Who Takes Interview In UPSC, Board, Panel Members, Process

PWOnlyIAS September 10, 2024 10:01 1163 0

Learn about the UPSC interview process, panel composition, types of questions asked, preparation tips, and more to help you succeed in this final stage of the Civil Services Exam.

Who Takes Interview In UPSC, Board, Panel Members, Process

Who Takes Interview In UPSC: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is the most challenging and prestigious examination in India. If a candidate has successfully passed the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam, after that they have been called for the final round, which is the UPSC interview or Personality Test. When it comes to the Interview stage many candidates often wonder, who takes the interview in UPSC? We have created this informative guide, especially for Mains cleared candidates to provide a detailed understanding of the interview process, the composition of the interview panel, and what candidates can expect during this crucial stage.

What Is the UPSC Interview?

The UPSC interview, which is also known as the Personality Test, is the final stage in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in the journey of becoming a civil servant. It not only evaluates the candidate’s knowledge but also their personality, presence of mind, and ability to handle real-life situations. The interview stage comprises 275 marks out of the total 2025 marks (Prelims + Mains + Interview), making it a significant component in determining the final ranking.

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Who Takes the Interview in UPSC?

The UPSC interview board is responsible for conducting the interviews. The interview board is composed of a chairperson and four other members, all of whom are highly experienced professionals in their respective fields. Let’s us understand the structure more significantly:

Composition of the UPSC Interview Board

The UPSC interview panel generally consists of:

  • Chairperson: A senior official from UPSC or a retired senior civil servant, who leads the interview.
  • Four Members: The remaining members could be retired civil servants, educationists, subject matter experts, or other professionals with vast experience in administration, academia, or governance.

Each member of the UPSC interview board brings a unique viewpoint and mindset to the table, making the interview more holistic. The diverse expertise ensures that candidates are tested on multiple aspects such as their knowledge, ethics, social understanding, and decision-making ability.

What Is the Role of UPSC Interview Members?

The members of the UPSC interview panel are assigned to assess a candidate’s overall suitability for a career in civil services. They do this by:

  1. Testing Personality Traits: They evaluate traits like leadership, integrity, communication skills, and the candidate’s attitude toward public service.
  2. Assessing Subject Knowledge: Although the interview is not primarily knowledge-based, candidates are expected to have a good understanding of their optional subjects and current events.
  3. Posing Situational Questions: The UPSC interview members often ask hypothetical or situational questions to measure the candidate’s decision-making abilities and how will they handle real-life administrative challenges.

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UPSC Interview Process

The UPSC interview process is formal in nature, but the UPSC interview exam is more like a conversation than a cross-examination. Here is how the process typically takes place in the interview room:

  1. Call for Interview: Candidates who pass the Mains exam are notified through the UPSC website about their interview schedule.
  2. Arrival at Dholpur House: The interviews are conducted at UPSC’s headquarters in Dholpur House, New Delhi.
  3. Verification of Documents: Before the interview, candidates’ documents, such as educational certificates, identity proof, and other required documents, are verified.
  4. Panel Assignment: Candidates are assigned to one of the UPSC interview panels. Each panel comprises a chairperson and four members, as mentioned earlier.
  5. The Interview Begins: The interview is usually 20 to 40 minutes long, where candidates are asked a range of questions by the UPSC interview members. The questions may be based on the candidate’s DAF (Detailed Application Form), current affairs, hypothetical situations, or personal opinions on social issues.

Types of Questions Asked in the UPSC Interview

The UPSC interview questions are specifically designed to assess not just the knowledge of candidates but also their presence of mind, maturity, and how they approach problems. The questions can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. Personal Questions

These questions are often based on the candidate’s DAF and might include questions about their hometown, hobbies, education, and work experience. For example:

  • “You mentioned you play cricket. How do you think sports contribute to nation-building?”
  • “Tell us about a significant challenge you faced in your current job.”

2. Current Affairs

The UPSC interview members generally ask about recent events or ongoing national and international issues. For instance:

  • “What are your views on India’s foreign policy with neighbouring countries?”
  • “Do you think the new labour reforms are beneficial for the Indian economy?”

3. Hypothetical and Situational Questions

These questions are used to evaluate the candidate’s decision-making abilities and ethical values. For example:

  • “If you were the District Magistrate of an area affected by a natural disaster, how would you manage the situation?”
  • “As a police officer, how would you handle a violent protest?”

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4. Opinion-Based Questions

Candidates are often asked for their opinions on various social, economic, or political issues. These questions consider how well the candidate can express their views. For instance:

  • “What is your opinion on the reservation system in India?”
  • “Should India focus more on renewable energy sources?”

What Makes the UPSC Interview Challenging?

The UPSC interview process is generally hard to crack but it is not meant to discourage the candidates, it only evaluates the personality and temperament of the candidate. Some challenges include:

  • Unpredictability of Questions: Since the interview covers a wide range of topics, from personal to national issues, candidates must be prepared for anything.
  • Situational Responses: Handling situational questions requires quick thinking and the ability to present balanced, thoughtful answers.
  • Non-Verbal Communication: The UPSC interview board also judges non-verbal actions such as body language, eye contact, and confidence.

How to Prepare for the UPSC Interview?

The effective preparation of the UPSC interview generally requires self-awareness, general knowledge, and practice. Here are some tips candidates may use:

  1. Know Your DAF Thoroughly: Many of the questions will be based on the information provided in the Detailed Application Form, so be sure you can explain everything you’ve mentioned.
  2. Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Read newspapers, watch news channels, and stay informed about the latest developments, both national and international.
  3. Mock Interviews: Taking mock interviews helps in understanding the UPSC interview process and improving presentation skills.
  4. Practice Ethical Decision Making: Think through potential ethical dilemmas or administrative challenges you may face and how you would address them.

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Conclusion

The UPSC interview board plays an important role in evaluating candidates for one of the most respectable jobs in the country. Knowing who takes the interview in UPSC, the process they follow, and the type of questions asked can help candidates prepare better and increase their chances of success. The key to qualifying this stage lies in confidence, clarity of thought, and a strong understanding of both personal and societal issues.

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FAQs On Who Takes Interview In UPSC

The UPSC interview board members include a chairperson and four other experienced professionals from diverse fields, such as retired civil servants and experts.

Candidates who successfully clear the UPSC Mains Exam are eligible for the UPSC interview or Personality Test.

The UPSC interview process involves a formal assessment by the UPSC interview panel, focusing on the candidate’s personality, knowledge, and decision-making skills.

The UPSC interview panel consists of a chairperson and four members, who are typically senior professionals or retired officials.

UPSC interview questions include personal background inquiries, current affairs, and situational questions to assess the candidate's overall suitability.

A typical UPSC interview lasts between 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the candidate's responses and the UPSC interview board’s evaluation.
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