The UPSC Personality Test is the last step in the rigorous, year-long civil services examination (CSE) process. Candidates who made it through Mains now face a much more intense battle for a spot in the final list. In a little over 30 minutes, a candidate can gain a substantial advantage by performing well in the interview. So, getting the right guidance from a leading UPSC Coaching Centre in Chennai such as Chinmaya IAS Academy can be a huge difference maker in the end!
Many applicants need help acing the interview stage of the UPSC CSE. The former tests your information retention and compositional prowess, while the latter evaluates your verbal fluency and analytical wit. Your poise and assurance will speak volumes to the interviewers.
The IAS Interview, conducted by the UPSC, typically lasts 20 minutes and can get you into the cadre/service of your dreams. 275 out of 1750 marks are at stake in the interview- and you shouldn’t treat it like a formality.
Is It Really Difficult to Crack the Interview?
No way; if you go into the UPSC Personality Test with a positive mindset, the correct body language, understanding, and alert senses, you should have no trouble passing.
The best time to start studying for the interview is after the UPSC Mains, not when the results are released. There are several factors at play here, one of which is staying on top of news events as they happen. Staying in touch with current events makes you better prepared for the interview.
Secondly, the interviews are spaced out over a month, with two daily sessions and more than 2000 students being interviewed. You may be offered an interview time within the first week, which might unnecessarily stress you out. So, it is best to be prepared for such an eventuality. Make sure that you don’t go into the interview with preconceived notions based on the experiences of others.
Most UPSC Interview Questions are derived from the applicant’s information in the Detailed Application Form (DAF) filled after clearing prelims. This includes their primary interests, preferred service, and other similar details. Therefore, you should expect to be tested on your logic, presentation skills, and general awareness.
Some of the most prominent areas from which questions may be asked include:
- Your hometown, alma mater, and parents’ background.
- Questions about your major and your electives.
- Your professional interests and your previous work experience.
- Follow-up questions regarding the activities you listed in your DAF.
- Recent events of national and international importance
- Inquiries concerning the selection of a career track or branch of service
What Are the Soft Skills Needed at the UPSC Interview?
It is always good to enter the room with a pleasant smile on your face. Start by shaking hands with the chairperson and then the rest of the interview panel. If you aren’t told to, please avoid sitting.
The panel members typically arrange themselves in a circle around a table, and the candidate is expected to sit directly across from the chair. Although it may be awkward at times due to the proximity of the panel members on both sides of the candidate, maintaining eye contact is essential.
Tricks of The Trade You Need To Bear In Mind
- Never interrupt an interview board member; instead, wait for an interruption before responding.
- Avoid thinking about how to make a good impression on the interviewers.
- Avoid excessive conversation with other applicants while in the UPSC Interview room.
- Being slightly nervous is not a bad thing- it makes you more focused.
- Remind yourself that you are not alone in your insecurity- all candidates feel the same.
- Make sure your attire doesn’t attract unwanted attention- neither too flashy nor too bland.
- Politely stating that you don’t know the answer is okay- beating around the bush isn’t.
- Try to be as truthful as possible during the interview process.
- The mark of a good listener is a brief pause before responding to an answer.
- Never formulate responses before the question is put forward in its entirety.
- Instead of letting your emotions get the best of you, focus on acting professionally.
Tips by the Top UPSC Coaching Centre in Chennai
The board is interested in hearing your follow-up comments to questions of a factual nature. They bombard you with real questions to make you anxious. If you don’t know the answers, it’s okay. You will be tested on how well you can pick yourself up after a setback.
Don’t offer your two cents on the political climate or bash the administration or the opposition. If you feel you have said something inappropriate, it is always appropriate to add that your comments were merely your personal opinion and in no way reflect your work.
Get away from destructive individuals. When you go in for an interview, ensure you’re as fired up as possible. The habitual behaviour of pessimists is to spread their bad vibes to others. Consequently, it would help if you avoided these people in the days leading up to the interview.
Your knowledge of the syllabus and current events has already been tested in the Mains- it wouldn’t be put to test again in the personality test. In the interview, your characteristics are evaluated not directly but inferentially, from your answers to questions. Please exercise caution as you respond to the questions posed.
Once all panel members are satisfied, the chairperson will tell the candidate that the interview is over. Smile politely as you thank the moderator and the other panellists.
If a candidate finishes an interview and then returns to the area where other applicants are waiting, they will be asked to leave. After submitting the travel reimbursement form, candidates can leave the UPSC building and collect their belongings. The physical examination is scheduled the day after the interview and is carried out at specific hospitals in Delhi. The candidate will receive the same information on the interview day.
Don’t Give Up Hope!
Among those who aspire to work for the UPSC, a great deal of misinformation is floating around about personality tests. The advice given above should prove helpful. Don’t try to be anyone but yourself. Hold steady to your self-assurance and composure.
Make sure your subject line conveys the bare essentials. Consider the best possible outcome. It’s more important that you have a positive attitude. Remember that a good start is half the battle won! And well, seeking guidance from expert mentors and teachers at a UPSC Coaching Centre such as Chinmaya IAS Academy will always keep you in a good stead!
