UPSC CSE Interview Questions 2024
Board: Dinesh Dasa Sir
State: Punjab
Optional: Economics
Chairperson
• Introduce yourself
• GST, Demonetisation, 1991 reforms, Bank Nationalisation in 1969- Arrange them in order of their importance for Indian economy.
• What reforms could be brought in Civil services Exam?
• In ancient time about 2000 years back, India's contribution to economy was as much as 33%, whereas it is only 3% now. What led to such a scenario and How can India regain its strength in economy?
M1
• What is Yellow Journalism?
• What is Capital Adequacy ratio?
• What is Bank recapitalisation and How government recapitalises banks?
• Is it justified to put taxpayers money in Banks that are not performing well?
• What is equal opportunity? (Related to Daf)
• What are programmes to provide equal oppurtunity?
• Doesn't Reservation deny equal opportunity?
• What reforms could be done in Reservation system?
M2
• Discussion about Ecological value of mountains and impact of development on it.(Related to Daf)
• Long monologues about situation in mountains and asked about steps also that could be taken.
• If you were incharge, would you have allowed construction of Hydroproject related tunnel in Joshimath or not?
M3
• What is Pehel scheme?
• What is Ujjawala scheme?
• Who all are beneficiaries in Ujjawala scheme?
• Why Fuels have been kept out of GST? and discussion on that as to why they can't be put in GST itself?
• What is the impact on Oil companies of keeping it out of GST?
M4
• State of Indian economy before Independence and just after Independence.
• What changed in Indian economy just after Indian economy? Kept insisting on the point that what impact was there immediately after Independence.
• What was the objective of Indian freedom struggle?
• Was the objective just Independence or it was Republic as well?
• What is Republic? Is UK a Republic?
• Which was the first war of Independence?
• If we have gained Freedom in 1857 itself, would India had become Republic then?
Overall Experience: Board was vey cordial, Didn't interrupt even once and encouraged to speak. Interview was more in discussion format rather than mere question answers.
Board : RN choubey Sir
Keywords : Oracle (sde) , forest service , artificial intelligence , diary writing
Chairman : Famous monologue
This is not interview we want to discuss …..
1- what was your role at oracle? (Machine learning)
2 - what is the difference between decision making of machine and human
So ethics can not be not coded ?
3 - can machine replace human
4 - Is climate change hoax
5 - what is the age of earth ? Isnt climate change part of normal earths ice age cycle?
Member 1
1 - (Enough about machine lets come to human ) Are you a thinker or overthinker ?
2 - Explain a quote ( not able to recall exact quote but meaning was overthinking leads to government paralysis )
3 - so is overthinking is bad for governace ?
4 - what is deepfake ? What are its socio economic impact
5 - how it can be regulated ?
Member 3
1- Recently there was report that india has maximum tiger death , whats your opinion ?
2- ok , ecological corridoor is one thing to reduce human wildlife conflict , whats other ?
3 - what your opinion related to cheetah project
4 - dont you think we should have taken Asian cheetah (iran) rather than taking cheetah from Africa
1-2 more questions
Member 4
1 how reflective diary writing helped you and your family
2 what human resource challenges you faced at oracle
3 At one side humans are involved in wars and other side we are propagating peace , what according to you is the reason for this conflict , consider human emotions
4 If you have to choose one district for dm posting , which you will choose and why ?
Member 5
1 )What were the developments in 2023 which attracted your interest
2 - One development in forest
Few development of global significance
3 -What are the few upcoming developments in 2024 for india
4-Five places in the world where election is going to happen in 2024
5-How deepfake can impact election by giving one example
6-Apart from deepfake what are two other challenges for indian election
Board - Lt Gen Raj Shukla sir
Optional - maths- nothing asked
College - IITR - mechanical
State - haryana
Keywords - reading non fiction, ISRO
Time - around 30 minutes
Chairman
1. Last book you have read?(mg bio)
2. Is gandhi relevant today?
3. Is gandhi's non violence relevant?
4. Gandhi vs kissinger- who is better
5. Isro speciality?
6. Why we are lagging behind others?
7. Why such agencies are skeptical in opening upto private sector?
M1
1. Should isro focus on scientific missions only?
2. How isro helps in industrial development?
3. Takeaways from ch3
4. Why stubble burning in haryana?
5. Solutions to control
M2
1. What is green technology?
2. What is sustainable fashion?
3. What is the judicial activism and its examples?
4. What is judicial adventurism?
5. How judiciary should restraint from crossing the line?
6. Can judiciary order parliament?
M3
1. Significance of xposat mission
2. Is unemployment a problem in India?
3. Is pm skill india successful? Are we doing enough?
M4
1. Indians who went to space
2. What rakesh sharma told to indira gandhi?
3. Assessment of renewable energy in india
4. How to expand renewable in india?
5. When will we achieve net zero?.
Overall experience - Board was cordial.
Board - Dinesh Dasa
Optional - Geography
Chairman
- What are cratonic rocks? Assumed geology and geography to be same
- Which mountain ranges separates Peninsular plateau and Northern plains?
- Why Narmada flows westwards while other flow eastwards?
- Who gives nod to Death penalty? President discretion or Council of ministers?
M1
- What about environmental governance?
- Energy conservation amendment Act? What provisions?
- What are carbon credits?
- What is building code for energy conservation?
- What about PLI scheme?
M2
- Why developed countries are not environment conscious?
- Should India follow it's own path in energy transition?
- Why developing countries should be concerned since it's not existential threat like LDC?
M3
- How EV are not polluting?
- Energy mix of India
- Green nudge
- What about lithium ion batteries?
M4
- How green hydrogen is green ? Tell me the exact provisions.
- What are you looking for in life.. Success, fame. What is life for you?
Board- Shri RN Chaubey sir
State-UP
District - lucknow
Optional-PSIR
Background - Btech Electrical Engineering
Daf keywords -UN, elderly, Pranayama etc
Chairperson -
Q. Tell us about your educational background and work experience?
Q.What is charge and why electric current is the flow of electrons ?
Q. Why protons cannot flow ?
Q. Can the nucleus flow in the opposite direction of that of electrons?
M1
Q.What is a primary issue of the elderly health or security?
Q. How to tackle these issues at policy level?
Q. Is the world economy facing recession?
Q. Why the interest rate in the world are rising?
Q.Why is the Indian economy resilient?
M2
Q.Issues between Iran and US apart from nuclear deal?
Q.Relations between Taliban and Pakistan and impact on India?
Q. Tell about the issues related to North Western province of Afghanistan
Q As a DM which are of will you choose to work in an area where there is spread of naxalism or an area having issue of organised crime.?
M3
Q. What is nationalism?
Q Should it include peaceful relationship with neighbours?
Q.Should nationalism have certain limits?
Q. Should there be a restriction on the celebration of fairs and festivals?
Q.How these contribute to growth of economy sight example?
Q.What is MUI?
M4
Q. Acts related to senior citizens?
Q.Issue related to recent raymond controversy?( Vijaypat singhania case)
Q. Debt trap diplomacy by China?
How India provides foreign aid?
Q.Is there any ethical angle in providing foreign aid?
Q. Why India should have better relations with Sri Lanka ?
Interview board: R N Choubey
Daf pointers: Mechanical Engineering, Tata Motors, Anthropology, Yoga, Cooking, Jhajjar, Haryana
Chaiperson :
Good Morning, This is a normal conversation. Please be comfortable. Did you have breakfast?
1. Tell us about your academic background and work experience?
2. What role did you play at Tata Motors?
3. How many vehicle do they produce in that plant per year?
M1:
1. Do neanderthal genes exist in homo sapiens?
(I do not remember other questions asked by him)
M2:
1. What are your views on Hamas?
2. The Hezbollah (supporting the Hamas) and the government in Lebanon have differing views. Why?
3. If you get posted in your district, would you support your known ones when they want a favor? Why not?
M3:
1. How Bharat Matters?
2. Do you think diaspora should be given internet voting right? (follow up question)
3. Why did you leave Tata Motors (one of the best employers) and preparing for Civil Services?
4. Government services have a bad name of being sluggish and not very rewarding. Compare it with private sector and why do you still want to join it?
M4:
1. Recent strike by the truck unions? Under which law? Why? What are your views?
2. Increasing use of digital devices by the children? Is it good? What need to be done? Your views on this.
Chairperson:
If you feel any part of DAF has not been covered or you want to share anything.
Thank you.
Your assessment of the board/your performance: Cordial board, listened to everything carefully. Questions were more opinion and DAF based.
Board Chaubey sir
4th to enter 30 35 mins
5 members( 4 male , 1 female)
DAF: Haryana , Delhi, Doctor, quizzing, formula1
Chairman
1. Asked my name , what do your friends call you?
2. What is the outlay for Ayushmann Bharat?
3. Situation based- you are home minister, you are given 7000cr , where will you spend- on an insurance scheme like Ayushmann Bharat or Primary health sector. Justify
4. Do you really think you can improve the primary health care system with 5000 cr and in 5 years
5. Do you think investing on primary health sector will get you votes in election.
Member 1 ( Ma’am)
1. Asked about hospitals run by persons impersonating doctors. ( recent case of Agarwal medical centre in Delhi) few counter questions
2. What learning’s did you take from Uttarakhand tunnel collapse.
One or two questions that I don’t remember
Member 2
1. There are talks of health regulator. Your views.
2. Why has formula1 not prominent in india.
3. What can be done to improve the above situation.
Member 3
1. Describe formula 1 to me.
2. Tell me 5 good things and 5 issues in Haryana.( chairman said 3 3 kaafi hain)
3. Isn’t a disintegrated Pakistan good for us. Baluchistan will come to india . Cut off china .He got stuck to this and multiple counter questions.
Member 4
1. G20 , what did india achieve
2 why was it call peoples presidency.
3. Chief secretaries annual meeting. Who presided, where it take place.
4. Freebies. What are they, should they be allowed, which major institutions and ministries will be keeping close eyes on freebies. Is par kaafi counter questions thay.
Chairman said if you think we missed something important do tell us.
Than said thank you may go now.
Board : RN choubey Sir
Keywords : Public Policy , Governance, Online Chess , NCC, Podcasts, Basketball
Optional- Mathematics
State - Haryana
Work Ex - Government of Andhra Pradesh as Associate Consultant in planning department
Chairman : Famous monologue
This is not interview we want to discuss …..
1- Pick one event that you think is significant in the history of East India Company (EIC) and explain why?
2 - I answered - Battle of Plassey and then he asked about the parties involved in the battle
3 - Why do you think the British emerged victorious among all European powers?
4 - What lessons and strategic insights we can draw from the EIC colonization of India?
5 - Any Contemporary relevance of them?
Member 1
1 - Explain your experience of working with the government (I worked with the Govt of AP)
2 - One broad question on how does the government function?
3 - Moved to the Manipur crisis, do you think the Government was proactive in resolving the situation?
4 - what would you have done?
5 - If there is a call from higher authorities to slow down your approach, what would you do?
Member 3
1- Why is there no Noble prize in Mathematics?
2- 2024 is the year of elections in the world. Tell me 4 countries where elections will happen.
3 - what is their significance for India?
1-2 more questions I don't remember
Member 4
1 Started with a monologue about Russia-Ukraine War then asked don't you think it is a paradox that Western Nations are supporting Ukraine and putting economic sanctions on Russia but also indirectly buying Russian oil and hence financing the war?
2 Shifted to Israel-Palestine War. Do you thing Israel should stop the war? Yes/No. Giver reasons.
3. I said Israel should stop, and as I begin to give reasons..
the member became a bit aggressive and hostile, and started interjecting and cross questioning without allowing me to speak, Chaubey sir had to intervene and he sort of summarized my arguments and we moved on..
Member 5
1 (Public policy background) what is public interest and what is public good.
2 - (Haryana is my home state, and I have worked in Andhra Pradesh) Asked me to compare the administration and governance between the two.
3 -Is there anything that Haryana can learn from AP?
4- while smiling brought back the discussion to the Israel-Palestine conflict and asked me to bring out 2 differences between Ukraine-Russia and the Israel-Palestine war.
1-2 questions he asked, not able to recall.
In the end, Chaubey sir gave me the opportunity to ask/tell them anything I want.
Overall - The interview was a little bit random as the opening Q was from Modern history and many keywords from the DAF were not covered, that is Mr Chaubey for you. Except for one member, the board was very cordial and allowed me time and space to complete my answers peacefully.
Lt Gen Raj Shukla Sir Board
DAF key words: LLB, BCom, Philosophy Optional, Biographies, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Chairman Sir
1. Favourite Biography and follow up questions
2. Mention any other biographies- I said Shoe Dog
3. Elon Musk biography and follow up questions on Business Environment in India
4. Byju’s fall and reasons for it.
M1
1. NGT and its functions. Its Contribution and any issue in its functioning
2. Forgetting his other questions
M2(Lady Member)
1. Doctrine of Absolute Liability and Strict Liability and discussion on it
2. Utilitarian Principle and its application in Public Services
M3
1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Achievements and Current Status
2. Truckers Union Protests and legal aspects around it. What could be the way forward
M4
1. Cross Questions on Utilitarian Principle and Case Study on it.
2. Social Aspect of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Women Dignity
Chairman said Thank You and All the best.
Overall Very Good Experience. Better than most of the mocks. Throughout the process members were smiling and gave me time to think about the answer. One2One with Ravindran Sir and Khan Sir were quite helpful for me
Board - Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla sir
Keywords - Haryana , Physics, Urdu poetry, Football, Badminton.
Optional - Sociology
State - Haryana
Interview duration - 25-30mins
Chairman -
1. Monologue on AI and asked what are the potential of AI in your opinion?
2. Quoted Elon musk statement the idea was whether AI will surpass human capabilities and can it overpower human intellect?
3. Then how should we use AI
4. Do you know how much is Global GDP?( I replied sorry sir I'm not aware, I'll go and read)
Good 8-10min discussion on AI.
Member 1 -
1. Why civil services?
2. Xposat
3. Why haryana is developed?
Member 2 -
1. Wrestling is famous in haryana then how come you took interest in football and badminton.
2. Telecom bill.
3. What kind of ghazals you write?
4. Favourite poets
5. Why Ghalib?
6. Famous music in haryana
7. Why Ragini was famous and the purpose of it?
8. Any famous Ragini singer?
Member 3 (A lady)
1. Can poets rule the world? Why?
2. How poets can be helpful in administration?
3. What power means to you?
4. Discretionary power and arbitrary power
5. What things one should keep in mind when exercising discretionary power? Give example
6. Do you know the Hindi names of 3 new criminal bills?
7. Some Provisions of these bills.
Member 4-
1. In your opinion what should we do to make India $5 trillion economy?
2. NIP and NMP
Chairman again -
1. India is one of the largest importer of defence equipments and arms. How can we reduce it ?
Overall experience -
Very cordial board, didn't have a single tense moment. Not many DAF keywords not covered. But they were in discussion mode on current issues and were keen to listen . The lady member was super sweet (said god bless you 3-4 times).
A nice experience overall.
Board : RN Chaubey Sir
Time : 25 to 30 Min last one in the afternoon 4Jan
Background: Chemistry optional UP Home State
Current job: college lecturer
Keywords of DAF : BHU, IIT Bombay, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Renewable energy, Scientific Documentaries, Jogging, Education
Chairperson
Be relaxed.. it's just interaction
1. What is Glass Ceiling Effect?
2. Do you think it's there in society?
3. Would you suggest 33% reservation to women even in Job?
4. What is Mee too movement?
5. Is it fair to raise voice on social media than ?
M1
1. what is Entanglement?
2. What is LAC LOC IB ( further cross questions)
3. Strategic location why Siachen is important
4. How geography is important for a country ( positive and negative examples)
5. what kind of documentaries you watch
6. name some channels
7. Is BBC into science publication?
8. Why Men dress like suit pant and women in Saree
M2.
1. Which two women PM resigned for family and one raised protest again gender inequality
2. one company name of Renewal energy
3. One special moment in 70 years of Indian History
4. Why Maldives is important for India and current issues
5. Any other nation like Maldives
M3 lady member
1. you use social media
2. positives and negatives of social media
3. Excessive exercise harm
4. how to remain fit
5. Role of ASI (sites in banaras)
6. Sarnath importance embelem
M4
1. Compare your colleges IIT Bombay vs BHU
2. How IIT Bombay alumni network is so strong
3. Areas to improve in BHU
4. your current research work
5. Gorakhpur Nepal Border issues and security
Few more questions that I am not recalling.
At last
Sir asked if any area they missed to ask...
Assessment: I went with a neutral mindset even after knowing that my board was Chaubey Sir ka h.. I don't know how it went just after finishing it... but now i think my performance was decent.
p.s. I am a male candidate (fir bhi wemen centric questions jyada the..just telling)
Board : Das Sir
Chairman
1) introduce yourself
2) you are from up, what is the current population of up , estimated one from the 2011 census.
3) what is the demographic dividend and do you think India is utilising it properly??? What are the steps taken by the govt to make full use of it ?
4) you have done research in microbial fuel cell technology, what is this about, explain it in detail.
5) what are the reasons for high bp and diabetes in population?
Member -1
1) what is Pegasus and why is it news ?
2) how to balance between surveillance and internal security.
3) how do you think that such balance can be ensured??
4) do you remember any supreme court judgement regarding it ??
Chairman (in between): Nowadays govt says that data is a public good but then there is the right to privacy. Isn't it contradictory and where do you find yourself in this ??
Again Member:1
5) any incident in you life personal or professional, where do you think that there are issues that woman face in their life.
6) in this incident (as told by me) , what are the two qualities that were shown by you at that time.
Member -2
1) what are your views regarding equal pay for men and women in cricket ???
2) you are surrounded by ips, then why have you chosen ias as first preference, aren't they your role model ???
3) why higher authorities mostly don't have bureaucrats as top leaders and why many of them are from lateral entries ???
Member :3
1) what are the different types of balls used in cricket?
2) Is red ball not used now ?? When do we use pink ball ??
3) what is a hydrogen fuel cell ??
4) what is the HDI, How to calculate and reasons for India's bad performance?
5) if you are appointed as DM , how will you ensure that there is no teacher absenteeism ??
6) what role is played by civil servants in society ???
Member -4
1) what role did you have played as quarter master ??
2) what are the exact qualities needed in your job ??
Chairman : arrange these four captains on the basis of their impact in India cricket : Kapil Dev, Saurabh Ganguly, MS Dhoni and Virat Kholi.
Thank you, your interview is over now. All the best.
General Shukla board
Bcom(h) - DU
Sociology optional
MA- socio ( IGNOU )
Keyword in DAF - Yamuna , SLUM , Punjabi tappe , journaling, Hindi movie on social issues.
Chairperson:
- what work you have done in slum area
- Hindi cinema evolution
-which actor depict the social reality
Long monologue on actor went abroad and amazed the world
-which movies on social issues?
- have you watched 12th fail?
- what to say about that ?
- don't you think it also shows the lack of resources
- why so much about obsession about CSE in India
- monologue on Japan CS
- a line told by JRD TATA on Air India to Nehru about profiting it and Nehru bashed that don't say anything about Profit? Your take on it?
- Should India which is 5th largest adopt socialism or capitalism?
Members :
- Domestic violance act 2005 pros and cons
Should it be gender neutral?
- Internal rate of return ?
- Yamuna not cleaning up
-should India go for 'health for all' or insurance for all'
- but covid pandemic depicted the shattering of health sector .
- Tell in which company should investors be more profitable: one with no debt or one with little debt ; though both doing well
-principles of balance sheet
-G20 takeaways
- name of sociologist died yesterday
- what should we prefer zero deficit or some deficit by government?
- should revenue deficit be also there ?
- but revenue deficit also contains expenditure on health and education, how it is wrong ?
- what is internal trading?
Overall :
I felt discussion was only on serious side.
Except for the chairperson it was Q/A
Almost no questions on current affairs
No question from home state , district , city , optional .
Dominated by graduation subject .
60% of interview was more of random .
Board -Chaubey sir
Name -Rashmirathi
Homestate-Haryana
Keywords-Chemical engineering,Athletics,qawwali and ghazal ,Anthropology
Chairman Sir -
Famous monologue by sir and then asked to introduce in brief
1.What if earth axis is perpendicular to plain of revolution ?
2.Agriculture insurance scheme related to it and is it a good step ?
Member-1
1.Power sector issues and solutions
2.Be like water -should we be like water and follow up questions
Member-2
1.How anthropology will help in civil services?
2.If you are made DM -how you will use your knowledge of anthropology in administration-be specific
3.Haryana is winning a lot of medals while Gujarat is lacking if you are made sports secretary what steps will you take to improve its medal counts
4.Recently there was a drone attack have you heard of it ?
Member-3
1.Are you aware of issues of wrestlers and WFI -why there is logjam and issue
2.Govt forms a lot of committees for every issue-why so ?
3.Are you aware about elections in Bangladesh-implications for India
4.Why Bangladesh is important for India ?
Member-4
1.Are you about advancement in material science-name one advancement which you think will very popular in coming 5years
2.Name 3 things that if i go for shopping on 4January 2029 i will find in market having used nanotechnology
4.You listen to qawwali and ghazals so can you tell me the name of last mughal emperor and his famous court poet
5.Have you heard about ghalib ,what was the relationship between him and the court poet of last mughal emperor
Chairman sir ,thank you!