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UPSC Interview Question: Preparation, Strategy and Success

Priyanka December 26, 2023 03:34 1993 0

Prepare for UPSC Interview questions with insights on Personal, Current Affairs, Ethics, and more. Top questions answered with practical tips for success. Understand the process and excel in the final stage of the Civil Services Examination.

UPSC Interview Question: Preparation, Strategy and Success

UPSC Interview Question: A Comprehensive Guide to Ace Personality Test Questions

UPSC Interview also known as Personality Test is the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination Process. It comes after candidates clear the mains examination. The final marks of the candidate in this complete cycle of UPSC Examination comes from Mains examination and interview.

UPSC Interview Question

In this complete UPSC Examination process there are three stages 

  1. Prelims (Qualifying Nature)
  2. Mains Examination- 1750 marks
  3. Personality Test (Interview) – 275 marks

Share of interview & mains marks in UPSC

Categories of Questions asked in UPSC Interview: Personal, Ethical, Academic, and Current Affairs Questions Successfully

  • Personal UPSC Interview Questions:
    • This segment of UPSC interview questions covering your personal background, family, education, and hobbies.
    • Also covers the queries, speciality and some famous locations about your hometown, region, and your life journey so far.
  • Current Affairs and General Knowledge:
    • Test your awareness and alertness in UPSC Interview Questions related to recent national and international events.
    • It covers current affairs topics, such as political, economic, and social issues, along with UPSC Interview Questions about government policies, schemes, and initiatives.
  • Ethical and Moral Conundrum:
    • It evaluates your moral and ethical reasoning through thought-provoking scenarios that present ethical dilemmas.
    • You may face situational ethics scenarios to gauge your decision-making ability.
  • UPSC Interview Questions related to the domain of Academic
    • UPSC Interview Questions related to your educational background and specialization.
    • Dive into in-depth questions about subjects you studied during your academic career.
  • UPSC Interview Questions on Optional Subject:
    • Focus on your chosen optional subject in the mains examination with specific UPSC Interview Questions in this category.
  • Decision making situation in Administrative and Governance topics:
    • Demonstrate your knowledge about the functioning of the Indian administrative system.
    • Showcase your understanding of key administrative principles and issues.
  • Indian Polity and Constitution:
    • Explore UPSC Interview Questions about the Indian Constitution, its amendments, and key political concepts.
    • Stay updated on current political issues and events for insightful responses.
  • Socio-Economic Issues:
    • Handle UPSC Interview Questions about and socio  economic challenges in India, including poverty, unemployment, healthcare, education, and related topics.
  • International Relations:
    • Offer insights into India’s foreign policy, international organizations, and global issues with UPSC Interview Questions in this category.
  • Analytical and Problem-Solving:
    • Test your problem-solving abilities with logical and analytical questions, including brain teasers or puzzles.
  • Personality Assessment:
    • Highlight your personality traits, communication skills, and leadership qualities with specific UPSC Interview Questions.
    • Articulate your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement.
  • Interests and Hobbies:
    • Share your interests and hobbies, as mentioned in your Detailed Application Form (DAF).
    • Explain how these aspects relate to your personality and aspirations.
  • Role and Responsibilities:
    • Express your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a civil servant.
    • Describe how you plan to contribute to society through your role.

Top Tricky UPSC Interview Question With Answers

  • Here are UPSC Interview Questions collected from successful candidates and those who have appeared for interviews in the UPSC CSE exams. 
  • The answers to these UPSC Interview Questions reflect the individual responses of the participants, and you can respond in the manner that best suits you.

Q) If you could be any historical figure, who would you choose and why?

Ans- I’d pick Mahatma Gandhi because he strongly believed in solving problems without using violence. He inspired and led a whole country to freedom peacefully. I think his ideas are timeless and can help us deal with today’s global issues in a wise and calm way.

Q) Being an Engineer, why did you choose International Relations as your optional?

Ans- “Studying International Relations (IR) helped me prepare for both the UPSC Prelims and Mains at the same time. It also gave me insights into important national and international political events, which is crucial for being aware of my job.”

Q) Say, I don’t have any knowledge about your country. Help me know it in your own words.

Ans- “India, the world’s largest democracy, boasts a rich tapestry of religions, nature, and culture. Guided by the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ we see the entire world as our family. Despite being home to diverse flora and fauna, we grapple with challenges like unemployment, poverty, female infanticide, and underdevelopment.”

Q) What is the difference between invention, innovation and discovery?

Ans- Invention is making something completely new inspired by an out of the box idea but innovation is improving upon an existing thing and modifying it. While discovery refers to finding something which already existed. For Example, remains of the earliest society are discovered by the archaeologists, some new medicines are invented and communication technology are getting improved with the innovations.

Q) Should we repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act)? Tell us your thoughts.

Ans- “First, we have to assess the background & future contours of AFSPA. As civil unrest & terrorism is rising every day, the need for keeping a counter-insurgency institution like AFSPA is required but not at the expense of violating human rights. “

Q) Are there any differences between vision, mission, aims, and objectives?

Ans- The the appropriate answer of this UPSC Interview Questions can be answered in this way 

  • A vision is a statement that outlines an organization’s long-term aspirations and goals. It describes the desired future state or the overarching purpose of the organization.
  • Aims are broad, high-level statements that define the general direction an organization wants to take. They are more general than objectives and may not be as specific or measurable.
  • Objectives are specific, measurable, and time-bound targets that support the achievement of aims. They are concrete steps or milestones that contribute to fulfilling the mission and, ultimately, the vision.

Common UPSC Interview Questions and Assessment

  • Panel’s In-Depth Questioning Process
    • During the assessment, the panel goes into the details provided in the candidates’ application forms. 
    • Questions cover a range of topics, including place of birth, hobbies, issues in the home state, and current national concerns. 
    • The panel scrutinizes the candidate’s responses, focusing on their ability to adopt a national perspective rather than a regional one.
  • Balancing Act: Regional Considerations in UPSC Interviews
    • For instance, when addressing the Cauvery water issue, candidates are expected to broaden their viewpoint. 
    • A Tamil Nadu candidate should factor in the challenges faced by Karnataka farmers, and vice versa. 
    • The panel aims to gauge whether candidates respond with a broader Indian perspective or a more localized mindset.
  • Evaluation Criteria for Prestigious Civil Service Positions
    • Candidates vying for positions such as IAS, IFS, IPS, and IRS undergo evaluation, emphasizing the ‘I’ for Indian. The panel assesses whether a candidate exhibits an overarching Indian identity or a more regional attitude.

Preparation Guidelines: Comprehensive Perspective

  • Beyond Memorization and Foster Holistic Understanding
    • Rather than memorizing facts and figures, candidates are advised to understand the various facets of each issue. A balanced approach is encouraged over a parochial one.
    • Example: Regional Awareness
      • For instance, a Punjabi candidate should not solely focus on the problems of Punjabi farmers. Instead, they should familiarize themselves with the challenges faced by Haryana farmers and the construction of the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal.
  • Mastering Contextual Responses for UPSC Interview Success
    • When asked about what makes Hyderabad famous, candidates from Andhra Pradesh or Telangana are recommended to highlight the contributions of leaders like Swami Ramananda Tirtha or Makhdoom Mohiuddin. Emphasizing their role in fighting against the Nizam and advocating for the unification of Hyderabad State with the country adds depth to their responses, surpassing the simplicity of mentioning biriyani.
Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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UPSC Interview Question FAQs

The average UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Interview round (Personality Test), is generally around 30 minutes to an hour.

The specific venue and details of the venue can be obtained from the official UPSC website or the interview call letter sent to the candidates.

Civil service exam consists of three stages: prelims, mains and interview so it is compulsory.

UPSC exam evaluates candidate’s performance on the basis of marks scored by candidate in mains and interview segment. So , for service allocation one has to score in mains and interview combine.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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