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Science Grad’s Ethical Test: IIM Shillong Tale

🎓 IIM Shillong Interview Experience: How a Science Grad with Startup Dreams Faced a Tough Ethical Dilemma

Candidate Profile

  • Background: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with a focus on applied sciences.
  • Work Experience: 4 months at an early-stage startup in the healthcare tech space.
  • Academics:
    • 10th Grade: 82%
    • 12th Grade: 64% (adjusted slightly for anonymity)
    • Undergraduate CGPA: 8.7/10

Interview Panel

  • Panel Composition: 1 male and 1 female panelist, both in their early 30s.
  • Panel Background:
    • Female Panelist (F): Professor of Human Resources and Organizational Behavior.
    • Male Panelist (M): Professor of Industrial Operations.
  • Interview Duration: Approximately 20–25 minutes.

💬 Group Discussion (GD) Topic

Case Scenario:

As the CEO of a highly profitable US-based pharmaceutical company, you’re preparing for a major shareholder meeting. The company faces backlash because its life-saving AIDS medication is priced too high for patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, Indian pharma companies are manufacturing generic versions without your permission, and the local government is also challenging your patent enforcement. With negative media coverage mounting, what should the CEO do?

⏱️ GD Format:

  • 3 minutes to read the case (~450 words)
  • 10 minutes of discussion
📌 Tip: In ethical dilemma GDs, balance business interests with social responsibility. Try to incorporate perspectives like stakeholder theory, long-term brand impact, and regulatory challenges rather than focusing solely on profitability.

🗣️ Personal Interview Questions & Insights

🔹 Icebreaker & General Awareness Questions (Female Panelist)

🔵 Panelist: Tell me about yourself.

📌 Tip: Keep it concise—blend academics, work, and a personal hook that shows curiosity or ambition.

🔵 Panelist: What is the significance of local trains?

📌 Tip: Link local trains to economic activity, daily commutes, urban connectivity, and social mobility.

🔵 Panelist: The British claim they introduced railways in India. Do you think India would have developed trains without them?

📌 Tip: Frame a balanced response—acknowledge colonial motives but emphasize India’s inherent need for infrastructure.

🔵 Panelist: How are India-Afghanistan relations?

📌 Tip: Cover diplomatic aid, trade ties, and India’s investments (like the Chabahar port, dams) while noting current political challenges.

🔵 Panelist: Why has Afghanistan always been in turmoil? Start from the Soviet invasion.

📌 Tip: Use a historical timeline—Soviet invasion → Mujahideen → Taliban → US intervention → current situation.

🔵 Panelist: Should India maintain ties with Afghanistan despite an oppressive regime?

📌 Tip: Argue diplomatically—balance humanitarian concerns with geopolitical strategy.

🔵 Panelist: What’s your take on recent tech layoffs?

📌 Tip: Connect to economic cycles, automation, and post-pandemic corrections.

🔵 Panelist: Was Elon Musk justified in laying off Tesla employees?

📌 Tip: Analyze leadership decisions—efficiency vs. morale.

🔵 Panelist: How were Google’s layoffs different?

📌 Tip: Compare corporate culture, severance benefits, transparency.

🔵 Panelist: What qualities has Sundar Pichai shown as Google’s CEO?

📌 Tip: Highlight humility, strategic vision, global leadership.

🔵 Panelist: Why do business leaders tweet? What message are they sending?

📌 Tip: Discuss personal branding, direct stakeholder engagement, market signaling.

🔹 Technical & Academic Questions (Male Panelist)

🔵 Panelist: Give an example of linear modeling in logistics.

📌 Tip: You could cite transportation cost minimization, warehouse location optimization, or vehicle routing using linear programming.

🔵 Panelist: (Several questions about EVs, transportation models, mathematical modeling, and supply chain.)

📌 Tip: Prepare for applied questions from your coursework—relate formulas to real-world business problems.

🔵 Panelist: What are your hobbies?

📌 Tip: Even without follow-up, keep this authentic and show depth (e.g., “I read historical fiction because it helps me understand geopolitical contexts”).

✨ Key Takeaways for Future Aspirants

  • ✅ Expect panelists to mix technical depth with socio-political awareness—brush up on both.
  • ✅ Ethical case discussions require balanced, multidimensional answers.
  • ✅ Be prepared to defend your stance with logical reasoning rather than emotional appeals.
  • ✅ Panelists may explore your academic discipline through applied examples.
  • ✅ Stay calm during philosophical or abstract questions—there’s no “perfect” answer.
📢 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.
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