Shubham's HR Qs

Tell me about Yourself ?

My name is Shubham Kumar. I am from a small village in Katihar, Bihar. I completed my schooling from Bihar itself.
I did my Bachelors in Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay. I have done 2 internships  at omkar realtors and Purdue
university. Sir, my interests include backpacking, trekking and Table Tennis. 
I have been preparing for Civil Services since 2018 and this is my 2nd attempt and first interview.

All this is in your DAF. Tell me something more?

Sir I come from a joint family. My father and Uncle live together. 
And Sir, my family is also involved in agriculture. More than 2/3 rd of life is spent in residential school and colleges.
My Uncle is acupressure practitioner where as my aunt is home maker. Whatever I'm today is beacuse of the
constant support which i get from my family & I have learnt a lot of values from my family. 

Values learnt in residential school?

To be Independent
Sharing and helping attitude
Disciplined life
To become a team player

What would you do if you are not selected in the Civil Services?
I will try few attempt with all my effort and hard work-responsibility towards family, I believe that after 3-4
attempts time, money resources can be used to achieve other things in life
THEN probably I will return to civil engineering- higher studies
and lately started thinking of joining think tanks and consulting firms

Why should we select you for Civil Services?

I feel that I have all the qualities that a civil servant should have.

Did you take any coaching for your preparation? What are your opinions on coaching? What role does
coaching play in CSE success?

What values have you learnt from your family?

Sir, over the years I have learnt a lot of values from my family just by observation.
1. cooperation- from the way the whole family of 8 lives together and cooperate
 2. democratic values- decisions are taken by consensus and even children are consulted
3. Empathy and compassion- Sir once I saw my father not taking the share of agricultural produce from a share
cropper because he had to marry his daughter within a month.
4. Prioritizing things- I can recall sir, that my family decided to postpone painting of our house because the
money was needed for my sister's higher education

Name a person which has inspired you?

My Father Sir, I have learnt a lot of values from him.

Your father worked as Branch Manager. Which organization was he a branch manager in?
UBGB- which is one of the 2 regional rural bank in Bihar.

Has that in any way influenced your decision to join the administrative service?
childhood accompanied father to his bank. Have seen number of people visiting bank and with the hope they
come to a public office- My father also told me that very large number of people can be served by a public
office/administrator

Do you think the educational or financial status of the family of the children have any impact on their
overall  development? How has it impacted you?
yes certainly it is one of the determinant. Being graduate both my mother and my father were very serious about
my education and also of my sister- at very young age I was sent to a residential school. Also decent financial
status of my family made sure that I was able to get whatever necessary like health, education, resources etc for
proper and overall development of myself

How did your father/mother motivate you?

Directly and Indirectly both. 
Directly- by showing confidence in me, connecting with me at emotional level, citing instances in their life and
explaining to me how difficult situations can be overcomed
Indirectly-When I see my father working- almost no leaves, going to office on time and also his/her conduct in
family, Prioritizing things for eg less focus on material wellbeing (my home not fully furnished no sofa, No AC,
washing machine this winter) 

Tell us what have you learnt from your father/mother which will help you as an administrator?
1. Compassion/empathy
2. Coming to conclusion by discussion and by reasoning- like my friends I wanted to go to Kota after my
metriculation. rather than imposing his will on me, convinced me that only coaching at senior secondary level
is not good for me-I should focus on schooling as well 
3. Consensus building and cooperation- joint family- whatever we buy
4. Judicious use of resources and Prioritizing things- education health above other material things

Your mother is a housewife. What are the challenges faced by housewives in India?
 1. First Recognition of their work in not there- feeling undervalued unappreciated
2. Bargaining power is less
3. less control over family's income, expenditure- financially insecure
4. Double burden- outside and household work

Any three values which you’ve learnt from your mother.

Cooperation
Discipline
Upholding principles like honesty

Why CS? 

Ma'am, it was due to combination of personal and professional reasons. Personal reasons include my experiences
in the USA which motivated me to contribute towards the development of our country (how- project could be
applicable in indian scenario as well, urban planing) and second I also feel that this job will hep me to grow as a
person. The professional reasons include ma'am, the very nature of the civil services job- it is very challenging and
dynamic and it also provides a wide scope to deliver administrative justice to the society.

Administrative Justice
Public administration main work is to implement government programs and policies.
as a public instrument whereby democratic society may be more completely realized." This implies that it must
"relate itself to concepts of justice, liberty, and fuller economic opportunity for human beings. The goals of the
field of public administration are related to the democratic values of improving equality, justice, security, efficiency
and effectiveness of public services in a non-profit venue
” is the overall system by which decisions of an administrative or executive nature are made in relation to particular
persons
administrative justice is about ensuring that public bodies and those who exercise public functions make the right
decisions.
’Administrative justice’ has at its core the administrative decisions by public authorities that affect individual
citizens and the mechanisms available for the provision of redress.
Our concerns include ensuring that decisions and redress mechanisms comply with the rule of law.

How grow as a person

Job satisfaction and also challenging job, it will test my mental physical psychological limits and will in turn help
me to grow. By solving others problem, by dealing with diverse sets of people and problems 
challenges that job gives
it will force me to improve from my past to deliver better

Don't you think you could have achieved this in other jobs? For example NGOs
Ma'am I couldn't find a better career option which can fulfill all the things which I was looking for. For example
contributing in development of our country, job satisfaction, the diversity and challenging nature of the job. Above
all of this I feel that this job gives one responsibility as well as authority to bring out a change which NGOs or any
other jobs do not provide.
At very young age it gives wide opportunuties

You have such high marks in 10th, 12th, scholarships, you have done your graduation from such a premier
college with a good marks. You could have gone for MIT/ research and contribute in development of our
country?

That was a good option, sir. But because of combination of personal and professional reasons, I felt that civil
services provide me a unique opportunity which other job doesn't provide. For example sir, the challenging and
dynamic nature of the civil services job and it also provides a wide scope to deliver administrative justice to the
society.

(can add- why IAS?

people, places, culture, personal growth, establish innovation and creativity as connecting link
Networking, interaction and learning, exclusivity to society, elite, dignified life
Sense of responsibility and importance, opportunities to grow and gain knowledge
Prestige & Respect that comes along, Pay back Mom and Dad for all the sacrifices throughout their lives
interesting work, willingness to work for public, authority for the same
Role to play in India's growth story. As india aspires to become..

5 Strength and weakness? Tell me 5 qualities of yours which will make a good administrator?

There are several qualities Sir, which I think would help me to become a good administrator.
1)I try to become a Man of principles. For example Sir, I do not compromise on  honesty and integrity.- bill
management-online-open
2)Coming from a rural background, I have developed Empathetic attitude towards weaker and vulnerable section. 
Farmers and poor- make them aware of their rights and entitlements- eg housing for all 1.2 lakh govt is giving and
it is their right not some kind of Mukhiya
4)I am Accommodative by nature. I am open to others views as long as it doesn't come in conflict with my core
values- job me diverse,all india service, learn- hobby interacting with people, hostel fest- deciding theme,
decoration
Accommodating describes those who are easy to get along with and willing to help you. Accommodating is the
adjective form of the verb accommodate, and it's used to describe those who are cheerfully willing to make small
adjustments to help you out.
5)I also feel that I have an inquisitive mind- constant learning attitute. I also learn from my past experiences
Curiosity, learning new things, problem solving attitute

the aptitude to learn from past assessments on issues so as to further improve future solutions.
3)mention - problem solving attitute
Appreciation of different points of view
truthfulness, honesty, calmness, empathy, compassion, respectful, self-control, non-reactionary, careful and
responsible etc. To top up, basically a bureaucrat must be hard-working, thoughtful and not corrupt at any cos

Weaknesses

Does not say 'NO' get over burdened and sometime miss the deadline

3)Having worked in a team for eg- as cultral team player, leadership skill

Feeling of gratitude

In near future I see myself as a man who stands by his principles

Why not civil engineering as optional?

Peer group for anthro and for civil
Civil egg vast and opportunity to explore new subject
And I had interest in humanities subjects as well 

Why anthropology optional?

When came out of college I found difficulty in finding proper guidance for Civil engineering and also syllabus of it
is quite vast.

Helps to dev empathetic attitude towards section

Anthropology
Reinforced sympathetic approach feeling towards vulnerable section and weaker section

Did you prepared for Interview?

Yes Sir, as soon as CSE mains result came out, I started preparing for the personality test. But it was more like
knowing myself and noting down my vies and experiences.
Also since this was going to be my first formal interview, I gave few mock Interviews to get the feel of Interview
process.
Through this exercise, I can say that I know myself much better than what I did 2 months back 

What you will do after the interview?

I will fierst analyse my interview and will read about few things. Also I will talk to my family members and friends. I
have planned a short trip to Himachal Pradesh with some of my college friends.
Should we select you?  3 reasons why we shouldn't select you?
Sir although I feel that I am a deserving candidate for CS but in your wisdom if you find a better candidate than I
will work upon and try next year

DoB- 14th Feb

1. Pulwama attack 2019
2. Valentine's Day

PM when u were born- H.D. Deve Gowda (11th P.M- june 1996-april 1997)

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on
February 14. Originating as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus,
Valentine's Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and
romantic love in many regions around the world.

White Day is a day that is marked in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand,
Myanmar, Cambodia, and China on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day in countries which observe White Day is typically observed by girls and women presenting
chocolate gifts, usually to boys or men, as an expression of love, courtesy, or social obligation.
On White Day, the reverse happens: men who received gifts on Valentine's Day are expected to return the favor by
giving gifts. Traditionally, popular White Day gifts are cookies, jewelry, white chocolate, white lingerie, and
marshmallows. White Day was first celebrated in 1978 in Japan 

There are numerous martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including a
written account of Saint Valentine of Rome's imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers who were
forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire. Saint Valentine of
Rome was martyred on February 14 in AD 269. The Feast of Saint Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine's Day,
was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr.

In India, in antiquity, there was a tradition of adoring Kamadeva, the lord of love; exemplificated by the erotic
carvings in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments and by the writing of the Kamasutra. This tradition was lost around
the Middle Ages, when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of sexual affection became
frowned upon. This repression of public affections began to loosen in the 1990s.

Valentine's Day celebrations did not catch on in India until around 1992. It was spread due to the programs in
commercial TV channels, dedicated radio programs, and love letter competitions, in addition to an economical
liberalization that allowed the explosion of the valentine card industry. The celebration has caused a sharp change
on how people have been displaying their affection in public since the Middle Ages.

In modern times, Hindu and Islamic traditionalists have considered the holiday to be cultural contamination from
the West, a result of globalization in India. Shiv Sena and the Sangh Parivar have asked their followers to shun the
holiday and the "public admission of love" because of them being "alien to Indian culture". Although these
protests are organized by political elites, the protesters themselves are middle-class Hindu men who fear that the
globalization will destroy the traditions in their society: arranged marriages, Hindu joint families, full-time mothers
etc. 

The holiday is regarded as a front for "Western imperialism", "neocolonialism", and "the exploitation of working
classes through commercialism by multinational corporations". 
Despite these obstacles, Valentine's Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.

Education
Israel model
Land of Innovation/ The start up nation- beacuse of advanced higher education system with institutes under 200
ranking
Indians are going there as cheap also
International office in institute- host festivals (like holi), cultural evening, helps new arrivals sorting out their bank
accounts and accommodation process to make the ahift to new country smooth. Hebrew lessons for interested
students
PhD, post doctoral students- comes with oartner the IO also aupport their families, friendly lounge to meet people
from similar culture and even supporting them maternity periods

India sweet spot

English language- not only helps the international students feel more comfortable but also helps researcher and
institute maintain  a global image cheap, few already world famous institute

Delhi Model

Infra- changed body language of teachers and students- they are not 2nd class students

Mentors teachers (among teachers selected) innovative teaching methods

As per RTE act

SMCs- school management committees- parents, teachers - SMC elections (50% member women)
Parents care mist whether school is running fine or not

Restructured classrooms - group learning

NGOs

Happiness curriculum
Entrepreneur curriculum

Community led development - that changed delhi schools

Lack of accountability in govt system

Surprise visists by ministers- but less minister

2 shifts
Morning- girls
Afternoon- boys

Reading mela- smc member read out into community

Smc member raises their voices (SMC sabha- ask govt senior officials)

Mega PTMs- adds, invitstion paper

Sucess because parents participated

2018- govt school outperformed pvt school (passing)

First few Model schools are developed (54/1000)

Urban agglomerations
Census-A continuous urban spread consisting of a town and its adjoining urban outgrowths or two or more
physically contiguous towns together

Census- an urban area is either a census town or a statutory town. An ST is any place with a municipal corporation,
municipal council or cantonment board
A CT can be a village with urban characteristics- population more than 5000, density more than 400 people per sq
km and with more than 75% population not in agri

Unplanned urbanisation can be exclusionary, making it difficult for the migrants to live there given the high cost.
Unregulated housing, lack of reliable public transport and longer commutes within these towns puts a strain on the
meagre resources of migrants

10 years from now/attrubutes of India way?

Leading power in future
we are right now Pluristic society, democratic polity, market economy
Actively engage with global south and developing countries
Temper our self interest with the larger world would be or should beand build the diff image and constituency for
ourselves. What we do in caribean, africa, pacific and neighbourhood
There will be India branding, India model, india way of development for other country to follow and emulate
SDGs
INDCs
Democracy-social political

Soft state?
To some extent yes. But we are changing that. Less lathargic governance mindset. Firm on current issues engage
and pursuade, argue....

we will define ourselve

Our naratives
Put core interest clearly and world understands that for eg territorial integrity
Make yourself more attractive- cultural, mindset- seen as contributing and generous power

Learn from china- Preparation for becoming global power- it takes preparation and leadership
Eg- they showed how UK and US became global power

Right wing? Danger to indian democracy?

First of all I don't see any major threat to democracy.There are differences of opinion that is the basis of demo in
our country
There have been occasions in the past where democracy has been threatened but the country is resilient enough
to come out of such threats. If there are any perceived threats than I have a believe in the democratic institutions
of our country

CAA protests- also a part of democracy

Though there are allegations of extreme right wing politics in some pockets of the country but Indian democracy
has shown in the past that it is mature enough to overcome these glitches if they are any
It balances out over a period of time. Some instances but it may not be absolutely appropriate to say that the c has
gone to a extreme end

These are the probable reasons..

My understanding is..
Don't use the word 'obvious', must, should
It shouldn't reflect that you know the ultimate truth
I have never tried it but probably i can ...
No finality

Your academic track record is fantastic. could have done better in academia and research?

Administration need meritorious people

Sector reach wider public

Prepare
Surajkund mela
Administrative justice 

* As a rule, always read up on the meaning of your name and surname, the significance of your place of birth or
hometown and the politicaladministrative who’s-who of your residing state and district (who is the CM, DM, DSP
etc). For the place of birth or hometown dig deep into its history, demography, economy etc and for your name
look up its origins (esp. if mythologically important) and the message it conveys (if any).
* Questions have been asked about the places a candidate has lived in. For example, if you have moved out of your
hometown for studies then questions can be put on your knowledge of the place you have moved to. Typical
questions on this topic are on comparisons between your hometown and place of study (or work etc) and on
urban-rural considerations if the situation arises. Therefore it is best if you prepare on all the places you have listed
in the DAF.
* Next comes a candidate’s parents (job profile, business etc), his family background and profession (if any).
Questions asked here are not in the form of a scrutiny but only informative in character. For example, it is expected
that a candidate know what profession his parents are in or what their job profile entail. Also if a candidate has
been working prior to appearing in the CSE it is expected that he know sufficiently on his former work.
* One of the most important topics to prepare from the DAF is on one’s education and career. Often questions are
asked on the subjects a candidate had chosen for his graduation. Also, questions have been asked on favourite
subjects, on why a candidate has selected a subject different from the one he graduated in for the CSE and also on
why a particular subject chosen for the CSE in the first place. For example - If an engineering student chooses a
Humanities subject as an optional, there may be a question related to this switch of the stream.
* If a candidate has a professional degree or job, questions maybe asked on why the candidate has not chosen to
pursue that professional career or on what drove the candidate to leave his old profession to join the CSE.
* The questions on one’s hobbies are common and can be tricky so, it is best to prepare this topic carefully. It is
very important you take a look at the box titled ‘hobbies’ for an understanding on how to prepare on hobbies.
* Service preferences can also be a source for questions in the personality test. The general preference is IAS, IFS,
IPS (sometimes IRS for women candidates) and if this preference hierarchy breaks then a question can be asked on
it. For example, if a candidate has selected IPS as first preference then it is best if that decision can be skilfully
explained during the interview.
* Preferences on cadre is also very important. Things like why has the candidate selected a particular state first and
another last can trigger questions that has the potential to change the course of the interview. So, it is best that a
candidate has all the answers to all the questions he can think of regarding state preferences.