UPSC IAS Interview Syllabus

UPSC IAS Interview Syllabus: UPSC as such does not define any specific syllabus for the Interview round but being a personality test, the board members here check some of the qualities of the candidate regarding the administrative skills required for handling a position that is so prestigious in the nation due to the responsibilities it brings with itself.

But this still does not mean that you cannot have any guidance regarding the preparation for the final interview round. Based on the prior experiences of the candidates, we have worked out some criterias for the same so that you can have a broad and well-defined description how to proceed further with the mindset required for the Interview stage.

UPSC IAS Interview Syllabus

The syllabus of the interview stage can be broadly classified under two heads-

Qualities
DAF Details

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S. No.	Qualities	How to Display in the Interview
1	Mental Alertness	Try to catch the hints given by the board members. Remain mentally and physically engaged with the Board. Try to comprehend and understand questions properly by keeping your focus at each and every word, so that you don’t have to ask Board members to explain again.
2	Balance Of Judgement	Try to present a rational argument. Do not take extreme stands based on limited or biased understanding. Give pragmatic and honest solutions which are in line with Constitutional ethos
3	Variety and Depth of Interest	Have a strong command on your Optional, Hobbies and other areas of DAF Remain concerned and aware about various socioeconomic problems
4	Ability for social cohesion and leadership	Displaying respect for Constitutional values like Fraternity, Equality etc. Respecting India’s Unity and Diversity along with idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Having a good understanding of India’s diverse culture Demonstrating areas where you have worked with a team and/ or times where you led a team with clear vision.
5	Critical powers of assimilation	Displaying ability to draw conclusions Clearly understanding the question and reflecting on the matter with rationality
6	Clear and logical exposition	Answer the questions in a logical sequence. Most important and relevant things to be covered in a proper orderly fashion Vague and illogical points should be avoided.
7	Intellectual and moral integrity	Maintain coherence in your answers while displaying trust and confidence If asked to discuss, you can share some real-life example where you have displayed integrity.

UPSC Interview Questions: Key Categories and Sample Questions

The UPSC Interview is the final stage of the Civil Services Examination, and it plays a crucial role in determining a candidate’s final rank. With the release of the UPSC Mains Result 2024, candidates are now preparing for the Interview round, also known as the Personality Test. This stage assesses not only a candidate’s knowledge but also their presence of mind, analytical thinking, and decision-making abilities.

Category	Type of Questions	Sample Questions
Introduction	Questions about personal background and family	Tell us briefly about yourself. Tell us about your hometown. What is the meaning of your name (first name/surname)? Tell us about your family.
Education	Questions related to academic background and preferences	Which subjects did you study during school/graduation, and do you think they are relevant to administration? Which subject was your favorite/least favorite? Why did you choose ‘xyz’ college/school? What kind of projects did you do during school/graduation/PG? Would you call yourself an average student? Why?
Current Affairs	Questions related to current national and international news	What are today’s headlines? Name a few important issues in the news about India/your state/your hometown in the last few months. What is Petrodollars? What is India’s stance on ‘XYZ’ recent issue?
Work Profile	Questions related to previous job roles and career goals	What were your roles and responsibilities at your job? Why do you want to become an IAS/IPS/IFS officer? How will your work experience help you as an administrator? Why did you quit your previous job for civil services?
Optional Subject	Questions on the chosen optional subject for UPSC Mains	Why did you choose ‘xyz’ optional? Why didn’t you pick your graduation subject as your optional? Can you explain this theory related to your optional subject? What are the current issues in the field of your optional subject?

Further, if we talk about the areas to prepare for the Interview as the syllabus, then your DAF (Detailed Application Form) decides the questions and syllabus of the interview. So broadly, we can say that apart from those qualities, the below-listed points can be said as the syllabus of your interview-

Your Optional
Your Hobbies and Interests
Your Work Experience
Your Academic Background
Current Affairs

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Frequently Asked Questions

There is no specific syllabus for the UPSC interview, but it mainly assesses a candidate's personality, analytical ability, communication skills, and knowledge of current affairs and optional subjects.

The IAS interview can be challenging as it tests candidates on their presence of mind, confidence, and ability to handle unpredictable questions.

The IAS interview is conducted for a total of 275 marks out of the overall 2025 marks in the UPSC exam.

The final interview for IAS is conducted by a panel of members from the UPSC board, which includes experienced administrators, educators, and subject-matter experts.

UPSC IAS Interview Syllabus