Vaibhav Jatin Shah recalls his IIM Shillong GD-PI experience

Vaibhav Jatin Shah, a BMS 2015 pass out from Mithibai College, and a MCom graduate from Mumbai University was elated when he received a call from IIM Shillong after scoring 91.56%ile in CAT 2017. 

This CFA Level 2 candidate having 20 months of work experience as a Business Development Executive knew he had to put in all his efforts to clear the GD-PI rounds, and get enrolled in the IIM. 

The GD-PI was scheduled for May 1, 2018 at Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai in the 9am slot. Shiksha got in touch with him to know how he handled the GD-PI rounds. Read his exclusive interview below:

Case discussion:
(3 minutes to read. 10 minutes to discuss.)
It was about a person Hari working for a chemical company who built a plant near river Ganges, and had permission from Pollution board to dump wastes in river but additional phase is required to treat wastes. His supervisor denies him building additional phase stating company is in tight financial conditions and he’s new here so should obey orders and or else CEO will remove him.

Discuss what should Hari do?

Personal Interview:
2 panelists: 1 male Mr.Santosh Kr. Prusty (P1), 1 Female Mrs.Naliniprava Tripathy (P2).

(I came to know their names from IIM Shillong website and didn’t knew at time of interview.) 

I was in Panel 3. 6th and last candidate to be interviewed. So I had to wait longer than anyone.
Duration of the PI: 20-25 minutes.
*Asked to enter by P1. Politely greets panelists. Asked to have a seat.*

P2: So where are you from?

Me: Mumbai, but native of Gujarat.

P1: Oh Gujarat! So which part do u belong to?

Me: From North Gujarat near Mehsana region.

P1: So who stays in your village and how is the culture there?

Me: Responds stating no one stays there, but we go once in a year for religious function and stay there for 3–4 days.

P2: Okay you are Jain. So tell me why is it mandatory to become monk in your religion?

Me: (Good observer I see) I explained stating that it is not mandatory to be a monk, but recently many people are taking this path and explained some facts about it. (Seemed convinced)

P1: So what you have studied and where have you worked?

Me: Answered

P2: What was your role in the job? How is GST involved in your trading business? (Had mentioned background about family business. Hence the Question)

Me: Answered how manufacturer levies GST and gave some basic explanation about input tax credit and gave benefits of buying products from GST registered vendors and non-GST registered vendors. She seemed satisfied.

P1: So how many employees work, and what is the annual turnover?

Me: Answered.

*Now the rapid fire began*

P1: Do you know anything about North East?

Me: Yes, the seven sisters. Named them including Sikkim.

P1: Are you sure Sikkim is there?

Me: Yes Sir. As far as I remember but not 100% confident.

P1: Which is the main river there and what is the issue?

Me: Answered Brahmaputra, and talked about China blocking passage of flow of water.

P1: What is Deccan plateau?

Me: Gave answer about what is Deccan region and said didn’t exactly know about Deccan region.

P1: what is Setu Bharatam?

Me: Asked whether it is about interlinking of rivers? (Face palm moment).

P1: Do u know about Ram Setu? Where is it?

Me: Yes Sir. Southernmost India to Sri Lanka. Told about Lord Ram and Ravana from Ramayana.

P1: Why is China interested in Sri Lanka?

Me: Told about how China had extended Billion dollar rupees and had taken Hambantota port and trying alternative route for South Asia and Africa for trade since India didn’t join BRI and cornering India from 3 sides. Told about recent China meet about same trying to divert him to that area.

P1: What do you know about Syria war? Why are US and Russia interested in Syria War?

Me: Told about ISIS and regional war and how US sending troops to eliminate them. Told them US is interested since Syria has good amount of Oil Reserves.

P1: Is ISIS only in Syria? Is oil the only reason?

Me: No. Told about presence in Iraq and said yes Oil is one of the reason (Should have kept quiet this time).

Now P2 enters discussion.

P2: So you did MCom too. What are you planning ahead? And what is your favourite subject in Under graduation?

Me: Yes. Completing MCom this year. Did specialisation in Finance. Had subjects on Portfolio Management and investing. Cleared CFA L1 simultaneously.

P2: Oh portfolio management? So what is Arbitrage pricing Model?

Me: Ma’am we didn’t study that. Moreover, it comes in CFA L2 curriculum and I haven’t started studying for it. (relieved).

P2: What is random walk theory? How it is used?

Me: Ma’am we didn’t study this either.

P2: So what are the valuations methods?

Me: Answered correctly.

P2: What is technical analysis?

Me: Answered.

P2: What are the indicators in that do you know any?

Me: Answered and gave example of one of my strategy learned online. Seemed Satisfied.

P2: What is efficient market Hypothesis?

Me: Answered and gave examples.

P1: So, what is the environmental and sanitation issue with Mumbai?

Me: Told about Aarey colony issue with metro car shed being planned and AAP protesting to shift to other location and saving green cover. Also, Maharashtra govt. initiative about waste collection but lack of awareness leads to mixing of dry and wet wastes and problems related to that. Plastics being banned recently but allowed for certain industries.

P1: What other than that?

Me: Told about Deonar dumping ground being filled and no alternative has been found out yet.

P1: So is it usable area or barren land?

Me: Told it is not a usable area. Plus alternative sites are there but they are too small to sustain and therefore real problem still lies.

P1: What do you think about weather of Mumbai? What problems you are seeing?

Me: Sir, being a Mumbaikar, I feel hot and humid 12 months a year (it’s true though). Nothing great except occasional rainfall in summers.
P2: Okay we are done. Take as many candies from the bowl in front of you as you want. Since you were last.

Me: Politely took 2 mentos, thanked them

Verdict: Converted!