Board Shri D.K. Diwan.
Date & Day: 22/05/2015 (Friday)
Session: Afternoon
Marks Obtained: 187/275
I was poised to enter the chamber of secrets at the very last. Damn, I thought. All of them would be in a hurry to call it a day. And the Dholpur house would more or like turn into a TGIF! But fortunately nothing of that sort came true! This time i had resolved not to be nervous as that is what screwed my last travel to Dholpur House.. But you know what, some things are just meant to be. I was nervous. Heart beats now giving sounds as if connected to a BOSE system. Can't help it, may be it is the stakes which are attached. Anyways, show time.
Chairman (C): Your Roll No?
Me: ****** (That's the roll no and not any expletive in case you are wondering!)
C: How do you spell your name? (He tries only in vain!)
Me: Sir, It is pronounced as "SWA-P-NIL TEM-BE".
C: What is the meaning of both these words?
Me: Sir, "Swapnil" means someone you see in your dreams. My mother told me that she was having these recurring dreams where she could see this face, my face, even before I was born. And "Tembe" literally refers to this Brazilian tribe settled across the banks of amazon but I am sure there is no connection to that. (Everyone Laughs)
C: You have been involved with a lot of training phases in your life? Trained at Deloitte Consulting, then in the paramilitary and then currently you are being trained in IRS customs and centre excise? Don't you think you are losing out in terms of promotional avenues with respect to batchmates?
A. Sir, Training is phase which offers you myriad great opportunities to learn and discover many things. It is a tool to acquire that administrative acumen required to be efficient at the roles later assigned to you. I feel i have been very fortunate to get these amazing opportunities to train at Deloitte Consulting, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and then at Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise). All have been very versatile roles which eventually helps to understand the generalist perspective of administration in a better way. I only see them as great learning opportunities.
C:Are you sure? Would not you feel bad when your younger counterparts would rise to higher ranks?
Me: No Sir, I perhaps have never seen them only as opportunities of hierarchical rise.I do not regret my decisions at all and all of these avenues have helped me a lot to understand public administration better. And I feel this would be of great help at the higher administrative positions.
C: At this age, of course you will see it as learning. Give it time.You are too young to understand this, you will eventually, when you come of my age! (laughs)
I attempted to smile.
C: You still don't believe me, don't you? (Laughs) ( meanwhile I am wondering what's up with him today?!) Okay, you have 3 minutes to describe to me all about China! The present, the future in 15 years and the current problems that China is facing today. You can take 30 seconds to jot down.
Me: (After taking those 30 seconds to scribble a few points down) China is the most populous country today with around 20% share in world population. It has just surpassed USA as the largest economy in the world. The growth that China has encountered has been essentially export led which was well supported by the Manufacturing revolution that they had. Their defence expenditure is among the largest in the world possibly to the tune of $200 billion dollars or more.
Talking of issues, they are involved in some conflicts of claim over islands of Hynan, Paracal etc in the South China Sea. Another issue of this region is the oil exploration rights and increasing competition. Talking of internal problems, some islamists radical in Xhinjian are creating problems plus the people's revolution in Hong Kong for more autonomy are some internal challenges.
In fifteen years, China would probably still be the largest economy. It would further strengthen its position it position in the financial sphere with the coming up of AIIB and BRICS bank. Recently it has diluted the strong One-Child norm that they had showing that they have room for some kind of flexibility rather than a absolute totalitarian approach. China is looking for new markets and in future it would have a great share in the world trade and also in other geo-political organizations.
C What was that revolution in Hong kong called as?
Me: Sir, it was called as Umbrella Revolution.
C Name some other such colour revolutions in the world?
Me: Sir, Orange revolution in Kiev, jasmine revolution in Tunisia. Rose revolution in...(Cuts me off and points to the first Member)
M1: Okay so you are from IRS customs? What all is being taught in the Customs module?
Me: We were initially given an overview of the Customs Act 1962 and then we had detailed classes and practical exposure over various sections and domains. We also had a law module and a foreign trade module. Apart from this we were sent on attachment to airport to have a practical exposure.
M1: So, you might be knowing more than other people about the GST? Tell me the need and the salient feature so GST?
Me: Gave a detailed answer covering the present scenario, the need and the proposed structure, the division of roles, the new categorization of taxes, the new authorities etc.. You can find all the points HERE!
M1: What are the fundamental differences when it comes to the input credit of the various taxes in GST?
Me: Sir, when it comes to the input credit, as per the provisions, one can only use the CGST credit in CGST and SGST credit in SGST. No interchanging is permissible for administrative convenience of the whole system.
M1: What are the various grievances of the states?
Me: Sir, as it is a consumption based tax, the producing states stand to lose a lot of revenue. And the consuming states will gain on this front. Plus, if things like Petroleum and alcohol also comes under GST then the States would lose to have a direct say in the tax rates. Another worry is the abolition of CST.
M1: What are the things that states want out of GST and why?
Me: Sir, in light of the grievance just stated, things like Petroleum and alcohol have been kept out as demanded by the states.
M2: In your college, you have won accolades for direction? Which plays did you work on?
Me: Sir, majorly the dramatics team there wrote their own plays there. But we did enact some classics like Ghasiram Kotwal, Charandas Chor etc.
M2: Which play was your favorite one?
Me: Sir, we once did a play which was written by one of my seniors. It was titled " The last man". It was a satire on the greed of humanity that how it is gradually depleting the planet and how the human race would end because of this greed and ignorance of the environment. That carried a great message to the society and hence was my favorite one.
M2: There is this academy award wining movie that came in the 80s on this famous personality from India...can you guess?
Me: Sir, the movie was "Gandhi".
M2: Who played Gandhi in that movie?
Me: Ummmmmmm...Sorry Sir( I still cannot believe that I could not recollect this one.. :( )
M2: How many people got Oscars from India?
Me: Sir, A.R.Rehman for Best Original score in Slumdog Millionaire.
M2: Just him? There are more....
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware. ( Meanwhile thinking that Satyajit Ray got some honorary thing there but was not sure at all)
M3: What is dumping? Can you lucidly define?
Me. Sir, when a country sells a commodity in a foreign market with a price lower that its price in the local market of the selling country, this is referred to as dumping.
M3: Now tell me what is the necessary condition for it or what is the sufficient condition for it?
Me: Sir, as mentioned selling at a lower price is the necessary condition and only that is not enough. It should bring distortion in the local market as well. Badly impacting the domestic producers of the importing nation- that would be the sufficient condition.
M3: Describe some other similar taxes.
Me: Gave a description of CVD, SAD, Safe Gaurding Duty again covered HERE!
M3: Why do you think it is compulsory to buy motor insurance for your vehicle? And is it fair to have the same rates irrespective of the usage? ( Where the hell did this come from?)
Me: Sir, In a country like India with such a population and the bad condition of roads, the number of deaths from road accidents is very high. Right now hence the first priority is to get more and more compliance to this directive to increase the base. In terms of audit I would like to say that this would not be the right time to go into propriety audit, perhaps a legal audit to start with would be more futile. (He seemed okay with it!)
M3: What is the science of Insurance sector called as ?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not able to recall.
M4: Now, I happened to visit Kharagpur recently where I overheard the students talking to each other about the retrograde style of teaching which is there? Is that true?
Me: No Sir, this is an entirely cocky statement and no where close to reality. The four years that I spent in Kharagpur were truly enlightening and inspiring and the sole reason was the brilliant and erudite faculty we have there. The professors and other teaching staff are totally dedicated to the cause and have an amazing determination towards their research work. There are other problems like infrastructural issues and lack of funding in R&D, but no one can question of the quality of faculty there.
M4: Okay then what are the challenges there?
Me: Sir, for example, the laboratories are not promptly updated with the new equipments and hence the research work sufferes. The incentives for R&D are very less, so people opt for MNC jobs.etc etc.
M4: Is the increase in number of IITs bad for the brand?
Me: Sir, what I personally feel is that number has to go up given the yound population we have today in India. A couple of IITs cannot cater to this huge demand. But here we need to upgrade the R&D infra of all the present and upcoming IITs. Without that, in the coming future, the brand may suffer.
M4 What is MOOC?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware.
M4. Is has to do with open source learning!!! there something similar going on in India?
Me: Yes Sir, It is Open Online Course. In India, we have NPTL where Kharagpur has contributed a lot for lectures on Mechanical Engineering. ( Everyone smiles on the alma mater patriotism)
M4: What is ISIS and why is it able to influence so many youngsters?
Me: Explained the origins and the expansion. Created a Comparative Construct of Naxalsim to explain the origin of ISIS and the war agiaist the state. ISIS's use of social media platform to connect to psychophants and anti-state elements. Brainwashing and all that jazz.
C (Season Two begins) : Answer in brief now, tell me what the various boundary disputes of India?
Me: With Pak, Sir Creek Dispute, LOC issues, Siachen conflict.
With China: Aksai chin, LAC issues, Arunachal border.
With Bangladesh: The issue of enclaves of enclaves
C: What advantage China had in 1962 war over us?
Me: Sir, they had the advantage of terrain, Tibetan plateau provided for easy mobility and better functional coordination between various stakeholders at the border.
C: What is LAC? Is there any other similar term which is used?
Me: Sir LAC with China is more like a zone and not demarcated by the military properly unlike the other term LOC with Pakistan
C: Okay, your interview is over!
P.S. There were some very specific questions on ITBP which might be irrelevant to most. Hence ommitted.
Date & Day: 22/05/2015 (Friday)
Session: Afternoon
Marks Obtained: 187/275
I was poised to enter the chamber of secrets at the very last. Damn, I thought. All of them would be in a hurry to call it a day. And the Dholpur house would more or like turn into a TGIF! But fortunately nothing of that sort came true! This time i had resolved not to be nervous as that is what screwed my last travel to Dholpur House.. But you know what, some things are just meant to be. I was nervous. Heart beats now giving sounds as if connected to a BOSE system. Can't help it, may be it is the stakes which are attached. Anyways, show time.
Chairman (C): Your Roll No?
Me: ****** (That's the roll no and not any expletive in case you are wondering!)
C: How do you spell your name? (He tries only in vain!)
Me: Sir, It is pronounced as "SWA-P-NIL TEM-BE".
C: What is the meaning of both these words?
Me: Sir, "Swapnil" means someone you see in your dreams. My mother told me that she was having these recurring dreams where she could see this face, my face, even before I was born. And "Tembe" literally refers to this Brazilian tribe settled across the banks of amazon but I am sure there is no connection to that. (Everyone Laughs)
C: You have been involved with a lot of training phases in your life? Trained at Deloitte Consulting, then in the paramilitary and then currently you are being trained in IRS customs and centre excise? Don't you think you are losing out in terms of promotional avenues with respect to batchmates?
A. Sir, Training is phase which offers you myriad great opportunities to learn and discover many things. It is a tool to acquire that administrative acumen required to be efficient at the roles later assigned to you. I feel i have been very fortunate to get these amazing opportunities to train at Deloitte Consulting, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and then at Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise). All have been very versatile roles which eventually helps to understand the generalist perspective of administration in a better way. I only see them as great learning opportunities.
C:Are you sure? Would not you feel bad when your younger counterparts would rise to higher ranks?
Me: No Sir, I perhaps have never seen them only as opportunities of hierarchical rise.I do not regret my decisions at all and all of these avenues have helped me a lot to understand public administration better. And I feel this would be of great help at the higher administrative positions.
C: At this age, of course you will see it as learning. Give it time.You are too young to understand this, you will eventually, when you come of my age! (laughs)
I attempted to smile.
C: You still don't believe me, don't you? (Laughs) ( meanwhile I am wondering what's up with him today?!) Okay, you have 3 minutes to describe to me all about China! The present, the future in 15 years and the current problems that China is facing today. You can take 30 seconds to jot down.
Me: (After taking those 30 seconds to scribble a few points down) China is the most populous country today with around 20% share in world population. It has just surpassed USA as the largest economy in the world. The growth that China has encountered has been essentially export led which was well supported by the Manufacturing revolution that they had. Their defence expenditure is among the largest in the world possibly to the tune of $200 billion dollars or more.
Talking of issues, they are involved in some conflicts of claim over islands of Hynan, Paracal etc in the South China Sea. Another issue of this region is the oil exploration rights and increasing competition. Talking of internal problems, some islamists radical in Xhinjian are creating problems plus the people's revolution in Hong Kong for more autonomy are some internal challenges.
In fifteen years, China would probably still be the largest economy. It would further strengthen its position it position in the financial sphere with the coming up of AIIB and BRICS bank. Recently it has diluted the strong One-Child norm that they had showing that they have room for some kind of flexibility rather than a absolute totalitarian approach. China is looking for new markets and in future it would have a great share in the world trade and also in other geo-political organizations.
C What was that revolution in Hong kong called as?
Me: Sir, it was called as Umbrella Revolution.
C Name some other such colour revolutions in the world?
Me: Sir, Orange revolution in Kiev, jasmine revolution in Tunisia. Rose revolution in...(Cuts me off and points to the first Member)
M1: Okay so you are from IRS customs? What all is being taught in the Customs module?
Me: We were initially given an overview of the Customs Act 1962 and then we had detailed classes and practical exposure over various sections and domains. We also had a law module and a foreign trade module. Apart from this we were sent on attachment to airport to have a practical exposure.
M1: So, you might be knowing more than other people about the GST? Tell me the need and the salient feature so GST?
Me: Gave a detailed answer covering the present scenario, the need and the proposed structure, the division of roles, the new categorization of taxes, the new authorities etc.. You can find all the points HERE!
M1: What are the fundamental differences when it comes to the input credit of the various taxes in GST?
Me: Sir, when it comes to the input credit, as per the provisions, one can only use the CGST credit in CGST and SGST credit in SGST. No interchanging is permissible for administrative convenience of the whole system.
M1: What are the various grievances of the states?
Me: Sir, as it is a consumption based tax, the producing states stand to lose a lot of revenue. And the consuming states will gain on this front. Plus, if things like Petroleum and alcohol also comes under GST then the States would lose to have a direct say in the tax rates. Another worry is the abolition of CST.
M1: What are the things that states want out of GST and why?
Me: Sir, in light of the grievance just stated, things like Petroleum and alcohol have been kept out as demanded by the states.
M2: In your college, you have won accolades for direction? Which plays did you work on?
Me: Sir, majorly the dramatics team there wrote their own plays there. But we did enact some classics like Ghasiram Kotwal, Charandas Chor etc.
M2: Which play was your favorite one?
Me: Sir, we once did a play which was written by one of my seniors. It was titled " The last man". It was a satire on the greed of humanity that how it is gradually depleting the planet and how the human race would end because of this greed and ignorance of the environment. That carried a great message to the society and hence was my favorite one.
M2: There is this academy award wining movie that came in the 80s on this famous personality from India...can you guess?
Me: Sir, the movie was "Gandhi".
M2: Who played Gandhi in that movie?
Me: Ummmmmmm...Sorry Sir( I still cannot believe that I could not recollect this one.. :( )
M2: How many people got Oscars from India?
Me: Sir, A.R.Rehman for Best Original score in Slumdog Millionaire.
M2: Just him? There are more....
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware. ( Meanwhile thinking that Satyajit Ray got some honorary thing there but was not sure at all)
M3: What is dumping? Can you lucidly define?
Me. Sir, when a country sells a commodity in a foreign market with a price lower that its price in the local market of the selling country, this is referred to as dumping.
M3: Now tell me what is the necessary condition for it or what is the sufficient condition for it?
Me: Sir, as mentioned selling at a lower price is the necessary condition and only that is not enough. It should bring distortion in the local market as well. Badly impacting the domestic producers of the importing nation- that would be the sufficient condition.
M3: Describe some other similar taxes.
Me: Gave a description of CVD, SAD, Safe Gaurding Duty again covered HERE!
M3: Why do you think it is compulsory to buy motor insurance for your vehicle? And is it fair to have the same rates irrespective of the usage? ( Where the hell did this come from?)
Me: Sir, In a country like India with such a population and the bad condition of roads, the number of deaths from road accidents is very high. Right now hence the first priority is to get more and more compliance to this directive to increase the base. In terms of audit I would like to say that this would not be the right time to go into propriety audit, perhaps a legal audit to start with would be more futile. (He seemed okay with it!)
M3: What is the science of Insurance sector called as ?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not able to recall.
M4: Now, I happened to visit Kharagpur recently where I overheard the students talking to each other about the retrograde style of teaching which is there? Is that true?
Me: No Sir, this is an entirely cocky statement and no where close to reality. The four years that I spent in Kharagpur were truly enlightening and inspiring and the sole reason was the brilliant and erudite faculty we have there. The professors and other teaching staff are totally dedicated to the cause and have an amazing determination towards their research work. There are other problems like infrastructural issues and lack of funding in R&D, but no one can question of the quality of faculty there.
M4: Okay then what are the challenges there?
Me: Sir, for example, the laboratories are not promptly updated with the new equipments and hence the research work sufferes. The incentives for R&D are very less, so people opt for MNC jobs.etc etc.
M4: Is the increase in number of IITs bad for the brand?
Me: Sir, what I personally feel is that number has to go up given the yound population we have today in India. A couple of IITs cannot cater to this huge demand. But here we need to upgrade the R&D infra of all the present and upcoming IITs. Without that, in the coming future, the brand may suffer.
M4 What is MOOC?
Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware.
M4. Is has to do with open source learning!!! there something similar going on in India?
Me: Yes Sir, It is Open Online Course. In India, we have NPTL where Kharagpur has contributed a lot for lectures on Mechanical Engineering. ( Everyone smiles on the alma mater patriotism)
M4: What is ISIS and why is it able to influence so many youngsters?
Me: Explained the origins and the expansion. Created a Comparative Construct of Naxalsim to explain the origin of ISIS and the war agiaist the state. ISIS's use of social media platform to connect to psychophants and anti-state elements. Brainwashing and all that jazz.
C (Season Two begins) : Answer in brief now, tell me what the various boundary disputes of India?
Me: With Pak, Sir Creek Dispute, LOC issues, Siachen conflict.
With China: Aksai chin, LAC issues, Arunachal border.
With Bangladesh: The issue of enclaves of enclaves
C: What advantage China had in 1962 war over us?
Me: Sir, they had the advantage of terrain, Tibetan plateau provided for easy mobility and better functional coordination between various stakeholders at the border.
C: What is LAC? Is there any other similar term which is used?
Me: Sir LAC with China is more like a zone and not demarcated by the military properly unlike the other term LOC with Pakistan
C: Okay, your interview is over!
P.S. There were some very specific questions on ITBP which might be irrelevant to most. Hence ommitted.
5 comments:
You've done great! Sit back and hope for the best!
Amazing. the lapses are minor and I wish I could have been in your brain for that brief moment.
1. Bhanu Aithaiya (Best Costumes for Gandhi, I believe)
2. Ben Kingsley (Gandhi)
3. Science of Insurance ( Acturian or Acturial sciences)
All these answers may be wrong as I am not sure of them. So, it's better that I was not there in your head. You did amazingly well on all the point as IT's OKAY TO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING
PAN Stands for Permanent Account Number. It’s used to identify Indian Tax Payers and can be used as Identity Proof too. It is unique for each and every PAN holder.
Pan Card Status
Rashan Card Status
Voter Id Card Status
Passport Status
ITR Status
uti pan status
nsdl pan status
uid status
PAN Stands for Permanent Account Number. It’s used to identify Indian Tax Payers and can be used as Identity Proof too. It is unique for each and every PAN holder.
Uti Pan Status
Nsdl Pan Status
ITR Status
Aadhar card Status
Voter Id card Status
rashan card Status
passport Status
Thanks for sharing such an interesting information
Business Loans in Chennai
Post a Comment