Samarth Verma IAS Topper 2010 (69th) – Shares Preparation Strategy for the Personality Test of CSE

IAS topper Samarth Verma in an interview to Gulshan Sharma discusses the strategy for Personality Test (Interview) of the prestigious civil services exam

1. How did you prepare for the interview?
   Interview preparation basically comprises of two parts: your biodata and your knowledge of the current affairs. I worked on my biodata covering questions that came to my mind and also tried developing opinion on the current affairs and issues.
2. Please share the details of the interview? What was its duration, strength of the interview panel and what kind of questions were asked?
   My interview was conducted by Ms Rajni Rajdan’s board. She is a UPSC member and a retired IAS officer of Haryana cadre. There were four more members in the board, apart from the chairperson. The interview lasted for about half an hour and I was asked questions from several fields ranging from mechanical engineering to gender empowerment, domestic violence, naxalism, movies, political protests etc. The questions were both factual and opinion oriented.
3. Were you confident in the interview hall? How did you remain calm and composed in what is usually considered a stressful situation?
   I was a bit nervous while waiting outside the interview hall but once I entered the room it was alright.
4. What is your advice for candidates who did not do well in interview?
   Interviews are a very subjective thing. One year you might score very poorly, and the next year you might come out with flying colors. Still, if there are problems that you can identify in your personality, such as confidence level, conversation skills, clarity of expression etc, you can work on them.
5. How can someone apply day to day knowledge in the CSE?
   Common sense has a very important role to play in this exam, especially in the interview. Many a times, very basic questions are asked in the interview and if one fails to answer them correctly, it leaves a very bad impression!
6. Any advice to civil services aspirants?
   Believe in yourself. All else can be worked out!
7. What is your goal in life and how will you now work towards it?
   My aim in life is to be able to strike a balance between my desires! I wish to fulfill my responsibilities towards my family and my country. At the same time, enjoy each and every moment of my life, rise to important positions, become famous, being known, and have a loving wife!

Samarth Verma IAS Topper 2010 (69th Rank) – Shares Preparation Strategy for Mains Written of CSE

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