When MPPSC interviews turned into mind games:‘How many balls in an over?’, interview panel’s oddball question leaves topper puzzled; here’s how they aced it

During the interview, I was asked a tricky question related to cricket because I had mentioned cricket in my hobbies. They asked me how many balls are in an over, and I replied – six. But my answer was not correct. This, according to Yashpal Swarnkar, who secured the third rank in the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) examination and was selected for the post of Deputy Collector. According to him, this was a moment where not bookish knowledge but quick wit and a unique perspective of thinking were being tested. Yashpal is not the only topper who faced such intricate and mind-boggling questions behind the closed doors of the interview room. Dainik Bhaskar spoke to five such toppers from the state and learned about those memorable moments of their interviews when questions surprised them, put them in a dilemma, and finally, they gave their best. Connected to roots and culture For Ajit Kumar Mishra, a resident of Panna and the topper of MPPSC 2023, the interview experience was deeply connected to his roots and culture. Ajit, currently serving as Naib Tehsildar in Maihar, had previously given five interviews and succeeded every time. This time, he topped the entire state. The interview began with his current posting location, Maihar. The panel asked, “Why is Maihar named Maihar, and which part of the goddess fell here, due to which this place is called a Shaktipeeth?” Ajit gave an accurate answer to this. But after that, the panel, testing the depth of his knowledge, posed the next question, “How many Shaktipeeths are there in the country? Name all of them.” This was a question whose complete answer was almost impossible to give. Nervous about economics questions After this, the conversation focused on the meaning of his village Maharampur and the route of Ram Van Gaman Path. He was also asked to recite any two couplets from Ramcharitmanas. Ajit admits that when he was asked some figures related to economics, he got a little nervous because he could not recall the exact details. In such a situation, instead of getting flustered or giving a wrong answer, he said with complete honesty and a smile, “Sorry sir, I don’t remember this at the moment.” His spontaneity and honesty impressed the panel. Interview as a philosophical journey For Bhuvnesh Chauhan of Bhopal, the interview experience was like a philosophical and self-analytical journey. His interview focused on serious topics like religion, culture, and law and order. He was asked practical questions such as police training and crime control in society. The most interesting moment of the interview came when the panel asked a unique question — “Just as there are some anti-social elements in society that disrupt law and order, similarly, what are the elements within a human being that disrupt their internal order and peace?” Bhuvnesh explains that this question was not from any book but was connected to a deep understanding of life. He answered it based on Indian philosophy. Already selected for DSP post Bhuvnesh says that this was his seventh interview, and each time he sat before the same MPPSC panel, so he didn’t feel any fear or nervousness. He says, “My inclination was towards the DSP post from the beginning, and I had already been selected for it, so I went to this interview without any stress — just for the experience.” He had listed Urdu poetry and playing the harmonium as his hobbies, but surprisingly, he was not asked any questions on these subjects. He says — interviews are unpredictable. You cannot assume that only questions related to your listed hobbies will be asked. A question that tested logic Yashpal Swarnkar’s experience from Sagar shows how even a seemingly straightforward question can test logical ability. Yashpal, currently posted as an Audit Officer in Bhopal, had mentioned cricket as his hobby. During the interview, the panel asked him, “How many balls are there in an over?” Yashpal confidently replied, “Six balls.” At this, a board member smiled and said, “No, your answer is wrong. There is only one ball in an over.” For a moment, Yashpal was surprised, but he immediately grasped the logic behind the question. Correcting himself, he said, “Yes sir, you are right. There is only one ball in an over, which is bowled six times.” Benefit of crossword puzzles for an officer His hobbies also included reading Ramcharitmanas and solving crossword puzzles. On this, he was asked which couplet in Ramcharitmanas is about philanthropy and what is the benefit of solving crossword puzzles in civil services. Yashpal recited the couplet and answered about crosswords — “It leads to brainstorming and increases logical thinking, which strengthens an officer’s decision-making ability.” Confidence tested through personal questions Monika Dhakad, a resident of Guna, secured the DSP position in her very first attempt. Her interview is an example of how the panel tests a candidate’s confidence by suddenly shifting from academic questions to personal ones. Her hobby was diary writing, so she was asked about Bhagat Singh’s famous diary. Her Master’s degree was in History, so she was asked, “Name five generations of any one Hindu dynasty in Indian history.” Monika confidently named five rulers of the Gupta dynasty. After this, the panel made the question personal, which was completely unexpected for her. They asked, “Okay, now, keeping yourself at the centre, name five generations of your own family.” Panel’s light-hearted remark She immediately apologised, saying, “I should have known this, it’s very basic.” The panel smiled at her honesty, easing the atmosphere, and said, “It’s okay, at least you know your great-grandfather’s name. Nowadays, children don’t even know their grandfather’s name.” This incident taught her that knowing everything in an interview is not as important as handling the situation well. Focus on sensitivity and problem-solving Pooja Jat, a resident of Neemuch, secured the post of DSP in her fifth attempt. Her interview focused on her sensitivity towards social issues and her problem-solving ability as an administrator. She was asked about the major social problems in her home district, Neemuch. Pooja candidly mentioned serious problems like child marriage and prostitution. On this, the panel asked a challenging question — “If you become a DSP or Deputy Collector, what concrete steps will you take to eliminate this problem?” Practical and respectful answer Instead of giving a rote answer, Pooja presented a practical and respectful solution. She said, “There is a Banchhada community in Neemuch, which is traditionally associated with this profession, but they are also skilled in bamboo art.” Pooja explained that this would make women economically self-reliant, give them a dignified life, and enable their children to break free from this vicious cycle through education. Her answer showed that she understood the root of the problem and had a positive solution. Finally, when she was asked if economic empowerment alone is complete empowerment, she said, “No, it is necessary to empower women economically, as well as socially, politically, and at every level.” ​