In order to Qualify UPSC CSE , Civil Services Aspirants Qualified in Mains i.e. the second stage of Exam needs to appear in the third and final stage i.e. Interview, Post which final result is declared by the Commission. The Interview carries 275 marks and marks secured by Candidate are considered for Preparation of Final Merit List. Hence one must not take it with casual approach as it is not merely qualifying like that of CSAT. So, it will always be better if one Perform better in Interview and secure good Marks.  

The objective of this blog is to impart some key aspects pertaining to Interview. After reading it one can understand types of Questions asked in UPSC CSE Interview & its Preparation Planning & Strategy. Through Interview UPSC CSE evaluates candidates over all Personality. It is not merely the test of once knowledge but the way one answer to Board’s Questions, how one handle the Questions which is new to him, the analytical skills of Candidates is also being checked in this Process. 

  Generally the Board frames Questions from DAF (Detailed Application Form) of the Candidates however it also depends on the ongoing discussion between the Board and the Candidates. The Candidate is expected to be aware with some key data pertaining to literacy rate , Government schemes implementation , Problems & challenges faced by People in general in his state & Districts and others in addition to recent developments with respect to current affairs of National & international Importance. One must have his basic fundamental clear with respect to his Subjects in his Graduation. If someone has been working or was associated with some organization, they may face some question with respect to their Job as well. We have witness Board Put some Question pertaining to Candidates hobby as well. Let us discuss the mentioned Points in details below:

IAS Coaching Institutes are providing Mock Interview which helps candidate in experiencing the similar situation to that of UPSC board. One must do some mocks before appearing final mock Interview. It helps but the focus should be on one’s strength and not weakness.

Interview Planning Process & Strategy:

As mentioned above though Interview is the third and final stage but its Preparation should start along with the Preparation of Prelims.

One should honestly note down one’s strength & Weakness and starts overcoming weakness. Some habits like reading Newspaper, discussion among a group of 4-5 students of the similar intelligence level, working on communication skills if not good and others will enable student to boost confidence and eventually will perform better in Interview. 

Refresh Current Affairs 

In Newspaper one may read editorial; it helps in knowing the analysis of respective editor with respect to important events of National and International issues. Also there are some decent channels like Rajya Sabha TV where discussion on some burning issues is held among prominent Personalities some of them are Ex-Bureaucrats and others. One may watch those episodes and formulate their own opinion about the issue. It helps in developing the cognitive intelligence.

Refresh Optional Subject & Bachelor’s Degree Subject:

In Interview One may face question from optional Subject opted in UPSC CSE Main Exam & one’s Bachelor’s Degree Subject. So, it would be good if one refresh all these stuff.

Hobby:

One must mention one’s hobby correctly in DAF because you may be asked question with respect to it as well. If one has not been aware of it, try to know your hobby. Hobby is that activity which one loves doing in his free time. Try to Know what you love doing in your free time. If someone has his hobby like Teaching, gather all information related with education and teaching. Question that can be framed from this hobby may include about Dr. S. Radha Krishnan, Teacher’s Day, ranking of colleges & Universities in India / Internationally, Gross enrollment ratio, important Academic Bodies and other related matter with Education .Similarly one must prepare oneself all the related facts with that hobby.

Mock Practice:

These days there have been various coaching Institutes that Provide Interview guidance Program and Mock Interview Practice. One may plan to attend these program .These Programs are shorter in duration & also the fee for this Program is marginally very low or free of cost. So, one may enroll for this program at 2-3 Coaching Institutes and attend Mock Interview. After Mock the Board provides you feedback. These Feedbacks help Candidate to improve further.

After all one need to be aware about all those stuff mentioned in DAF. One must not take Panic and keep Calm. And be sure the Board will not ask anything other than DAF. The Board Knows the Candidate is not THE BRAHMA (God having solution to each Problem) and be Cool have faith on yourself.