My GD-PI experience at IIM Kozhikode: Anshul Aggarwal

Anshul Aggarwal appeared for CAT 2017, and was elated to see his result. An ecstatic Anshul had secured 99.36 percentile in the one of the toughest MBA entrance exams, and was expecting calls from top B-Schools of India. As expected, he received calls from FMS, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, and MDI Gurgaon. Out of these, Anshul decided to appear for the GD-PI round of IIM Kozhikode. 

Anshul did his Class XII from Commerce, and did his graduation in BA (Hons) Economics from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. He had scored 78% in Class X, 96% in Class XII, and 68% in graduation. 

The interview took place on March 9, 2018 at Hotel Radisson Blue, Dwarka. Anshul shared his detailed GD-PI experience with Shiksha. Read full interview below:

WAT Topic- ‘India is undermining its strength in agriculture while rapidly focusing on industrialisation.’

I wrote about the sectoral contribution of each sectors in the economy and then wrote how India has not been giving enough focus to agriculture which employs almost 49% of the population. I also wrote about back in history when Nehru adopted PC Mahalanobis model and focused on industrialisation, thus undermining agriculture sector. And in 1991 reforms also the key agenda was not agriculture. Then I wrote some lines about how both sectors are important to each other and how India should proceed further. 

WAT was followed by 15 minutes GD on same topic. 

Personal Interview

After the WAT and GD rounds, was time for personal interview. There were 2 interviewers- one male (M) and one female (F). The interview lasted for about 15 minutes. Here’s what was asked in the PI round: 

M: So Anshul, tell me about yourself.

Me: Told about my educational background, my hobbies, and extracurricular activities. 

F: Why did you learn French and not any other language? (Since I mentioned that I have been learning it for past 3 years)

Me: Told about scope of French language as in how many countries it is spoken in, and it is also a official language of many international organisations such as UN, UNESCO, NATO etc. and also highlighted the future aspects of learning a foreign language. 

F: Do you want to work in these international organisations?
Me: As of now, I have not thought about it. But if I get a chance, I would like to work. 

F: Ok so what do you know about UINCEF?

Me: I fumbled and was not able to provide any correct answer. 

F: Full form of UNICEF.

Me:  United Nations Children's Fund 

M: Tell the full form of UNESCO.

Me: Was not able to recall. 

F: Ok leave. So you mentioned your interest in politics. Tell us the history of Jan Sangh.

Me: Told about founding members of Jan Sangh. (Confused it with Janta Party.) 

F: Which party does Subramanyam Swamy belong to?

Me: Told Jan Sangh, but now it is merged with BJP. 

M: Gave me the symbols of 4 parties and asked me to identify the names.

Me:  Was able to correctly answer 2 of them. 

Then they asked me about current affairs that were going on around that time which was more of a general discussion. 

Overall I can say that don’t go with any preconceived notion inside the interview room. The questions asked can be of any nature relating to your hobby, extracurricular, academics, etc.

“Got a question about top MBA exams? Ask students who have already made it to top B-Schools.”