IIT GUWAHATI INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

I got a call for interview from IIT Guwahati to be held on 7th June 2010 for Ph.D Program. I was facing the first Ph.D interview of my life just after doing my B.Tech. So this was a matter of pressure.
All my competitors were Masters Holders and I was just a Bachelor. I had applied here for control systems.
When I entered the interview hall the interviewers said you have just finished your Bachelors. Without having a Masters Degree how can you achieve excellence in research?
I said achieving excellence depends on mind set up of the candidate and I am destined to pursue a research oriented career.
Then they asked a lot of questions about B.Tech project.
Then came the time of questionnaire of control systems.
1. Why is PI controller beneficial for control systems?
2. Why we seldom use PID controllers?
3. Write the state space equations and solve.
4. What is LTI System?
5. What do you mean by State Transition Matrix?
6. How does STM affect the System output?
7. Name a few Devices where state may change internally without any Input.
8. What do you mean by a Stable Stable.
9. What are the different Types of Stability?
10. In Exponential stability what is the constant beta called?

Interview Experience (IIT Kharagpur) M.Tech

Name: SOUMEN MANDAL.
GATE ROLL: EE 6019244.
AIR: 1690
Fortunately I was called for interview on 17th May 2010 to be held at IIT Kharagpur GATE Office. I was the first candidate to be called by the interview board.
There were two members in my board one gentleman and other a lady.
Initially they judged my research aptitude and asked me Why I want to pursue M.Tech.
Ans: I said : I had an ambition for research from the very beginning of my professional career.
Then he asked why dont u go for Ph.D?
I said definitely I will pursue it if I get a chance.
Then they asked abt the stream. My first choice was Control Systems. They said Control is Completely saturated and it is very difficult to pursue research in it. Why do you want to pursue research in this field?
Ans: Due to 2 reasons:
1. Because it is my ambition.
2. Although it is difficult but to cope and stand amidst difficulties alone paves an unique and great career.
They were quite satisfied.

Now came the Time of Final Year Project. Friends be very thorough in this matter. And one absurd question they did ask: What new research hav u done in your project?
Ans: My project was: "Direct Vector Control of PMSM using Fuzzy Logic Controller". I boldly answered nothing new research sir but my project was such that I could learn a lot of topics which are essential topics of M.Tech curriculum. They were quite satisfied.

Now the final round. They asked very basic questions like we all read in +2:
1. What are random numbers.
2. What is Faradays Law and Lenz Law. Why do we ignore the negative sign caused due to Lenzs law in mathematical calculations.
3. What is the principle of synchronous motor? Why there is a locking between stator and rotor magnetic flux?
4. Define Hysterisis.
5. What is Permeability, Retentivity, Susseptibility, Coercivity.
6. What is Ohms law. Give the mathematical equation.