, Sriram IAS (team Quantel), Chanakya Madal parivar.
One to one with - Ravi Kapoor sir (delighted and happy to talk to him).