IIFT Score – 44.2 (99.897%ile)
Location: IIFT Bhawan, Hauz Khas, New Delhi.
Having been a MUNer & United fan (Hint: Search famous Alumni of IIFT Delhi), International events & their co-relation to Indian economy was something I was interested in. IIFT Delhi, being one of the
best B Schools in the nation & the Mecca of International Trade, was an automatic dream college for me. Due to some unavoidable personal issues, I had to reschedule my PI 3 times & each time the management was more than accommodating to my requests.
Profile – 93/79.60/9.02
Work experience - 24 months with Hindalco + 6 months with an NGO.
D-Day: I reached the campus early morning at about 8 AM. Seniors were playing cricket in the parking lot & wished me luck while I made my way to the academic block. On my way, I managed to steal a glance at the much-vaunted Wings of Wisdom statue of IIFT. While waiting, the process was explained to us.
We would be having a WAT session at first for 15 minutes, in which we had to re-organize our thoughts & write about the topic showcasing our thought process & knowledge about the given topic. Then we would be having a GD discussion according to pre-determined groups of 11. IIFT's GD format is quite a challenge, as every candidate has to speak about the given topic for a minute according to his serial number, and then the floor becomes open for a discussion. It goes on for some 30-40 minutes. And lastly, we would have our Personal Interviews taken by the professors of IIFT.
WAT: Our WAT topic was, "Alternative medicine - the way forward for India". I gave a lot of facts and figures, such as how medicines are getting ineffective in India due to over-prescription and about alarming levels of pollution and WHO reports about the same. I also defined alternative medicine, its benefits, and results in different diseases. Gave the numbers of alternative medicine in Diabetes & Cancer. Pretty decent WAT. If I rated it, would give it at least a 7.5-8/10.
GD: As I had mentioned before, the GD can be quite challenging if you are among the first ones and you know nothing about the topic. Thankfully, the topic was something I was well versed with - Renewable Energy or Nuclear Energy: The future for India. Without bragging much, I would have to say it was my best GD performance ever. I have been an avid debater my entire school and college life but I had prepared and knew this topic like anything.
We were given a minute to organize our thoughts. I had to initiate the GD as my serial number was one. I started by carefully explaining the salient points of the topic. Gave my views and examples for both the energy sources. I gave the maximum points, facts, and figures. After everyone spoke for a minute or two, I again reinitiated the GD by giving the example of Chernobyl, the dangers of Nuclear energy and steps taken by the Indian government in the field of Renewable energy. During the course of the GD, I gave others chances and moderated the discussion when it seemed to stagnate. The panellists asked two girls and a guy who had not spoken much to summarize.
PI: I was, once again, the first candidate in. There were two panellists, M1 a ma’am in her early 40s or late 30s. A gentleman, S1, in his early 60s. The third panellist entered towards the fag end of my interview (M2).
M1: So, Durga what have you planned for your birthday?
Me: I was taken aback by the question, to be honest. I did, however, manage to mumble something about the situation at home and how that takes priority over celebrating. So, no plans as such.
M1: Oh, I thought you might have wanted to celebrate by watching United's game. Anyway, you've written that you blog?
Me: Yes ma’am. *Told her about my blog, what are the issues I’m interested in etc.*
M1: Your father works at NHAI. What is it?
Me: (
Lol Wut. ) I started explaining about my father’s role and she clarified she only wants to know about NHAI. I told her their role and how they’ve been going on about it and different stakeholders.
M1: Rate the performance of NHAI on their performance for the last 10 years.
Me:(
What??) I start with NDA about how efficient and speedy work has been under Gadkari gave reasons. Ma’am asked and before that? Told about how the previous governments laid the groundwork for this government .etc. Didn't have the hard facts & numbers in my head to back it up.
M1: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Me: Told.
P1: Okay Durga have you heard about the interim budget?
Me: Yes sir.
P1: Tell me why is it necessary and why interim?
Me: Explained the whole thing.
P1: Okay tell me three highlights of Interim Budget?
Me: Told.
P1: What is monetary policy and who controls it?
Me: Explained the whole thing as to why RBI independent organization maintains it and how vital it is.
P1: What are the different holding under RBI?
Me: Told.
P1: Who decides what amount of forex or gold or bonds to buy?
Me: Told.
P1: How are different Currency exchange rates and metal rates fixed?
Me: Told about LME in London.
For currency exchange rate, I explained that it was a complex phenomenon and depended on a large number of factors, including a nations trade relations and political climate. Depending upon the factors, the currency rates can fall or rise. Didn’t cross-question but I should have done better here.
Now P2: Durga tell me what does the NHAI do?
P1: Ma’am I already asked him this.
P2: No worries. Tell me Durga.
Me: (
Cring internally) Told.
P2 and P1: Thank you Durga.
Total PI time: 9-10 minutes.
Verdict: Converted IIFT Delhi in the first list. Definitely not the result that I was expecting after a below-par PI. :-)
****
Other interview experiences you may be interested in reading -
Also, check out
interview re-enactments on the official InsideIIM YouTube channel!