"Coaching not must, mock tests can suffice"
Sunam-based Mukesh Bansal, who secured the 13th position in the civil services examination this year, is the pride of Sangrur district. In an interview, he shared his experience of the personality test and also offered some tips for IAS-aspirants. Excerpts: How did you prepare for the civil services interview? "I collected information about my home state Punjab, hobbies, the general insurance industry, foreign direct investment (FDI) and globalisation as also facts about Tamil Nadu since I have been working in Chennai for the past three years. Mock interviews and discussions with friends were also of great help. I studied for four to five hours on working days and eight to 10 hours on weekends. Is coaching necessary for the personality tests? "Though I attended coaching classes in Delhi, I don't think it is must. If one has a circle of friends who can conduct good mock interviews, then there is no need of coaching. What were the main topics you were asked about? "My interview basically focussed on Punjab though I was asked questions on other topics also. I was asked about the princely states of Punjab, secularism, FDI in the insurance sector, role of the PSUs, problems of the farmers in Punjab, direct taxes, effects of globalisation, etc. Any unexpected questions and how did you handle them? "Though I was expecting questions on cross-cultural differences between the North and South, I was asked about cultural integration due to globalisation, and whether growing westernisation was good for us. Though I feel that to some extent it is affecting the moral fabric of our society, still people are mature enough to decide what is good or bad. That is what I told to the interview board. Though the chairperson tried to grill me on this, I was able to defend my views with real-life examples. What kind of attitude helps in facing the interviewers? "One should be cool, humble and positive because the interview is basically a test of personality and not of knowledge. Generally, the persons in the interview panel are very cordial, so one must not fear anything and go with a positive frame of mind. Any tips for students aspiring for the IAS? "Work hard as there are no short-cuts to success. One should have faith in the Almighty, because without that one cannot achieve anything in life."
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