Books & Magazines
UPSC Interview Qualifying marks criteria are not specified as per officials. However, understanding UPSC Interview marks is crucial to prepare strategically.
PWOnlyIAS
December 27, 2024
UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of India’s most prestigious and challenging exams. The final stage of this UPSC exam is the face-to-face interview round, which is also known as the Personality Test. For many aspiring candidates, the interview is the most important part of their journey to becoming an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. Understanding the UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks is necessary for aspiring candidates to clear the last barrier between their aim to become a civil service officer. Explore the details of the UPSC interview, the qualifying marks, and how to prepare effectively.
UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks generally refer to the minimum marks that are scored by the candidates to pass the interview round of the UPSC Examination. The marks obtained in the interview, are combined with the marks obtained in the UPSC Mains examination to calculate the final ranking. There is no specific UPSC Interview Minimum Qualifying Marks set by the commission, which states that there is no officially specified passing mark only for the interview.
Instead, the performance of the candidate in the interview contributes to the total score, which includes the written (Mains) examination marks and the upsc interview qualifying marks. The total of both marks determines the final ranking of that candidate.
| To get UPSC interview questions with answers |
| Click Here |
The UPSC Interview, also known as the Personality Test, carries 275 marks out of the total 2025 marks for the Civil Services Examination. While there is no set minimum score required to pass the interview, scores typically range from 40% to 80%, making it a decisive factor in the final ranking. Candidates who may not perform exceptionally in the Mains examination can still secure top positions if they achieve strong interview scores. Generally, scores between 65% and 75% are considered excellent, though scores above 75% are rare. The interview focuses on assessing a candidate’s overall suitability for civil services, including their ability to handle critical situations, think rationally, and lead effectively.
The panel evaluates a range of qualities, such as:
These attributes are crucial for demonstrating the administrative skills required for a successful career in civil services.
Over the years, some candidates have achieved remarkable scores in the UPSC interview, showcasing their exceptional personality and analytical abilities. The interview emphasizes attitude and critical thinking, which often set top candidates apart. Below is a list of the highest marks achieved in the UPSC Interview in recent years:
| Year | Name of the Candidate | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Aniket Shandilya, Yogesh Dilhor, and Kshetrimayum Deepi Chanu | 215 |
| 2022 | Yimkum I Ozukum, Tenzin Yangki, and Zenden Lingzerpa | 210 |
| 2021 | Ashutosh Kumar and Kiran PB | 206 |
| 2020 | Apala Mishra | 215 |
| 2020 | Ankita Jain | 212 |
| 2019 | Jatin Kishore | 185 |
| 2018 | Kanishak Kataria | 179 |
| 2017 | Anudeep Dursihetty | 176 |
| 2016 | Nandini KR | 193 |
| 2014 | Zainab Sayeed | 220 |
The common query among candidates and generally searched by millions of aspiring candidates is, “What are the passing marks for a UPSC interview?” as we have discussed UPSC does not have any qualified score for the interview round solely, the idea of passing marks is relative. However, successful candidates often score between 40% to 80% of the total 275 marks in the interview, which makes the score around 110-220 marks, depending on the performance of candidates.
While answering the question, “What are the minimum qualifying marks for an IAS interview?” it is necessary and crucial to understand that there are not any strict cut-off criteria for the UPSC interview qualifying marks, scoring well in the mains and interview round is necessary to secure a good position in final merit list. Due to the competitive nature of the UPSC examination, every mark counts. A candidate must aim to perform exceptionally well not just in the Mains but also in the interview to improve their overall score and ranking.
The UPSC interview is necessary because it holds the potential to form the ranking of the candidate. The UPSC interview qualifying marks allotted to the interview can be decisive in determining whether a candidate gets the IAS, IPS, IFS, or any other preferred service. A strong performance in the interview round can compensate if the candidate had scored low in the Mains examination to some extent, and vice versa.
In the Interview round of the UPSC Examination, candidates are evaluated on their personality, mental alertness, critical thinking, and ability to handle situations. The UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks reflect how well a candidate demonstrates these qualities. The interview panel generally focuses on several key areas, including:
To maximize the chances of scoring high for the UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks, candidates should focus on these essential tips:
| Check Out the Best Notes/Books for UPSC interviews |
| Click Here |
In conclusion, Clearing the UPSC interview is a significant achievement, and knowing the UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks is key to this success. By understanding what the panel looks for and focusing on the key areas of assessment, aspirants can enhance their chances of securing the necessary marks. Remember, the interview is not just about your knowledge but also about your personality and how you present yourself. With proper preparation, confidence, and awareness of the required qualifying marks for UPSC interview, candidates can successfully cross this final stage of the UPSC exam.
.png)
Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing
Download Our App
Download Our App
Books & Magazines
Prelims Wallah (Q&A Bank)
Udaan
Udaan 500+
Budget & Economic Survey
Monthly Current Wallah
Weekly Current Wallah
Editorial Summary
Editorial Q&A Compilation
NCERT Wallah
Prahaar (Mains Wallah)
Marks Booster
Mains Wallah (Q&A Bank)
<div class="new-fform">
</div>
