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).

#FR_CSM2025 most likely on 03/03.

Name: PD
Date: 23/02/2026
Forenoon, 1st to go.

Key DAF Details: BDS, Kheda, Ahmedabad, PSIR, Sports (Kho-Kho, Badminton, Pickleball)

Board: Lt Gen. Raj Shukla Sir

Chairman
1. Have you been practicing dentistry?
2. Why civil services?
3. India is doing well regarding women’s representation. What is it that still lacks women’s representation in every sphere?
4. Tell me about the Epstein files. Many famous personalities are involved in them. On one side, they talk about women’s empowerment, and on the other side… (monologue continued)

⸻

Member 1
1. Our residential society is also going to have a pickleball court. Explain the game. How is it played?
2. Where do you play pickleball?
3. Why PSIR?
4. One line each on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
5. Whom do you choose? (I said Socrates — “An unexamined life is not worth living.”)
6. In administration, whom would you choose?

⸻

Member 2
1. Now listen carefully. There is a quote about the Iraq War:
“If we take it morally, it is not illegal; if we take it legally, it is not moral.”
What do you understand by this?
2. Who said “Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed”?
3. Explain your name (PD) in one line.

⸻

Member 3
1. Why does society prefer private institutions for primary education, but government institutions for higher education?
2. What is your understanding of education?
3. How will you ensure quality education if you are posted in a socioeconomically backward district?
4. If you are posted there for only two years, how will you ensure that your efforts do not go in vain?
5. The history of dentistry — is there any early evidence of surgery? Where do we find that evidence?
6. What is your idea of success?

⸻

Member 4
1. You are very interested in sports. Tell me, are we doing enough for women sportspersons?
2. Do you think freebies are the easiest populist policy to win elections?
3. What are the implications of freebies?
4. Do you support freebies?

⸻

Mock Interviews Attended:
SPIPA (Ahmedabad), Sankalp, PW Only IAS, Unacademy, VajiRao, Sriram, TathastuIAS.

Special thanks to KK Jalan Sir, Vivek Sir (Symbiosis IAS), and Satyendra Sir.

Thank you All.

Name : flyinglifeeee
Interview date : 11/02/25
Third to go
Optional- psir
Daf keywords: Meerut, journalism, crime (rest not asked)
Board: Lt gen Raj shukla sir board

Chairman
So you were news journalist?
Where did you work?
What current you doing?
Phd topic?
Area of interest?
What is soft power?
Why soft power india projecting?
Can india stop or hurt china in indian ocean?
What is supply chain?
What is net security provider?
Should india focus on hard power also?
Should india afraid of taiwan annexation by china?
How are directly impacted?
Give reasons
Now every country doing that?
What is vasudhaiva Kutumbakam?
It is going against india ?

Member 1-
Main problems of meerut and their solution as a dm?
Steps needed to become viksit bharat?
Water ? Analyse in indian context?
Your steps
Faction politics?



Member 2-
Is media true to its nature. Are they showing realty of society?
Why only electronic media even print media is biased these days?
Why not showing true news?
Should india continue with soft power?
Which is more imp hard power or soft power?
How to increase our capablity of hard power ?
Analyse the relations of india with neighbouring countries?
How to deal with china?

Member3-
Communal violence how would you solve?
What about leaders who spread hate?
Subsidy is it fair?
Are not we making people dependent on subsidy?
They are getting free ration but not working ?


Member 4-
Development journalism
Washington Post removing people ?
As ab administrator would u allow dalai lama in Arunachal Pradesh?
What is crime in india ?
Why rape crime not going down. Give 2 reasons.
What needs to be done?
More than 90% crime involve known one. How to tackle that?
Is there any report which provide data?
What about person who do crime without any intention just for fun?
How to tackle them?

Overall board was really cordial.

Mocks: Pw only ias, vajirav and reddy, sriram ias, shankar ias, Gs score, sankalp (3 here) , als and one more ( arranged by quantel), chankya
One to one: pw only ias
Special thanks to shinas sir (ilearn IAS)

Name: Culer
Date : 17/2/2025
Dinesh Dasa Sir Board, last to go. 25-30 minutes.
Key DAF details: Civil Engineering, History, Bits Pilani Hyderabad Campus, E.Champaran, Bihar, Cricket, rest not asked.
Questions asked:
*Chairman Sir*
Complimented me on my suit first as I entered and sat down.
1) 3 Civil Engg structures which changed geopolitics and history.
2) Why did Indian rulers did not safeguard Bolan pass taking example from Great wall of china.
3) 21st century had RTI, RTE, Mnrega, name some 20th century interventions by GOI, here I couldn't think so sir provided hints and I followed up.
*M1*
1) Sugar Mills in Bihar, what's the problem and as Agri Secretary what steps will you take to solve it. Some discussion followed on this.
2) Champaran Satyagraha significance, Sir cut me short and asked me some factual ques.
3) Who brought Gandhiji to Champaran.
4) Where did he stay in Champaran first.
5) Name the system prevalent there.
6) Ashokan Pillar at Areraj and it's relation with Indian National emblem.

*M2*
1) Champaran has famous foods like Meat, Litti chokha, one other food is famous but not outside Bihar. I asked sir, he said KHAJA, short answer and discussion on this.
2) Concept of Yellow Emperor.
3) What does China call the regions of Xinjiang, Tibet and Mongolia. What are they doing there.
4) Should we rename places like china is doing. Example, Hind Mahasagar for Indian Ocean.

*M3*
1) Civil Engg structures specially bridges in Bihar, Bhopal and Mumbai are facing flak, what's the issue.
2) What can be done and some follow-up.
3) India-Pakistan match and politics, what is your opinion on it.
After my answer, M2 remarked Oh you want Aman ki Asha.

*M4*
1) Are you God respecting or God fearing.
2) What's the origin of Hinduism
3) Dharma, artha, kaam, moksha - what are they.
4) Repo Rate and Inflation discussion.
5) Why History after Civil Engg. After my answer, he said then why choose Civil Engg. if you were interested in History in school.
6) Why Civil services? You can be a politician, sit in legislature and make laws, that'll have more impact than a civil servant.

Can't recollect a few questions.

Overall it was deeply daf based and factual which led to discussion. I was nervous in some moments but overall high quality of questions and good experience.
Mocks : Spipa Ahmedabad (3) NextIAS, SamkalpIAS (2), ChanakyaMandal, Special thanks to friends who helped and prepared with me.
Always grateful to senior officers, who were always helpful with my childish doubts.

Derived benefits from transcripts, cspt community, interacting with friends.
Jai Ram Ji ki🙏🙏

MentorAID STUDENT

👇👇👇👇👇👇

Name: Unshaken
Board: Hon Raj Shukla sir board
Daf keywords: TN, Mandala colouring, Information technology - others not asked
Date: 18.02.2026 Aftn - 3rd to go

Chairman sir
1. So you are an IT graduate? What did IT teach you?
2. AI is writing codes? So as stated by a famous CEO, his entire technical knowledge is overrode by AI. What do you think of it?
3. Do you know about self- recursive learning in AI?
4. Can AI orchestrate a cyberattack in the future? If so what can be do about it?
5. If US and China fight over tech supremacy, how can we bring consensus in AI regulation?
6. So IT is the most dangerous degree ever designed? You have designed a system which destroys your work? What's your say on it?
7. What is tik tok- social media platform or any other application? A monologue on its impact in US? Is it banned yet in India?

Member 1
1. I have visited Tamilnadu a few times? Why there is anti-Hindi sentiment widespread in the state?
2. Your native belongs to Tanjore? Tell me about its speciality?
3. I have said it as granary of South india? So why it became that?
4. Why south indian powers especially cholas weren't able to sustain their culture in Southeast asia?
5. I have they said. But why not compared to Jaffna in Srilanka?

Member 2
1. Scenario based qn - You are appointed as district collector where a creek separates district into halves? One half has good medical facilities while the others not. So what would you do to bridge the gap- coming to the other side takes around 20-30kms or else construct a new dam which is not feasible economically?
2. And follow-ups on that
3. What is mandala colouring- it looks interesting?
4. Where are its origin traced to?

Member 3
1. Your name resonates a famous political personality of Bangladesh- former PM Sheikh Hasina? Why we provide asylum despite the fact that it strained our indo-ban relationship ?
2. Can we shift her to another country like UK instead of directly providing safe asylum?
3. And some followups on that
4. What is scheduled language and how many are they? How many classical languages are there and is tamil one among them?

Member 4
1. Followup on anti Hindi issue. So politicisation is major issue behind anti Hindi stance of TN?
2. Do you prefer learning multiple languages espcially Hindi?
3. Followup on Sheikh Hasina- Can the context of providing asylum be interpreted in the design of long term picture ie taking into context that she could come back to power?
4. So if you are a district collector of southern district of TN, how could you solve the water issue?

A few qns I could not remember. Overall the board was cordial and the experience was good.

Mocks: Aram IAS academy (Chennai), Manidhaneyam IAS academy (Chennai), Only IAS

O2O: Utkarsh Shukla Sir(MentorAid) whose guidance was very helpful in structuring answers logically and analytically
Tamizhvendan Sir(IRS) whose guidance was immensely helpful

Name - AKW
PT date - 11th Feb 2026
Forenoon session second to go
President of the board - Sanjay Varma Sir

DAF details - Deoria, Chauri chaura Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Anthropology, my surname, civil engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia, 1st attempt and interests in reading about human evolution.

President ( Smiling face )
1- Have you ever been to Nizamuddin Auliya dargah
2- What is unique about it?
3- Have you visited to Humayun tomb
4- It's museums and about the museum
5- You have interest in human evolution tell me about this book titled ‘Early Indians’
6- What are the reasons that our species are superior and have survived 
7- Do you think brain size will continue to increase in future 
8- You said it will not increase because of the two reasons. Then will it shrink?
9- You said it will not shrink then do you believe that the six people sitting on this table are the most intelligent people in the world or for that matter humans of the 21st century will be the most intelligent human species ever lived. And the generation to come will be of lesser intelligence as you mentioned that we have outsourced data to other devices instead of storing it in our minds.
10- Tell me scholars in human evolution studies from India and the world
11- Have you heard about Richard leaky 

Lady member 1 (Smiling)
1- What is chauri chaura famous for 
2- You are very young what you will bring to the civil services
3- What does this word Fastrack means as you said
4- Looking at your DAF you have expertise in civil engineering then why you are coming to civil services you can have good work atmosphere and  a lot to do in private or anywhere else
5- Tell two weaknesses you have 
6- Mam read about my places of schooling to graduation and said you have moved a lot in life from Village to Delhi
7- then she asked few more questions 


Member 2  (Face without much expression of smile or even nodding) 
1- Tell me what india is doing in space com, chairman sir helped me to understand that tell about India's space program led by ISRO 
2- Asked about Drone technology in India and related scheme
3- What is drone didi scheme (member 1 helped me in answering)
4- What are the issues in aviation sector in India
5- What else could have been done if you will be made minister of civil aviation apart from what already DGCA and MoCA did
6- In indigo crisis who was responsible and anything else you can recommend in that case 

Member 3 (His facial expressions where negative I felt like he was not satisfied with my answers)
1- Nowadays we see everyone is taking Anthropology as optional. What are the reasons ?
2- You said personal reasons how can it be 
3- You have done civil engineering and then took Anthropology why so
4- You don't want to read what you have already read, but you can score better in your domain.
5- Why this sudden interest in anthropology 
6- Let's move on to human evolution, why we survived and others faced extinction
7- Tell me human evolution in nutshell 
8- He asked few more questions 

Member 4 ( his expressions were normal sometimes nodding and sometimes smiling)
 1- India is the capital of accidental death on roads what are the reasons for it
2- Do you think civic sense is only responsible for it
3- What could be done to reduce accidents
4- He asked few more questions I am unable to recollect 
5- My last question to you is Earlier you said that you will Fastrack administration then tell me whether you will do things fast or do it correct 


President said your interview is over best of luck
I said thank you and left the room to eat some choco pie

Mocks given - including offline online and 1:1
Vajirao and reddy, vision ias, samkalp, next ias, upwise, ekam , vajiram, dhristi ias, saarthi ias, unacademy, study iq , pwonly ias etc

Name : Alpha
Board : sheelvardhan sir
Daf keywords:
civil engineering, sociology
Environment documentaries

Chairman.
1. Tell me about way to develop urban area in tier two cities . ( Answer included info about smart cities)
2. Asked me about smart cities mission.
3. Do you think there is need of smart villages . ( I gave answer regarding communication infra and rural co-op)
4 . Do you think these specialistic models work these days



M2. Asked me about solid waste management problems and problems.
Series of questions regarding same .
M3 .
1. Tell me how to develop coastal tourism in Karnataka.
2. Bangalore is largest contributor to Karnataka gdp, there is skewed development.( Opinion )
3. Banglore is also facing massive urban infra challenges , do you still think it is necessary for to share resources with other districts.
M4.
1 . Political issues in Karnataka

2 . Tell me recently watched environmental documentary
( I told about antartica. Encounter at the end of this world referring to nihalist penguin) i

3. Tell me about Indian environmental documentary
4 . You are a civil engineer. Why civil services.

M5. Asked me about same solid waste management.
With long monologue.

Name - Khwaabeeda
Date - 18 February 2026
Chairman - Sanjay Verma sir

Afternoon session 6th to go
Duration - 30 minutes

Relevant DAF Keywords - Running, Trekking, Ambikapur, Sainik School, Chhattisgarh, Chemical Engineering, Varanasi, NITI Aayog, Internship

Chairman

1. You run. Where do you run?
2. Himalayan trekking. If you were to trek the Himalayas in India from Western end to Eastern end, what would be its length?.
3. You come from Ambikapur. How big a city is this?
4. What's your favourite dish from Ambikapur. What is it made up of? How's it made?
5. How much of this dish is consumed in Ambikapur in a day?
6. Which newspaper do you read usually?
7. There is something very special about today's Indian Express's op-ed page. Did you notice? Newspaper is right behind you. Bring it up. (Opened the op-ed page)

M1

1. You studied in a Sainik School. What's the objective of Sainik School?
2. Have you heard of RMC
3. What's the difference between RMC & Sainik School
4. What's the difference in their objectives?
5. You did this internship. How did you land it?
6. How many interns were there?
7. What did you do?
8. If you get into administration, what learning would you implement from your internship experience?
9. You did chemical engineering. How would it help in administration?
10. But these are lessons from any of the enginnering. Don't you think you ate away the seat of someone who wanted to study Chemical engg
11. What did you study in chemical engg which would help you?

M2

1. You are from Jabalpur?
2. MP was a part of BIMARU states. Do you think it still is?
3. So, is Chhattisgarh's PCI more than that of MP?
4. What has Chhattisgarh done for better PCI?
5. How has Chhattisgarh tackled Naxalism?

M3 (Lady member)

1. What's the mandate of NITI Aayog?
2. What is the difference between NITI Aayog & Planning Commission?
3. So, are financial powers bad? Isn't it good that there is a completely separate body for taking financial decisions?
4. President Trump wants to take over Panama canal. Do you know why?
5. Panama canal connects which two oceans?
6. Pollution hurts economy. How?

M4

1. You spent 4 years in Varanasi. What are the best 5 places according to you?
2. 3 things you like about Varanasi & 3 things you don't like
3. Your internship project, was it taken up by any startup?
4. How do you see the startup culture of India?
5. So, do you think it is good?

Mocks - Samkalp, NextIAS, Vajirao & Reddy, Vajiram & Ravi, PW, OnlyIAS, KSG, Shriram IAS, Vision, StudyIQ, Forum IAS, Quantel

O2O - Shriram sir, B Singh sir (Next IAS), Ayush sir (Forum IAS), Khan sir (Purane wale), Mahesh Bhagwat sir, Jawad Kazi sir, Anjani sir (Vision IAS)

Umesh Reddy sir's group discussions.

Name: Itachi Uchiha x Satoru Gojo.
Date: 16 February, 2026. Forenoon, 1st to go.
Keywords: Public Administration, Agriculture, AI, Kolar, Meditation, Physics. DAF Based.
Board: Dr. Dinesh Dasa sir
Chairman
1. Please take a seat. You are tall. Tell me how have you been using this height?
2. What is Weber's concept of Charismatic leadership? Why is it so prominent in the 21st century
3. How french bureaucracy is recruited? Tell me about their civil services examinations.
4. Should we allow civil servants in India to participate in politics?
5. Minnowbrook conference - what is it? When will it take place next? Your agenda for the same if you are made to head it.
6. How will you use AI in administration.
7. Should we remove the insider outsider system now that we have been sufficiently nationally integrated and there is peace prevailing.

Member 1
1. You are from Kolar. What is the status of the gold mines?
2. Why are the gold prices rising globally?
3. If I give you 5 lakhs where will you invest - stocks, shares or gold?
4. Tell me what else Kolar is known for?
5. How will you use AI in Agriculture.
6. How will you stop Groundwater overexploitation?

Member 2
1. Continuing the topic of agriculture, if you are a SDM, what steps will you take for the welfare of the farmers of your district?
2. What crops do you grow? Tell me the types of mangoes you grow.
3. Have you used or seen the use of digital marketplace for the sale of produce yourself (flowing from the answer to 1st question).
4. How will you convince the farmers to adopt what you are advocating(badgered me for real world action)
5. Given the present Bangladesh situation should we use military action for securing our national interests?

Member 3
1. Your tie is looking very nice. From which company did you buy it?
2. We know the benefits of meditation in the lives of ordinary people. But does it hold practical value for military personnel who have such dynamic duties. - How does it help in extreme climates.
3. Case study - You are DC and there is communal disharmony in your district. You have tried all measures and finally request the army. But army is facing some issues with logistics and the situation has reached the brink. What steps will you take for expediting the arrival of army?
4. Earlier you said you will invest in startup instead of gold or stocks. Why?

Member 4
1. Continuing the question, suppose I'm a venture capitalist and I am willing to invest 50 million in your company. What startups would you pursue.
2. Is this all merely theoretical or do they have monetary value?
3. What is Renaults number? It is constant which is a four digit number. Tell me the number.
4. Tell me one instance in your life that proves to us that you are good at conflict resolution.
5. What did you do on Valentine's day?

Chairman:
I don't want you to walk out disappointed. You would have prepared so much for this interview but we could only ask you this much in this time. Tell me one area you have prepared well and wish to be questioned from.
Tell the name of the movie in which the quote from Paulo Cohelo's book was used. (Related to my response).
Thank you. Your interview is over.

Mock Interviews Attended:
6 in Delhi: Samkalp(2), PWOnlyIAS, VVS IAS, ALS IAS, Drishti.
7 in Bengaluru: India4IAS(2), La Excellence, Grace IAS, Primus, Rajkumar x JICE, Samutkarsh.
One on One:
1. Prashanth sir (India4IAS)
2. Vinayak sir (La Excellence)
3. Venkat Mohan sir (La Excellence)
4. Sunil Oberoi sir (Arthashastra IAS)
5. Sajal Singh sir (Sarrthi IAS)
6. Ratna Prabha ma'am (Akka IAS)
7. Sanju Singh ma'am ( Grace IAS)

Special thanks to Prashant sir, Chetan sir and Vinayak sir. Their contribution are too many to list!

Thank you and All the best. 🙏

Name - Hermione Granger
Date - 23 February 2026 , Afternoon session, First to go
DAF keywords - Short Stories, Poems, Snippets, Mental Health, Teaching kids online, Human Resource Management, Public Administration optional, MP

Board - Sanjay Verma Sir
Afternoon session, 1st to go

Chairperson Sir -

1. You have a literature heavy DAF, what will the world look without literature?
2. Give me a quote you liked a lot from a short story. (Gave one from a short stories collection by Sheelvardhan sir - he said you are just taking a board member's name for sucking up, I kept my calm and smiled there)
3. Interpret a quote for me :- "We see the world with our eyes, we interpret it through our ears".
4. Gave some names of few contemporary authors - asked if I have read them - Said No
5. Which contemporary author have your read? -- Jhumpa Lahiri
6. You know she writes in Italian, have you read her Italian book - I said no sir I have read the english stories
7. Went on saying - Isn't it crazy - learning a language just to write in it - told I humbly differed when he interjected - "I did not mean crazy in a wrong way" - I agreed to that
4. What is digital nationalism? (Couldn't answer)
5. Told me to put it in context, I went with Digital sovereignty
6. What is synthetic AI - Did not know
5. What is one recent concept from AI you are aware of?- Agentic AI
6. What is it?
6. What are various nations' view on data? US, EU, India, China ( was sure only about India, conveyed the same)
7. Top paid HR consultants in India? - Didn't know
8. Names of top HR leaders from famous companies - didn't know specific HR names

M1 --

1. GenZ protests in Nepal, social media ban was one of the reason, your opinion on it? Should we ban social media in India?
2. What are common mental health problems in India?
3. What are the reasons for depression? (From earlier answer) - went section based - different reasons for women, youth, elderly
4. Are you a GenZ?
5. What is the difference between GenZ and Millenials? (In part of answer said Millenials are the sandwich generation- bear the burden of ageing parents and dependent children --- Sanjay Sir intervened - that's us, not the millenials - we are the sandwich generation, our kids refuse to grow up - room burst into laughter)
6. Ghaziabad girls suicide, due to father taking away social media usage right, shouldn't we just ban social media then? Your view (kept my stand, took cue from his own statement that it was knee jerk reaction of father taking away phone, rather he should have connected with kids, explained them about use and misuse, social media is just a tool)
7. Solution for the same? (Gave one solution as no phone zones at dining table)
8. But everyone these days, even the parents are on their phones - I agreed, but we need to change that culture because kids learn from their parents

M3:-

1. How to curb digital addiction?
2. Why don't you support a ban - most countries are doing it
3. Is it even possible ( said with a proper law in place it is possible but it won't be desirable without consultation)
4. What was your mental health project about?
5. Which age group facing most mental health problems these days (quoted from economic survey - 15-24 age group)
6. Why are they facing it the most?

M4:- (lady member)

1. Where will you take me in MP for a 7 day tour?
2. 70 hr work week - your view?
3. But why not - it's necessary for productivity
4. How can AI help in solving primary education problems in India?

M5:-

1. You have taught kids online, did they have the infrastructure?
2. Where did you arrange the funds from? (NSS)
3. Problems in education system of country? (Mentioned industry- academia linkage gap with my own example of graduation)
4. Challenges you will encounter as an administrator? Will your theoretical knowledge help you there? (Couldn't hear the first part very clearly, humbly asked him to repeat - he clarified)

Chairman Sir again :-

You went on and on about reasons of depression but you missed very important reason - chemical imbalance in brain - Deepika Padukone is the classic case --- I humbly accepted that I must have missed it and I will read more about it. Thanked him for letting me know.

Sir - Thank you, your interview is over, all the best!

Observations :- DAF based interview, Board was cordial but Chairman Sir kept a poker face at all times.

Mocks - 15+ - Samkalp, OnlyIAS, Saloni khanna Mam (Saarthi IAS), Vajirao and Reddy, A few through Quantel (rest were not good) , Daily discussions with peers helped the most!

All the best everyone.

Suman sharma ma'am board
18th February 2026, Forenoon, First to go.
(MBBS, MD, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Badminton)

Chairperson

1.You are MBBS and MD and now you are coming to civil services. Why?
2.You are from Ahmedabad, first tell me that despite colonial legacy, why are we organising the commonwealth ?Don’t you think we should not organise such colonial games? And second, Tell me how organising the commonwealth games helps India?
3.But what benefits in sports culture ?
4.don't you think from past events such games have a lot of concerns with its financial viability, instead we should focus on other developmental activities than organising this event?
5.Ok, Let's talk about the Olympics. How will it help India?
6.But how can organising the Olympics itself increase medal performance?
7. now can you tell me the impacts of Trump tariffs on India and China? 2 points for each.
8.My last question to you. What will you choose, health for all or insurance for all?

Member 1 (Sir)

1.Can we Imagine the world without Trump? If yes what Wil be the impact of it ? Or should we go with the current one? and what India should do?
2.What is the Abraham Accord and which countries are related to this ?
3.As you are playing badminton, tell me how is the performance of India in badminton in the international sphere?
4.What is cooperative federalism? Are you aware of this?
5.Do you think it is working well?
6.My last question to you, what is your opinion about one nation one election? Should we implement this?

Member 2 (sir)

1.With respect to India AI Summit, What is SAHI , BODH , are you aware about this initiative of the government of india?
2.What is gerontology and what is all going on in this sector with respect to new developments? Do you think this sector requires attention?
3.I am surprised that you have so much in your name with respect to vaishnavism , can you tell me about philosophy of vaishnavism , some core philosophy?
4.What is Shankaracharya's view ,and was he a follower of vaishnavism?
5.can you tell me about the current status of project tiger? Is it successful in India?

Member 3 (Sir)

1.Long monologue on the Gujarat model of development then asks about 4 positives , how fair is it? Give 2 negatives of it .
2.One follow up monologue I am not able to recall.
3.How will you ensure data based governance? What are the sources of data which you will focus upon ?
4.How are finances managed in Gujarat with respect to that?


Member 4(Lady)
1.What is the importance of finances in projects?
2.Can you give me an example of how this is important?
3.Are finances can only ensure developmental projects to be implemented in good manner ?
4.If you are a collector of a district and if you give some funds for children issues, you have a 2 year term, how will you use these funds ?
5.Now if you are a DM tell me how you will consult Panchayats for their problems? How will you use funds?
6.How can you say different panchayats have different needs ? Can you give me an example?

Chairperson
Okay , Thank you. you can go now.


Special thanks to K. K. Jalan sir (Retd. IAS) , Kaushal sir and Santosh sir (Bubnas IAS - Surat), Utkarsh Sir ( Mentor AID) , SPIPA Ahmedabad, Quantel (Vikram sir for panel arrangements), Upwise , Retd. IPS Mahesh Bhagwat Sir, given multiple mocks online and offline like Shriram IAS, RIA,Vajirao and Reddy, Forum IAS, Nextias, Sankalp, shankar ias and others are online by quantel and Upwise. They were very helpful for practice, understanding and getting new questions.

Name- RAYMOND REDINGTON again
Board- Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla
Date- 09 feb 2026, FN
Keywords-- ECE, IPS first preference, fitness enthusiast, shotput, tamilnadu
Duration-- was the lengthiest interview i have ever attended.. Damn sure that it was atleast 45 mins... Was 3rd to go

Chairman(nearly 20 mins) -- also very interactive and interrupting. Felt that he was actively into discussion process.

So, where do you work and what is your business model
You are a shotputter.. Do you practice now?
Software or hardware.. Which is important.. Which is developing fast now
I talked about AMCA and HAL being out of the race. Sir went into AMCA and laughed and said - they were sent out.
Is india a superpower in software and IT? --
Yes you are right. Cant india achieve in this sector and correct its mistakes easily?
Why indian private sector is not like that of US?
Why should government always support private sector?
I spoke about India's missed opportunities in semicon sector-- and sir asked to elaborate it.

Member1
Whats the difference between yoga, pilates and strength training.
Why dont you teach yoga?
How does strength training alleviate the risk of NCDs.
If you are District magistrate, what 3 initiatives you would bring?
What are the contributions of VIVEKANANDA
Compare periyar and vivekananda

Member2
Difference between shotput and javelin throw.
Explain shotput and javelin scientifically to me
Why specifically its thrown at 45 degrees?
Does sports promote culture and develop humanity?
Does sports help in defence of mankind?
If you were to write a book on history of semiconductors, where would you start and what would you write?


Member3
Suicides are rising. Whats your take on it.
Causes of suicides.
I spoke about TELEMAnas.. Sir asked why it was formed at first instance.. I replied I dont know the exact reason. He said it was due to students suicides.
Would joint families aid in diverting children from excessive social media usage?

Member4
You spoke about periyar. Whats your opinion on using surnames and family names?
If you are living in a district with high poverty, how will you make fitness reach them.
Assume that they dont have access to social media, how will you achieve it?
Wont indulging the youth will be a way forward then?
Their focus will be on livelihood. How will you convince them to adopt fitness?

Some More questions, I could not recollect.

Board wished me all the best and said my interview was over.

My opinion-- it was more like a conversation.. Was very lengthy. A coffee before the session in upsc waiting hall, definitely helped me.
Couldn't guess my performance. I feel i could have done better. At the same time it felt pleasant and was a cordial interaction without any arguments.

Mocks-- ARAM IAS,MANIDHANEYAM, Nan Mudhalvan, Shankar IAS, O20 in kingmakers ias, Quantel, Vajirao reddy IAS, Raja Sirs IAS academy, O20 with Sylendra babu sir., O2O with MAHESH BHAGWAT sir.

Suman sharma ma'am board
18th February 2026, Forenoon,  First to go.
(MBBS, MD, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Badminton)

Chairperson

1.You are MBBS and MD and now you are coming to civil services. Why?
2.You are from Ahmedabad, first tell me that despite colonial legacy, why are we organising the commonwealth ?Don’t you think we should not organise such colonial games? And second, Tell me how organising the commonwealth games helps India?
3.But what benefits in sports culture ?
4.don't you think from past events such games have a lot of concerns with its financial viability, instead  we should focus on other developmental activities than organising this event?
5.Ok, Let's talk about the Olympics. How will it help India?
6.But how can organising the Olympics itself increase medal performance?
7. now can you tell me the impacts of Trump tariffs on India and China? 2 points for each.
8.My last question to you. What will you choose, health for all or insurance for all?

Member 1 (Sir)

1.Can we Imagine the world without Trump? If yes what Wil be the impact of it ? Or should we go with the current one?  and what India should do?
2.What is the Abraham Accord and which countries are related to this ?
3.As you are playing badminton,  tell me how is the performance of India in badminton in the international sphere?
4.What is cooperative federalism? Are you aware of this?
5.Do you think it is working well?
6.My last question to you, what is your opinion about one nation one election? Should we implement this?

Member 2 (sir)

1.With respect to India AI Summit, What is SAHI , BODH , are you aware about this initiative of the government of india?
2.What is gerontology and what is all going on in this sector with respect to new developments? Do you think this sector requires attention?
3.I am surprised that you have so much in your name with respect to vaishnavism , can you tell me about philosophy of vaishnavism , some core philosophy?
4.What is Shankaracharya's view ,and was he a follower of vaishnavism?
5.can you tell me about the current status of project tiger? Is it successful in India?

Member 3 (Sir)

1.Long monologue on the Gujarat model of development then asks about 4 positives , how fair is it? Give 2 negatives of it .
2.One follow up monologue I am not able to recall.
3.How will you ensure data based governance? What are the sources of data which you will focus upon ?
4.How are finances managed in Gujarat with respect to that?


Member 4(Lady)
1.What is the importance of finances in projects?
2.Can you give me an example of how this is important?
3.Are finances can only ensure developmental projects to be implemented in good manner ?
4.If you are a collector of a district and if you give some funds for children issues, you have a 2 year term, how will you use these funds ?
5.Now if you are a DM tell me how you will consult Panchayats for their problems? How will you use funds?
6.How can you say different panchayats have different needs ? Can you give me an example?

Chairperson
Okay , Thank you.  you can go now.


Special thanks to K. K. Jalan sir (Retd. IAS) , Kaushal sir and Santosh sir (Bubnas IAS - Surat), Utkarsh Sir ( Mentor AID) , SPIPA Ahmedabad, Quantel (Vikram sir for panel arrangements), Upwise , Retd. IPS Mahesh Bhagwat Sir, given multiple mocks online and offline like Shriram IAS, RIA,Vajirao and Reddy, Forum IAS, Nextias, Sankalp, shankar ias and others are online by quantel and Upwise. They were very helpful for practice, understanding and getting  new questions.

Name: xyz
Date:24 feb forenoon
Board: raj shukla sir
Daf keyword:MP, chess, cricket, reading books, PSIR

Chair:
Nice suit (wore light green pista color suit with green tie)
Kaha se liya?
Silwaya Or ready made?
Why do people buy readymade these days?
What is amrit kaal?
Viksit bharat
Monologue on india: 3rd largest gdp, low per capita
Per capita of singapore and india
Focus on per capita or overall gdp
India has large potential but unable to realise it?
How to bridge this gap between potential and goal?
(Said human capital creation)
Aren't we already have policies for these like NEP? Why aren't able to realise?
We are feeding 80 cr people. Is it something to be proud of?
Discussion on taxation. Why people don't pay. He talked of subramaniam swamy suggestion of abolishing income tax.
Why corporates not investing despite corporate tax cut?

M1:
Three sectors which are still out of GST? Why they are out?
WEF major speeches?
Politico magazine said india can become largest gdp by 2100.is it realisable?
Are there any precedent of india being largest gdp?
What was india's gdp in first millennial?
What sectors to focus on for becoming largest gdp?
Areas to focus on for viksit bharat?
Have u read yuval noah harari? (Named books read)
What did he say in davos?

M2:
Similarities between chess and test cricket?
What is your service Preference?
What work do IFS officers do?
How would u realise goal of viksit bharat as a diplomat ?

Should india put patent on goods mfg in other countries?

Hobbes, locke, Rousseau- say 2 lines on each
Countries which follow their philosophy. Where does india lie in this?
Name some  contemporary Indian political thinker.

M3:
USA bombs hiroshima and Nagasaki and talks of world peace. Views?
What is carbon credit?
What is value of a carbon credit?

M4:
MP eliminated naxalism. How?
Which industry they focussed on?
Why can't chattisgarh do so?
Some tribal women raped.. People asked for encounter and then celebrated when done? What does it say about our society and judicial system?
Why shouldn't we directly kill serious criminals ?
Mam Talked of pune porche accident case and how convict got released. Where is justice in this?

Mocks: sankalp, ensureias, levelup, vajiram were very good.special thanks to Smartworklabs (anupam sir and ankit sir for guidance, one on one mock and helping me refine my answers)