Here’s what second UPSC topper Anu Kumari was asked in interview

From pink pyjamas flying over the Red Fort to business lessons from Baba Ramdev, to metro travel to bahus in joint families, Anu Kumari, second UPSC topper, was asked more than twenty questions by the Smita Nagaraj Board

Indian Civil Services is the most competitive exam and the interview session is considered its most difficult part where the range of amusing questions test the candidate's intelligence and wits. Anu Kumari stayed calm and smiled throughout the interview, which went on for more than 30 minutes, as around 22 questions were popped at her. 

“I treated the interview round as if I was talking to the elders in my family. I could not answer three of the total questions but I calmly managed, smilingly said sorry and admitted of not knowing it,” says the 31-year-old, who quit a decade-long career in a corporate to pursue her UPSC dream.

A mother of a four-year-old son, Anu has been named the brand ambassador for the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ programme in her home district Sonipat by the Haryana government.

She attempted several mock interviews at various institutes to prepare for the exam. Anu adds that to study ethics, she collected quotes by Swami Vivekanand, Gandhi, Einstein and other such scholars and saved them as laptop and phone wallpapers. 

Pink pyjamas, a phrase to depict women empowerment, was the tricky question that Anu decided to pass. However, answering the marketing lessons to be learned from Baba Ramdev she said, “Invoking a feeling of nationalism to boost sales and capitalising on people’s preference for chemical free and herbal products, is a good strategy.” On the question of bahus preferring to go for nuclear families, Anu honestly answered, “To an extent yes, with the rise of individualism in society, egoism is rising. Another factor is the burden of excessive expectations from the bahu, who is expected to do double shifts.”

Her analytical and decision-making skills were also put to test through questions on various policies and social issues. 

Full list of questions Anu was asked:

Why did you decide to go for UPSC 12 years after graduation?

You worked for eight years in financial services sector, what was your motivation behind it?

There are a lot of unethical practices in the insurance sector, what they are and why they exist? Is the regulator sleeping? 

The recent NHPS health insurance scheme is going to help private sector more than the citizens what should we do to stop such malpractices?

There will be a change in orientation as you move from private sector to the public sector. How will you manage?

How technology has impacted the service sector?

39 Indians got killed in Iraq. Do you think the government handled the situation well? 

In view of the Facebook data leak issue, do you think these social media firms are taking users for a ride?

Social media was created to unite (socialise) but it is dividing the society. What is your take on this?          

What are the marketing lessons to be learnt from yoga guru turned entrepreneur Baba Ramdev?

You are from the Hindu college. Which minister from Hindu college is there in the ministry today?

Pink pyjamas are flying over Red Fort today, what do you understand by this?

The country is facing a serious problem of drug addiction, how will you handle them in a district? What are the drugs consumed by the people? 

Children are committing suicides. Why? What should be done to combat this?

Today’s girls (bahus) don’t want to live in a joint family. Do you agree?

Are joint families good for women empowerment? 

You are a sportswoman, what do you think are the corruption related problems in sports bodies in India?

What are the ground level differences that you have experienced travelling in metro in Gurgaon and in Delhi?

What are the problems of PPP (public private partnerships)? 

I have lost money in mutual funds. Convince me that I should still invest in them?

What is colonial hangover? Is it good or bad? Give examples.  

You had said that the government should have been more humane in handling killing of Indians in Mosul issue, but then also appreciated it for its extra effort to trace the Indians and bring them back. Is this your approach to all the things- saying this is correct but this is also correct? Will you be able to take decisions? What is going to be your approach as an administrator?