MS/PhD/DPhD admissions June 2022

Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras

Instructions to the candidate:

We request the candidate to familiarize yourself with the online interview process and make sure
to take care of all the important points before the interview. Candidates should be ready for the
interview with the following requirements.

Requirements
1. At least 3G internet connection that supports video transmission.

2. At least one smartphone (preferably two); alternatively a webcam installed computer and
a smartphone. If this is difficult, we will make do with one smart phone only.

3. Ability to connect through googlemeet. Please visit <meet.google.com> to familiarize

yourself with this. (you can test this out with your acquaintances).

4. Install WhatsApp with the mobile number mentioned in your application. If WhatsApp is
on another phone number, please inform us of the number as this will play an important
part in your interview process by replying to this email. Note that if whatsapp is in another
phone, you need to keep both the mobile phones with you.

5. Several loose white paper and pen.

6. You should be seated in a place so that you can keep the paper in front of you and work
out the problems that will be posed to you. At all times, the camera should be placed in
front of you in such a way that the panelists can clearly see while you are working on the
problems.

7. Make sure that the place you are sitting is well lit so that your face is clearly visible during
the interview with no background glare.

8. It is preferable that the place be reasonably quiet to reduce ambient noise. It may be
necessary for you to close the doors and windows of the room.

Procedure

The procedure that will be followed during the online interview is being explained here so that you
can be ready with all the supporting technical requirements. There are two sections:

Procedure A: If you have two devices (1 camera enabled computer and 1 smartphone, or 2
smartphones), see page 2.

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Procedure B: If you have only one smartphone, see page 3.

Procedure A: The Interview process (If you have two devices - 1 camera enabled computer
and 1 smartphone, or 2 smartphones)

1. You will be informed beforehand whether your interview will be in the forenoon or in the
afternoon by email/whatsapp.

2. A googlemeet link will be sent to you approximately 2 mins before the interview by a TA
who will be in touch with you, either through email or by whatsapp. At this point, you
should join the meeting with your computer or smartphone and wait to be admitted. Note
that it may take some time as the interview panel will join the meeting after finishing the
interview with the previous applicant in the queue. At this point, you will not be able to see
anyone on the screen.

3. Once the panel admits you to the meeting, you will be able to see and hear the panelists.
The interview recording will start at this point.

4. At this point, you will also be included in a whatsapp group with the panelists.

5. Please join the googlemeet link with your second mobile device, which has whatsapp
enabled in it. The first mobile device will be in front of you so that whatever you are doing
is visible to the panelists.

6. Make sure that (a) the microphone in your second mobile device and (b) the audio in your
second mobile device is muted. Only the video should be enabled in the second mobile
device.

7. Questions will be asked by the panelists which will require you to work out on pen and
paper. The camera from your primary device (computer or smartphone 1) will always be
directed at you so that the panelists can see you while you are working on the answer.

8. You must hold the second smartphone in your hand so that the video of what you are
writing on the paper is visible to the panelists. [ If the internet connectivity does not allow
two video transmissions simultaneously, you can take photos of what you are writing on
the paper with your whatsapp enabled smartphone and share the photo with the whatsapp
group in which you have been included at the start of the interview].

9. At the end of the interview, you will be asked to log out of the google meet. You will also
be removed from the whatsapp group.

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Procedure B: The Interview process (If you have only 1 smartphone)

1. You will be informed beforehand whether your interview will be in the forenoon or in the
afternoon by email/whatsapp.

2. A googlemeet link will be sent to you approximately 2 mins before the interview by a TA
who will be in touch with you, either through email or by whatsapp. At this point, you
should join the meeting with your smartphone and wait to be admitted. Note that it may
take some time as the interview panel will join the meeting after finishing the interview
with the previous applicant in the queue. At this point, you will not be able to see anyone
on the screen.

3. Once the panel admits you to the meeting, you will be able to see and hear the panelists.
The interview recording will start at this point.

4. At this point, you will also be included in a whatsapp group with the panelists.

5. Please place the smartphone in front of you so that you are clearly visible.

6. Questions will be asked by the panelists which will require you to work out on pen and
paper. The camera from your primary device (computer or smartphone 1) will always be
directed at you so that the panelists can see you while you are working on the answer.

7. After working out - or if you are stuck - please take the smartphone and without logging
out from the googlemeet- take a photo of the paper on which you are working and send by
whatsapp to the group in which you were included at the start of the interview.

8. Place back the camera once again in front of you.

9. At the end of the interview, you will be asked to log out of the google meet. You will also
be removed from the whatsapp group.

Additional points

1. We understand that there might be power cuts or internet fluctuations at the time of
interview. Please inform us by whatsapp and we will reschedule your interview either on
the same day.

2. You are not allowed to leave google-meet midway during the interview, unless there is an
issue with the internet. If you have issues with google-meet, please report on WhatsApp.

3. A dry run of the interview process will be carried out by a TA a few days before the
interview using google-meet so that you understand the technical requirements. No

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 questions related to the interview are allowed during the dry run. Therefore, you are
expected to make the necessary arrangements immediately.

4. We expect the applicants will be attending the online interview in good faith without
resorting to any unfair means. The interview is a confidential process and the link to the
interview is not to be shared with anyone else. By accepting to appear for the interview,
you also undertake not to record the proceedings in part or in full, in any form, or share the
details of the proceedings with any third parties or in private/public platforms.

5. Please note that IITM may record the entire proceedings, if necessary.

6. Breach of these terms, cheating or use of any form of unfair means, will invalidate your
present application and you will be permanently barred from applying to IITM for any
programs, now or in the future. This may also lead to appropriate legal action by IIT
Madras.

7. Please reply to this email explaining in detail about any issues related to the above
requirements.