4/11/2016

MrunalUPSCInterviewPrep.:Roleplaying&SituationReactionTest(SRT)Qs

Mrunalhttp://mrunal.org

[UPSCInterviewPrep.]Roleplaying&Situation
ReactionTest(SRT):CommonMistakes&40Mock
Questions
PostedByMrunalOn15/03/2016@4:35pmInEthics|32Comments

Prologue
WhoisthebestNSA?IAS/IPS/IFS
Dontpresumeapersonscharacter
WhomwillyouClone?
Powerinonehand=wrong
Dontjumptogoodconclusions
ConvincingMinister
Willyouresign/seektransferinadversesituation?
AvoidStudentleadermindset
Dontsaynotocrazyideas
StoppingLiquormenacethroughsecretdruginPDS?
FlagHoisting@University
Sensitizinglowerstaff
Placestoshow?
BeawareofJurisdiction
UrbanGovernancerelatedSRTs
Youdonthavetotilt/agreetoeveryvisitor
Socialmediacampaigningrequiresmoreplanning
Surrenderdoesntmeanimmunity
Witchhunting
Efficiencyisnotsameasmoneysaving
MistakesinRoleplaying/SRTQs
40MockInterviewQuestions:SRT

Prologue
EachyearinMarchApril,Ifindseasonalemploymentasmockinterviewpanelist.So,
basedonthosedailywagemisadventures,thisarticleserieswillcoverhowtoapproachUPSC
interviews.SameshouldalsohelpforCAPF,Stateservices,staffselection(SSC)andBank
interviewsaswell.
Firstpart:RoleplayingandSRT(Situationreactiontest)typequestions.
Earlier,suchquestionswereconfinedtoSSB/CDS,butnowadaysinIAS/IPSinterviews,
theyrebecomingprominent.

WhoisthebestNSA?IAS/IPS/IFS

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WhoisthebestNSA?IAS/IPS/IFS

DontpresumeIASgoodforeverydepartment,IPSgoodforallsecuritymattersandso
on
Question:YourePMofIndia,therearethreeofficersIAS,IPSandIFS.Whomwillyou
selectasNationalsecurityadvisor?
WheneverIaskedthisquestiontoanycandidatewhohasgivenIPSasfirstpreference,theyll
immediatelyjumpsayingsirIllselecttheIPSbecauseheismoreawareofsecurity
challenge.OurpresentNSAMr.(*)AjitDowalisanIPSofficerandheismeticulously
handlingbothinternalandexternalthreats.
(*Tipwheneverspeakingnameofapublicfigure,trytouseappropriateprefixeslike
Mr/Shri/Dr/HonbleCJIPresidentVPPMetc.)
Counterquestion:BrajeshMishraandShivshankarMenonwerefromIndianForeign
services(IFS),sodoyouthinkitwasamistaketoselectthemasNSA?(Panelistcantake
libertyofnotaddressingpublicfigureswithMr/Mrs/Dr.etc.becauseheisbosslikethat).
Thencandidatewouldthenfumbletojustifythathesnotsayingtheydidbadjob,butIPS
willbebetter.
Sometimespanelwillalsogrillthemthatonsimilarlogicyoureanengineerthenyou
shouldonlygiveIndianEngineeringservice(IES)exam,whyareyoutryingfor
civilservicesexam!?
Rightapproach:
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Sir(*),First,Illcheckcareerrecordofeachoftheseofficers(IAS,IPS,IFS),Illconsultwith
cabinetSecretaryandotherofficers.Illinterviewthemandthendecide.PostssuchasNSA,
NITIAyogSecretaryetc.requireamanofimpeccableintegrity,wideexperienceinvarietyof
postings.Networking&amicablerelationswithotherexpertsandcoordinationskills.Such
talentsarenotconfinedtoasingleservice.Hecouldbefromanyservice/graduation
background.
(*Tip:Advisabletoopenanyanswerwithsir/maam.Neverstartwithnosirorbut
sir.alwaysstartwithsiroryessir.)
Homeworkquestions
OftenworkofIFSinvolveswininganddining?Sohowexactlycanyoudiscusstheissuesof
nationalandstrategicimportanceinsuchevents?
GivenameofNamethebestdiplomatsinMahabharat(Krisha)andRamayan(Angad).
Letstryanotherquestionwithsimilartheme:

Dontpresumeapersonscharacter
Q.YoureinUPSCboard.M.K.Gandhicomesascandidateforinterview.Willyou
selecthim?
wrongapproach

rightapproach

Illnotselecthimbecausehes
betterasleaderthanabureaucrat Illinterviewhim,ifhehasofficerlikequalitiesbetter
ORbecausehewasanidealistunfit thanothers,Illgivehimgoodmarks.
fortodaysbureaucraticsetup.

Followup:doyouthinkhellgetselected?

Reason:whenGandhicomesfor

Ans.probablyyes,hellgetselected.Because(1)he

UPSChedbeyoung.soyou

wasastudiouspersonwhobecameBarristerfromUK,

*cannot*knowthisisthe

sohedhavegoodscoreinwritten(Mains)stage.(2)He

mahatmaGandhi.ThoseUPSC

servedasofficerinambulancecorpsinBoer/Zuluwars

panelistswhoselectedKejriwalin

andwonmedalsforservice.soyeshehadofficerlike

IRS,theywouldnthaveknownhell qualities.sogoodscoreininterviewaswell.Combine
lateronbecomeanactivistturned

twoscore,hellgetaselection,Ithink.

politician!

WhomwillyouClone?
Q.Ifyoucouldcloneaperson,whomwouldyouselect?
Unsafe

Safe

avoidreligiousfiguresandnationalleaders.
BecauseifyousayXthenpanelwillalways
grillyouaboutsomedisputablehistoricfact

Sir,Iwouldliketoclonescientistssuchas

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MrunalUPSCInterviewPrep.:Roleplaying&SituationReactionTest(SRT)Qs

Oropinionofsaidleader.

Newton,Einsteinsotheycancontinue

ForexampleIwillcloneEmperorAshok.

unfinishedresearchforbenefitofhumanity.

Counter:butnewAshokmaynotbecome
humanistuntilhehaskilledmillions!

Ifclonedpersondoesntgothroughsamelifechangingevents,hemaynotrisetosame
career
Secondly,youmustkeepinmind,aclonedpersonwilllookidenticaltotheoriginalperson
buthewillnotbeidenticallytotheoriginalperson.
Forexample,ifGandhiwasnotthrownoutofThetraininAfrica,hewouldhavebecome
famouslawyerbutmaynothavejoinedStruggleagainstcolonialpowers.Socircumstances
willdecidehowThenewpersonwillLivehislife.
Q.Ifyoucouldcloneyourself,Andhadafullfreedomtodecidehismemory,skill
set?howwouldyouliketousethatnewperson?ORIfthereisaparallelEarthin
theuniverse,theremustbeapersonlikeyou.Describehislife.
Inallsuchquestion,youalterpersonshouldbeportrayedinsomeadministrativeor
managerialposition.

Powerinonehand=wrong
Question:InIran,theyveasupremeleader.Sameway,ifwemakeyoutothesupreme
leaderofIndiafullpowertodoanythingunderthesun,thentellmethreeoutofbox
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reformsyouwilldointheConstitution?
Wrong

Rightapproach

approach
GST
women
reservation
Rightto
foodor
xyz.

Xyzreform
Xyzreform
Thirdreform:Illabolishthepostofsupremeleadersoinfuturenooneelse
canmisusesuchextremepowerORIwillputeffectivechecksandbalanceson
thispost.

Dontjumptogoodconclusions
Question:JusticeKatjusaysdontjudgepersononhispast.So,Ifacriminalisreleased
fromjailyesterdayandtodayhescompetingforwardelections,willyouvotehim?
Wrongapproach
Yes,Iwillvoteforhimifhe
genuinelywantstoworkfor
people.
Counterquestion:howll
youknow?Hesjustoutof
prison!

Rightapproach
Youshouldfirstconsiderprofileofothercandidateswithout
criminalpast.
IfNoneofthemissuitablethenconsiderthisman.
YoucanalsodoNOTA,ifnonesuitable.
followupqs:inwhatcircumstancesaconvictedpersoncantrun
forelections?whatdeclarationdoyouhavetomentioninthe
nominationform?

ConvincingMinister
Question:Guj.Governmentgot4extensionsandnotyetimplementingNFSA.(Nationalfood
securityact).Critiquessay,stategovernmentwantstolaunchitbynextassemblyelectionin
2017togetmaximummedia/votebanks.IfyouaretheSecretaryinministeroffoodandcivil
supplies,andyourministerisorderingyoutodelay,whatwillyoudo?
Wronganswer:Illargue*tohimtoimplementitsooner.Butifhesnotconvinced,then
Illproceedasperinstruction,afterallpolicymakingishisprerogative.
*Tip:choiceofwordiswrongargueyouvetosayIlltrytoconveniencehim.
Secondly,imaginationismissingyourejustgivingonelinestandardanswer.Youshouldbe
moreelaborateandeloquent.
Rightanswer:
Sir,IlltrytoshowtheHonbleministerthedataoftheeligiblepopulationofGujaratunder
NFSAandtrytoconvincehimthatifwestartimplementationfromtodayitself,thenby
2017,groundlevelpenetrationwillbeseenandwellearngoodwillandgoodPRcoverage.
ifwedelaytillelection,thenactualimplementationwillbedelayedsincedistrictstaffwillbe
busyinelectiondutiesonly.
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CounterQuestion:ifministerstilldoesntagreewillyouconsiderresignationorseek
transfer?[hintreadnextquestion]

Willyouresign/seektransferinadversesituation?
Question:YoureinxyzGovernmentpost.YouretryingtodoABCgoodthing.Butyour
seniors/colleagues/xyzisnotcooperatingdespiteyourbestefforts,theyreeventryingto
malignyourreputationetc.Inshort,youreinacompletehopelessscenario.thenwillyou
considerresigningorseekingtransfertodeskjob/traininginstitute?
WrongAns.
YesSir,IllresignandfocusmytimeandenergyonsomethingelsewhereIcanservesociety,
IllopenanNGOorxyzasKejriwaldid.
Oranyotheranswerthathintsyoullgiveup.
Whyitiswronganswer?
byresigning,youcansaveyourpersonaldignity.
Butyoulltarnishdignityofyourpost.
Governmentdoesntneedsaints,itneedseffectiveofficers.
soifyoucantdoxyzwhichisinbestinterestoforganization,thenyourenotworking
effectivelyenough.Thereisalwaysaway.So,youshouldfindfaultintheapproachandtry
anotherway,insteadofresigning.

AvoidStudentleadermindset
Question:AstudentofSt.StephenCollegewasrusticatedonthedaybeforefinal
graduation,becauseheallegedlypublishedanunauthorizedinterviewoftheprincipalin
onlinecollegenewsletter.Ifyouwereinhisposition,whatwillyoudo?
Iwillrallyofmyclassmates/seniors/alumnithroughsocialmedia.
WRONG Thisiswronganswer,becauseithintsyouveproblemwiththeauthority.
Ans

Disciplineistheforemostrequirementofanofficer.UPSCpanelistswith
police/defensebackground,dontlikesuchdedhsiyaanaa(oversmart)candidates.
Sir,FirstIwillpresentmysidetotheprincipalandhigherauthoritiesinthe

Right
Ans

college/university.
Ifnohelp,Imayconsiderlegaloptions.
Illnotconsideranydharnapradarshanwithmyclassmates/studentsunion,because
unnecessaryitllharmotherstudentsclassesandpreparation.

Homework:InBSF,thehigherofficersareimportedfromIPS/army.Dontyouthinkitwill
negativelyaffectthemoraleofotherjuniorofficersfromwithinBSF?IfyouareaBSFofficer,
whatwillyoudo?WillyoufilePILincourt?

Dontsaynotocrazyideas
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Directlysayingnototheideaofmixedcricket=yourenotopentonewideas
Q.Intennis,wehavemixeddoubles,soshouldwehavemixedcricketmatchesas
well?
Nosir,weshouldnot,becauseitllposemanyproblems.
Wrong Thisiswronganswerbecauseitshowsyouveclosedmindunwillingtotrynew
answer things.Oftenboss(Esp.Minister),willcomeupwithcrazyideas,youshouldnot
startanswerwithnosirbutshowhimtheproblemsinvolved.
Right Yes,sir,wecanexploreit,althoughtherewillbesomepracticalproblems,thatwell
answer havetoaddress.
Followupquestion:whatpracticalproblemsdoyousee,ifwestartmixedcricket
match?
Sir,mayIveamomenttocollectmythoughts?(thinkandthenreply)
Whatifbothcaptainandvicecaptainaremen(orwomen)?Andotherteammembersfrom
oppositegenderfeelresentment?
Whatissomepeopledemandgenderwiserotationalcaptaincyaftereach5overs?
Wemayhavetodecreasethesizeofboundaryfor4sand6s.
Whatifthereisdemandthatonlymenshouldbowlagainstmenandwomenagainstwomen
Becauseofthedifferentphysicalstrength?(butthenitwontbemixedmatchanymore
becausewomenplayingagainstwomenandmenplayingagainstmen.)
HomeworkQuestions:
DoyouthinkbifurcationofCMDpostinpublicsectorbankswillleadtoefficiency,AsNayak
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Committeerecommended?
RaghuramRajanwantstorestructureRBIandmakeitsimilartoanMNC,Butunionis
opposedbecausetheyfeeltheirpromotionchanceswillbereduced.Ifyouareinplaceof
Rajanhowwillyouproceed?
ShouldweincludegroupdiscussionintheselectionprocessofUPSC?Afterall,meeting
discussionisalsoaskillrequiredinfutureofficer.ShouldweincludeGDinCAPFasitisin
SSB?

StoppingDesiLiquormenacethroughsecretdrugin
PDS?
Invernacularnewspaperweseedrugadsthatclaimstopyourhusbandsalcoholaddiction
withouthisknowledge.AsCollectorofAbad,willyouconsidersecretlymixingthisdruginall
PDSwheat,giventhenuisanceofdesiliquoraddition?
Wronganswer:Nosir,Illnotbecauseitllhurttheirfreedomofchoice.
CounterQuestion:howisfreedomofchoicerelevanthere?Gujarathasprohibitionlaw,desi
liquordensofAbadhaveruinedcountlessfamiliesandStatecantakeactiontostop
intoxicatingliquorsanddrugsunderDPSP!
Rightapproach:
Sir,ifadrunkardisarrested,perhapswecanexploregivingsuchdrugtohim,withcourts
permission.ButweshouldnotsecretlymixsuchdruginPDSWheatforconsumptionofentire
populationbecause
Wedontknowhowdrugaffectspregnantorlactatingmothersandtheirbabies
Coughsyrupalsohasalcohol.Whatifsuchpersonconsumesthiswheat,theremaybe
adversereaction.

FlagHoisting@University

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Question:AfterJNUKaiyaincidence,unionGovernmentorderedtheViceChancellorsof42
CenteruniversitiestohoistNationalflagontheirbuilding.Ifyouretheofficeinchargeof
establishment/infrastructureinoneoftheseuniversities,andorderedtodothisflaghoisting
ondailybasis,howwillyouproceed?
WrongapproachcandidatedirectlystartsansweringlikeIllcomeearlyinthemorningetc.
Manypointsmissed/juveniletypeanswergiven.Firstyoushouldtellpanelthatyouseek
timetothinkaboutit.thenanswer
Rightapproach/Steps
StudyflagcodeofIndiatoensureproperprotocol,sizedimensionmaterialoftheflag.
Visitcollectorofficeandseekinputsfromtheirofficerinchargeofflaghoistinge.g.howdo
youdelegatework?Whatifthesecuritypersonnelassignedforthistaskisabsent?Whatto
doinrainandpublicholidays?Andsoon.
Then,delegatetask.Remember,youreanofficer,thereforeyouvetodelegate,coordinate
andsupervise.Youdontneedtocomeyourselfinthemorningondailybasis.
UseApp/ICTtoolssuchaswunderlist,whatsappformonitoringandtaskdelegationtojustify
howyour(stupid)ITdegreewillhelp.

Sensitizinglowerstaff
Question:Inprivatecompanies,customerrelations/customersupportisfarbetter.But
Governmentofficialsespeciallytheclericalgradeofficialsareverycynical,arrogantand
apathetictogeneralpublic.AsDM/SP,howwillyouaddressthis?
Wrongapproachcandidatewillgiveshallowtwolineranswerabouttrainingand
sensitization.
Rightapproach/Steps
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Firstyoushouldseektimefrompaneltothink,thengivesystematicsteps.
Sir,Ibegtodiffer.Notallclerks/constablesarecynicalandarrogant.Therearegoodpeople
aswell.So,firstIllensuretheyregivenadequatesymbolic/materialreward/recognition,so
theydontbecomecynical.[Recallearlierlessondontpresumeapersonscharacter
EveryIASisnotfittoruneverydepartmentandeveryclerkisnotlazy&corrupt.]
TrainingandRewardsmechanism.
PunitiveMechanism.E.g.AbadAMTS(busservice)hasgivenawhatsappnumber.If
conductor/drivermisbehaves,doesntstopbusthenyoucantakephotoofnumberplate,
sendthroughwhatsapptoAMTS.Theirpersonnelwillcallyoutoknowyourcomplaintand
takeactionagainstthatdriver/conductorimmediately.Again,youcandevicesomething
similarasDM/SPtojustifyhowyour(stupid)ITdegreewillhelp.

Placestoshow?
Question:NepalPrimeMinisterK.P.SharmaOlivisitingGujarat.Ifyoureassignedhis
protocolduty,what5places/thingswillyoushowhim?
Wrongapproach:Ranikivaav,Dholaveera,Kutchwhitedesert,Saputarahillstation,
BarodaMuseum,SidiSaiyyakiJaalietc.Thisiswrongbecausethesetouristplaces.Nepal
PMwillseethem,takephotosandforget.
Rightapproach:
Sir,Iwouldliketohaveamomenttocollectmythoughtsonthis...Then,youshouldthink
aboutGujaratplacesthatNepalcanalsoreplicate.Ifsuchplacesareshown,NepalPMwill
seekhelpofIndiafortechnicalsupport,officerexchangeprogram.Ourdiplomaticties,
exportswillstrengthen.So,accordingly,youmayconsiderfollowingplaces:
SardarSarovardam:Nepalalsohashydroelectricpotential.
Kutchafterearthquakerehabilitation:Nepalalsosufferedearthquakerecently.
EnergypipelinesatHaziraetc.
108ambulanceservice.
BRTSinAbad.
IIMAhmedabad
CleanSuratafterplagueoutbreak
AmulCooperativemovement.
EDhara,Krishikrianprojectforfarmers
SWAGATgrievancesredressalsystembyStategovernment.
Andsoon.

BeawareofJurisdiction
Question:ifyourechiefofMCI(MedicalcouncilofIndia),tellmethethreereformsyoull
initiate?
Wrongapproach:candidateswouldsuggestincreasingsalaryofdoctorspostedinrural
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areaunawareofthefactthatitsbeyondthedomainofMCI.
MCI=educationstandards,IMA=voluntarybodyforprofessionalstandardsandwelfareof
doctors,healthministry=publichealthcare.Youvetogivereformsaccordingly.
Homeworkquestion
Reportsofdrought/famineinanarea.Whatllyoudoascollector,chiefSecretaryand
agricultureminister?
NPAprobleminIndia.Whatwillyoudoas(1)RBIGovernor(2)FinanceSecretary

UrbanGovernancerelatedSRTs
Question:SwachhBharatRankingsfor2015byurbanministrydeclared(1)Mysuru(2)
Chandigarh(73)Dhanbadmostbogus.Whatistherankofyourcity?Supposeyourethe
Secretaryinunionministryofurbandevelopment,andyouvetodesigntheranking.Howwill
youproceed?
Hints
rankingparameterse.g.door2doorcollection,solidwaste,toilets,cleanlinessatbusstand,
railways.
Seekinputofofficersfromunion,state,localbodiestomakeparameters.
OrderNICtodesignseparateportalandappfordatabase.ISROBhuvanAp,.Geotaggingof
photographs.Evenjuntacanupload.
Dontuseteachers.InsteaduseNCC/NSSstudentsonholidaysforsurveywork.
Dontbuynewtablets,coordinatewithotherministriestogettheirtabletsutilizedin
SECC/censussurvey.[ThisshowyourefinancialprudenceevenwhileusingGovernment
money.
HomeworkQuestions:
UnderSwatchBharatcampaign,Modinominateninepeople,theydosomethingand
nominateninemorepeople.Soifyouarenominatedwhatwillyoudo?Howdoyouensure
thatitisnotjustonetimephotoop?whenyouarenominatingnineotherpeople,what
parameterswillyoukeepinmind?Candidatemademistakebygivingvagueanswerson
welfareofsafaikarmcharisordoingsomethinginnearbyschool.Youhavetogiveholisticand
professionalanswer,befittingafutureofficer.
Transportministerwhowilltosystematicallyplanoddevenrule?Hint:notifiyinadvance,
listofexemptedcategory.NSS/NCCstudentsforcoordination,Social/printmedia,Ropeina
celebrity.Pollutionmonitoring.Extrabusesetc.
Asmunicipalcommissioner,Foodhygienetrainingforstreetvendors?Hint:registrationof
vendors,trainthem,certificate,kit,badge,pocketbook,socialmediacampaignwithlocal
celebrity,punitiveactions.
Ifyouhavetodevelopasmartcitywithinonemonth,whichcitywillyoupickup.Ans.
GandhinagarthecapitalofGujarat,Becausetherealreadywellplanned,roadsarewide,full
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ofgreenary,slumproblemisminimal,electricity/watersupplyisefficient.Counter
Question:Itmeansyourunawayfromchallenges?Whydidyounotpickupsomething
difficultlikeAhmedabadseasternpart?Ans:Sir,sinceIamgivendeadlineofonemonth,I
pickedGandhinagar.Otherwiseifsufficientbudget,timeandmanpowerisavailable,all
shouldbeconvertedtosmartcitiesandsmarttownsandsmartvillages.

Youdonthavetotilt/agreetoeveryvisitor
Question:GovernmentofGujaratcelebratesKhelmahakumbhtopromotesportsinyouth.
YourethesecretaryinMinistryofSportsandYouthAffairs.Groupofactivistsand
intellectualscometoyousayingMahakumbhwordshouldbechangedtoMahotsavas
formerindicatessaffornization/HindutvavaadiORthatGovernmentshouldfirstdoonline
pollingbeforedecidingnameoftheevent.Whatwillyoudo?
Hint:
Firstlistentothempatientlyandpeacefully.Irrespectiveofthecharacterandcrazyideaofa
visitor,agoodofficermustgivehimapatienthearing.
Tellthemnottopoliticize/lookeverythingthroughreligiousglassesbutlookatthebenefitto
youth.
Tellthemposters/banners/adsalreadyprintedcirculatedandGovernmentmoneywillbe
wastedifeventnamechanged.
However,theirsuggestthateventnameshouldbemadeafterconsultingwithpeopletell
themwe*may*exploreitnexttime.(justsayexplore,dontgivecommitment.)
HomeworkQuestions
Inbudget,governmentmadeitmandatoryPANcardnumberfortransactionsaboveRs.__
lakh.However,Jewelerlobbyisnothappyandtheirassociationleadercomestomeetyou
(FinanceSecretary).Howllyouaddressthemeeting.CandidatemistakenlysaidIlltellthem
theyllbepunishediftheydontfollowthenorms.Panelwaslookingforhowyoulltakeevery
stakeholderonboardwithoutinspectorwallamindset.
IveproblemwithComedynightwithKapilbecauseofitsdoublemeaningjokes.Iwritea
competitor,youaretheheadinMinistryofinformationandbroadcastingwhatwillyoudo?

Socialmediacampaigningrequiresmoreplanning
Question:AssecretaryinMinistryofhealthandfamilywelfare,howllyoupromoteanew
schemeforfreemedicalcheckupforxyzdisease?
Approach:
MostcandidatesgaveamateuranswerslikeIllpostphotosandpostersinmyaccount,then
myfriendswillforwarditandsoon.Mindit,youareaskedtodothistaskasansecretary
(highestAdministrativebossinaministryandnotasacollegestudent)
Standardapproachis:youllropeprofessionalgraphicsdesignerstocreatebanners,advideos
etc.
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Getthemuploadedonpersonalandprofessionssocialmediaaccountsofeveryonefrom
ministertopeon.
ThencontactaPRagencytogetfewcelebritiesandnotedpersonsthathavelargefollowing
amongyouth(e.g.Sachin,ChetanBhagatetc.),andwhorewillingtolikeorretweetyour
postsandsoon.
HomeworkQuestion:Whataretheprinciplesofgoodcommunication?Ifyouretaskedto
designaposterforbetibachao/HIVawareness,howwillyouapplythoseprinciples?

Surrenderdoesntmeanimmunity
Question:IfyoureanIPSofficerservinginNaxalarea,whatwillyoudo?Candidatesaid
hellencouragemoderateMaoiststosurrender.
counterquestion:whatif,thereisaMaoistleaderwhohaskilledmanypeople,butnowhe
hasproblemswithhishigherbosses,sohewantstosurrender.Buthisconditionisthatpolice
mustnotpressanychargesagainsthiminthecourt.Thenwhatwillyoudo?
RightAns.Sir,nosuchguaranteecanbegiven.EarlierVinobaalsoconvincedChambal
dacoitstosurrender,butwithclearconditionthattheywillhavetofaceprisonterm.

Witchhunting
Question:tribalwidowwomanbrandedaswitch.Peoplewanttokillher.Yourtehsildar.
Whatwillyoudo?
Rightapproach:
ImmediateactionIlltakepolicetostopthemobanddeploy12policemanroundtheclock
forhersecurity.
Illgathervillageelders,tellthisladytomaketea,andIshalldrinkitmyselftoprovethereis
nosuchthingaswitch.
Assuch,notallvillagerswouldbebloodthirstytolynchthewidow.Justafewringleaders
fanningthefire.Illaskthepolicetoidentifythemandtakethemtotask.

Efficiencyisnotsameasmoneysaving
Question:Supposetherearetwoprocessors:Intelprocessorisexpensivebutitseemsmore
energy.AMDprocessorisfasterbutitconsumesmoreenergy.Ifyouhavetopurchase
hundredcomputers,whichsystemwillyouchoose?
Wrongapproach

Rightapproach
FirstIwillmakepersonalassessmentorhireanIT
consultanttofindoutthetechnicalrequirementsofmy
office

IwillpurchaseIntelsystem

Forexample,CSO(Statistical)officewillrequirefasterPC

becauseitismoreenergy

thanordinarytehsiloffice.soelectricitybillalonecantbe

efficientandthereforeusefulin

thecriteria.

savingelectricitybilland

Secondly,Iwillfindthelifecycleofaprocessorversusthe

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combatingclimatechange

electricitybill.Example:IfIntelprocessoris10,000
rupeesmoreexpensivethanAMD,worksfor5yearsand
savesonly5000rupeesinlightbill,thenitslossmaking
proposition.

MistakesinRoleplaying/SRTQs
Whenyoureaskedtogivesolutiontoanysocioeconomicproblem,dontsimplyrecitethe
salientfeaturesofsomeexistingGovernmentscheme.Andwhenpanelgrillsyou/corners
you,dontgiveanswerslikeyessir,butIllimplementitinbettermanner.Youvetotell
newreformorjustciterecommendationsofxyzCommitteewhicharenotimplementedyet.
Dontgivelongwindedbackgroundinformation.E.g.whatllyoudotoimplementNFSA.
Thensimplycitethepointsratherthantalkingabouthowmanypoorsandwhatrupees
wheat?
Wheneveryouareaskedtogive3reforms/3prioritiesetc.,itisbettertoseektimebefore
replying.ExampleTellme3reformsyoullinitiateastheVCofGuj.University.Thecandidate
replied(1)sports(2)culturalprograms(3)R&D.Panelcountered,sports+culture=simply
onecategoryunderextracurricularactivities.AndwhyhaveyounotgivenR&Dor
placementsfirstpriority?Thencandidatewasunabletojustify.
Ifyouvemultipleoptionsforapolicy/decision,selectbestoptiononfollowingparameters
Constitutionalprovisions
Maintenanceoflawandorder.
Cost:benefittosocietyatlarge.
Althoughabovetoolkit/prioritylistmaynotalwaysbehelpfule.g.PerumalMurugansbook
hurtingparticularcaste.ThenasCollector,yourOption#1:getitbannedtomaintainlaw
andorderOption#2:allowitssalestoprotectConstitutionalrightoffreedomofspeech.
Butinanycasefirstprioritywillbetoprotectingauthorslifefromagitatorsandprotecting
publicandprivatepropertyfromvandalism.
WhetherXisbadthanY,thatsforthesociologistsandlawmakerstodecide.Asan
administrator,youvetofocusonlyonstrictenforcementofconstitutionalandlegalprovisions
alreadyinplace.
Ifhighestauthorityisaskingyoutodoanythingimmoral/illegal,thenrefusebecauseatmax
whathecandotoyouis:transfer/suspension.However,itdoesntmeanforeverypetty
thing,youshouldseekwrittenordersbeforedoinganything.E.g.dignitarycomingfor
asurprisevisit,wantstoeatin3starhotelbutthereisnofundinoffice.Thenfirstyou
arrangeitsomehowfrompocketmoney,lateronputthebilltocollecttheamount.
Ifyoureaskedtonarrateanyeventinyourlifewhichtestedyourethics/character?Then
directcometospecificpointsratherthangivinglongwindedtaleaboutwholeepisode.

40MockInterviewQuestions:SRT
AfterDr.AmartyaSenresignedfromNalandaUniv.,Dr.SubramanianSwamysentletterto
government,allegingthatDr.Senwasinvolvedinsomefinancialimpropriety.Supposeone
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dayDr.Swamycomestoapolicestation,askingtofileFIRunderDr.Senunderpreventionof
corruptionact,butinspectorrefuses,giventhehighstatureofDr.Sen.Dr.Swamyapproaches
DCP(you).Howwillyouhandlethissituation?CandidatesaidhewillaskDr.Swamytosubmit
evidence.Panelcounteredsayingifthereisevidence,itllbeinuniversityrecords,beyondthe
reachofDr.Swamy,thenwhat?
AfterUberrapecase,governmentbannedalltaxiapps.Doyouthinkgovernmentshould
launchitsowntaxiapp?Candidatesaidyes.Panelaskedinfollowup:somecustomersare
dupedonflipkart/snapdeal.So,shouldGovernmentbanallofthemandlaunchitsownonline
shoppingsite?Candidateagainsaidyes.Butthenhewasunabletojustifyonhowthisthis
willnotleadtolicensequotainspectorrajandanotherBoPcrisis.Therightansweris:not
banningbutproperregulation.
AmarsinghAllegedlyworkedasaconduittogivefundstoClintonfoundationandinreturn
HillaryClintonallegedlyLobbyingforIndoUSnucleardeal.IfyouaretheAmbassadorof
IndiatoUSA,AndMEAhasorderedyoutofacilitatesuchdeal.Whatwillyoudo?
AsViceChancellor,youaretryingtoinitiatesomereformsinexampattern,syllabus,
compulsoryattendance,hosteldisciplineetc.butstudentunionandcertainegoisticsenior
professorsarenotinfavour.TheyareorchestratingStrikesandmediasmearcampaigns
againstyou.Howwillyouproceed?Ifnothingcanbechanged,willyouconsiderresigning?
CanyounarrateanyincidentduringyourCAarticleship/job/apprenticeship,whataffected
yourvaluesystem?[Candidatesmademistakesbygivinglongandwindytechnicaldetails
ratherthancomingtotheethicaldimensionsclearly.]
ControversyaboutmovieGabbar.hintCorporatizedcultureofdoctors.Willyoubanit?Hint:
portrayingtherealitieseveninanexaggeratedmannerthatsartisticfreedom.Aslongas
censorboardclearedthefilm,itcanbeshown.
Doyouthinkthisinterviewisrightwayofjudgingacandidate?Ans.Yesinmilitaryand
marketingjobs.Counter:IAS/IPSalsoworkinStressfulworkenvironment,dontyouthinkit
willberightifweselectedanofficerthroughstressinterview?
GovernmentofRajasthanhasstartedconvertingheritagepalacesintohotels.Isthisgoodor
bad?AsUnionministerforCultural,willyouopposethis?Ans.GoodbecauseItpromotes
tourism,besidesprivypursesabolishedsowedonthavetotreatanyoneasroyalty.
Haveyougivenanysuggestiontoomygov.Supposeyouvetogiveasuggestionrightnow,
whatwillitbe?Candidatesmistakenlygavelongwindedessaylikeexplanationonwhyxyz
issueisimportant,ratherthanactuallygivingthesuggestion.
Howdoesnicotinepatchandnicotingumshelpindeaddictionfrombidi,gutkhaetc.would
youconsideritscompulsoryimplementationtoalladdicts?
Ifthesupremebeingdecidestomakeyouagod/goddessandgiveoptiontopickoneofthe
giventhreepowers,whichonewillyoupick?AbilitytorewardpeopleforgooddeedsAbility
topunishpeopleforbaddeedsAbilitytocreateanewworldfromscratch.
Ifthereisnohospital/schoolinyourarea,Governmentisnotgivinganymoneythenwhat
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willyoudo?Ans.Withdepartmentalpermissionsometypeofpublicdonationfundingcould
beexplored.
Ifthereisunseasonalrain,whataretheresponsibilityofadistrictmagistrate?
Ifyouareamemberofbothgreenlawpanelandrailwayreformpanel,thenwhatcommon
grounddoyousee?Whatdoyourecommendforit?
Ifyouaresittingonthesideofthetable,whatqualitieswouldyouliketoseeintheperson
sittingonthatsideofthetable?Doyouthinkyoupossessallthosequalitiesasacandidate?
Whattypeofquestionsshouldyouaskifyouwanttojudgeacandidate?
Ifyouaretheheadofaselectionprocess,whereyourrelativeiswithalsoapplying,whatwill
youdo?Ans.Iwillrescuemyselffromtheprocessandaskanotherofficertotakeover.
Ifyouareworkinginintelligencebureau,andNehruhasorderedyourDGtospyonBoses
familymembers.Willyoudoit?
Ifyouareworkingonapublicsectorundertaking,yoursubordinatesarelazyandunionized,
howwillyouextractworkfromthem?
IfyouRTIisrejected,whatarethesubsequentstagesofappeal?Candidatedidnothave
sufficientcommandoversuchtechnicalities.PerhapsyoushouldfileanRTI,justforthesake
oflearning.
IMFissendingateamtoIndiatoinvestigatethefallacyinnewGDPcalculationmethod.You
areinCSO,yourwashasadvisedyounottodiscloseanythingthatcanhelpIMFbuild
criticismAgainstyouroffice.Whatwillyoudo?
RucksuckbetweenViratKohliandareporterwhoallegedlywrotesomearticleaboutKohlis
girlfriend.AsICCPresident,Howwillyouhandlethisissue?Ifyouhadtoreleaseapress
statement,whatwillbeitscontent?
ShouldwepromoteelectronicvotingatallIndialevel?Whataretheethicalandtechnical
issuesinvolved?(ethicalhusbandmaycoercewifetovoteforxyzathomePC.Thisisnot
possibleinpollingbooth).
ShyamBenegalCommitteetoreformCensorboard,ifyoureintheCommittee?
StephenHawkinssaysthereexistaparalleluniverse,andinsidethereisaParallelsearth
wheresomeeventsmaybeoppositetohowtheyhappenedhere.e.g.SardarbecamePM,
Gandhiwasnotassassinatedandsoon.Tellmetheinternationalorderofthisparallelearth.
Describethelifeofyourparallelpersonainthatearth.
SupposeyouareaGovernmentofficer.Thereisanemployeebelowyou.Buthesfavoriteof
yourboss,spendsmoretimewithdoinghistasks.Youareunabletofinishworkondeadline,
buthedoesntlistenbecausehethinksyourbossisthesupremeauthority.Youapproachthe
boss,hesayshellnotPressureyoutoperformanythingondeadline,Infacthewillgiveyou
excellentremarksinyourCRreport.Willyoudropthematter?
SwamiVivekanandsaidifyoucomeupwithanewidea,firstpeoplewilllaugh,thenoppose
thentheyacceptyou.Giveanexampleofsomeworldfamousscientistorbusinessmen.Ifyou
wereathisplace,whatwillyoudotoconvincethepeoplequickly?
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AscollectorofGirSomnathdistrict,youveorderedthestaffnottotakebribes,theyrenot
takinganybribes.However,everynowandthensomeMLA,Minister,highrankingofficial
comeswithfamilytovisiteitherGirorSomnath.Moneyisrequiredtoarrangefortheir
vehicle,foodandprotocolduty.Staffrequestsyoutoallowthemtocollectsomebribeto
arrangetheseexpenses,elsetheyllhavetomanagefromtheirownsalary.Whatllyoudo?
WhatareyourviewsonparticipatorybudgetmakingasitisbeingdoneinDelhi?Ans.At
nationallevelitisunsuitablebecausepubliccantdecidetechnicalthingssuchasshouldwe
applyMATonFIIsornot?Theymaygetswayedbynewsreporters.Asacollector,Whatwill
youdotoensureparticipationofpeopleindistrictadministration?Gangajalmovieportrays
Participationofpeopleinlawandordermaintenance.Whatareyourviewsonthat?
WhatisCAMPAfund?Ifyouaremadethemanagerofthisfundhowwillyouspendit?
YouhavetofileanRTI,whichspecifictopicwillyouchoose?Candidatesgavepoorandvague
answerstothise.g.findingstatepublicservicesresultdelay.Assuchyoureexpectedtogive
specificsubjectssuchasfightingagainstTrafficpolicecorruptionordelayincompletionofa
localxyzproject.
192ndbirthanniversaryofAryaSamajfounder,SwamiDayanandaSaraswaborninTankara
ofMorbidistrict.Whatwerehisideasandareaofoperation?SatyarthPrakash.Machchhu
Dambreak1979.Manmadedisasterornaturaldisaster?Howwouldyouhaveapproachedit
inthaterawhennomoderncommunicationdeviceswereavailable?
AsCollector,howwillyouaddressleopardsightingnews?
BandipurTigerreserveforestfire,ifyourechiefwardenhowllyouapproach?
Centralnodalagencytocurbhumantraffickingplannedwhichministrywillbemore
suitable?Socialwelfareorhome?WhatllyoudoifyouretheSecretaryofthegivenministry?
IncidencesofcelebratoryfiringinUPpeopledie.HowwillyoustopasSP?
Modi:governorsshouldactascatalyticagentsinnationaldevelopment.Sohowwilludoit?
(Hint:scheduleareas,speeches@convocationtomotivatestudentsfornationbuilding,26th
Janathomeprogramsinvitegoodcitizensandhonorthem.)
Wheredoyouseeyourselfin20yearsfromnow?[hint:shouldseeyourselfinahighlevel
Administrative/managerial/executiveposition]
Whydobankemployeesgotostrikeeverynowandthen?Howwillyouaddressthisissueas
FinanceMinister?[Beawareofjurisdiction]
IfyoureCMDofMahilaBank,whatwillyoudoforfinancialinclusionofwomen?Hint:Ifyou
narratetheexistingschemes,panelwillgrillyouyabutthatsalreadybeingdone
YahooCEOMarissaMayerlosses:1700jobscut,patentssoldaway,officescloseddown.
whatllyoudoinherplace?
IntheNextpart,wellseemistakesinGraduationrelatedTechnicalQuestions.

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