Hi,

I had my visa interview yesterday (21.05.19) at Chennai consulate for an employment visa. Regular questions were asked like company name, my qualifications, etc but at the end of the interview my passport was returned to me and visa officer said that I will receive an approval email with next steps to follow. 

I would like to know why my passport was returned and none of my originals were kept by the consulate. Is this normal process or does it mean something else?

I did not have experience getting an employement visa directly from embassy, but I want you to know that returning your passport to you immediately after interview does not automatically mean a negative result or denial. 

Have you submitted any copy of your documents to them already? 

Karthik, unlike US Visas, most of EU countries do not hold passports. They first take decision, ask you come back with passport (sometimes by post) and stamp it.

They have asked me to submit my passport and travel insurance after 2 days from the date of the interview. Hopefully, that means everything is good.

Thanks,
Karthik

Absolutely. Congratulations and welcome to Germany (hopefully soon)