IIM Lucknow - March 8

Essay: Study without thought is vain. Thought without study is dangerous

Time: 15 minutes

GD Topic: Study without thought is vain. Thought without study is dangerous

Time: 9 minutes

Number of People: 6

Comments: Firstly, thank you to the 5 comrades for helping avoid fish market. It was a sensible discussion where everyone made their points properly. I made 3-4 entries. Started with an Abe Lincoln quote about chopping tree and sharpening axe. Gave example of Kingfisher that started with a pomp without proper groundwork. Gave examples of Hitler and Alexander who thought of world dominance without much thought.

Also, during GD, I contradicted the topic quoting a booking saying how at times, thought without study is necessary. Added that it may be beneficial in short run, but long run requires study.

Interview: 1^st out of 6 (Panel 4)

Panel: Prakash Singh (Finance), Neelakantan Narayanan (Operations)

Time: 10-12 minutes (Not sure)

PS: Come in.

Me: Good afternoon, Sirs.

NN: Have a seat.

Me: Thank you, Sir.

PS: So what is this One and Two that you were talking about in the GD? Where did you read it?

Me: Sir, the book is called Two Second Advantage.

PS: Two means? (LoL)

Me: Sir, one-two. That two. (Showing by fingers – ROFL)

PS: Okay. So what’s is the book about?

Me: It’s speaks of advantage to the early movers. Basically, how 2 seconds make a huge difference. 2 isn’t strictly 2 seconds. For example, in business it may be 2 months or 2 years.

Ones are impulsive managers who make decisions on the spot and Twos are analytical managers who require much thinking. The book says that Ones tend to be much successful than Twos in the long run.

PS: Can you give an example of this?

Me: I’ll give an example from the book. It speaks of Wayne Gretzky, an ice hockey player. He wasn’t the most talented, nor was he physically well-built. But what he was good at was that he could predict things 2 second early. That’s how he trained himself to overcome lack of talent and physicality. He would know what plays would happen 2 seconds later. That’s how he turned out to be one of the best, in fact the best player in NHL history.

PS: Okay. But it’s just a game. It’s different from business where profits are involved.

Me: Sir, business is passion for some and hockey is passion for others. I’d put them on par. In business, profits are at stake and in hockey, a career is at stake.

PS: Hmm. And what do you think of IPL valuations? Players are being bought for millions? Do you think such prices are justified?

Me: It’s different for every team. For example, Rajasthan Royals broke even in the very first year. Mumbai Indians took 3-4 years to break even. And not everyone is in it for profits. Many are in it for the glamour quotient. Shah Rukh Khan wants to up his brand image. Mukesh Ambani is in to promote Reliance.

PS: How is Reliance being promoted?

Me: People are more aware about Reliance as a brand after IPL. Mukesh Ambani’s group is mainly operating as B2B. It has few B2C businesses. So by way of IPL, common man is much more aware of Reliance now. Also, Mrs. Ambani is interview before matches where she promotes charitable causes. Thus, it helps build Reliance’s brand image.

NN: You mean goodwill?

Me: Yes. I meant goodwill.

NN: Hand me your folder and files.

PS: You’re a Chartered Accountant. So tell me, what 4 statements are required to be published under IFRS?

Me: Balance Sheet, Statement of Income, Cash Flows and Statement of Changes in Equity.

PS: Why is Statement of Changes in Equity required under IFRS?

Me: Sir, we didn’t have much of IFRS under CA.

PS: Still, you’re a CA. You should know.

Me: For stakeholders to see the changes in shareholding pattern.

PS: You mean changes in shares, right?

Me: Yes. Changes in shares. Sorry.

PS: So how would the changes in share occur?

Me: Suppose a company offers bonus. Or by way of rights. Also, the statement would show increase in reserves by way of profits.

PS: So it only shows increase in equity?

Me: Not really. If a company buys back shares, then it’d reduce equity.

PS: Why would a company buy back shares?

Me: To reduce the shareholder base. This was it can increase its EPS.

PS: So that’s the only reason?

Me: That’s the only one I can think of. That and to change the debt-equity ratio.

PS: Okay. What are your favourite subjects?

Me: In college? *PS nods* Financial Accounting and Economics.

PS: It is said that EBITDA is better suited to analysis than Profit After Tax. Is it so? What is EBIDTA?

Me: (Heard it as EBITA) Earnings before interest, taxes and ... amortization.

PS: It’s E-B-I-T-D-A.

Me: Yes. So depreciation and amortization.

PS: So you think it’s a better measure?

Me: Not really. Depends on the perspective.

PS: Arre. You’re an analyst. Take that perspective.

Me: So if I’m analysing from an investor perspective, I’d want to see the return on my investment. So I’d look at PAT to know how much I am earning per share on my investment.

PS: And what about EBITDA? Why is it shown without ITDA?

Me: To show actual operating revenue of the company without making deductions for interest payments, depreciation and taxation. It shows what I’m basically earning from operating activities and from extra-ordinary income.

PS: Okay. Tell me, where does interest earned on investment figure in Cash Flows?

Me: As per Indian Accounting Standards, it is to be show in Cash Flows from Investing Activity. But as per IFRS, it can be shown in either of three heads in CFS.

PS: If there is interest earned not from investment, where would it go?

Me: Where would the interest come from?

PS: Anywhere. Assume from bank deposits or anywhere.

Me: A company would deposit in Current Account, where there would be no interest. If it puts money in FD, it’d be investment income.

PS: Why Current Account? What if it puts in Savings Account?

Me: A bank cannot operate a savings bank account.

PS: (Laughing.. Trying to mock me) Who says so? Why can’t a bank deposit in savings account? Who operates a savings account then?

Me: Only an individual or an HUF can operate a savings account. A company would have to open a savings account.

PS: Theek hai.. But still, if there’s some interest, where would it go?

Me: If we take an example of interest paid by debtors on late payments, it’d go to cash flows from operating activity.

NN: Tell me about yourself.

Me: (Abhi poocha?!) Blah blah blah.

PS: And about your family.

Me: My father is a Chartered Accountant and my mother is a housewife.

PS: Where does your father work?

Me: ______.

PS: What?

Me: *Repeats slowly* It’s into *this business*

NN: What other calls do you have?

Me: ALS and 6 New calls in all from IIMs.

NN: Not C?

Me: I missed by a narrow margin.

NN: 303 was the cutoff.

Me: Yes, sir. And I got 294.

PS: You got S? How?

Me: (Dafuq) Sir, I had 81.86% in my Grad. S had a cutoff of 78% for Commerce Grads.

NN: You don’t have Indore?

Me: No Sir. Perhaps because of the academics.

PS: One last question. Because you’re a CA, we’re very excited. (LOL). Tell me. If a power generation or a manufacturing unit has its workers constructing a canteen, how would their salary be expensed?

Me: Sir, the salary would be capitalized from the time the construction begins till the canteen is ready for use, assuming the workers are working full time on the project.

PS: What if they aren't working full time?

Me: If they’re involved in manufacturing too, then the salary is to be apportioned between the two. The portion related to manufacturing is expensed and the portion related to construction of canteen is capitalized.

PS: I am done. *to NN* Do you want to ask anything else?

NN: No. (Sir, aapne poocha hi kitna?!)

PS: Okay. Fine. That’s it then. *handing back my folder*

PS: (looking at me): Good. (What does it means?! :P And no chocolate offered! )

Me: Thank you, Sir.

XLRI - Feb 19

Essay: Private sector cannot solve India’s Public Health Problem

Time: 20 minutes

Number of People: 12 + 1 (who had missed morning slot)

Comments: Horrible fish market. People cutting each other left and right. Shouting. Aggressive tones. Not letting others start of finish. I tried to make an entry 7-8 times and wasn’t allowed to speak. Eventually, made 3 odd entries. Decent ones. Each one of us was asked to conclude in 30 secs.

Interview: 7^th out of 12 people

Panel of 3: Prantik Ray, Ashis Pani, Gloryson Chalil

Time: 15 minutes

PR: Come in.

Me: Good morning, Sirs. May I have a seat?

All: Of course. Please sit.

GC: Give me your file.

PR: So you’re from Narsee Monjee. Why not do an MBA from NMIMS? Why come all the way across the country to Jharkhand in a Maoist-infested area?

Me: Sir, I’ve known people who have graduated from NMIMS and I know someone in XLRI right now. I’ve spoken to both, taken their reviews and I think XLRI would be a better choice. And I’ve no inhibition about travelling to any part of India to get education from a premier institute.

PR: But everyone talk good about their own college! It’s all biased.

Me: Sir, the people from NMIMS wasn’t much biased and he said otherwise. I believe that it will not be much value addition if I do an MBA from there.

PR: Fine. So your college’s name has Commerce and Economics.

Me: Yes, Sir. Economics was one of the subjects in each year.

PR: You know about inventory right? So I’ll ask you on valuation.

Me: Sure, Sir. Accounting Standard – 2. Valuation of Inventory.

PR: Hmm. So what are the different ways of valuation allowed by AS2?

Me: Sir, FIFO and Weighted Avg.

PR: Why not LIFO? Is it just a direction without reason that we’ve to use FIFO or Weighted Avg?

Me: No, Sir. In fact, US GAAP allows LIFO. However, we’ve adopted a conservative approach in India. LIFO does not present a correct picture. FIFO or Weighted Avg gives a valuation closer to the correct market trend. In LIFO, the goods last in go out first. So the goods on books are old ones and there may be a scope of over-valuation as compared to current market prices.

PR: You’ve marked HR in the form too. So let me ask you. These companies like Infosys have Human Resource Accounting. How does it work?

Me: Sir, I’m not exactly aware. But I believe the valuation is on the basis of the age group of employees, a standard deviation measure taken to calculate the normal period that can be served and the salary payable for that period.

PR: That is an acceptable method.

GC: (Irritated) You’re a CA?

AP: Why have you not mentioned in your XLRI form?

Me: Sorry, Sir. I believe I must have if there was space for it. Can I see the form? (Seeing it) Sir, there’s only space for Post Graduation in the form. CA is a Professional Course. There wasn’t any space for that so I didn’t mention.

AP: CA is a post graduation too. You should have mentioned.

Me: Sir, I’ve done B.Com So M.Com could be a Post Graduation. ICAI doesn’t see CA as a Post Graduation.

AP: Never mind. So you Completed CA in 2011.

Me: Yes, Sir.

AP: So tell me. Who controls interest rate in India?

Me: The Reserve Bank of India.

AP: You're telling me that RBI decides the interest for banks?

Me: Actually, RBI does it indirectly. They set the CRR,..

AP: What is CRR?

Me: The balance that each bank is required to maintain with RBI.

AP: So CRR directs interest rate? What non-sense!

Me: Sir. I was completing my statement. CRR, SLR and Repo Rate decide the liquidity in the market and the balance that each bank has with itself to lend. There's a base rate of RBI too.

AP: There is no base rate for RBI.

Me: There is, Sir. I saw it on RBI site. I think it was 8.75%. Not sure. So basically, based on these, the banks have free funds to lend. And they won't lend below Repo Rate in order to make profits. So indirectly, RBI controls the interest rates.

PR: So you’ve done CA. Why do you want to do an MBA? No. You can’t learn much more than what you learn in CA.

Me: CA covers more of Accounts and Auditing. As regards to finance, only basics were covered in certain areas such as Derivatives and International Finance.

PR: If you want to learn more, do a certification.

Me: (Countering that) I’ll learn much more with an MBA than with a certification.

PR: How do expect to learn in XLRI?

Me: (Spoke about the faculty, learning from peers and started talking on case method pedagogy but cut short)

AP: So what is your area of interest?

Me: Sir, academic or otherwise?

GC: Both academic and otherwise.

Me: Sir, Economics and Financial Management in academics and Quizzing, Reading and Writing as hobbies.

AP: So tell me names of Nobel Prize for Economics.

Me: Sir, I can recollect Amartya Sen right now.

AP: Okay. So what did he win it for?

Me: I’m not sure, Sir.

AP: So in what all fields is Nobel Prize given?

Me: Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Medicine and Peace. It’s not there for Mathematics.

AP: Medicine? I don’t think so. No.

Me: Sir, Har Gobin Khurana got it in a Nobel Prize in Medicine. So I’m sure it’s given in Medicine.

AP: So who are the Indians who have won Nobel Prize?

Me: Umm. Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to win in Literature. CV Raman won it in Physics. Amartya Sen won it in Economics. Har Gobind Khurana won it in Medicine but he was an American citizen then. That’s all what I can remember right now.

AP: So no one in Peace for India?

Me: Aah. Mother Teresa for Peace.

AP: But she’s done nothing for Peace as such? Then why her?

Me: Sir, it’s not just give for world peace. It’s also given for service to Humanity. She helped people suffering from leprosy in Kolkata. Last year, European Union got it for Peace. And before that, Barack Obama got it for Peace too. So basically, it covers a wider scope including service to humanity.

AP: Why was Obama give Nobel Peace Prize?

Me: I don’t know.

AP: So why was Mahatma Gandhi not given Nobel Prize for Peace? He did so much for peace.

Me: Sir, he was nominated twice for the Peace Prize. Once in 1930s. But they didn’t give it to him back them. And they don’t give Peace Prize posthumously. In fact, I read about how the head of the Governing Committee said that his single biggest regret was not awarding Nobel Peace Prize to Mahatma Gandhi while he was alive.

AP: Which other awards similar to the Nobel are there?

Me: Sir, there is the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism, there is Magasasay Award and there is one more in Mathematics given by the Swedish Government. I'm not sure of the name.

GC: So which company are you interested in?

Me: (started talking about how I’ve not decided if I want to get into a particular company)

GC: No. I mean, which company do you follow?

Me: Umm. The Tata Group? (weird question)

AP: So tell me. Who was the first appointment by the present Tata chairman.

(I was little confused)

AP: Do you know who is the successor of Ratan Tata?

Me: Yes, Sir. Cyrus Pallonji Mistry.

AP: So who was the first appoint made by him after he became the Chairman of Tata Sons?

Me: I don’t know.

GC: (Muttering) And then you tell me that you follow Tata Group.

Me: Sorry Sir, but I don’t know this.

PR: So who is the Dean of NM?

Me: Sir, we don’t have a Dean. Mr. Sunil Mantri is the Principal of NM.

PR: So who is the Vice-Chancellor?

Me: We don’t have a Vice-Chancellor either.

PR: What? But isn’t it a deemed university? You got to have one!

Me: Sir, that’s for NMIMS. I was in NMCCE. It is affiliated to the Mumbai University, not a deemed university. Both are separate institutes but under the same management – Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal.

PR: Hmm. Okay. Fine.

AP: So who is the head of Armed Forces in India?

Me: The President.

AP: Okay.

Me: Sir, you want me to say the head of 3 branches of the armed forces?

AP: No. I just asked about the head. Don’t want to know the others.

GC: (Shoving today’s TOI under my nose) Read this? Can someone of his stature make such a statement? I don’t need to explain to you who Salman Khurshid is.

[It was about Salman Khurshid opposing the scrapping of chopper deal]

Me: Sorry, Sir. I don’t read this newspaper. So haven’t come across it. But I believe that it is inappropriate for any senior Govt minister to comment on this issue. The CBI has sent a team yesterday to Italy to investigate on the matter. So till we have a clear picture about the same based on a report from CBI, no Congress official should come out and say such things. And it certainly doesn’t suit a man of Salman Khurshid’s stature.

AP: So which out of ABC do you have? (Zoink! I never mentioned my CAT scores to them)

Me: A.

AP: Why not B?

Me: I think it's because of my academic records, Sir.

AP: (Seeing my form) Hmm. You've 50% in CA. So did you mention CA in your CAT form?

Me: Yes, Sir. There was space to mention both Post Graduation and Professional Courses. So I mentioned CA in Professional Course.

AP: Okay. That’s it. Do you have any question for us?

Me: No Sir.

AP: Okay. You can leave. Thank you.

Me: Thank you, Sirs.

SPJIMR - Feb 15

S P Jain Institute of Management Research

Date: Feb 15, 2013

Location: SPJIMR, Mumbai

Slot: 10am (M21A2 panel)

Group Interview I

Panel of 2: Both females

Participants: 6 (2 Fin, 3 Ops and 1 Marketing)

1)      How do you pronounce your name? Is the K in your name silent? Do everyone call you without pronouncing your name?

Me: Argh. No. And no.  People who know me well pronounce it properly, and for the rest, I correct them.

2)      We shall have a GD on advantages and disadvantages of Group Interview

Me: Last 5-6 minutes. Made about 3 entries. Moderately good in my opinion. There wasn’t much to discuss really!

3)      Tell me about yourself.

Me: The usual – Name, CA in first attempt, Graduation from Commerce with 81.86%, internship in a CA firm for 4 years, CFA L1 and FRM P1 and then the hobbies – reading, writing, Quizzing and sports.

4)      What is your CAT score?

Me: 99.41 in CAT and 99.44 in XAT

5)      You’re from NM. Did you apply for NMIMS? Why not? So you don’t rate the NM brand?

Me: (Argh!). No, I didn’t apply. NMCCE is different from NMIMS. I don’t rate the NMIMS programme on par with the top 10 and I’d want to pursue my MBA only from the top 10.

6)      You became CA in 2011 and this is 2013. You work somewhere? Why the gap?

Again, the usual - Internship, GMCS, Membership of ICAI, CFA & FRM, LLB (3rd year).

7)      Ops and Marketing guys being asked the difference between marking and ops with respect to a sandwich on the table. Asked if anyone else wanted to put in their views.

I started to put in my 2 cents but they asked the Marketing gal another question (Should have let me complete!?!)

8)      Why MBA after CA?

Same ghisa-pita answer.

9)      Are you aware that after becoming an MBA, you’ll lose your authority to sign balance sheet?

Me: (Duh!) I am aware. I’m not interesting in auditing and assurance or else I’d have continued at the firm where I did my internship.

10)   Any other questions that you’d like to ask?

Me: (Point blank) Ma’am, could you tell us about yourself? (:D) What subjects do you teach at SPJIMR?

Verdict: All 6 cleared the GI

Group Interview II

Panel: 2 (One was from the first batch of SPJIMR – Core Banking Guy, as introduced to us, and probably in SBI coz of the visiting in his hand) and other Bengali Professor

Participants: 6 (2 Fin, 2 IM and 2 Ops)

(All the questions directed to me were asked by the Banker)

1)      Tell me about yourself?

2)      Why the gap – 2011 to 2013?

Me: Blah blah blah!

3)      So you did Law? Why are you doing MBA? What does your father do? Where does he work?

Me: I believe it’ll be a good value added to CA. It’s not an academic pursuit.

4)      (This is where it gets weird) Only the two of us Finance guys were asked questions.

What field of specialization in finance would you like to pursue?

Me: Valuation, Derivatives and Alternative Investments

5)      Tell me one. (So mentioned derivatives)

So you think derivatives are going to do good in the next few years?

Me: I believe so. Indian markets don’t trade in enough derivatives as compared to the western countries, especially the USA. (Note: Should have specified OTC derivatives)

6)      I don’t think so.

Me: Sir, we haven’t seen much use for certain different types of derivatives in the markets. We have a lot of room for the growth of Mortgage Backed Securities and Credit Default Swaps.

7)      But you see what they did to the USA. Do you want them to do the same thing in Indian economy?

Me: No sir. I believe we’ve much regulated financial markets as compared to the US. The SEC wasn’t too attentive to the wrong doings in US and it led to the sub-prime crisis. We have SEBI and RBI who are much more stringent and they regulate the markets better.

8)      What is RBI’s stand on derivatives?

Me: I am not sure, Sir.

9)      So you would like to work in Equity-linked Derivatives or OTC ones.

Me: OTC.

10)   So tell me what advantages do derivatives bring in Indian market?

Me: Sir, they bring much higher liquidity to the market. And better liquidity, means higher scope of growth. (Note: Should have said how they help in managing risks by way of hedging)

11)    What do you think is better? Higher inflation or higher growth? Coz liquidity brings inflation too.

Me: If there is a higher growth, then a high inflation is manageable. In 2006-07, we had a very high inflation, but with growth of more than 9%, we managed alright.

12)   So what should we do to ensure we don’t face crisis due to derivatives?

Me: There are two important things. First, the credit ratings companies should be a stakeholder in the derivatives they rate. They should partly be made responsible for the rating they provide. And also, the companies selling the derivatives should be made responsible for the products sold such as guaranteeing a portion or something.

13)   And for foreign investors, what is the main reason that is holding them back?

Me: Political instability. (But we’ve only two parties consistently winning elections. We’re stable). Political stability with respect to the coalition and policies. For example, we’ve Congress wanting FDI in retail and then we’ve other parties not accepting FDI in retail. In fact, we’ve Bharat Bandh for FDI on Feb 20, 21. Comparing it to the US, the Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the bill that will push back the Fiscal Cliff.

14)   Pushed back by how many years?

Me:  Not sure but about 5 years.

15)   Don’t guess if you’re not sure. Since you seem to be following Fiscal Cliff and US, where is the major issue for contention that will arise in March?

Me: I don’t know. (Turns out, it was raising the debt limit)

16)   That’s all. You’ve any questions that you want to ask? Or say something that you didn’t have the chance to?

Me: Sir, I was expecting some questions on my hobbies too.

17)   No, I don’t want to question on your hobbies. It’s all in the form, isn’t it? Thank you. That will be all.

Notes: The 4 non-Fin guys weren’t asked anything later on. Mostly a couple of questions following tell me about yourself. But that’s it. The other Fin Guy (Engineer) was asked about the way he’s following markets and impacts of fiscal policies on market and stuff (excellent work there by the guy – he has IIM-B, IIM-I and IIM-K calls too). He was asked “What in finance?” and he said IB. Wasn’t certain about what in IB but said M&A, I think.

And then the SBI panellist turns on to me. I fumbled quite a bit during my answers and there was a lil’ beating around the bush. Missed out on making some important points in derivatives. I don’t think my answer were to the point and missed out on clarity. Not expecting to convert this call.

Notes of self: Could have done much better. But GIs aren’t my thing. Need to read a lot more on derivatives and the Indian Regulatory Framework. Should have gone on to Risk Management portion. Could have done much better with that as compared to Derivatives.

IIM Ahmedabad - Feb 10

Essay: A uni-polar world is better than a multi-polar world

Time: 10 minutes

Comments: Decent enough. I gave examples to both sides of arguments. Much satisfied about the output given that that topic was quite abstract and we were given just a minute to think about it.

Interview: 4th in Panel III

Panel of 2 : Satish Deodhar and Ravindra Dholakia (Both Eco professors)

Time: I think about 20 minutes. Not sure though.

SD: How do you pronounce your name? Doesn't it mean well-being?

Me: Yes Sir. Also, there was a poet after whom I was named - Kshemu Divetia.

SD: Where was he from?

Me: Gujarat, Sir.

(Seeing my form. RD wasn't in the room yet)

SD: So you got exact 50% in CA final. And isn't the passing score 50%? *laughing* What are the odds to doing that?

Me: *grinning* Quite low, Sir. But I've seen cases where people have got exact passing score in all 4 subjects of a Group.

SD: So what are the 4 subjects?

Me: Actually, there are 2 groups, each with subjects. *named them and the last one I named was IDT*

SD: So what is this concept of GST?

Me: The Government wants to codify the entire set of Indirect Taxes into one single bunch.

SD: So what are the different components of GST and why isn't it implemented yet?

Spoke giving examples of Excise and VAT. Opposition from State Governments since the revenue will cease at state level. Asked me if the States will not get any revenue? I explained how it will be distributed by centre to states. But each state has different system of charging. Gave an example of Alcohol - Maharashtra has higher taxation on alcohol as compared to Goa. Issues with states so to the distribution of tax for differential rates of taxation by states. 

*who decides what's under centre or state?* Spoke of 7th Schedule of Constitution - Union, State and Concurrent List. 

*Isn't Service Tax an IDT too?* Yes Sir, it is. I just gave 2 examples with Excise and VAT. *Recent inclusions in Service Tax?* I wasn't sure, but explained how Fin Min is adding more and more services to it. Also spoke in the middle of how Fin Ministry has time and again stated that we need higher IDT collection. *But isn't IDT 80% of Govt Tax Revenues and Service Tax is a recent phenomenon* Yes, but we're charging lower IDT as compared to Western countries. Govt had 10% Service Tax last year, 12% this year and there is a plan to gradually move to 16% with GST.

*So what is VAT?* Value Added Tax. Spoke of MVAT for Maharashtra and GVAT for Gujarat. 

*So what is Value Added in VAT*? It is the value added to each process of manufacturing. SD laughing *Even I know Value Added means addition of value to goods. Explain to me how it works*

Gave a satisfactory answer to how it is a tax on process of each goods provider. Example of manufacturer buying something for Rs.10. He pays VAT on it. He processes it and sells it for Rs.15. He collects VAT from Consumer. Get gets credit for VAT on 10 and pays a net tax. 

RD enters. More questions on Value Added. *So what all expenses are included in Value Added? Is it all the expenses? The value added is to what? We're already paying Taxation on Profits. Why pay double tax on Value Added?

Explained how value added is for the consumers. The tax is collected from the consumers by the manufacturers and paid to the Govt. Value added is only on the manufactured output. So all the expenses that are allocated to the inventory are a component of value added - Labour, RM and the likes. Selling, Distribution and Advertising expenses do not become a part of value added, although indirectly are a component by way of profit on CP of goods sold to customer. Tax is collected on the final SP to the customer.

RD: What is the difference between margin and mark up?

Couldn't explain satisfactorily. Explain that mark up was added on to Cost as profit to reach SP. But wasn't too sure on margin. Fumbled on to CP + Mark up - giving it to agency for sale where you ask for a specific margin on final sale. But stated that I wasn't able to give a clear explanation. (FIRST BLOOPER NOT KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE)

RD: So you aren't working anywhere?

Told him about my internship completing in end of 2011. GMCS that's compulsory for membership. CFA L1, FRM Part I. And decided to take up Law after my graduation while internship was on.

RD: Oh so you're doing CFA and FRM too. And which year of Law are you in? Still pursuing?

Yes. 3rd year of Law.

RD: So general questions on the Law college. Where is it? Where do I live? How do I commute? Evening or morning college? Traffic and how do I face it? Why take train if it's only one station?

RD: So you've been doing so many thing. I doubt you've time to pursue extra-curriculars and hobbies.

Spoke about my quizzing and writing. Told how I have written poems and articles. Have written for college mag to. *Asked me what do I write on?* Personal things. Also told him how I've written first chapter of a book that I intend to write. (Grinning) And dunno how long it'll take to finish but I'll. I want to give a dark ending.

RD: So which is the darkest book you've read?

Bartimaeus Triology. *He didn't seemed to have any idea, was looking at me lil' blank*. Sir, it's written by Jonathan Stroud. 7th book of HP was quite dark as compared to earlier ones. And if you go to the crime genre, Godfather by Mario Puzo was dark too. *No I don't want go to crime fiction*

RD: So you said you're into Quizzing?

Me: Yes Sir. I will participate in Tata Crucible next month too.

RD: So what's your forte? Corporate Quiz? Coz Crucuible is that.

Me: No Sir. Nothing specific. General quizzing. But I like Corporate and Sports. I've taken part in 2 corporate quizes and was the winner in one of them. But the Mumbai University quiz was a general one.

RD: And what was the result there?

Me: *smiling* Sir, I came 2nd.

RD: But now that we've mentioned Corporate, I'll ask you questions on that.

Me: *smiling Sure, Sir.

RD: Which is the largest company in terms of m-cap?

Me: In India or the World?

RD: Everything. Tell me about the world.

Me: Enron. (SECOND FAUX PAS).

RD looking quizzically at me and then at SD.

RD: It's the biggest? Despite it being shut years ago?

Me: (laughing) Sorry Sir. I made a mistake. I meant to say Exxon.

*both of them were laughing*

RD: So what is the m-cap of Exxon?

Me: I don't know, Sir. Wouldn't want to take a wild guess.

RD: It's $400 billion. And where is Apple?

Me: It's second. It was first, but it's now dropped to second.

RD: And why did it fall?

Me: *spoke on how it's faltering after Jobs. Issues with iPhone 4S and 5 sales. Not as per market expectations. This caused it to drop.

RD: Yes, it dropped in the quarter after iPhone 5 was released. So what is ratio of M-cap of Apple to Microsoft? 2 or 4 or what?

Me: I don't know, Sir. But I don't think Microsoft is there in top 10. Might be there in top 20 though. (ANOTHER FAUX PAS AS IT WAS 8th WHEN I CAME HOME AND CHECKED)

RD: So which is the 3rd ranked company?

Me: I don't know Sir. An oil major from China, GE and Chevron are few others in top ten.

RD: So when was Microsoft at No.1?

Me: Not recently. Not many good products since quite a while. May be when XP was released. But surely not in last 5 years.

RD: Yes, it was at the top 10 years ago.

Me: Yes Sir. That was it's peak. XP had been launched and it was doing great back then.

RD and SD: I think we're done. Thank you. Please take a chocolate before leaving. All the best.

(I picked up a Mentos with not mint in it. Empty wrapper)

Me (smiling): Oops. Sorry, Sir. This one is empty. I'll take another one then.

*Getting up to leave. Sees the folder in my hand*

SD: We haven't seen your folder. Please sit for a while so that I can see it.

Me (trying to win a lil' bonus): I'm also interested in sports Sir. I follow football regularly.

RD: So what team? Manchester United, Barcelona or what?

Me: Chelsea FC, Sir.

RD: So where is Chelsea on the table and what points?

Me: 3rd position. It was 46 points. We won yesterday. So it's 49 now.

RD: Who was it against? Scoreline? Goalscorers?

Me: Wigan Athletic. 4-1. Ramires, Hazard, Lampard. Marko Marin (in exact order :P )

RD: And who is at the top? Points?

Me; Manchester United. 62 points and they won so 65 (MINOR FAUX PAS)

RD: When did they play?

Me: Oh sorry Sir. They are playing tonight.

RD: So you're assuming they'll win?

Me: Yes Sir. I know they will.

RD: And who's third?

Me: Manchester City.

RD: So 12 points gap. There isn't any hope for winning the league then.

Me: It is a gap of 62-49 so 13. Ideally, there shouldn't be coz not many games left to recover the points. But unpredictable things have happened in football before so you can never say.

RD: Okay. That's it then. Thank you. Best of luck for your future. *SD shakes my hand*

IIFT - Feb 5

IIFT marks : 50.667

Interview Date:- Feb 5, 2013
Interview Centre:- Mumbai (Afternoon Slot - Group II)

Essay topic:- Approaches to ensuring full literacy in IndiaComments about your performance :- Pretty satisfied with what I wrote. Finished two sides well before the 20 minute limit.

GD topic and a description:- Justice delayed means justice denied or justice hurried means justice buried?

Lasted for about 30 mins. Thankfully, it didn't turn out to be a fish market. Everyone got a chance to talk. Made some nice points with statistics. Made 6-7 entries. Close ended topic so difficult to bring in a lot many perspectives. Overall, really happy with my performance.

Personal Interview:-
How do your pronounce your name?

What does your name mean?
Tell me about yourself?
What is Letter of Credit?
What are the different types of letters of credit?
Why is a letter of credit used?
What is the different between foreign exchange risk and foreign exchange exposure?
What are the different types of risk that a company poses?
What is a liquidity risk?
Why MBA?
What does an Investment Bank do?
What are the different services in Investment Banking?
What are your expectations from the budget?
Something about my low CA score. May be because you were into many things at same time.
What firm were you in?
Why not continue in audit? Why did you do audit?
What are your weaknesses?
Recent news that you read?
What percentage stake did Etihad take in Jet?
Who was the representative of Etihad who came here to negotiate?
Why 24%? What's its significance from legal, financial and regulatory point of view?
Difference between FII and FDI?
What documents regulate FDI in India?
Besides FDI Policy, what other documents regulate foreign investment by way of FDI?
If I was to invest in Abu Dhabi, what is the procedure?
What is UCPDC? (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits)
You watch movies? Which recent Hindi movies have you watched?
Do you read newspapers? Which one? Who are the editors of ET? How many columns are there in HT?
You are a CA. You want to be a manager. Give me three bullet points that separate a Manager from a CA.

Any other comments :- Interview lasted for about 15 minutes. The panel was pretty relaxed. 3 male members on the panel. Quite a few questions asked within 15 minutes. Had pretty much no idea about some questions such as the ones on Abu Dhabi investment, UCPDC, ones on newspapers, etc. Rest I think I managed to answer pretty well.