How to Fill UPSC DAF for Mains and Interview

If you are one of the lucky candidates who have cleared the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams, congratulations! I know that happy feeling very well. Now, you are one step closer to your dream of becoming a civil servant. But before you celebrate, you have to complete one more important task: filling the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the UPSC Interview.

The DAF is a crucial document that collects information about your personal, educational, and professional background, as well as your preferences for the services and cadres you want to join. The DAF also serves as the basis for the questions that will be asked in the UPSC Interview, which is the final stage of the selection process.

In this blog post, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to fill the UPSC DAF correctly and effectively. We will also explain the difference between DAF-1 and DAF-2, and what you need to do after submitting the DAF.

What is DAF-1 and DAF-2?

The context of UPSC, DAF stands for “Detailed Application Form.” The UPSC DAF is divided into two parts: DAF-1 and DAF-2. DAF-1 is filled by the candidates who qualify for the UPSC Mains exam, while DAF-2 is filled by the candidates who qualify for the UPSC Interview.

DAF-1

Once UPSC Prelims results are declared, DAF-1 is available on the official website of UPSC. It has to be filled online and submitted within the specified deadline. DAF-1 has 6 important components asking following information:

1. Personal & Parental Information: This includes your name, full name, date of birth, gender, marital status, nationality, permanent address, etc. This also includes your father’s and mother’s details like name, profession, income, origin or addresses etc.
2. Educational Information: This includes your academic qualifications of Class 10th, 12th, Graduation degrees and respective details of marks obtained, subjects, School/College/University name etc.
3. Employment Information: This includes your current and previous employment details, or self-employed status, if any. [side note: Don’t put details about your Internship. UPSC doesn’t ask for this.]
4. Exam Details: It includes details on the UPSC Exam you applied for.i.e.Civil Service Examination 
5. Document Uploading: This requires you to upload the scanned copies of
   • Proof of date of birth 
   • Certificate in support of claim to belong to SC / ST / OBC (Non Creamy Layer)/EWS and Undertaking
   • Graduation Certificate and degree recognition letter  from AIC/UGC, if applicable.
   • Selected Photo ID Proof (Like Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence etc.)
6. Final Submission: This is the last step where you have to review and confirm your DAF-1 details and pay the application fee, if any.
   • Please note that there is no fee for PwBD, Female and SC/ST candidates.

DAF-2

DAF-2 is available on the official website of UPSC after the declaration of the UPSC Mains result. It has to be filled online and submitted within the specified deadline. DAF-2 ask for filling up following information:

1. Details of Achievement, Interest or Hobby: This requires you to provide any other information that you think is relevant for the UPSC Interview. This information will help  UPSC Board members to understand your personality and aptitude better. Fill only those things which you can ultimately speak about, not all things need to be filled here.
   1. Your achievements, prize, medals awards, extracurricular activities, etc. You should highlight your strengths and positive aspects while providing additional information, as they will enhance your profile and impression.
   2. Any achievements in Sports/N.C.C. etc. Like if you played in the National/State Level Badminton Competition or enrolled into NCC Battalion.
   3. Positions of distinction Leadership held in School/College like Headed College/University Election successfully. 
   4. Other extracurricular activities and interests (Such as hobbies etc.), such as reading, cooking, music, sports, etc. You should be honest and specific while mentioning your hobbies and interests..
2. Cadre Preference: In this field, you are required to rank the zones and cadres in the order of your preference. You should consider various factors, such as your home state, language, culture, development, career scope etc., while choosing your cadre preference. Later it will determine your posting and transfers. Refer Cadre Allocation Policy 2017 for more details.
3. Service Preference: This requires you to rank all services in the order of your preference. You should be careful and realistic while choosing your service preference, as it will determine your career path and future prospects. Don’t leave any services blank, it makes a bad impression. 

How to Fill UPSC DAF Correctly and Effectively?

Filling the UPSC DAF is not a simple task. It requires a lot of thought and research. You should not rush or make any mistakes while filling the DAF, as it may affect your chances of getting your desired service and cadre. Here are some tips and tricks on how to fill the UPSC DAF correctly and effectively:

Prepare Sample DAF

First Introspect yourself and prepare a sample DAF. Discuss it with friends, family members, if they are in service, coaching mentors. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from Previous year UPSC Toppers and make changes, if you wish! You should consult about-

1. Hobbies, Interest 
2. Service & Cadre Preference for both IAS & IPS.

Read the instructions carefully

Before filling the DAF, you should read the instructions and guidelines provided by UPSC carefully. You should follow the format, size, and resolution of the documents that need to be uploaded.

Fill the DAF Accurately & Strategically

You should fill the DAF online only, using the official website of UPSC. Fill details strategically and accurately, without any errors or discrepancies. Consider your preference and suitability, availability of services and cadres vacancies.

Keep in mind:

• You should not send any hard copy or printout of the DAF to UPSC. 
• You should also keep a copy of the DAF for your reference and record.

Fill DAF Details with Honestly

You should fill the DAF honestly, without any exaggeration or fabrication. You should mention your hobbies and interests that you genuinely pursue and enjoy, and not those that you think will impress the interviewers. You should also provide additional information that is relevant and verifiable. Avoid filling DAF with the intention of manipulating or deceiving the interviewers, as it may backfire and expose your inconsistencies or weaknesses.

Download your DAF Copy

Download your DAF Copy after submitting form. Keep it in Local Desktop, Google Drive or Cloud safely. You’ll required this for Interview Preparation.

What to Do After Submitting the UPSC DAF?

After submitting the UPSC DAF, you should prepare yourself for the UPSC Interview. Keep an eye on Interview schedule. Here are some things that you should do after submitting the UPSC DAF:

Revise your DAF

You should revise your DAF thoroughly and look at the details that you have provided. You should be able to explain and justify your choices and preferences for the services and cadres. You should also be ready to answer any questions that may arise from your DAF, such as your hobbies and interests, your achievements and awards, your work experience and skills, etc.

Update your knowledge

You should update your knowledge and awareness of the current affairs and issues that are relevant for the UPSC Interview. You should read newspapers, magazines, journals, reports, etc., and follow the news and developments that are happening in the country and the world. You should also have a clear and balanced opinion on the topics that are related to your optional subject, your educational background, your home state, etc.

Give Mock Interviews

You should practise your communication and presentation skills for the UPSC Interview. UPSC Mock Interviews will help you in this regard. Many coaching classes provide it free of cost.

Learn more about Interview Preparation in detail ->

Download your e-admit card

You should download your e-admit card for the UPSC Interview from the official website of UPSC before the scheduled date and time. You should check the details and instructions given in the e-admit card, such as your name, roll number, date, time, and venue of the interview. You should also carry the original and photocopies of the documents and certificates that are required for the verification and authentication of your identity and eligibility.

Conclusion

The UPSC DAF is a vital document that can make or break your chances of becoming a civil servant. You should fill the DAF with utmost care and caution, and submit it within the stipulated deadline. You should also prepare well for the UPSC Interview, and showcase your personality and suitability for in civil services. I hope that this blog post has helped you understand the UPSC DAF better and given you some useful tips and tricks on how to fill it. I wish you all the best for your UPSC journey!