So, all those long hours of hard work, relentless determination, and hard slog, supported by your unwavering faith and belief, standing firm on strong confidence, the number of years appearing and reappearing, every time, now converge at one point—the interview, the Last Attempt at the Union Public Service Commission. That, friends, is the life of an aspirant at the UPSC CSE. As a young student with an urge to be a dedicated and committed officer, this journey goes through the final chapter with nerves held steady and fingers crossed, giving their best.

In popular parlance, facing the UPSC interview or the 'Personality Test' is the most vital stage of preparation on the way to becoming a civil servant. The interview, respectively, is a final characteristic step in unceasingly struggling with books and passing both the Preliminary and Main Examinations, in which you have been successful already. The interview is not so much about testing knowledge as it is about testing one's personality, mannerisms, and suitability for service to the public.

Beginning with the two phases of the Preliminary Exam, you have GS I and GS II (also known as CSAT). Pressing further, you resort to the difficult roads of the Mains. After having overcome those odds, now you face the last challenge of your life: the UPSC interview, the most coveted interview in the world. Ever wondered why the UPSC interview is said to be one of the finest tests of personality, intellect, and integrity? Heck, it's because it is the gateway—one aspires to become an IAS, IPS, IFS, or IFoS officer, some of the most coveted jobs. But the reason for the actual prestige attached to it is that it acts as a gateway to participating in one of the most complex democracies in the whole world.

 

In "The Final Call: Guide to UPSC Interview Preparation," we bring to you some of the most important strategies, insights, and suggestions that will assist you in acing this final stage. This will help you from understanding the expectations of the interview panel down to the pseudo-art of communicating with confidence. Whether you are a first-time candidate or want to improve over a previous attempt, this very blog will put you on the roadmap to acing this crucial step with very poised and moulded preparation.

Now it's time to dive in and make your last call impactful.

 

Interview: The Last Mile

Before the tips come let's get the understanding of what UPSC expects from us in the interview (the basic understanding or the basic thought process for interviews is the same). 

●      Personality and attitude: The panel looks at your general deportment, attitude, and how you treat others as would be expected of a future officer of the country.

●      Communication Skills: Judging the candidate based on his/her well-framed and effective thoughts.

●      Honesty and Ethical Standards: They never remain satisfied with their questions about your past and present; instead, they keep probing by posing various situational questions until they get fully satisfied in terms of honesty, integrity, and ethical sense.

●      Leadership and decision-making abilities: Officers are considered future leaders, for it is they who help in forming the country's major decisions. Hence, there is a requirement for evaluating the potential to lead and take balanced, well-reasoned decisions.

●      Awareness and Intelligence: It would test the awareness of prevailing conditions, reasoning, and intellectual depth of the candidate.

●      Mental Alertness and Critical Thinking: How does the candidate react to a question or situation that could provide surprise—a mental agility adaptation problem-solving response?

●      Suitability for Public Service: In the end, ascertaining if the candidate has the abilities and qualities is necessary to be effective in the public sector.

 

"Survival of the Fittest" by Charles Darwin describes the environment of competition in the UPSC interview very well. But, in the interview, it becomes the best fighting the best. The only objective behind the UPSC interview is the personality test, which is to assess the suitability of a candidate for a career in civil services. In these aspects, UPSC tries to choose the candidate not only with the knowledge aspect but also with suitable personality traits and ethical standards so that the candidate would serve as a good civil servant and positively carry out the duties meant for the governance of the country. They aim to select those who are fit and potent to become officers, eager to serve the country with devotion and discipline.

 

The Final Call, Road to LBSNAA

Now, having reached this juncture, I am sure the pressure is on, right? Fret not, dear aspirants; you are not alone! Let's now understand in detail the strategy and some very useful tips that will surely come in handy during the personal interview and help prove to be the gateway to realising the dream of service toward this country.

• Know the detailed application form: Be very well versed in your form, as questions can be asked from what you have written. Last but not least, the panel generally focuses on one's areas of expertise, so do not write anything about which you are not confident or sure. This is very generic but applies to all interviews, not just UPSC.

• Stay Updated: Stay abreast of current affairs, national and international issues, government policies, and recent developments. This should be an inbuilt habit for a daily routine since you are future government officers. Be ready to be evaluated on this aspect.

• Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews to get the best taste of the actual interview in advance, become comfortable with the format, and receive feedback on your performance.

• Work on Communication Skills: Practice expressing yourself clearly and to the point. Be confident yet respectful in your demeanour. Whenever you answer, pause for a while and then speak. This will ensure a correct and relevant answer.

• Be Honest and Authentic: This is the real test of your personality; don't run after creating a pseudo-positive impression. Be honest in your answers, and don't try to cook things up.

• Be authentic: Authenticity is well respected in an interview. Don’t create a fake self to create impressions on the interviewers.

• Revise your Optional subject: This can turn out to be your favourite's strength. Revise your Optional subject, especially newer developments and fundamental studies.

• Stay calm and Composed: It is only human that you become anxious, but more importantly, realise that it can further spoil your interview. Remember to maintain your composure the entire time the interview is going on. Reticence shouldn't become your downfall.

• Be Upbeat: Acknowledge that you are here for this interview because you earned the right to be there. Approach the interview with a positive mindset. Believe in yourself and in your abilities.

• Listen intently: Don't give them a single chance or vibe that will make them think you are not worthy of being selected for the post. Listen to the questions of the interview board carefully and clearly. In cases of ambiguity, never feel an inch of hesitation to clarify things.

• Practice time management: The interviewee has to divide his time quite equally during the interview. He must avoid making a long speech in reply; he must be brief and to the point.

• Understand the Question: First, understand what question is asked of you, and then go ahead with the answer. It is natural to take some time before answering the question.

• Be Respectful: The interview panel members are looking for an insightful conversation with an aspirant like you. They are there to make the situation critical and assess you correctly. Do not panic and maintain a gesture that shows you are equally involved in the conversation. Make eye contact and speak to them in a kind manner.

• Review your biodata: Review the educational background, work experience, hobbies, and interests mentioned in the application form.

• Be Yourself: Let your personality be the x factor. Allow yourself to act naturally during the entire interview.

 

The UPSC interview is the ultimate test of your personality and demeanour. It not only tests your knowledge and fundamentals but also evaluates how prepared your profile is to begin a career as a civil servant. You may possess all the knowledge, but if you are unable to deal with questions asked with the required amount of confidence and proper body language, it may badly affect your performance. So be well prepared and enter the interview room confidently and determinedly.

The day of the interview is monumental in the lives of UPSC aspirants. Whether it goes across the line or not, the day becomes an unforgettable experience for any aspirant.

 

Here are some tips, especially for interview day:

• They say that the first impression is the last impression: Dress formally and arrive early. Keep a calm and composed body language, which speaks about your confidence and self-belief.

• Confidence is Everything: One needs to have belief in himself and his preparation. Feel confident; reflect that in the body language and tone of voice.

• Listen very carefully: Listen to the question very carefully before you start answering. Spend some time thinking about it, pause and then go for the answer.

• Be Respectful: Maintain a humble and respectful attitude. Greet the panel members with a smile on your face, showing them that you are a person of integrity first before becoming a civil servant.

 

The written exams are behind you, and with the mountain of textbooks conquered, the final hurdle is left: the UPSC interview. This isn't just any test; it's your chance to persuade that panel of distinguished gentlemen that you possess the intellectual calibre, moral integrity, and inner drive to be one of the future top leaders in India's civil service. Be focused, be determined—what is going to mark the journey right from its very start here shall be excellence, integrity, and the spirit of service in your becoming a civil servant. Good luck, one and all, aspirants, for the journey ahead!

 

 

Parth Saarthi Mentorship