IIM Shillong- PI experience

IIM Shillong- PI experience IIM Shillong interview experience (7th Feb 2024, Mumbai) Profile - GEF (Biotechnology branch) There were two interviewers - both M , one in his 40s (P1) and one in his early 30s (most probably an alumni) (P2). The interview began with an extempore round where you’ll be given 2 mins to think and jot down your points (writing pad and pen will be provided) and then next 3 mins to speak on it. My extempore topic was - dropping the ball ( it’s on to your creativity to comprehend the meaning of the phrase and express your thoughts- the comprehension need not match with the actual meaning) After that the interview begins. P1 - TMAY in 2 mins Me- told P1 - you mentioned about budget earlier, tell me what things that should have been there were not there Me - ( I had mentioned about the budget 2024 in the extempore answer) Told about how there was no change for income tax slabs and also about the budget cut for IITs and IIMs in the education sector P1- what budget is allocated to education out of total in percentage Me- told was not sure about the exact figure but guessed it to be around 10% P1 - what should have been the ideal percentage according to you Me- around 15-18% P1 - what do you think is the budget allocation for education in USA Me - not sure exactly but should be around 12% ( a pure guess which was close to actual figure ) P1 - what things are there in education of USA which is not there in India Me - told about the free education till primary and fee concession for the state citizens for higher education and good lab facilities and infrastructure P1 - any other good thing about school education in the Indian budget Me- told about the focus of government on 4 categories in which Yuva comes and that the youngest population takes the economy forward and that more funding is given to the central state universities this time for its infrastructure growth P1 - what is the major difference between China and India in terms of demography Me - told about the majority age of population P1- what are the pros of a senior aged population. Everyone knows about the cons but what are some of the benefits Me - told about how the experience the population brings helps the country to gain expertise on a particular technology and also about how this will facilitate the education system as well for young talent to grow P1 - what are difference in India and China Me - told about how India has replaced China and achieved the first place in highest population in the world P1 - interrupted and said it’s not an achievement though . But what are other major differences ? Me - corrected myself that yes it’s not an achievement and a growing population demands more employment and food. Then told about the belt strategy of China and diamond strategy of India. Spoke on the strategies difference for about a min P1 looked satisfied and I stopped. Now P2 started questioning. P2 - I see biotechnology as your branch. Why this trajectory biotech to software ? Me - told the prepped answer P2 - what are some of the things biotech industry has contributed ? Me - told about major contribution in the Covid pandemic and vaccines production, emerging biotech startup’s and about bio plastics P2 - diff between covishield and covaxin Me- told P2 - how do vaccines work? Me - told P2 - what is mRNA ( mentioned about mRNA somewhere before in the answers ) Me - told P2 - what do you know about bio orthopedics… what is the material used in that ? Me - told about silicon bio polymer and it’s use, told did not have much idea about this P2 - do you know about zirconium ? Me - sorry sir, I don’t know about this ( it was in the context of biomaterials and I was not confident in this subject , so they understood and shifted the topic) P2 - consider the cost of bio orthopedic and it’s market, tell me the rough estimate for the company ( guesstimate) Me - considered the total population of India and divided it into young and old population, and market size along with the global export market and have price estimations P2 - will all the people be able to afford this? Me - realised my mistake and took the rich poor divide also in account and gave a percentage only P2 - tell me about the day to day tasks in your job in short Me - told P2 - what is the hierarchy Me - told that I have a manager to which I report P2 - ok consider that you are promoted as the team lead now, what changes would you bring to your team? Me - told about a change in getting more team members on board who have higher amount of experience ( told the reason why I had to do this - problems in the team and impact) P2 - why mba ? Me - told P2 - ok last question, tell me more about your hobbies Me - told P2 - one last question , which hobby you are more passionate about and have accolades in Me - told P2 - so thats it from our side, you can take a toffee and leave My thoughts - It was not grilling, peaceful conversation where I was able to drive the interview according to my strengths. The interviewers were quite welcoming and good. Don’t know about the result , but considering this to be my first interview, it was a great experience ✌🏻