CSE Interview - Deja vu

Unlike two years back, I was more relaxed and probably a bit complacent this time. But I can't say for sure whether I was wiser or not. Most likely not. Unlike last time now both the Chairman as well the Secreatary, UPSC dropped in the waiting room to pep us up. It was really nice of them. I don't know when was the last time the Chairman came to the waiting room. "Some of you will be working here (UPSC) in another 20 years or so...just remember this day. I too was here waiting for my interview many years back.... There is nothing to get scared. All the best". The secretary said something like this. But his mere presence made me feel better. Happier.

Unlike last time, I did not want an escort from home to Dolphur House this time. Omni's Punjabi driver was the lone man with me. It was Sasi last time....he had come to be with me after fighting it out with his bosses for leave, from some jungles in Himachal. This time my onsite support team was Ravi, Sadai and Sunny. 

I could see some familiar faces in the waiting room. I had the last slot in the forenoon session. 31st March 2009.  After chatting and joking around, I got someone to explain me the Tibet issue. I had a hunch that I'll be asked that. I tried helping a few with "Why do cyclones occur only on the Eastern coasts of continents?" and that day's EcoTimes editorial that talked about the corporate tax rates in our country. I wanted to know about Coastal Regulation Zone and coral reefs, but I could not find someone who could tell me about them. I had a feeling I was throwing away my marks. After convincing myself that I won't be asked on those topics I rehearsed my answers for the most expected question - "Why IAS after IRS?"

Now cutting it short, here are the questions that came my way between 1:00 and 1:30 PM:

Chairman:

How is your training going?

How is Nagpur?

Which is better in terms of cleanliness, your hometown or Nagpur?

How do you get back the money from Swiss banks?

How to estimate black money?

Member 1:

What are Towers of Silence?

What do you know about vultures?

What are national parks?

Is India a country rich on biodiversity?

What about other countries that are rich on biodiversity?

What is our forest cover?

Are you aware of the legislations (Acts) related to environment?

How is that estimated?

Who is the authority to estimate that?

Member 2:

You are a chemical engineer. (I was terrified to hear that!) You will be working in big industrial units that create pollution....in that context what is COD/BOD?

What is bioremedy?

Assume you are a shoe company owner and you are sending two sales persons to a country where no one wears shoes. One comes back to you saying there is no market for your shoes, while the other one says there is a huge market. Who is right? What do you do?

Member 3:

What is transactional analysis?

How will you use psychology (my optional) in IRS?

How to initiate community to participate in the developmental process?

What is the role of NGOs? (I had kind of goofed up here that the Chairman also intervened now)

What is the % of tax payers in our country?

What is the role of IRS during elections?

Member 4:

Don't you think the Election Commission is over-controlling the election process?

Do you see any patterns in the recent Assembly elections results?

What is carbon trading?

What is vote-on-account?

Are you not satisfied with IRS?

Why IAS after IRS? (I was happy on hearing this question. I had prepared it so well you know. But the answer delivery was so poor that the member said - Since you are from IRS I thought you will give a new answer....Anyway you would have expected this question) !!!

Of course, unlike last time I was not satisfied with my answers. However I was extremely happy with my answers to chemical engg questions.... in fact this was the first time ever in my life I have answered to questions on chemicals engg!!

But just like last time I have to wait for a few more weeks to know what's in store...!