IRMA Interview Experience – From Agriculture to MBA: A Calm Yet Insightful IRMA Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: Final-year student pursuing B.Sc. in Agriculture
- Work Experience: No formal work experience, but completed a government-certified training program in food preservation and processing
- Academics: Consistently good academic track record with percentile data discussed during the interview
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Interviewers – 1 Male, 1 Female
- Interview Mode: In-person
- Candidate Order: First to be interviewed in the batch
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
🌱 Icebreaker & Academic Background
🔵 Female Panelist: Tell us about yourself.
📌 Tip: Keep your introduction brief yet personalized—highlight your academic journey, key interests in agriculture, and what brought you to IRMA.
🔵 Female Panelist: What were your sectional percentiles?
📌 Tip: Be honest and specific. If there's a weaker section, follow up with how you’re improving on it.
🌾 Agriculture Sector Knowledge
🔵 Female Panelist: What are the major problems in Indian agriculture today?
📌 Tip: Speak about real-world issues like low farmer income, dependence on monsoons, supply chain inefficiencies, etc.
🔵 Female Panelist: Are you aware of any schemes in the agriculture sector?
📌 Tip: Be ready to discuss flagship schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, or e-NAM with purpose and impact.
🔵 Female Panelist: Why is organic farming not widely practiced in Indian villages?
📌 Tip: Highlight factors such as cost, lack of awareness, transition challenges, and yield concerns.
🔵 Female Panelist: What is the difference between natural farming and organic farming?
📌 Tip: Know the conceptual differences—natural farming typically avoids all external inputs, while organic allows certified organic inputs.
🧂 Technical & Training-Based Discussion
🔵 Male Panelist: You’ve done training in food preservation. What preservatives are commonly used?
📌 Tip: Prepare for applied science questions—mention common preservatives like salt, sugar, vinegar, citric acid, etc., and their roles.
🔵 Male Panelist: Describe the process of kimchi making.
📌 Tip: This was more of a conversational topic. If your interviewer seems engaged, build rapport and be willing to learn from their insights as well.
📘 The candidate noted this part felt more like an informal classroom session than a grilling—it helped set a relaxed tone.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- Revise key agricultural concepts and terminologies thoroughly.
- Be aware of current government schemes and their practical applications.
- Make your profile stand out by discussing unique experiences like certified training programs.
- Engage in the conversation—don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or build on the panelist’s input.
- Keep your calm and composure; a smooth interview can be just as impactful as a high-pressure one.
📢 Disclaimer: Real Stories, Modified for Privacy
🔍 The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, industry specifics, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core questions and insights remain authentic. These stories are intended for educational purposes and do not claim to represent official views of any institution. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
Leave a Reply