Name of Board – David Syiemlieh Sir

Date of Interview – 14 May, 2015

Session – Afternoon. I was the last one. Interval was about 30 Minutes as before entering it was 5:05 PM and after i came out it was 5:35 PM. (I asked time from the person who took me to the board)

My Background: First Attempt, Optional: History, Home town: Gaya (Bihar) .Engineering, Software Job, Teaching part time while preparing

Hobby: Composing Hindi Poetry

Transcript –

CP: You were earning so much money. Why do you want to join  Civil Services? To me, you should not.

Me:

CP: But for me money does matter. Have you reached the level where money doesnt matter?

Me:

CP: Your hobby is composing hindi poetry. Recite any four lines of your composed poem. Only four lines.

Me:

CP: I did not understand a single word but the way you recited was really impressive. Have you practiced it and expected that this might be asked.

Me:

CP: Have you authored any book on poetry?

Me:

CP: You have studied in Guwahati and your optional is history. Tell me about the bridge on the Brahmputra near Guwahati and its historical significance.

Me:

CP: Who was the Ahom ruler and Mughal ruler at the time of Battle of Saraighat?

Me:

CP: What kind of Battle was the battle of Saraighat?

Me:

CP: No, you should not say river battle. Say , it was naval battle

Me:

CP: (Points out to other panel member)

M1: What was Gandhiji’s vision of governance and democracy. How is it different from what we have now?

Me:

M1: Which part of Indian Penal Code Gandhiji was against?

Me:

M1: Which book was written by Gandhiji 101 years ago?

Me:

M1: What was Hind Swaraj all about? What is its theme?

Me:

M1: Swaraj is clear from its name. Explain it more

Me:

M1: Name some articles of Indian Constitution which contains Gandhain Principles.

Me:

M1: Which Act of British time Gandhiji opposed?

Me:

M1: I am not talking about South Africa. I am talking about India

Me:

M1: (Points to other member)

M2: Why did you change your job? didn’t you like south India?

Me:

M2: Swaraj is my birthright, who said that?

Me:

M2: Who was guru of Tilak?

Me:

M2: No no, Gokhle was Gandhi’s guru.

Me:

M2: Tell me welfare schemes of Ashoka

Me:

M2: no no, these are religious policies. I am asking about welfare schemes.

Me:

M2: (he also asked few questions on Gandhi that i dont remember right now. I will update as soon as i remember)

M3:  When and in what context Gandhiji had said: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win“.

Me:

M3: Be specific.

Me:

M3: You talked about Mansingh (during my answering to CP). Tell me what is Mansabdari system.

Me:

M3: What are those numbers attached to Mansabdari system indicate.

Me:

M3: Its not how many horses you can keep but how many horses you have to contribute.

Me:

M3: Sex ratio is worsening in India. Name one Act which is for making it better.

Me:

M3: not pdnt, but pndt act. Tell me its full form

Me:

M3: What is the punishment in this act for sex determination?

Me:

M3: Name any other Act for betterment of Sex Ratio

Me:

M3: What is PLFI and why it was banned in Bihar recently?

Me:

M3: (Points out to lady member, M4 of the panel)

M4: You talked about Gandhiji’s idea of self governance. What is difference between Panchayati raj system what we have now and what Gandhiji dreamed of?

Me:

M4: Any other difference?

Me:

M4: Other is village self sufficiency

Me:

M4: Which African country was never colonized?

Me:

M4: Only Liberia, not Ethiopia

Me:

M4: What is historical connection between Combodia and India?

Me:

M4: oh…not Buddhism

Me:

M4: Name that temple.

Me:

M4: Who built it?

Me:

M4: When?

Me:

M4: What was lineage of Suryavarman?

Me:

M4: Ok no problem.

(CP again)

CP: What do you learn from history?

CP: You background is science and you have taken history as an optional. So tell me who said: “History is science, no less and no more” and what he meant?

Me:

CP: Ok, Your interview is over.

(I do not remember few questions. As soon as I remember, i will update it)

Feedback about the interview / board –

I could not answer many questions. Sometimes my answers were wrong also. I did not perform up to my expectation as questions were mostly from history and many of those were totally unexpected and factual. Only place where i got appreciation was after reciting poem.

Marks Obtained: 160/275