IIFT INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS

FROM THE BATCH OF '24

Profile: Petroleum engineer with 30 months of work ex in refinery
Duration: 25 min
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore topic: Indians are good saver but bad investors.

- Talked for almost 3 mins covering cautious Indian investment mindset (capital protection),
differentiated conservative investment options and why they are bad (just beat inflation),
change in trend, record opening of DEMAT account in pandemic, decreasing interest rates on
FD and pension funds and stellar return generated by stock market in last 2 years, digital
revolution by discount brokerage by Zerodha, Upstox , etc., financial literacy.

Personal Interview
F1: Explain your current job profile.
F1: Tell me about normal distribution.
F1: How do you gauge financial health of company from annual report?
- Reading financial statements, i.e., balance sheet, profit and loss statement
F1: Difference between net profit and gross profit.
F1: Name 4 financial newspapers,
M1: What are the no. savings deposits of China and India (%)? (From my extempore)
- I did not know about China’s saving rates. As China has more GDP and more per capita
income, I assumed India has more number of saving deposits, but I was wrong. Panellist
explained what the answer should have been.
M1: What is rate of investment by the government (public expenditure) and private
organizations?
- I made an educated guess and said that since the Indian government is focusing more on
capital expenditure to boost the economy, the rate of investment should be more in case of
public expenditure than private expenditure. He seemed satisfied, but told me the actual
rates of investment for future reference.
M2: Tell me one major problem the Indian economy is facing right now.
- Talked about high inflation rate, India’s net importing economy, currency devaluation, rise
in crude oil and gas price and its impact, fertilizer price increase, commodity price increase
(edible oils) for a long time which has a major impact on economic activities. He seemed
satisfied.
M2: In covid time, crude oil prices were high, rayon fibre prices (a product of crude oil) were
also high, but there was no demand. Explain.
M2: Why did Paytm share price fall so much?
- Explained about initial high valuation, how the market found it unjustified, how price
correction happened. The company has not been able to generate growth and is still making
losses, but recent comments by the founder are promising and are resulting in positive
correction.
M2: Why is the LIC IPO is being called "the mother of all IPOs"? What was the biggest public
company IPO before this?
- Explained about the size of the IPO, the reason why the government is reducing its stake.
LIC has holdings in all major publicly traded companies and has a large asset under
management (AUM).
M2: Recently, there was news of loss of shares from DEMAT accounts overnight. What are
the possible reasons and solution? (From extempore)
- I tried to explain about the role of the ROC and depositories. If a share is held digitally, it is
traceable if the DEMAT account has not been compromised. There is also the possibility of an
IT system glitch. For possible solutions, I mentioned the usage of blockchain, where
transaction data cannot be altered.
M2: What is the role of the SEBI then?
- SEBI will do all the regulatory checks of systems if it has been compromised to find the lost
share.
Thank you. You may log off.

Overall, a relaxed interview. They straight away told me if they were satisfied by my answers
or not. They took the topic discussed on social media in the CV Form very seriously. Most of
my questions, apart from job profile and extempore, were from there.
Profile: Mechanical engineering, 14 months of experience as a data analyst
IIFT Percentile: 99.64
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore topic: Is WFH an advantage for employees or a challenge?

Personal Interview
M1: I can see that you have worked in 2 companies as a data analyst. What is that you
actually do?
M1: Which ML models do you use in day-to-day life?
M1: Why do you think random forest works well in your classification?
M1: What is bagging?
M1: If you have to create a model on attrition rate which contains very less targeted data,
how would you handle it?
M1: Why XGBoost in that case and how it is different than random forest?
M2: You have mentioned geopolitics in your CV, name 3 current geopolitical events that you
have come across.
M2: What are the reasons for the Sri Lankan economic crisis?
M2: What is the reason for the Pakistan crisis?
M2: What is India's stand in UN? Name 2 advantages and disadvantages of it.
M2: What is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?
F1: You are from Bankura, what is it famous for?
F1: How would you develop the economy of this district?
F1: A lot of land reforms happened in Bengal in recent years still why do you think acquiring
lands for projects is still a bottleneck?

END
Profile: EEE engineer and 32 months’ work-ex in TCS
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore topic: Banking Frauds

Personal Interview
M1: Tell us your engineering background, work-ex briefly and career goals.
M1: How will International Business help in Product Management?
M1: Any international business event happening around the world?
M2: Tell us in detail about work-ex. Does it relate to tech or business process automation?
M2: What kind of processes?
M2: Why the need for automation? What tech is used? How is it better than the one before?
M2: Which environment do you work on?
M2: Asked a question about my long-term business impact answer written in the form.
F1: Favourite football team and player. Why?
F1: What kind of blogs have you written? What is your niche?
F1: You are so creative. Have you considered exploring full-time writing as an option. Why
MBA?
F1: How would your manager describe you in one word?

A very chill interview. No questions on academics, GK. Exchanged pleasantries and logged
off.
Profile: GEM Mech (90.25/95.9/73.8/99.98), Work experience - 8 months (IT Industry)
Three panellists

Extempore topic: WFH (Pros and cons)

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
Q1. How is thermodynamics related to mechanical engineering?
Q2. What did you learn in SCM? Some follow up questions related to the same.
Q3. How are enthalpy and entropy related?

Panellist 2:
Q1. Where are you giving interview from? Vijayawada
Q2. River between Vijayawada and Guntur?
Q3. River between West Godavari and East Godavari?
Q4. What is the dam being built on the river Godavari?
Q5. What is the issue with Polavaram dam? Why is it getting delayed?
Q6. What is your viewpoint on 3 capitals for AP state? Was treading a fine line but was
stressed to give a firm opinion.

Panellist 3:
Q1. What is the current project on which you are working?
Q2. What is GPT3?
Q3. Is GPT3 only used for text to text or is it also used for text to audio as well?
Q4. How can you naturalize a language conversion using GPT3?
Q5. Latest project that you worked on individually?

Asked to log off then.

Profile: B. Com fresher, final year, Male
IIFT Percentile: 98.25
Three panellists: F1, F2, M1

Extempore topic: Future of cryptocurrency

1 minute to think, 3 minutes to speak.

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1):
1.You've studied finance and accounting in your syllabus. What are the other subjects you
studied?
2. Can you explain a cash flow statement? What are the major components of cash flow
statement?
3. Why are certain cash flow payments are capitalised and some are shown as an
expenditure?
4. What is inventory turnover ratio? A higher inventory turnover ratio is good or bad ?

Panellist 2 (F2):
1. What is CAPM?
2. What is APT - Arbitrage Price Theory?
3. What is VaT - Value at Risk? (Could only tell definition of risk. Didn't know VaT exactly.)
4. What is the difference between future and options? (Couldn't explain very well. F2 told
the answer herself.)
5. What other calls do you have?

Panellist 3 (M1):
1. Can you tell the types of taxes?
Told direct and indirect taxes.
2. What is SAARC?
Did not remember it completely. Sir helped to answer.
3 What are the countries in SAARC?
Guessed some countries.
4. With which countries has India signed free trade agreements?
5. Have you heard of COP-26?
6. Can you name 5 major seaports in India?
Could name only 3.
7. Sir told one is Kandla sea port and asked in which state is it?
I guessed and it was wrong. Sir told it is in Gujarat.

Asked to log off then.

Non engineer female (10/8/10)
IIFT Percentile: 99.46
Three panellists

Extempore topic: Correlation between morality and power.

(Spoke for around 2.30 mins and asked to stop)

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
1. What are you doing since 2021 (post-graduation)
2. What are risk and return quantitative tools?
3. How to measure IRR and NPV?
4. What is the value of NPV at IRR?
(P1 was good, very receptive. Appreciated me for my answers)

Panellist 2:
1. What are derivatives? What are the types of derivatives?
2. Difference between options and futures.
3. Name the Quad countries, their headquarters, and their aim.
4. Give me some details about NATO
(No grilling)

Panellist 3:
1. Asked 2 questions on inventory management (I specified that I could not recall as my
specialisation was finance)
2. How do we calculate inventory through financial ways?
3. Disruptive technologies (I said AI, crypto and metaverse (not yet developed) have
disruptive features.
4. What tool of bank uses blockchain?
Overall, a good interview. Rest is on them.
Profile: GEM, B. Tech male (9/8/7), CFA L1
IIFT Percentile: 99+
Three panellists; 1 did not ask any question.

Extempore topic: Ethics is just business pretence.

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
1. Why did you switch from engineering to management?
2. Talk about the Russia Ukraine conflict (mentioned in CV)
3. What you did after leaving your job?
4. You want to do finance, but how do you know IIFT is good for finance, what is it for?
(Mentioned talking to IIFT gold medallist)
Panellist 2:
1. So you did CFA, what is working capital?
2. What is the use of working capital? How can a company increase it?
3. Do you know a blockbuster IPO which has happened recently?
4. What were your learning from this IPO?

Thank you. You may log off.

Profile: B. Tech ECE
IIFT Percentile: 99+
Three panellists

Extempore Topic: Future of Online MBA

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
1. Electrical engineering vs Electronics engineering
2. Sampling Theorem
3. Voltage of Laptop Battery

Panellist 2:
4. What is a Transmitter?
5. What is AM/FM/CDMA?
6. Most concerning things in today's Newspaper.
7. Privacy Issues and relevant it is in future generations.

Panellist 3:
8. Suggestions on how to keep up with new technologies, as they are coming up every day.
9. Commodities affected due to RUSSIA-UKRAINIAN war.
10. Information Overload and how to cope up with it.
11. What is a Rheostat?
12. What is the Fourier transform formula?

You may log off.

Profile: CSE from BITS Pilani, 1 year at Goldman and 6 months at Intelligence Bureau
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore topic: Online book piracy v/s high priced books

Talked about the technology behind e-books, what piracy is, presence of more online piracy
in comparison to offline, the high price of printed books, the consumer base, the technology
behind it, (Ex: Zlib), the advantages and disadvantages of piracy (Advantages: Education to
masses, culture revivalism, diversification of thoughts, employment, contribute to knowledge
building), (Disadvantages: Loss of royalty to publisher and author, loss of tax to the
government - royalties have a tax rate of 12%, cybercrime, IPR issue).

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1):
1. What is cloud computing? (Told about all four and added BAAS)
2. Which form would you prefer for a hospital. (I said PAAS)
3. Technology behind web architecture.
4. What is a control unit?
5. Scope of LAN and WAN in industry 5.0.
6. Difference between Python and Java.
7. What was your role in IB? Were there any challenges you faced?
8. Why did you leave IB?
9. What is the organisational structure in IB?
10. Talk about some famous Indian shooters.
11. Difference between pistol and rifle.
I was able to answer all questions. She seemed impressed.

Panellist 2 (M1):
1. What is equestrianism.
2. What do you mean by hack (related to q1.)
3. What is dressage and show jumping?
4. Types of digital marketing.
5. What is Click Through Rate (CTR)?
6. Difference between ML and AI (too much grilling)
7. Difference between 4G and 5G.
8. Why is 5G in the news?
9. What are semiconductors?
10. Difference between diode and transistor (don’t know why was this asked)
- Was not able to answer but gave slight idea that both are semiconductors.
11. What are over the ground workers? (Related to IB)
12. Steps to control terrorism.
Seemed satisfied and passed on to the third panellist.

Panellist 3 (M2):
1. What is repo rate? (In the CV Form, I mentioned that I sometimes tweet on economic
issues)
2. Difference between SLR and CRR.
3. Theories of international trade.
- Mentioned 4 theories.
4. Why join IIFT?
5. Why MBA?
6. What is sweat equity?
7. Preference shares.
8. Merchant banking (related to Goldman)
9. View on 3 farm laws.
10. Why is India still an agrarian country?
11. How did you develop an interest in rifle shooting, considering that it is a less popular
sport?
12. What levels did you play at?
13. Tell us about your family.
14. Is the forest cover declining? (My father is an IFS)
Said thank you and asked to logoff.
Profile: B. Com, CA Intermediate, 17 months’ work ex (9/9/7)
IIFT Percentile: 97.53%ile
3 male panellists (50+, 50+, 30+)

Extempore Topic: New Education Policy, 2020

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
1) Job role in current company. Key learnings and skills gained from job.
2) Where do you live?
3) Which campus would you prefer, Kolkata or Delhi?
4) What is financial leverage?
5) Debt is a double-edged sword. Explain

Panellist 2:
6) Physical v/s financial assets
7) What sports do you play?
8) Which kind of movies do you like?
9) What other exams have you taken and what are your scores in those? Why IIFT?

Panellist 3:
10) Why didn't you take the CA final exam and what are your plans regarding that?
11) Were you in the morning batch or the evening batch of St. Xavier's? Why didn't you go
for an M. Com from Xavier's?
12) India's approach to semi-conductor shortage and impact of Russia-Ukraine on the
shortage. Which companies in India have shown interest in semi-conductor production?
13) Discussion on office address and a few questions regarding that.
14) My personal experience with WFH and offline set-up and difference in productivity.
Overall, pretty chill experience. Slight grilling on a few questions but they seemed receptive
to most of my answers and cracked a few jokes too.
Profile: GEM, 3 years work-ex
IIFT Percentile: 96.15
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Interview was mainly around automobile sector (my current employment)

Extempore Topic: Inefficacy of Indian education system
- Quoted the unemployment rate and Global Human Development Index and history of India
and how NEP will improve it.

Personal Interview
Panellist 1: (Asked mostly about my company (Maruti Suzuki))
Q1. How Suzuki being major shareholder in MSIL is competing against it in India. Your views
Q2. We get to hear from top management of MSIL that Suzuki’s plans are in line with MSIL
growth. Is it? Explain it for a common shareholder. (Explained how Suzuki is investing in India
and in tandem with MSIL)

Panellist 2:
Q1. You are from a core engineering background and in automobile sector, so tell me what
all components are there in an EV Battery
Q2. What major metals are used in Battery?
Q3. From where do we source these raw materials? Challenges with the same.
Q4. So, what are some alternatives to Lithium Batteries. (Told about H2 Fuel cell)
Q5. Explain H2 Fuel cell to a layman. Why H2 being in abundance is not being used yet?
Q6. What is entropy?

Panellist 3:
Q1. Why did you want to quit your current company and move to an MBA program?
Q.2 What is the scope of EV and govt initiative to promote EV (Talked about PLI Scheme and
FAME and explained how in my opinion, EVs aren’t viable right now)
Overall decent interview. One of the professors was grilling a lot in core question after seeing
the CV.
Profile: G/NE/F, Fresher (BMS, SSCBS) (95/93/88)
IIFT Percentile: 98.04
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore Topic: Spirituality vs Atheism

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1):
1. Transaction costs in credit market
2. What form of market is the bottled-water market?
3. How will I calculate my working capital?

Panellist 2 (M1):
4. Differential interest rate
5. The inefficiencies in credit market will hurt who the more- buyer or lender?
6. No. Of stock exchanges in India. Name them.

Panellist 3 (M2):
7. About indifference curve.
8. Difference between micro and macroeconomics. In micro, do we consider a single
consumer or aggregate consumers?

You may log off.

Profile: B.Sc. Zoology (90.4/92/78.2), 2 years at Amazon India
IIFT Percentile: 99.65
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore: Privatization of PSUs in India

Personal Interview
1. What is your ambition and why do you want to do an MBA?
2. Why fisheries and aquaculture?
3. What is your USP in your start-up?
4. Have you planned to export?
5. Why is there lack of incentives for fishermen to pursue it. Don't you think there are
already widespread aquaculture units?
6. Amazon and privacy infringement.
7. What is common between Amazon and a magician?
8. What do you think an entrepreneur is doing, making a business as an idea, or an idea as
a business?
9. What is progressive patterning?
10. Any questions do you want to ask for us?

The entire went in a very different direction from what I was expecting. The entire process
was about my entrepreneurship interest. I tried to pitch in various inputs about why I wanted
to get an admission to IIFT and why I wanted to pursue international business. They did not
ask me any academics-related questions or any questions about any organisations apart
from Amazon. The extempore was a little dicey but thanks to the regular sessions where I
had been practicing with other shortlisted candidates, I felt like the flow of the conversation
was better.
My advice here would be that the panel is thorough with your forms, so kindly go through
your CV Form thoroughly.
Profile: Non engineer male (81.70/94.33/85.50)
IIFT Percentile: 95.14%tile
2 Female Panellists, P1 and P2

Extempore Topic: Correlation between morality and power.

(Spoke for around 2.45 mins and stopped. No cross questioning)

Personal Interview
P1- Tell me about yourself.
- Prepared answer
P1- Are you comfortable reading German now?
- Yes, but the vocabulary is huge. I'm comfortable with grammar but it's an ongoing process
to learn any language.
P1- Have you joined a professional institute to learn German?
- I wanted to join one during college. But then, it was too expensive and thus settled on
Duolingo (she looked impressed)
P1- Okay, tell me about Hawkins-Simon condition?
- No idea.
P1- Okay, Kuhn Tuckner conditions?
- Again, no idea
P1- Input output conditions?
- Sorry ma'am, not in my syllabus.
P1- (smiling) Why is Linear programming useful?
- (Finally, something to work with) Explained well.
P1- One more follow up. Told.
P1- How to maximize Profit for any firm? Mathematical way?
- After some back and forth, lands on Differentiate the function!! This is what she wanted to
listen.
P1- Why IIFT?
- A well prepared answer and she looked impressed because I had read well about the
institute (including the corporate events)
P1- What will you add to IIFT?
- Prepared answer.
P1- Alright I'm done. Over to P2.

P2: Everyone has same abilities, skills, motivations and so on, why should we select you?
- (Interesting) Just mentioned how my goals are my own and I'm committed to doing well
academically.
P2- That's it?
- Yes ma'am.
P2- Okay! Major trading partners of India?
- US, China, and UAE in decreasing order.
P2: India has Trade surplus with all?
- Nope. Surplus with US and UAE but a large deficit with China. (Looked impressed)
P2- Major imports from China?
- Answered
P2: How to reduce this dependency?
- Encourage foreign firms to establish industries in India and encourage MSMEs here.
P2: Any scheme that comes to your mind regarding this?
- PLI.
P2: (impressed). Elaborate the scheme.
- Done.
P2: Major items exported by India.
- Told.
P2: Are you aware about Smart Cities concept? And how many cities under it?
- Explained the concept but not sure about the cities under it. Mentioned Indore (correct
fortunately) and all big metros but P2 said, not all metros.
P2: Digital literacy means? And what percentage of Indian population is digitally literate?
- Explained digital literacy well but not even remotely aware about percentage part.
P2: Okay! Suppose you have to come to your hometown in UP from J&K. States you will
cross?
- Starting from J&K, Punjab, Haryana and then UP.
P2: No Himachal?
- Knew this is coming! No ma'am, it's hilly and I would prefer Punjab since it's in the plains.
P2: If you were the finance minister, one novel change to Indian financial space?
- Hmm, mentioned promoting digital literacy (taking cue from above) but she reminded
something that has not happened yet! Then took a moment and talked about striving to
work towards regulation of cryptocurrencies since they already have a huge market and
investors' interest should be looked after.
P2: (looked satisfied). Okay, you can leave the meeting now. All the best.
- Thank you, ma’am.

END
Profile: B. Com Fresher, 2021 grad (81/84/7.26)

IIFT Percentile: 94%

Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore Topic: Mental health starts with me

Seemed quite happy with the extempore.

Personal Interview
1. Which campus would you prefer and why?
2. What are your extracurriculars?
- Told I like watching stand-up apart from a few other things. Told me to do a stand-up set,
but I was unable to do very well there.
3. What is the one thing you have learned in the last year from your peers? (This was with
reference to the extempore)
4. Why IIFT?
5. Why not IIM?
- Joked that I don't have enough percentile and was finally able to make them laugh.
6. How will you prioritize the truckloads of tasks at IIFT? (Reference to the form)
7. (Talked a bit about my business plan) Who are the customers?
8. Which Ministry is IIFT under? (Asked with reference to previous answer)
9. What do we export to Bangladesh?
10. What do we export to Pakistan?

Asked me to log off.

Profile: Integrated MSc in Photonics

IIFT Percentile: 97.64

Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore Topic: Digitized retail at the cost of local 'kirana' shop

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1):
1. Can you tell us about your educational background and why you decided to shift to a
different field?
- I have an Integrated MSc in Photonics, which is a combination of physics and electronics. I
was always interested in the technical aspects of this field, but I wanted to explore the
business side of things as well. That's why I decided to pursue an MBA, and I chose IIFT
because of its strong reputation in international business.
2. That's great to hear. What specifically interests you about finance?
- I find finance fascinating because it involves understanding the intricacies of how money
flows through the economy and how different companies and industries are affected by
financial trends.

Panellist 2 (M1):
1. Speaking of finance, can you explain why a company like Zomato, which is currently losing
money, was oversubscribed during its IPO?
- Well, Zomato is a company with a lot of potential for growth in the future. Even though it's
currently operating at a loss, investors are willing to invest in the company because they
believe it has a strong business model and a lot of potential for expansion. Additionally, the
IPO was oversubscribed because of the overall positive sentiment in the market towards
technology and e-commerce companies.
2. Interesting. Another question for you - why do you think some American auto companies
left India during the pandemic, while Japanese companies like Honda and Toyota stayed?
- I think it has to do with the long-term strategic goals of the companies. Japanese
companies like Honda and Toyota have been operating in India for a long time and have
made significant investments in the country's manufacturing infrastructure. They likely saw
the pandemic as a temporary setback and believed that their long-term prospects in India
were still strong. American companies, on the other hand, may not have had the same level
of commitment to the Indian market and may have viewed the pandemic as a reason to cut
their losses and focus on other markets.
Panellist 3 (M2):
1. Let's switch gears a bit. Can you tell me how long a football field is and who the semi-
finalists were in the most recent FA cup?
- A football field is about 100 meters long, and the semi-finalists in the most recent FA cup
were Manchester City, Chelsea, Leicester City, and Southampton.
2. Excellent. Who is your favourite football player and why?
- My favourite football player is Lionel Messi because of his incredible skill and ability to
create scoring opportunities out of seemingly impossible situations.
3. Great choice. Finally, can you tell me what managerial lesson you've learned from
football?
- I think one of the key lessons that can be learned from football is the importance of
teamwork and collaboration. Even the most talented individual players can't succeed without
a strong team supporting them and working together towards a common goal. This is an
important lesson that applies not only to sports but to business as well.

Thank you. You may log off.

Profile: GEF, B. Tech Chemical Fresher
IIFT Percentile: 99.58
Three panellists: F1, M1, M2

Extempore Topic: India's Demographic Dividend

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1): Academic
1. Do you know polymer engineering? (Mentioned polymer nowhere in CV)
2. Natural Rubber is a polymer/monomer?
3. What is the price of crude oil/barrel today?
4. How many litres in a barrel?
5. Say, the cost of crude oil in India is Rs. 50/L, how much would you sell petrol for after
refining?
6. What factors did you consider to arrive at that, components of operating cost and fixed
cost here?
7. Then why is the cost of fuel so high in India currently?

Panellist 2 (M1): Current Affairs

1. Do you read any newspaper? Any India/Global news?
- Discussion on Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India's exports this quarter. 3-4 questions for each
2. Industries in Bengal? Why this condition?
3. If you were CM, what would you do to change the current scenario?

Panellist 3 (M2): HR/Hobbies

1. Why MBA despite having national level paper publication? Why not research?
2. What do you look at in reviews? What keywords do you look at what factors do you
consider as a food critic? (CV based)
3. What do you usually read? What have you read currently?
4. Other hobbies? Famous painters of India? Costliest painting in the world?
Profile: B. Tech (mechanical engineering), 3 years at Maruti (95, 89, 80.5), 4 years gap
Three panellists: F1, F2, M1
Duration: 20-22 minutes

Extempore Topic: Is management a science or an art?

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1):
1. Can you introduce yourself?
- Sure. My name is [Name], I have a background in mechanical engineering, and I have three
years of work experience at Maruti Suzuki. I left Maruti Suzuki to pursue an MBA.
2. Why an MBA?
- I wanted to develop my managerial skills and learn about the business world. I also wanted
to explore different career opportunities.
3. Why did you leave Maruti Suzuki?
- While I enjoyed my work at Maruti Suzuki, I felt that I had reached a plateau in terms of
growth opportunities. I wanted to challenge myself and pursue a career in a different field.
4. What is the difference between an MBA and a civil services profile?
- While both require strong leadership and problem-solving skills, an MBA is focused on the
business world, while civil services is focused on public service and governance.

Panellist 2 (M1):
1. What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy playing and watching football, reading, and trying out new food places.
2. Can you compare Messi and Maradona?
- Both are great players, but I think Messi is more consistent and versatile, while Maradona
had a more explosive and flamboyant playing style.
3. How about Messi and Ronaldo?
- Both are incredible players, but I think Messi has better ball control and playmaking
abilities, while Ronaldo is more of a goal-scoring machine.
4. What is your favourite football club?
- Barcelona.
5. Why Barcelona?
- I admire their philosophy of playing possession-based football and promoting youth
players. They also have a strong history of success and a great fan base.
6. Which team formation do you prefer and why?
- I prefer a 4-3-3 formation, as it allows for a balance between attack and defence and gives
the midfielders more control and creativity.
7. What are your strengths and what do you bring to the table?
- I am a quick learner, a good communicator, and I have a strong work ethic. I bring a unique
perspective and diverse skill set to any team.
8. How will you compete with freshers who are wholeheartedly into MBA?
- While freshers may have more recent academic knowledge, I have valuable work
experience and a different perspective that I can contribute to the classroom.
9. Why IIFT?
- IIFT has a strong reputation for international business and offers great opportunities for
networking and learning from industry experts.

Panellist 3 (F2):
1. If you were made an economic advisor, what would be your suggestions?
- [Gave a 2–3-minute response here].
2. What do you think about the Indian Trade Services?
- I think the Indian Trade Services has a crucial role in promoting exports and strengthening
India's position in the global market.

Thank you, and if we don't meet you during MBA, then hopefully, you will become a civil
servant.
- [Laughs] Hopefully, thank you, and goodbye.
Profile: Male engineer, consulting work ex (95,87,83)
IIFT Percentile: 98.5
Three panellists: M1, M2, M3

Extempore: Developing scientific temperament amongst the masses in India

(Luckily, I like this domain, so could frame it, and spoke well.)

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. Can India become a cashless economy?
2. What steps would you take to increase the scientific awareness of the masses?
3. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, what are your views?
4. Why MBA and why IIFT?

Panellist 2 (M2):
1. What field would you like to specialize in?
2. Where did this interest come from?

Panellist 3 (M3):
1. Why consulting after doing civil engineering?
2. What is a business process? How is it mapped? What do you do exactly in SAP? What are
the shapes used to make process flowcharts? (Told all, these questions because I have work
ex in SAP consulting)
3. How do you design the business processes?

Thank you, you can log off.

Pretty open questions. I could speak a lot. Overall, it was a good experience.
Profile: Non engineering female, fresher (95/92/75)
IIFT Percentile: 95.87
Three panellists: F1, F2, M1

Extempore Topic: Fashion as a form of self-expression

Personal Interview
1. Please introduce yourself.
2. So, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
- My strengths are my ability to communicate effectively and work well in a team. I am also
good at problem-solving and am always willing to take on new challenges. As for my
weaknesses, I sometimes struggle with time management and can get overwhelmed when
there are too many tasks to handle.
3. Why do you want to pursue an MBA?
- I believe an MBA will provide me with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance in my
career and take on leadership roles. It will also help me develop a strong network of
professionals in my field.
4. Now, can you explain the difference between a manager and a leader?
- A manager is responsible for organizing and overseeing the work of a team or department
to ensure that goals are met. They focus on tasks and processes and are accountable for the
results. On the other hand, a leader is someone who inspires and motivates their team to
achieve a common vision or goal. They focus on building relationships and developing people
to help them reach their potential.
5. Can you tell me what you think the role of a senior manager is in a business organization?
- A senior manager is responsible for overseeing multiple teams and departments within a
business organization. They set strategic goals and objectives for the company and develop
plans to achieve them. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company's resources
are used effectively and that all operations are running smoothly.
6. Can you explain the difference between a private company and a multinational
corporation?
- A private company is owned and operated by an individual or a group of individuals who
have invested in the company. It is not publicly traded and is not required to disclose
financial information to the public. On the other hand, a multinational corporation operates
in multiple countries and has a global presence. It is publicly traded and is subject to more
regulations and reporting requirements.
7. Do you know anything about the political situation in Pakistan?
8. Tell me 2 difference & 2 similarities between the leadership styles of Anil and Mukesh
Ambani.
9. Which specialization will you choose and why IIFT?
10. Difference between bonds and shares.
11. What is EBITDA (since I mentioned finance as my specialization)
12. Name a few financial ratios.
13. Finally, where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
- In the next 10 years, I see myself in a leadership position in a multinational corporation,
driving the company's growth and success through strategic planning and innovative
thinking. I also hope to be actively involved in mentoring and developing the next generation
of business leaders.

Thank you for your time. We appreciate your thoughtful responses and wish you the best of
luck in your MBA journey.
Profile: GEM CSE, 10 months’ work ex as a technical writer (91/82/77)
IIFT Percentile: 99.29
Three panellists: M1, M2, M3

Extempore Topic: Is social media really important?

(thanks to the transcripts, was able to speak quite well)

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. Please introduce yourself.
2. What was your specific stream in engineering?
- I specialized in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
3. How do you connect your interest in computer science with writing?
- I have always had a passion for writing and I believe that good writing skills are important
in any field, including computer science. As a technical writer at TCS, I was able to combine
my knowledge of computer science with my love of writing to create clear and concise
documentation for software projects.
4. What do you like most about computer science?
- I love how versatile and dynamic the field is. There is always something new to learn and
the possibilities for innovation are endless.
5. Can you tell me about your work on face recognition at TCS?
- Sure. At TCS, I worked on developing a facial recognition system that could accurately
identify individuals in real-time. This involved using machine learning algorithms to analyse
facial features and compare them to a database of known faces.

Panellist 2 (M2):
1. I was going through your CV Form, and I see that you have diverse interests. Can you tell
me more about your interest in music?
- Yes, I have been learning to play the guitar for a few years now and I also enjoy singing. I
believe that music is a great way to express oneself and it has been a hobby of mine for
many years.
2. That's great. Do you know who won the Grammy from India recently?
- I'm sorry, I'm not aware of that.
3. It was Ricky Kej and Falguni Shah. Moving on, your name is Amulya, have you heard of
Amul the brand? Do you know where their headquarters are and who was the man behind
the white revolution?
- I'm sorry, I don't know.
4. What do you want to do later in your career and what sort of work are you interested in?
- I'm interested in working for companies like HUL, ITC, and P&G, which are leaders in the
FMCG industry. I want to work on developing innovative products and marketing strategies
to help these companies grow and succeed.
5. Do you know which group owns Britannia?
6. What is the origin of HUL and P&G?
- HUL is a merger of two companies, one Dutch and one British, while P&G is an American
company that specializes in consumer goods.

Panellist 3 (M3):
1. I wanted to show you a graph of the recent export trends and the growth rate. Can you
comment on it?
- Based on the graph, it looks like we crossed $400 billion in exports, which is a great
achievement.
2. That's right. Do you think it's impressive and why?
- Yes, I believe it's impressive because it shows that our economy is growing and becoming
more competitive on the global stage. It also demonstrates that our businesses are finding
new markets and opportunities for growth.

Thank you. You may log off.

Profile: Engineer fresher (89/81/67.4)
IIFT Percentile: 90+
Three panellists: M1, F1, F2

Extempore Topic: Global terrorism

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. Your marks are decreasing. Can you explain that?
2. There is some problem with the form, it's incomplete. What are your short-term and long-
term goals?
3. Why do you see yourself suitable for consulting, you don't even have work experience?
4. So, as per you, a consultant is a jack of all trades, a generalist?

Panellist 2 (F1):
5. What is FTA? Why is it needed?
6. Are there any alternatives to FTA?
7. Questions on WTO (establishment date, HQ).
8. What's IMF? What are their conditions to lend loans?
9. India-Australia trade deal.
10. If you were the Commerce Secretary of India, what would you recommend for India's
trade policy?

Panellist 3 (F2):
Just cross questions on my research paper published on IEEE.

M1 grilled a lot and didn't seem convinced, but I was chill all along.
Profile: B. Com, Fresher
Three panellists: M1, F1, F2

Extempore Topic: Global terrorism

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. So much of diversity right from schools to different activities, was it just coincidental or
what was it?
2. Why MBA and which specialization?
3. Do you know anything about our institute?

Panellist 2 (F1):
4. What is inflation?
5. Measures to control it?
6. Who prints money and coins in the market?
7. Can we print any amount of money we want and if yes, why don't we and what would be
its consequences?
8. What is Price theory?
9. What are discounted principles?

Panellist 3 (F2):
10. What is the current fiscal deficit?
11. What can be implied from an export of 400 billion Dollar?
12. India is heavily dependent on its service sector and USA is the major country with which
India trades in services, so will inflation of 8.5% affect the Indian economy?

Thank you. You may log off.

Profile: Non engineering, 20 months’ work ex (9/8/8)
IIFT Percentile: 99+
Two panellists: M1, F1
Duration: 20 minutes

Extempore Topic: Economic consequences of COVID-19

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why Kasa Kai?
3. So, you're good with DILR and QA? (I like to think so, yes)
4. Have you studied statistics?
5. What's the difference between covariance and correlation?
6. How is the normal distribution used in the stock market?
7. Do you invest in stock markets?
8. How do you value a stock?

Panellist 2 (F1):
Starts speaking in Bengali, I greet back in Bengali.
1. What is translation risk and transaction risk?
2. What are derivatives and their types?
3. Can you provide three application-based questions on derivatives?
4. What is the difference between futures and forwards?
5. Who regulates futures? (Tried to confuse me, but I stood my ground, and I was right)

Okay, thank you! You may go now. All the best!

Profile: GEM, Computer Science Engineer, 2 years’ work experience
Three panellists: M1, M2, F1

Extempore topic: Good-pay package vs good brand

Talked about the importance of considering long-term dividends when making career
decisions, particularly in the IT industry where pandemic-induced job shifting has become
more common. Talked about the trade-offs between short-term monetary benefits and long-
term gains such as exposure to new skills, roles, and recognition. Also talked about the value
of considering a company's focus on sustainability and ethics when choosing where to work.
While acknowledging the temptation of short-term financial rewards, I emphasized the
importance of prioritizing long-term goals to set oneself up for success and align choices with
values and aspirations.
(Spoke for 2.5 minutes)

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. Can you talk about the difference between cloud computing and programming?
- Programming is more focused on developing and testing code for running software, while
cloud computing is more focused on infrastructure and platforms that offer good scalability
to companies.
2. Can you tell me about a Java project you have worked on?
- I worked on a project in college where we developed a social networking platform using
Java.
3. What books have you read, both fiction and non-fiction?
- I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction. Recently, I read "The Immortal Life of Henrietta
Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, which is about the impact of medical research on individuals and
their families.
4. Why do you want to pursue an MBA?
- I want to supplement my technical experience and gain skills that will enable me to have
more customer interaction and impact on organizations.

Panellist 2 (M2):
5. Why do you think the government is disinvesting in PSUs?
- The government's motto is "no business of being in business." Additionally, disinvestment
will provide more money to reduce the fiscal deficit and spend on infrastructure as
mentioned in the budget. In PSUs, assets often lie unutilized.
6. How do you think Air India can be revived? Do you think Tata Group can revive it?
- Air India can be revived by reducing free air services for bureaucrats, reducing employee
benefits and perks, incentivizing employees to offer better services, and repairing the airline's
reputation. I think Tata Group is well-equipped to revive Air India.
7. Can you tell me the full form of SWIFT?
- I'm sorry, I can't recall it at the moment.
8. You have mentioned SWIFT payments in your CV. What is it?
- SWIFT is an interface for international transfers between banks.

Panellist 3 (F1):
9. How does it work?
- I started explaining, but the interviewer asked for a specific IT aspect of SWIFT.
10. What is the specific IT aspect of SWIFT?
- I wasn't sure, but I suggested that it might have to take care of relative currency values and
do accordingly.
11. Where is SWIFT based out of?
- I wasn't sure, but I guessed it might be in the EU. It turns out that Swift is based in Belgium,
which is in the EU.
12. You are still working. Are you satisfied with your company? (Yes)
13. Many people won’t have packages like you? Why did you get this?
- Product oriented roles usually get good salary, especially considering the recent trend.
14. Why MBA How would it help?
- It will supplement my technical experience. Also, product and department managers have
more customer interaction and I want to enhance my competency for the same.
15. What did you learn from your team's management?
- Emphasis on employees and prioritisation of people is crucial, as it creates a strong
team/unit.

Thank you. You may log off.

Profile: BBA in Finance, 35+ months in Investment Banking
IIFT Percentile: 98.53
Two panellists: M1, M2

Extempore: Tax Evasion by MNCs

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. Could you tell us about your work experience and one lesson you learned other than
dealing with Covid?
- I have over 35 months of experience in Investment Banking. One important lesson I learned
is the importance of attention to detail. In investment banking, even a small mistake can
have huge consequences, so it's crucial to be meticulous in your work.
2. Could you give us five key points on work experience and also explain the difference in
valuation between MNCs and startups?
- Sure. Five key points about work experience would be:

• The importance of networking and building relationships.

• The need to be adaptable and open to learning new skills.
• The importance of teamwork and collaboration.
• The need to manage time effectively.
• The value of taking initiative and being proactive.
In terms of the valuation difference between MNCs and startups, MNCs generally have a
higher valuation due to their established market position and larger revenue streams, while
startups have a higher risk profile and may have lower valuations.
3. Can you tell me about some of the key concepts in cost accounting that you are familiar
with?
- I am familiar with cost units, cost allocation versus cost apportionment, contribution, and
break-even point.
4. Can you discuss your experience with M&A and how it can sometimes lead to incorrect
decisions despite due diligence?
- M&A is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration and due diligence. However,
even with thorough research and analysis, sometimes an incorrect decision can still be made
due to unforeseen circumstances or unexpected changes.
Panellist 2 (M2):
5. What do you think is the difference between MNCs and TNCs?
- Well, MNCs are multinational corporations that have a presence in multiple countries, while
TNCs are transnational corporations that operate in multiple countries but don't necessarily
have a headquarters or main base of operations in any one country.
6. Can you name two Indian MNCs that have a presence in Europe?
- Yes, two Indian MNCs that come to mind are Tata Motors and Infosys.
7. Can you explain why these companies have a presence in Europe?
- Tata Motors is a global automotive company that has a presence in Europe through its
subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover. Infosys, on the other hand, is a technology consulting and
outsourcing company that has established a presence in Europe to expand its customer base
and take advantage of the region's skilled workforce and business-friendly environment.
8. Could you also tell us about commonly used metrics for valuing a company or important
for a company?
- Sure. Some commonly used metrics for valuing a company include Price-to-Earnings Ratio
(P/E Ratio), Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B Ratio), and Enterprise Value (EV). Important factors to
consider when valuing a company include its financial performance, market position, growth
potential, and competitive landscape.
9. Could you explain what an indifference curve is, and also tell us about elasticity and the
effect of a recession on high elasticity?
- An indifference curve is a graph that represents a set of consumption bundles that provide
a consumer with the same level of satisfaction. In economics, elasticity refers to the degree
of responsiveness of a variable to a change in another variable. For example, price elasticity
of demand refers to the degree to which demand for a product change in response to a
change in its price.
During a recession, high elasticity means that consumers are more likely to change their
consumption patterns in response to changes in price or income. This can lead to a decrease
in demand for certain products or services, which can further exacerbate the effects of the
recession.

END
Profile: BTech ECE Fresher (83/81/82)
IIFT Percentile: 99.25
Duration: 20 minutes
Two panellists: M1, M2

Extempore Topic: Energy Conservation

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1):
1. We see from your CV that you have a background in social work. Have you worked with
any NGOs in the past?
- Yes, I have worked with a few NGOs in the past on various social issues.
2. What are your thoughts on the government's decision to impose a 30% tax on crypto?
- As someone without a background in finance or crypto, I may not be the best person to
comment on this issue. However, I understand that this tax could negatively impact traders
who are involved in crypto trading.
3. Do you know what the current LTCG/STCG rates are?
4. Another topic we wanted to discuss is the government's recent decision to allow foreign
universities to set up in India. How do you think this will affect competition and
opportunities for Indian colleges and students?
- I think this could potentially increase competition in the education sector, which could be a
good thing as it may lead to improved quality and more opportunities for students. However,
there could also be challenges in terms of ensuring that foreign universities adhere to Indian
laws and regulations.
5. Did you give CAT? What was your percentile and have you received any other calls?
- Yes, I did give CAT and my percentile was 99.15. I have received a few calls from other
institutes, but results are not out yet for some of them.

Panellist 2 (M2):
6. Many US companies and billionaires focus on social work, but it seems that Indians do not
do so as much. Why do you think this is, and how can we improve?
- I think there could be several reasons for this, including cultural differences and a lack of
emphasis on social responsibility in some Indian companies. However, I believe that we can
improve this by increasing awareness about social issues and encouraging companies and
individuals to get more involved in social work.
7. Can you explain the difference between capital gains on assets versus capital gains on
crypto?
- Capital gains on assets refer to the profit that is made when selling an asset such as
property or stocks, while capital gains on crypto refer to the profit made when selling
cryptocurrencies.
8. Can you discuss the difference between trading USD in India versus trading crypto in
India?
- As someone without a background in finance or crypto, I may not be the best person to
comment on this

I have no background in Crypto or Finance and yet was asked all these questions. No current
global issues or academics either. I might also be forgetting some questions that were asked.
Being a fresher, I was definitely caught off guard. I had been able to drive all my interviews
towards my interests up till now but IIFT was a beast. Overall, a good experience. However, I
would recommend not stressing over learning new stuff now but rather working on speaking
well.
Profile: B.Tech (9/9/7)
IIFT Percentile: 99.53
Three panellists: M1, M2, F1

Extempore topic: Energy conservation

Personal Interview
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. You said you have worked in operations. Isn't that as waste of your chemical engineering
degree?
- That's not the case, even chemical engineering has various core courses on running aspects
of a plant which would be useful.
3. Tell me three Indian-run Pharma companies
4. You seem to take a lot of interest in world and financial news. Can you explain what is
going on in the Indian economy?
- The rupee depreciation is due to Fed hiking interest rates and the Russia-Ukraine war. As
you asked about FII, I fumbled a bit when you asked me the difference between FDI and FPI.
5. What did you learn from your six-month internship at Flipkart and your intern as a content
writer?
- (correcting it to Amazon from Flipkart) In my first internship, I learned how a good manager
should communicate his ideals properly and how he should be accessible to everyone on the
ground level. I also talked about the various strategies used by the company for Startup
Talky, using an example of Jockey and Page Industries.
6. Then why do you want to do an MBA when you already know so much?
- I believe that the faculty's cumulative experience and peer group would help me learn even
more and become industry-ready. Also, I mentioned a bit about how IIFT is the only institute
dedicated to trade and has visits to ports, for example.

Okay, that's everything. You can log off now. Thank you.

Went good but at same time, questions looked way too generic. I was expecting more
specific questions.
Profile: Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 36+ months’ work ex in operations
(9.2/91.5/7.17)
Three panellists: M1, M2, F1

Extempore: Learning Vs Placements: What is important in an MBA program?

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (M1) aged 55+
1. You are from Hyderabad, what makes Hyderabadi biryani special?
2. What's inflation, how is it calculated, what was the inflation last year?
3. Which companies are leading the EV race in India?

Panellist 2 (F1) aged 45+

4. You work at Uber, what is the software algorithm used by Uber?
5. Which technology is used in driverless cars?
6. You are from EEE, what's the principle in which transformer works?
7. What are the different types of transformers?
8. What are different types of signal generators?

Panellist 3 (M2) aged 55+

9. Name CEOs of 5 Indian companies
10. Who is the CEO of Tata Motors?

The interview lasted for 15 mins, no questions from CV or work domain related.
Profile: B.Tech (9/9/7)
Three panellists: M1, M2, F1

Extempore Topic: Instagram's lead over Facebook

Personal Interview
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Can you tell me why you left architecture and what you want to do now?
- I left architecture because I found it too specialized, and I wanted to explore broader
business opportunities.
3. How will MBA-IB help you?
- MBA-IB will provide me with a global perspective on business, and it will equip me with the
skills required to excel in the international business environment. It will also help me develop
cross-cultural competencies and leadership skills, which will be valuable in my future career.
4. Can you name the founders of Instagram?
- The founders of Instagram are Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger.
5. What was Instagram's previous name?
- Instagram's previous name was "Burbn."
6. Can you name a novel based on architecture? What philosophy is it based on?
A novel based on architecture is "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. Its philosophy revolves
around the idea of individualism, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence.
7. Can you name French colonies other than Pondicherry in India?
- Yes, there were five French colonies in India: Chandannagar, Mahe, Yanam, Karikal, and
Pondicherry.
8. Do you have any favourite films or architects? Can you name a few?
9. What would be the biggest hurdle for you if you join IIFT?

You can log off now. Thank you.

Profile: Non-engineering, Male, Fresher (94,96,80,50)
IIFT Percentile: 94.71
Three panellists: M1, M2, F1

Extempore Topic: Sports and Doping

(Cited examples of Russia's scandal and Late Shane Warne)

Personal Interview
1. What subjects did you study in your undergraduate degree?
- Marketing, Management, Financial Management, Accounting, and Economics.
2. What was your GPA?
- 9.07.
3. Can you explain the difference between marketing and selling?
4. What is the Double Entry System?
5. How do we measure time period in business?
6. Have there been any other measures like lockdowns or quarantines in history?
- Yes, for example, during the Bubonic Plague and possibly during the Spanish Flu.
7. What is the Cost of Capital and the Weighted Average Cost of Capital?
8. If you were a marketer, how would you convince me not to select you?
- I don't feel qualified to make that decision. The decision lies with the panellists. The
interviewer posed the question again, and I answered, "If you find a candidate who is more
qualified and a better fit for the program, then you should select them."
9. How would you market Indian handicrafts?
- I would consider partnering with interior designers and leveraging the aesthetic appeal of
the products. However, I couldn't frame a complete answer to this question.
10. In which kind of market structure do Indian handicrafts operate?
- Considering the heterogeneity of the products, I would say that it operates in a
monopolistic market structure.
11. Do you follow any sports, such as cricket, badminton, basketball, or football?
- No, sir. However, I learned yoga in school.
11. Do you play an instrument, paint, draw, or sing?
- No, sir. I am a dancer.

Thank you.
Non-engineering, Female, 33 months of work ex
4 panellists

Extempore Topic: One day cricket is not just cricket.

1. Can you answer some basic questions on accounting?

2. What are some global events that have occurred recently, apart from the Russia-Ukraine
war? (Cross questions were asked here)
3. What are your hobbies?
4. What have you been doing since June after quitting KPMG?
5. What is your specialization?
6. Why do you want to join the government at a later stage after working in the private
sector?
7. What are Raghuram Rajan's views on Budget 2022-2023?
8. What suggestions would you make to the foreign minister to deal with China's aggression?
9. What are your views on defensive offense?
10. What are some key points made by NSA Ajit Doval on Indian security?
11. What are the three key highlights of Ambassador Shiv Shankar Menon on Indian foreign
policy?

Thank you.
Profile: GEM (30 months exp)
IIFT Percentile: 96.15

Extempore Topic: Media should not promote fake news and sensationalization
(Told me points I made in extempore were good)

1. Can you please introduce yourself and explain why you chose to pursue an MBA (IB) at
IIFT?
2. I was asked to provide insights on the probability of a news article being real or fake if it
came from a source such as WhatsApp.
3. We also had a discussion about my name.
4. I was asked about my achievements during college, with some follow-up questions
regarding my GPA and whether it was considered mediocre or above average.
5. I had mentioned my stoic attitude on my CV, so I was asked to explain what stoicism is and
how I applied it during a personal situation at home.
6. The interviewer asked me about the sports I play, possibly because of concerns about my
weight. I had some follow-up questions here.
7. What is your knowledge on the RU and Sri Lanka crises?
8. Can you talk about your thoughts on the recycling of packaging materials from Amazon
and Flipkart?
9. In your opinion, how has digitalization helped us and changed the world during the time
of COVID?
10. Asked about my CAT percentile and whether I was satisfied with it.
11. What is your plan B if you are not selected?

Overall, I had a positive impression of the interview.

Profile: B. Com Hons Fresher
Three Panellists

Extempore - Data Privacy in India

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
1. Can you tell us about your interest in football? How do you think the Indian Super League
(ISL) can be marketed better in India?
- As a football enthusiast, I believe ISL can be marketed better by increasing its reach to
smaller cities and towns, investing in grassroots programs, and leveraging social media to
engage with fans.
2. Let's move on to academics. Can you explain what the P/E ratio is?
- The P/E ratio, or price-to-earnings ratio, is a valuation metric used to determine the relative
value of a company's stock. It is calculated by dividing the current market price per share by
the earnings per share.
3. What about NPV and financial exposure?
- NPV stands for net present value, which is a method used in capital budgeting to determine
the profitability of an investment. Financial exposure refers to the potential financial loss a
company may face due to changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, or commodity
prices.
4. How do you think the metaverse will change the business scenario in India?
- The metaverse has the potential to transform the way businesses interact with customers
by creating new opportunities for immersive experiences and virtual commerce.
5. If I give you a balance sheet of a company, what metrics would you look at when deciding
whether to invest in it?
- Some key metrics I would consider include revenue growth, profitability, debt levels, cash
flow, and return on equity.
P1: Alright, I have no further questions. Thank you.

Panellist 2:
6. Can you tell us what kind of marketing you are interested in?
- I am interested in digital marketing and brand management.
7. What is a brand?
- A brand is a collection of perceptions, emotions, and experiences associated with a
company or product that differentiates it from competitors and creates value for customers.
8. What are three reasons for advertising?
- Advertising can help increase brand awareness, promote product features and benefits,
and influence consumer behaviour.
9. Is a brand only associated with a company?
- No, a brand can also be associated with a product, service, or individual.
10. Can you explain what a brand is again?
- Sure, a brand is the unique identity and image that a company, product, or service creates
in the minds of customers through marketing and communication efforts.

Panellist 3:
12. Can you tell us about consumer behaviour?
- Consumer behaviour is the study of how individuals make decisions about what they buy,
when they buy, where they buy, and why they buy.
13. What happens after a purchase is made?
- After a purchase is made, the consumer may experience post-purchase dissonance, which is
a feeling of anxiety or regret about the decision. This can be mitigated through after-sales
support and customer service.
14. What is the difference between customer satisfaction and customer delight?
- Customer satisfaction refers to meeting customer expectations, while customer delight
refers to exceeding those expectations and creating a positive emotional experience.
15. Can you share an experience where you experienced brand delight?
- Sure, I had a great experience with a brand when I received personalized and timely
communication, exceptional customer service, and unexpected perks and rewards. It made
me feel valued and loyal to the brand.

P1: Thank you for your time. It was lovely talking to you.
Profile: Electrical Engineering
Three Panellists

Extempore Topic: Is ethics just a business pretence

(Spoke for around 2 min, ran out of points to say)

Personal Interview
1. Can you tell us about your academic background? We didn't get much information from
your CV Form.
- I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and I completed my master’s as well.
2. Why did you choose to pursue an MBA after already obtaining a master’s degree?
- I wanted to gain a broader understanding of business operations and management, which I
felt would complement my technical background and help me excel in a leadership role.
3. You mentioned working on a magnetic stirrer. Can you tell us more about it?
- Yes, I worked on developing a prototype of a magnetic stirrer as part of a project during my
undergraduate studies. We tested and refined the design to ensure optimal efficiency and
safety.
4. When do you anticipate the product being made public?
- Unfortunately, I don't have any current information on the status of the project or its
potential public release.
5. It seems like your academic background is more suited for research roles like a PhD. Why
did you choose to pursue an MBA instead?
- While I enjoyed the technical aspects of my education and work, I wanted to broaden my
skill set and pursue leadership roles that required a blend of technical and business
knowledge.
6. What have you been doing since graduation?
- I have been working in the tech industry, primarily in a project management capacity. I
have gained valuable experience leading teams and overseeing complex projects.
7. Can you tell us about what the Indian government is doing to increase tech output? And is
India on par with China in terms of tech advancements?
- The Indian government has initiated several initiatives to boost tech output, including the
Digital India campaign and Start-up India. However, I believe there is still room for
improvement. As for India’s comparison to China in terms of tech advancements, I think it’s
difficult to make a direct comparison, as both countries have unique strengths and
challenges in the tech industry.
8. Can you explain the difference between private companies and MNCs?
- Private companies are typically owned and operated by individuals or a small group of
investors, while MNCs are multinational corporations that operate in several countries.
MNCs generally have a larger workforce and a more significant global presence than private
companies.

END
Profile: Non engineer female (B. Com H)
Three Panellists

Extempore Topic: Smart work vs Hard work

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
Q1: Can you please introduce yourself to us?
Q2: In your opinion, do you believe that individuals with prior work experience are better
suited for an MBA compared to freshers?
Q3: What is your knowledge on francophone countries?
Q4: Did the French colonies of the past also have French as their official language?

Panellist 2:
Q5: Can you provide an explanation of green marketing?
Q6: Is digital marketing considered a form of green marketing, despite the issue of digital
waste?
Q7: Why do companies store data, and what is the reason behind it being harmful for the
environment?
Q8: Can you speak about any recent export targets and their reasoning?

Panellist 3:
Q10: Can you elaborate on the recent listing of two African countries by America in the stock
exchange?
Q11: Is there any current issue or movement that may impact international business in the
long run?
Q12: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years?

Overall, the interview went smoothly.

Profile - 10/94.40/90
IIFT Percentile: 94.xx
Three Panellists
Duration: 20 minutes

Extempore topic: Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
Q1: Why do you think INC is failing in elections?
Q2: Can you tell us about your father and sister's corporate backgrounds and how their
experiences relate to the capabilities of an entrepreneur?
Q3: What is the Indian government's stance on crypto assets, and how will it impact India?
Q4: What are your plans after graduation?

Panellist 2:
Q5: Can you provide an explanation of blockchain technology?
Q6: What is Bitcoin mining, and how does it work?
Q7: Have you heard of the colocation scam, and if so, can you tell us about it?
Q8: Which share has been the most profitable for you in the last six months, and why?
(I answered Laxmi Organics, followed by follow-up questions about organic and specialty
chemicals.)

Panellist 3:
Q9: Is organic farming commercially profitable, and how is it marketed?
(I provided references to Sri Lanka and Sikkim.)
Overall, it was a relaxed interview.
Profile: BMS graduate, Mithibai College, 30 months’ work-ex in Investment banking
IIFT Percentile: 94.2
Three Panellists

Extempore Topic: Are ethics just business pretence?

Spoke for about 2.5 minutes, ran out of points.

Personal Interview
1. Please introduce yourself.
2. Can you tell me about some important financial ratios?
- Sure. There are several important financial ratios like Debt-to-Equity ratio, Working Capital
ratio, Current ratio, and Inventory Turnover ratio. These ratios help to evaluate a company's
financial health and performance.
3. Can you explain the importance of the Working Capital ratio?
- The Working Capital ratio measures a company's short-term liquidity and its ability to pay
off its short-term obligations. It is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. A
higher ratio indicates that the company has enough cash and assets to cover its short-term
liabilities, while a lower ratio may indicate that the company is having difficulty paying off its
debts.
4. Can you tell me about your work experience and your current company?
5. Where do you see yourself after 5 years?
6. What do you think are the qualities of a good leader?
7. Where do you see the Indian economy heading, and what levels can we expect to see the
indices at the year-end?
- In my opinion, the Indian economy is expected to grow steadily in the coming years due to
the government's focus on various initiatives like Make in India and Digital India. As for the
indices, it is difficult to predict the exact levels, but I believe that they will continue to rise in
the coming years, and we can expect to see a positive trend at the year-end.

END
Profile: B. Tech
Two Panellists

Extempore: Celebrity endorsement, effective way of advertising?

1 minute to think, 3 min to speak. I spoke for about 2 minutes but included all the relevant
points.

Personal Interview
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Can you tell us about your hobbies?
- I mentioned cricket, chess and that I recently started going to the gym.
3. Do you read books?
- Told that I used to read earlier but at present, I focus myself on reading newspapers and
articles to equip me intellectually.
4. There are some politicians in India who say India might go Sri Lanka's way. What are your
thoughts on this?
- Tried to explain the Sri Lankan government’s policies
5. What do you think about India's rising inflation and petrol prices?
- I told that it is the easiest way to generate revenue for the government, how current war
has disrupted global supply chain, and how price hikes and inflation are common in all
countries currently.
6. Can you explain Malloc in C?
7. What is a class in Java?
8. Can you make a class?
9. What is NoSQL?
10. What is the difference between P and NP problems?
11. Did you write CAT?
12. Where do you place IIFT in your preference list?
13. Tell me about your leadership qualities.

Okay, thank you.

Profile: GEM
IIFT Percentile; 95.29

Extempore Topic: India’s need and preparedness for Entrepreneurship.

Personal Interview
So, you have a background in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and now you're working
in Data Analytics in the IT industry. You also have completed CFA level 1. So, I will ask one
question on each.
1. Firstly, can you explain the buzzing effect near a transformer and why it happens?
- Yes, it happens due to the magnetic field produced by the transformer that interacts with
the surroundings, which produces the buzzing sound.
2. Could you tell us about your work in Data Analytics?
- Sure, I work as a Data Analyst where I analysed data using various statistical and machine
learning techniques to provide insights to stakeholders.
3. Can you tell us about IFRS and who sets them?
- IFRS stands for International Financial Reporting Standards, which is a set of accounting
rules and standards that govern the preparation of financial statements. These are set by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
4. Excellent. Lastly, how is debt and equity shown in IndAS?
- Debt and equity are shown separately in the balance sheet as liabilities and equity,
respectively.
5. Can you explain the practical aspect of data mining these days?
- The practical aspect of data mining involves the use of various tools and techniques to
extract useful insights from large datasets. These insights can be used by organizations to
make informed business decisions.
6. Lastly, why did you take up CFA?
- I took up CFA to enhance my knowledge in finance and investments, as it is a globally
recognized certification that provides a understanding of finance and investment concepts.
7. Great. Overall, how do you think your interview went?
- I would rate my performance as average, but the panel was very supportive. Whenever I
couldn't answer a question, they helped me out with the answer.
END
Profile: GEM
Three Panellists (M1, M2, F1)

Extempore Topic: Need for the sales in the digital world.

Personal Interview
M1: Can you tell us about the managerial skills you mentioned in your CV and why they are
important in the corporate world?
- Sure, I mentioned skills such as communication, team building, and problem-solving, which
I believe are crucial for a manager to possess. Effective communication helps in conveying
ideas and building relationships, team building fosters collaboration and synergy, and
problem-solving enables managers to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
F1: Can you explain the difference between invention and innovation?
- Yes, invention refers to the creation of something entirely new that has never existed
before, while innovation is the process of improving or modifying an existing invention to
create value.
F1: Can you describe Newton's law in the practical world?
- Newton's law states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by
an external force. This law has practical applications in fields such as physics, engineering,
and even economics, where it can be applied to understand the behaviour of markets and
economies.
M2: What is the difference between sales and marketing?
- Sales is the process of selling a product or service, while marketing involves activities such
as market research, advertising, and promotion to create demand for the product or service.
M2: Can you explain direct and indirect taxes?
- Direct taxes are levied on the income or assets of individuals or companies, such as income
tax and corporate tax. Indirect taxes are levied on goods and services, such as sales tax and
value-added tax.
M2: Why did the Russian rouble collapse?
- The collapse of the Russian rouble in 2014 was due to a combination of factors, including
falling oil prices, economic sanctions imposed by Western countries, and a lack of confidence
in the Russian economy.
F: Can you tell us about some leadership experiences you have had during your 10th, 12th,
or graduation?
- During my graduation, I was the head of the student council, where I was responsible for
organizing events and coordinating with the faculty and students. I also led a team of
volunteers for a social service project, where we raised funds for a local NGO and helped
with their initiatives.

Overall, the panellists were friendly, and there was no grilling. It was a good conversation,
and I felt comfortable answering the questions.
Profile: BMS, Fresher
Extempore Topic: Importance of Salesperson in Digital world
Three Panellists

Personal Interview
P1: Why did you choose IIFT for your MBA?
P1: How do you explain your transition from the Oil and Gas industry to International
Business?
P1: What specific roles are you looking for in your future career?
P1: How do you plan to contribute to IIFT?

P2: Can you explain why your undergraduate grades were lower than expected?
P2: What is the current scenario in the oil industry?

P3: Have you heard of OPEC?

P3: Can you explain the significance of the year 1970 in the world crude oil industry?

END
Profile: B. Com (Honours), Fresher
Three Panellists
Duration: 24 minutes
Extempore Topic: What is more important, running a business ethically or making profits?

Personal Interview
P1:

1. What types of books do you enjoy reading?

2. Who is your favourite author? What are some of your favourite books?

3. Can you explain Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

4. What is leverage in finance?

5. How do you calculate Earnings Per Share?

6. You mentioned some volunteer work, can you tell us more about what you did there?

P2:

7. Do you think banking laws are being practiced effectively in India?

8. If I have a grievance with a bank, what is the topmost authority I can seek for resolution?

9. In your opinion, which is more costly - raising equity or debt, and why?

P3:

10. Which industry is Indore famous for?

11. Can you define what a manager is?

12. What is the difference between a manager and a leader?

13. Why do you want to pursue an MBA?

14. Why are you interested in International Business?

15. Why did you choose to apply to IIFT specifically?

END
Profile: B Sc. Hons. Chemistry (9/88.8/7.8), 2years work ex. (1 year as office admin, 1 year
as fintech analyst)
IIFT Percentile: 96.8
Three Panellists

Extempore Topic: OTT vs Traditional Multiplex

Personal Interview
P1: So, you believe OTT is better?
- Sir, I won't say it's better. But it gives variety of contents. Like documentaries, cross country
content. Talked about one recent documentary I watched.
P1: So, you are from chemistry, then how finance?
P1: NASDAQ full form, Market Cap, Free Float, ETF, Outstanding Shares? (Work ex related)
- Answered all (I couldn't remember NASDAQ)
P1: What is beta in finance?

P2: How difficult was it to move from Chemistry to finance?

P2: You are from DU, what electives did you opt for?
- Maths, EVS, Communication skills (English)
P2: Your internship was about climate change?
P2: Total no. of sustainable development goals.
P2: Which goal was related to your internship?

P3: You are from chemistry, which gases are included in Air Quality Index?
- Named all 8 gases.
P3: Which phone do you use?
- Vivo
P3: How did Samsung take over the market, leaving behind Nokia?
- Had a bit idea, so told him I read it somewhere and answered.
P3: Which one thing has been a positive thing about COVID-19 pandemic?
- Self-introspection and Environment.

P1: I hope you enjoyed the conversation and all the best.
- Smiled and said I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.

Very nice panel, they seemed happy to talk about something different like environment and
were impressed with my diverse background (I think so)
Profile: B. Com Honours, fresher
Three panellists (2 M and 1F)

Extempore Topic: In the race of becoming a cashless economy, how secure are digital
payments currently?

Personal Interview
Panellist 1:
Tell me about yourself.
You are ACCA p-level student, so I am going advanced level questions in finance.
Asked three questions in advanced accounting and finance, I managed to answer somehow.

Panellist 2:
Why MBA?
What is difference between debentures and derivatives?
What are commodity derivatives?
What are green bonds?
A few more basic questions I managed to answer.

Panellist 3:
What's your take on a disinvestment which the government is currently making?
Some specific questions from airline market (since I mentioned the privatization of Air India)
What's the future of Indian airlines?
How could TATA make Air India profitable?

END
Profile: B. Tech (CS)
Three Panellists (2M, 1F)

Extempore Topic: Business with China – Ethically right?

Personal Interview
M1: Can you please introduce yourself?
M1: You pursued graduation in a specific field. Why did you choose to shift to the education
industry?
M1: What motivated you to pursue an MBA?
M1: What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

F: What was your field of engineering?

F: Why did you decide to enter the teaching industry?
F: Can you tell us about the subjects you have taught?
F: If you were trying to maximize profits, which mathematical model would you use?
F: How familiar are you with the regression model?
F: Which programming languages did you learn during your engineering studies?
F: Can you explain the difference between C and C++?
F: What is your understanding of cloud computing?

M2: Can you discuss the current economic situation of India, including its growth figures?
M2: Can you define some business trade terms that you're familiar with?
M2: Can you name an item that India exports?
M2: Who is responsible for administering the oath to the president of India?

Overall, a decent interview. Answered all questions asked by M1 and F satisfactorily well.
Spook on the topic of extempore for length. Messed up most of my answers for questions by
M2.
Profile: GEM
Three Panellists (F1, F2, M1)

Extempore Topic: Traditional vs Online recruiting – Recruiters and interviewee perspective

Personal Interview
Panellist 1 (F1):
1. Can you tell us about your work experience and where you are currently working?
2. Have you published any research papers? If yes, could you explain the topic of your
paper?
3. What led you to choose International Business as your career path?

Panellist 2 (F2):
4. Can you tell us about the size of the teams you have worked with previously?
5. How would you compare your current manager to your previous one?
6. Which other MBA calls have you received and how would you rank them?
7. Why do you prefer IIFT over XLRI Delhi?

Panellist 3 (M1):
8. Can you explain the concept of blockchain?
9. Besides cryptocurrency, what are some other applications of blockchain technology?
10. Can you comment on the current semiconductor crisis in Russia and Ukraine?
11. Do you think blockchain technology can be used in voting systems? If yes, how?

END