Posted in Interview Transcripts 2023

Interview Transcripts 2023-Candidate 02

Date of Interview: 8th March 2024, Afternoon (last candidate of the day)
Board: Sh. Sanjay Verma Sir
Home State: Chandigarh
Optional: Economics
College (UG/PG) –
Department of Economics, Panjab University Campus
Educational background – 5 years integrated Honours School in Economics
Profession/Work Profile/Projects mentioned(if any) – NA
Hobbies – Not asked
Achievements (if any) -Not Asked
Your experience in interview via a detailed transcript –
Took the permission to enter the room. Entered the room wished all and they asked to sit.

Chairman:

  1. Ice-breaking Questions:
    • “Would you like to have tea or coffee? How many cups in a day? When did you come from Chandigarh?”
      • Objective: To relax the candidate and set a conversational tone.
      • Feedback: These questions aim to observe your composure and personality. You should respond with a calm, casual tone while remaining professional.
  2. Economics-Focused Questions:
    • “What is the trilemma? What is new monetary policy? Will India be a high middle-income country? What major failures do you see in our economy?”
      • Objective: Testing your depth in economic theory and policy.
      • Feedback: Explain the trilemma as a choice between exchange rate stability, monetary independence, and free capital movement. For the new monetary policy, touch on inflation targeting and the MPC framework. For India’s growth prospects, support your argument with current data, like per capita income (~$2,200) and whether growth is equitable.
  3. General Observations:
    • “Is our growth overrated?”
      • Feedback: Acknowledge India’s impressive growth rate but highlight concerns like inequality and jobless growth. Provide a balanced view of economic achievements and challenges.

Member 1:

  1. Policy Advisory Role:
    • “If I’m the CM of Punjab, what policy changes will you advise?”
      • Objective: Gauge your understanding of regional issues, especially Punjab’s economy.
      • Feedback: Propose measures like crop diversification, water conservation, and industrial growth. Counter-questions will likely probe your adaptability and depth of knowledge, so prepare for follow-ups.
  2. Agriculture vs. Industry:
    • Objective: Test your opinion on economic priorities.
    • Feedback: Acknowledge both sectors’ importance. Agriculture employs a large section, but industrialization is needed for higher growth and employment generation. Offer a balanced answer.
  3. Attracting Industry to Punjab:
    • Feedback: Mention infrastructure improvements, incentives for industries, and creating a better business climate (e.g., reducing red tape, improving logistics).

Member 2:

  1. Service Preferences & Policy:
    • “What is SMART police? What is BNS?”
      • Objective: Testing your administrative knowledge and preference.
      • Feedback: SMART policing refers to Sensitive, Modern, Accountable, Responsive, and Tech-driven initiatives. BNS likely refers to law enforcement or police custody matters, so brush up on procedural laws.
  2. Youth in Economic Distress:
    • “The youth in India, both rural and urban, is in economic distress. Do you agree?”
      • Feedback: Acknowledge the issue of youth unemployment and underemployment, linking it to lack of skill development and the education-employment mismatch.
  3. GDP vs Health Expenditure:
    • Objective: Balancing economic growth with social welfare.
    • Feedback: Emphasize the importance of health spending as a long-term investment for sustainable growth, without undermining GDP growth.

Member 3:

  1. Growth Rates:
    • “What is our growth rate? What is the growth rate by other private agencies?”
      • Objective: Testing your familiarity with economic data.
      • Feedback: Current estimates for growth range between 6-7% (official and private estimates). Provide accurate, updated figures from agencies like RBI, IMF, or private firms (Moody’s, S&P).
  2. Inequality:
    • Feedback: Acknowledge the growing income disparity in India, touching on the Gini coefficient and how policy measures like inclusive growth and redistribution can address it.

Member 4:

  1. Drug Abuse in Punjab:
    • “Women and youth in distress due to drug abuse in Punjab village.”
      • Objective: Assess your awareness of social issues.
      • Feedback: Discuss drug abuse as a major social problem in Punjab, and suggest interventions like rehabilitation programs, stricter enforcement, and community-based approaches.
  2. Process as Punishment:
    • “Have you read about P. Sainath and UAPA? How can the process be more punishable than the punishment itself?”
      • Feedback: Highlight the concerns around laws like UAPA, where prolonged legal procedures and detentions can become a de facto punishment. Mention the need for judicial reforms to ensure timely justice.

Chairman (Closing):

  1. Opportunity Cost of Preparation:
    • “Lots of people give 5-6 years into this job, what is your opportunity cost?”
      • Objective: Assess your self-awareness and decision-making.
      • Feedback: Reflect on the valuable experiences gained during preparation—improving analytical skills, resilience, and knowledge. Opportunity costs could be viewed as investments for long-term personal and professional growth.

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