UPSC Interview 2024: Syllabus, Strategy, and Sample Questions

Significance of the UPSC Interview:

Comprehensive syllabus for the UPSC interview regarding the personality test (PT) or interview:

Syllabus of UPSC Interview: A Comprehensive Overview

Part 1 of Syllabus:

• The candidate will be interviewed by a Board that will have before them a record of his/her career
  • This highlights the role of DAF in the personality test. 
  • One must be thorough with the DAF details including work experience, career records, and past achievements.
• He/she will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
  • One must have a good hold over current affairs and contemporary issues in a global and national context.
  • The role of newspapers becomes important in this aspect.
  • Ideally one must be well aware of global news, national issues, and regional news from where he/she belongs.
• The objective of the UPSC interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. 
• • The focus should be on managing stress in the interview.
  • One can expect tricky situations that require situational awareness and a positive mindset.
• The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. 
• • One needs to understand that the words ‘calibre’ and ‘alertness’ are emphasised here. 
  • It means whether a person is able to think on the spot and answer various questions. 
  • Another factor that the interview board checks are whether the person has a natural interest in things around them so that he/she is able to analyse things from all points of view before taking a stand. 
• In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only his/her intellectual qualities but also social traits and his/her interest in current affairs.
• • This requires a positive and objective attitude towards social issues and prevailing problems. 
  • A well-balanced analytical solution is expected from the candidate
• Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, a balance of judgment, variety, and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
• • The board expects characteristics like Aptness, logical expression of thoughts, and a well-balanced multi-dimensional viewpoint over any topic.
  • Along with this, the candidate is expected to possess leadership qualities through innovative solutions.

Part 2 of Syllabus: 

• The technique of the UPSC interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed, and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
  • The interview process is not a one-way communication in the form of question-answer format.
  • Rather it is a collaborative and collective conversation where a candidate is given the opportunity to display his analytical skills, leadership qualities, and good communication skills

Part 3 of Syllabus: 

• The UPSC interview test is not intended to be a test of either the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates which has already been tested through their written papers
  • The focus should be on clarity of thought and expression and not just good knowledge because the latter is already tested in the Prelims and Mains examination. 
• Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own state or country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should arouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.
• • The Interview Panel will check the academic calibre of students which includes their hold on topics covered in Graduation and Post-Graduation
  • Along with this, the panel will also check the curiosity of candidates with respect to new discoveries happening in the world.
  • Moreover, the candidate should be well aware of events which are happening around them. This needs to be covered at a regional, national, and global levels.

UPSC Interview: Sample Questions

• Questions on Personal Insights: Assessing the Candidate for UPSC Interview
  • Tell us about you briefly.
  • Tell us about your hometown.
  • Tell us about your family.
  • What are your weaknesses and strengths?
  • What inspires you to pursue a career in the civil services?
• Questions on Education and skills: Evaluating the academic journey of a candidate for the UPSC interview
  • Can you tell us about your educational qualifications?
  • Which is your favourite subject and why?
  • Why do you choose “XYZ” college?
  • What was your topic of academic project during graduation?
  • Would you call yourself an average student? Why?
  • Rate your technical skills on a scale of 1-10.
  • Explain the application of your technical knowledge in XYZ sector to improve the current scenario (Ex: Use of Machine Learning in Agriculture Sector) 
• Questions on the UPSC Interview on World and National Issues
  • What are a Few important issues in the news about India/your state / your hometown in the last few years or months?
  • What are the major economic challenges facing the country today?
  • What is your opinion on the recent Israel-Palestine war?
  • What are your opinions on the recent changes made to the education system in the country?
  • Which country has won the Cricket world-cup maximum number of times?
  • Interviewers want candidates to be well-informed about current affairs and must know about the latest topics.
• Questions on Optional Subjects in the UPSC Interview
  • Why did you choose the “XYZ” subject as optional?
  • Why didn’t you pick your graduation subject as your optional?
  • How relevant is your optional subject in the current socio-economic scenario of India?
  • How will your optional subject help you in your role as a civil servant?
  • How will you utilize your knowledge of your optional subject to address developmental challenges in India?
  • How will you plan to integrate your optional subject with your core responsibilities as a servant?
  • What is the scope of research in your optional subject?
  • Can you give us an example of how your optional subject can be applied in a practical scenario?
• Questions on Hobbies: Evaluating the Candidate’s Personality for UPSC Interview
  • Can you tell me about your hobbies and how you pursue them?
  • How do you think your hobbies can be relevant to your work as an IAS officer?
  • Can you give an example of how your hobby has helped you in your personal or professional life?
  • How do you stay updated and informed about developments in your area of interest?
• Miscellaneous Question asked in UPSC Interview (Stress test/ Mental calibre)
• • How would you handle a situation where your personal beliefs and the government’s policies are in conflict?
  • What are your thoughts on the commercialization of education?
  • How do you handle criticism or feedback?

Tips and Tricks for acing the UPSC Interview:

• Thoroughly study your Detailed Application Form (DAF) as many questions will be based on it. 
• Research your background, interests, previous employment, service preferences, hometown, and state. 
• Pay attention to your body language, posture, behaviour, and appearance during the interview.
• Listen actively to the panelists’ responses after you answer each question. 
• Familiarize yourself with government schemes, economic surveys, and reports such as the Indian Yearbook. 
• Stay updated with general knowledge and current affairs, both national and international. Gather information about your hometown and current city of residence. 
• Avoid overconfidence and subjective one-dimensional arguments in your answers. 
• Practice mock interviews to simulate the actual interview experience and seek feedback from mentors or professionals.

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