An Expert’s Guide to UPSC Interview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE), also identified as the IAS exam, each year. The primary objective of this test is to fill coveted positions in India’s most prestigious government posts. The IAS test is known to feature a rigorous course that is both difficult and eye-opening. It takes years for students to prepare and pass the examination process, which includes the Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test. As the last step of the CSE, aspirants must be conscious of tips and tactics on how to ace the UPSC IAS Interview.

An IAS Interview lasts approximately 20 minutes, and aspirants are asked questions about a variety of topics. IAS Interview questions depict dialogue between the interview panel and the aspirant. The UPSC IAS interview board may be intimidating, but an aspirant having self-confidence and the correct soft skills may easily ace the personality test with the correct facts and knowledge.

UPSC Interview Tips

Initial impressions

The initial impression is irrelevant in this stage of the examination. The intermediate impression impacts how you portray yourself while talking and how you conduct yourself. The questioner’s memory will not be shaped by how you arrived. You piqued their interest, and now you have their complete attention. Make an effort to get their “undivided attention”.

• Greet everybody as you enter, according to their genders; do not greet them all at once.
• Ask before you take a seat, and be a gentleman or lady. Request permission and sit upright yet slightly leaning.
• Always keep a smile on your face but ensure that it does not make you appear like a casual person.

Body language

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the answer to some questions of the interviewer, but it does matter a lot how your body language makes you look in front of the panel.

• Sit up straight and avoid fidgeting excessively; they are skilled experts who can detect nervousness.
• Lean a bit forward so as to showcase yourself as being attentive.
• As long as the interview is going on, don’t cross your arms or legs. Maintain vigilance and avoid becoming drowsy.
• Don’t loiter at your desk; instead, take your arms in your lap.
• Keep a poker face in stressful situations, which means don’t display your anxieties or predicaments in your expression.
• Maintain a bright and healthy grin.

Right attitude and behaviour

Bring no predetermined concepts, philosophies, or egoistic preconceptions with yourself. Come in, meet them, close the doors without turning your back on them, and be as professional as possible. One’s body language depicts one’s attitude and personality. Work on it since we know that most of the individuals here are unable to work through their emotions while being professional.

Communication is the key

Ideas, thinking, upbringing, mindset, and overall concreteness of the thoughts all contribute to communication. People’s interpersonal skills are the most lacking. Communication encompasses becoming fluent, rich in ideas, and presentable.

• Every day, converse in front of a mirror.
• Read newspapers out loud (something you already do while studying for the CSE Interview and examination).
• Utilise your arms to demonstrate the depth of your thinking during the Interview.
• Make your ideas acceptable and thorough.
• Speak clearly and fluently, without pause or fidgeting.
• Understand that the best way to handle a complex topic is with a simple yet thorough response.
• It helps to have a good sense of humour and the capacity to laugh at yourself.

Last impression

• Finish on a strong note with a wonderful line or your most profound thinking. A few words from your favourite author or public servant can go a long way.
• Stand up without turning around and shake their hands in the customary Indian manner.
• Take two steps back while facing them, after which turn around and return to the doorway.
• When closing the door behind you, keep your back to them and grin at them. No, you won’t appear desperate just make sure you don’t smile unpleasantly.

UPSC Interview Don’ts

The CSE Interview determines whether you have been qualified for the final merit list or not. To achieve a respectable ranking, you must avoid making any mistakes. Now that you have understood what to do, let’s take a look at what to absolutely avoid.

• Aspirants are frequently advised to remain calm and composed on the day of the assessment. Also, don’t devote far too many hours to revision the day prior and on the day of the UPSC CSE personality test. Bear in mind that they’re not meant to put most of your academic knowledge to the check. But it’s all about how well you address every question and whether or not you’re serious.
• It’s also critical to maintaining your physical look. Avoid putting on a lot of makeup for the interview. Avoid using strong deodorants or scented products too. Also, avoid wearing freshly sewn clothes since they may be uncomfortable.
• Don’t be worried if you come across candidates who seem to have even more knowledge or expertise than you. Everyone at the Interview venue is worthy of being there.

Points to Remember

• The panellists will test your reactions under pressure by asking you a sequence of brainteasers. They can ask you 3 to 4 things in a row, and you might have no idea what to say! Keep your composure and say, “I don’t know, ma’am/sir.” Always understand that honesty is the best policy. Respond to the outstanding questions affirmatively.
• While you’re being queried about government politics, some of the panellists might well interrupt you. Prior to actually adding any potential challenges or solutions for continuing forward in the situation, listen intently before proceeding, and always explain the government’s stance. Listening to the interviewer is just as important as speaking!
• The board chairperson will ask you to leave once all of the panellists have done questioning you. Keep in mind that your departure should be just as graceful as your arrival. So, smile at the board chairperson and the other panellists before leaving the Interview room.
• Finally, you are permitted to proceed to the waiting area where other aspirants are present after your interview is complete. Collect your belongings, fill out the travelling allowance (TA) form, and leave the venue as soon as possible.

Aspirants must keep in mind that the Personality Test is the final stage of the examination process; to qualify for that, one must prepare well and pass the stages prior to that. Aspirants can make use of various upsc free materials to aid their UPSC Civil Services Examination studies.

While all these tips mentioned above are important, make sure that you still act naturally in the Personality Test and not someone who is just trying to adhere to the instructions provided here.