Interviews
What Happens in the Interview?
The Personality Test is the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, which evaluates the candidate’s suitability for administrative roles. The interview panel comprising of eminent government officials from different sectors, assesses the basic personality attributes like candidate’s body language, communication skills, honesty and vision along with some critical traits like mental alertness, power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social unity and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity. So, it is imperative to be well-prepared, confident and eloquent while answering questions so as to impart a positive impression.
The interview generally lasts for about 20 to 40 mins. The questions will be in a discussion mode between the panel and the candidate. The panel examines the inherent personality of the candidate rather than only knowledge (as it has already been tested in the mains and preliminary exams). Along with the 1750 marks of MAINS exam, the Interview adds 275 marks and holds significant importance in the overall ranking and can transform one’s life.
You will be given hypothetical situations where you have to propose the possible right action as an IAS/IPS/IFS officer, your opinion on various trends will be analysed. Your morality and honesty will be assessed. Some of the questions that can be asked could on the modern as well historical perspective on various topics. It is quite possible that a candidate might not know everything and anything about that particular topic. The panel will judge you on the basis of your capabilities of tackling that situation and how you add your values to the matter. This needs practice and honesty along with daily news reading and analysing.
- PERSONALITY IS THE KEY.
- The candidate must know how to perform in the personality test and what needs to be avoided.
- Small things may have a huge effect on the interviewer. Understanding these small details needs regular practice and evaluation.
- The main goal of the interview is to evaluate the candidate’s potential for having good administrative abilities. The panellist’s purpose is to evaluate a candidate’s personality for civil service, not to test their knowledge.
- MOCK INTERVIEWS are not always enough. Verbal discussion on a regular basis about various topics with the appropriate mentor is crucial for this. Personality development is not so difficult if you are sitting in front of the correct mentor.
Tips to prepare for the PERSONALITY TEST
1. Know Your Application Form
Everything you mentioned in your DAF, be it the implication of your name, you school, educational institute or your residence, might be discussed in the interview. So, read your form multiple times, jot down all possible questions and prepare concise answers.
2. Views On Current Events
In this case, your overall preparation holds importance. Do not forget to stay updated about the current affairs topics after MAINS exam as sometimes, aspirants in the anticipation of the MAINS result can’t focus on the news and the panel might ask you something from that period as well.
3. Appropriate Response to Hypothetical Situations
You might be given hypothetical circumstances where as an IAS/IPS/IFS officer you would have to tackle that situation. So it would be expected from you that before appearing for the interview, you have studied about the duties and obligations of an officer. Your response to the queries must fall within the limits of your rights.
4. Body Language
While responding to the queries, you should stay calm and composed, be confident, and be honest if you are unsure of the answers. You may politely skip the question by saying, I’ll have to read more about it, “I’ll have to take it for now”, etc.
5. Verbal Communication
Try to be articulate while responding to the questions. The interview panel examines how you talk and what words you choose to convey your notions.
6. Attire
Formal attire is best for the interview. To seem professional, males can wear dark pants and a light-coloured shirt and female candidates can go with a plain saree or churidar.
7. Be Honest
Don’t make up your answers with false facts; as they’ll figure it out immediately.
Know Your DAF
- Introduce yourselves in terms of your Education and Job profile.
- There is a gap between your last degree and recent employment. Did you retain your knowledge?
- Which subject was your favourite/least favourite and why?
- Why did you choose ‘ABC’ college?
- What kind of projects did you prefer during school/Graduation/PG?
- Would you call yourself an average/brilliant student? Why?
- What is the most important news currently in India?
- You have scored good marks in Graduation. Why didn’t you pick that subject as Optional?
- Why do you want to shift careers?
- Tell me about your parent’s Job profile?
- What is special about your State?
- You have done lot of cultural activities, what is culture according to you?
- Can language be considered as a part of culture?
International Status
- Do you think that our stand in Russia-Ukraine crisis was derived from our ancient philosophies based on which we have grown as a nation.
- India’s relations with its neighbouring countries has become very dynamic under the shadow of China. What do you think?
- How can presidency of G20 help in economic development of India?
- What is the significance of G20 presidency?
- Do you think that the sudden bitterness in India- Canada relationship post G20 Presidency would impact India’s position in global order?
- Growth of Regional Organisations in post covid era will impact the Multilateral Organisations?
- How do you see addition of African Union to G20 Group impacting India-Africa relations?
- Nepal is sandwiched between two major Asian superpowers. How do you see this?
- The growing significance of Regional Organisations in the Indo-Pacific will counterbalance the hegemony of China?
- Post Covid how would the growth of regional financial institutions challenge the supremacy of World Bank Group.
- Do you think that the growth of trade in Regional Currencies would whitewash the supremacy of Dollars in the coming decade?
Scientific Status and Environmental Issues
- In your opinion, how is India doing in terms of scientific development? Will this modify the per capita income of our country?
- Which is good – afforestation or no deforestation?
- Give 3 advantages of success of CHANDRAYAAN 3.
- How can climate change impact INDIA?
- Do you recall about any step taken by India to enter the niche scientific market of developed countries?
- SEMICON INDIA- what is it? And what could be the challenges faced?
- How do feel about solar geoengineering?
- In your opinion how well is SpaceX doing? What is your say on the extent of liberty provided to it?
- Science and technology can have both good and bad effects on the environment globally. Developed countries like US, UK, CHINA or RUSSIA consider themselves to be scientifically developed and come up with certain highly evolved technologies for their country that could impact the global concerns as well. Do you think such decisions should be taken by the country alone?
Ethics and Personality
- Do you know Chitra Ramkrishna?
- How do you feel about the regional language divide that has spiked in recent years?
- What are your thoughts on caste based reservation system of India?
- What developments do you prescribe are required in your state and why? Do you mean to say that the present government is not working efficiently?
- We are stepping towards MARS and MOON. Still there are grassroot level issues that our countries faces. What is you say on it?
- We have potholes on road and dirty trains? Don’t you think it’s better to invest in proper road and railway infrastructures rather than focussing on AI or space missions?
- The government has promoted privatisation in many sectors? What is you say on it?
- What do you think- Can Ethics be taught?
- You’re an officer and your senior tells you to accept money to grant a contract. How will you deal with this? You’re not an authority. If you complain your promotion will be stopped. Your ACR will be negative. Then what will you do?
- Many couples are nowadays reluctant to grow their family. What do you think could be the reason behind it? As a society, what could be the long term repercussions of this?
- Government v/s private- which is better in terms of education and career?
- Earlier we used to take attendance of children. Now we have to take attendance of teachers. Where are we going as a country?
- If you become the SDM of a district, you are busy in family life and there are law & order situations happening in your district. The SP goes and takes care of it without telling you about it or keeping you in the loop. What will you do?
- What can be done to promote local languages which are being lost?
- If you become the prime minister of the country, what are the 3 areas you would work on and what will you do about that?
- What is your opinion on social media? How can Social media be regulated better?
- Do you think that the subjects you studied during school/graduation are relevant to life in administration?
- You have been serving as ‘XYZ’ in the ‘ABC’ department? What were your roles and responsibilities at your job? What have you learnt there that can be useful in IAS/IPS/etc.?
- Why do you want to become an IAS/IPS/IFS officer?
- Do you think women should be given reservation in Parliament?
- Law is not effective always. Why? Is law futile?
- Famous philosopher from your state?
- Do you think philosophy and religion are same? What is the basis of religion?
- Don’t you think IAS can help in serving the nation better than IFS?
- What’s your Plan B if you don’t get through?
- Where all have you travelled and what do you like about travelling?
- Who is your woman role model and why?
- Should prostitution be legalized?
Society and Governence
- Don’t you think Child Abuse is in the rise in society? How can we work in this regard?
- Can the doctors/healthcare service providers be sued under Consumer Protection Law? Is it appropriate to sue them?
- Tell me some laws related to the health sector.
- What is surrogacy? It’s importance to medical tourism in India? Why do people prefer India as a destination for surrogacy?
- What does the Surrogacy law propose?
- What is rash and negligent driving?
- Is banning liquor stores on highways effective?
- Euthanasia. Your opinion. Which type of euthanasia is currently allowed in India?
- Norway and many African countries are rich in natural resources, yet there is a stark difference in their development. What is the core reason for that?
- What is digital divide? Which sections of India is a part of this divide? How to solve it?
- How poverty can be eliminated in India?
- Tell me about India’s position in Global Hunger Index.
- Schemes of the government of your state for increasing agriculture. Any schemes of the central government.
- Law causing social change or social change influencing law. Which is the correct way?
- In which state in India is the status of women the best?
- What is the difference between matrilineal and matriarchal society?
- What is the main issue in Kashmir?
- What is the role of diplomats in the governance sector today? With such resource crunch do you think diplomats today can counter major economies?
- How will you as an administrator help establish normalcy in Kashmir?
- Female labour force participation in India is very low – how can we tackle this?