NATURE OF UPSC INTERVIEW
Nature Of UPSC Interview
- The Interview or Personality Test is the last leg of the evaluation of the suitability of candidates. Only candidates, who have qualified for the written examination appear in the Personality Test
- Interview are taken by a Board under the leadership of UPSC member with other members having experience serving in the administration.
- UPSC interviews involve a natural, though directed and purposive conversation where candidates are questioned on matters of general Interest. The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability and mental calibre of the candidates for a career in public service. Apart from intellectual qualities, social traits and interest in the current affairs of the candidates are evaluated.
- Some qualities to be judges are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership and intellectual, and moral integrity.
- Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their subjects of academic study, general issues in current affairs in their state and country, new developments and discoveries and modern currents of thought.
- Personality Test has a weightage of 275 marks out of the total 2025 marks on which candidates are ranked. Thus, the Interview makes up around 13.6% of the candidate’s total marks. However, if we analyse the final marks awarded to candidates, an interview makes up around 20 % of the marks a candidate can get. Candidates can get even 210 marks out of 275, unlike in GS papers where 40-45 % is considered very good. Thus, the significance of interview for final ranks and securing your dream jobs is very high.
Excelling in UPSC Interview
- Let us look at what can candidates do to excel in UPSC Personality Test.
Prepare for Interview-
- For Most candidates, UPSC Interview is probably the formal interview they are appearing in. Like any other exam, cracking the UPSC interviews demands a lot of practice and constant effort to improve on your shortcomings and improve to meet the demands of UPSC Board. Nowadays, a lot of practice mocks are available for candidates who simulate to control their nerves and anxiety, frame answers to expected questions and learn basic etiquette.
Expected Demeanour From candidates
- As the Board is evaluating the suitability of candidates for a career in Civil Services, candidates should have a board understanding of the virtues of a good civil servant and try to imbibe these virtues in their conduct before their Board. This demands high emotional intelligence and a strong personality of candidates. A pleasant demeanour reflects high EQ and ability to the face of pressures. Think of situation where you are in police and a terrorist attack or riot is going on. A civil Servant is expected to be calm and garner the best response in all adversity. The same is expected in the Interview as well.
Controlling Nerves
- Broadly, the candidates should think of the interview as an interaction and not a cross-questioning. They should not be over-enthusiastic and try to overall themselves, often seen in high achievers. Candidates should remember that thousands have already served government in various capacities. At the same time, candidates should also underestimate themselves, often done by candidates who have modest academic records and come from rural backgrounds. UPSC is looking for civil service like qualities and aptitude which has very low correspondence with one’s past achievements.
Preparing the Detailed Application Form (DAF)-
- DAF forms the X-ray of a candidates. Civil Servants are expected to be thorough with their past, know about the places they have lived, and details of their of their academic background, hobbies and work experiences. A bare basic is to read about the Wikipedia page of all these. Questions will surely be asked on these topics, and candidates should be prepared.
Prepare current affairs & new developments
- A civil servant is the eyes and ears of the government. They should always keep their eyes open and have an analytical outlook towards developments taking place in their state, at the national level and global levels. Thus, candidates are expected to be thorough with developments. They can do this by following a national newspaper of repute and a local regional newspaper.
Never Guess
- A career in Civil Services comes with very high responsibilities. Think pf a situation, when you are planning India’s COVID response and you make decisions on your gut feelings. Disaster is a surety. Hence, candidates should never take a guess and always base their answers on objective analysis. If the candidates is not sure, he should ideally admit to the Board that he does not know the answer.
