IIM Kashipur Interview: Heritage, NGOs, and Biryani – A Cultural Curveball for This MBA Aspirant
Candidate Profile
- Background: Bachelor’s in Business Administration
- Work Experience: Close to 2 years, including a stint with an NGO and corporate experience in Hyderabad
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 87%
- 12th Grade: 89%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 7.9
- This candidate brought a unique mix of social sector involvement and corporate exposure to the interview table.
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Interviewers
- Panelist 1: Male
- Panelist 2: Female
- Mode: Online Interview
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
🔵 Panelist: Give us a short introduction.
📌 Tip: Start strong with a crisp overview linking your academics, work, and aspirations.
🔵 Panelist: Rapid-fire questions on work experience (10–15 quick questions).
📌 Tip: Be well-versed in your resume. Practice answering typical industry-specific and role-based questions. If you don’t know something, it’s okay—just admit it politely.
🔵 Panelist: You’ve mentioned an NGO – can you name a famous animal NGO?
📌 Tip: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a common answer. Be ready to explain its mission: animal rights advocacy, promoting veganism, and anti-cruelty campaigns.
🔵 Panelist: What animal features in WWF’s logo?
🔵 Panelist: What does a panda eat?
📌 Tip: WWF (World Wildlife Fund) uses the panda to symbolize endangered species. Pandas primarily eat bamboo—knowing such small facts shows cultural and global awareness.
🔵 Panelist: You’re from Lucknow – who was the first Nawab?
📌 Tip: Nawab Saadat Ali Khan I is often credited as the first Nawab of Awadh. Be ready for some history if your city has cultural significance.
🔵 Panelist: Why were Bada and Chota Imambara constructed?
📌 Tip: These monuments were built during the 18th and 19th centuries, often as famine relief projects and for religious purposes in Shia Islam.
🔵 Panelist: You worked in Hyderabad – why is the biryani different in Hyderabad and Lucknow despite Mughal influence in both?
📌 Tip: The distinction lies in preparation. Hyderabadi biryani is "kacchi" (meat and rice cooked together), while Lucknowi biryani is "pakki" (cooked separately). They also differ due to cultural influences: Nizam vs. Nawabi cuisines.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Be prepared for rapid-fire questions—know your resume and experience thoroughly.
- ✅ Mentioning extracurriculars or NGOs? Be ready to talk specifics, not just names.
- ✅ Expect region-based cultural and historical questions, especially if your hometown is well-known.
- ✅ It’s okay to miss a few questions; handling them with composure matters more.
- ✅ Know one or two fun facts or trivia—interviews can get unexpectedly quirky!
📢 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.
🔍 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.
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