The UPSC interview is the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination(CSE). The interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s personality, and suitability for a career in public service.
The UPSC Interview is conducted by a board of competent and unbiased observers who have 40+ years of experience in public administration. The interview is held at UPSC Bhavan, Dholpur House, New Delhi. The Interview giving candidates are required to appear in person.
The interview is conducted for a total of 275 marks. The interview is conducted in English or Hindi, and the candidates are expected to have a good command of the language they choose.
The Personality Test is designed to assess the candidate’s personality traits, such as mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, the balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, the ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity, and other qualities that are required for a career in public service.
The Interview is designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs, general awareness, and suitability for a career in public service.
Requirements of UPSC Interview
UPSC in its official notification says,
“The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of the candidate’s career. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest.”
The object of the Interview/Personality Test is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers.
UPSC Official Notification
UPSC Interview Board will look at following things:
The Interview/Personality Test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate.
In broad terms this is really an assessment of not onlyintellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs.
Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the Interview/Personality Test is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
The Interview/Personality Test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers.
Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.”
Conclusion
In order to score more marks in UPSC Interview, one should be aware about what board members are looking in candidates personality. UPSC Interview is not about knowledge test but its more like Personality Test. If we have to describe UPSC Personality Test(CSPT) in one line, “It is a…
“Formal discussion with senior bureaucrats, having a positive mindset, honesty & integrity in heart.”
-Monk
I hope you like this detailed post on UPSC Interview Requirements.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.]
Exam Details: It includes details on the UPSC Exam you applied for.i.e.Civil Service Examination
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.)
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 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:
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.
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.
Any achievements in Sports/N.C.C. etc. Like if you played in the National/State Level Badminton Competition or enrolled into NCC Battalion.
Positions of distinction Leadership held in School/College like Headed College/University Election successfully.
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..
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.
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.
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-
Hobbies, Interest
Service & Cadre Preference for both IAS & IPS.
Pro Tip🔥
Every year UPSC publishes details of Cadre Allocation (like Total Vacancies, Insider and Outside Vacancies and Category-wise vacancies) Analyse past trends, see possibility of available vacancies, discuss it with senior toppers and apply accordingly.
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 Detailswith 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.
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!
You might have seen Anubhav Bassi’s funny UPSC Interview Promo for Aspirant series on Amazon Prime! If you are preparing for the UPSC civil services exam, you might be wondering;
What is the difference between the interview and the personality test?
Why UPSC writes ‘CSPT’ for UPSC Interview?
What kind of questions are asked and how to prepare for them?
The UPSC interview is “the final nail in the coffin” for UPSC aspirants. Boosting score in Interview can definitely help to improve overall ranking and as matter of fact, 1 mark can change your cadre and services!
In this blogpost, I will try to answer these questions and share some tips and strategies that can help you understand UPSC Interview in better way.
What is the UPSC Interview?
The UPSC interview, also known as the personality test, is the third and final stage of the civil services exam. It is conducted by a board of five members(forming aexpert panel), one of whom is the chairman, who is a member of the UPSC. The interview usually lasts for about 30-35 minutes and carries 275 marks out of the total 2025 marks. If you prepare well, you can definitely score 170+ marks in this stage.
The main objective of the interview is to assess your personal suitability for a career in public service. Please remember that this is not a test of your knowledge, but a test of your personality, attitude, aptitude, and mental abilities. The interview board will evaluate your mental alertness, critical thinking, logical reasoning, communication skills, leadership qualities, social awareness, ethical values, and overall outlook.
What is the difference between the UPSC Interview and the Personality Test?
The UPSC interview and the personality test are essentially the same thing. However, some people use the term personality test to emphasize the fact that the interview is not a mere question-answer session, but a holistic assessment of your personality. The term interview, on the other hand, implies a formal and structured interaction between the candidate and the board.
The UPSC itself uses the term personality test(CSPT) in its official notification and website. However, you can use either term interchangeably without any confusion. But remember that it’s a ‘Personality Test’ not a ‘interrogation’.
What kind of questions are asked in the UPSC Interview?
The questions asked in the UPSC interview can vary from board to board and candidate to candidate. There is no fixed syllabus or pattern for the interview. However, some of the common sources of questions are asked from:
DAF Based Questions
Your detailed application form (DAF), which contains your personal, educational, professional, and extracurricular details. You should be well-versed with everything you have mentioned in your DAF, especially your hobbies, achievements, extra curricular activities, and optional subject. Start researching on every aspect, from meaning of your name to a particular service preference.
You should have a basic understanding of your graduation (and post-graduation subjects, if any) along with your optional subject. You should also be able to relate your subject knowledge with current happening around the word and practical solutions that can help streghten governance.
Jobs/Professional Career
UPSC Board wants to know you better! They wants to know about your previous job, any challenges you face and how did you overcome those? In nutshell, they wants to check;
What did you learned? Can you work in team and lead team if necessary?
Your attitude towards any job. Were you happy or sad in previous job?
Do you have a learning aptitude or not?
Can you work in under pressure & challenging environment?
You can highlight how your experiences have shaped your skills and perspectives, aligning them with the qualities required for a good civil servant.
About your Region & Locality
Your home state, district, and town. You should know the history, geography, culture, economy, politics, and social issues of your home state and region. For example-
Khap Panchyats, Child Marriages(Social)
Issue of poverty & Development(Economy)
Historical Figure or place, monument in your state
Power tussle between Governor and Chief Minister(Polity)
Good Governance Initiative & Policy implementation
Basically, you should also be aware of the recent developments and achievements of your state and district.
Current affairs and general awareness
You should be updated with the national and international events shaping global politics and matter shaping India’s interest. You should also have an opinion and perspective on these issues and be able to justify them with facts and logic. You don’t need to be a good diplomat for this, but having a balanced articulation will definitely get you more marks!
Situational and hypothetical questions
You might be asked to deal with a hypothetical scenario or a case study related to administration, governance, ethics, or public policy. You should be able to analyze the situation, break it down, identify the stakeholders, weigh the pros and cons of possible line of action, and suggest a practical and rational solution.
You don’t need to tell anything different, just apply knowledge of whatever you’ve studied in Polity, Governance and adhering to constitutional values with ethics and morality.
How to prepare for the UPSC Interview?
The UPSC interview is not something that can be prepared overnight, it can’t be cooked. It requires a well-rounded approach that goes beyond the traditional study of subjects. You should take a consistent effort to develop your personality, communication skills, and common sense.
As a engineer or doctor, you might be familiar with “Fake it, till you make it”. You might try to do that, but you can’t make it very well with people sitting in front of you, who have 40-50 years of knowledge!
That being said, you can definitely improve few thing;
Be polite & humble in your approach.
Don’t take anything on your ego.
Have a learning aptitude.
Say sorry, if you don’t know.
Some Tips and Strategies for UPSC Interview Preparation
Following tips can help you prepare for the UPSC interview;
First Know and Understand Yourself
This is “the” most important part of your Interview preparation and cool thing is, you try to look into yourself. Introspect about your strengths, weaknesses, and experiences.
In this interview preparation phase;
You’ll see your past journey.
You’ll see your own personality.
You’ll also realise the importance of hobby and how you’ve been detached from it since you began preparing for Civil Services.
Just relax! And be prepared for questions about your hobbies, and interests.
Revise your DAF and optional subject thoroughly.
You should be able to explain and justify everything you have written in your DAF, as well as answer any questions related to your optional subject.
Read newspapers and magazines regularly.
You should be aware of the current affairs and general knowledge topics that are important for the civil services. You should also develop your own opinion and perspective on these topics and be able to express them clearly and confidently.
Topper Corner 🔥
Mostly all the aspirants start reading both “The Hindu” and “The Indian Express” newspaper for deeper understanding of developmental issues around us.
You can skim through local newspaper and get updated about your locality/region.
Watch mock interviews and videos of previous toppers.
You can get an idea of the type and level of questions asked in the interview, as well as the expectations and feedback of the board members. You can also learn from the mistakes and best practices of the previous candidates and improve your own performance.
Practice with friends, family, or mentors
You can conduct mock interviews with your friends, family, or mentors who can give you honest and constructive feedback. You can also join online or offline platforms where you can interact with other aspirants and experts and get tips and guidance.
But don’t take all the feedback too seriously. Instead work on areas, which you feel are most important!
Pro Tip 🔥
Don’t give more than 5-6 mock interviews, even though they are mostly free!
More interviews will confuse you more. Instead work on feedback you got in earlier mock interviews.
Forming a group of UPSC Interview appearing candiadte has helped many candidates in the past.
But make sure, everyone in group have a positive and mutually agreed competitive spirit.
Work on your body language, voice modulation, and presentation skills.
You should be able to communicate your thoughts and ideas effectively and convincingly. You should also maintain a positive and polite attitude, eye contact, posture, and gestures. You should avoid fidgeting, stammering, or being nervous or arrogant.
Stay Calm and Composed
Maintain a calm and composed mindset during the interview. Listen carefully to the questions asked, take your to gather thoughts before answering and then answer properly.
UPSC Interview Process
The UPSC Personality Test usually about 30-35 minutes long. It is conducted in a formal (podium like) setting, and the panel members ask a wide range of questions to assess the candidate’s personality, and suitability for the civil services.
The questions can cover a variety of topics, including current affairs, general awareness, ethical dilemmas, and situational analysis. The asked by panel members are meant to test the candidate’s decision-making abilities and problem-solving skills, on different situation.
It is important to note that the UPSC Personality Test is not an elimination round. The panel members want you succeed. Your knowledge has been already tested in UPSC Prelims & Mains Exam. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths, ability, and personality traits. The panel members are looking for candidates who have a balanced perspective, good articulation skills, and the ability to think critically.
Tips for UPSC Interview
In general you need to have a common sense and decent personality. Here are some additional tips to help you make a good impression during your UPSC Interview;
Be Honest
Answer questions truthfully and confidently. Do not try to fabricate information or provide false answers. If you’re supporting or providing any arguments, you need to have good authentic sources to back you point.
Have Empathy
Have empathy towards social issues, particularly towards vulnerable groups like tribes, minority or physically disabled. Also, just don’t get more emotional. They will check your Emotional Quotient. Thus you should have a balanced perspective and a genuine concern for the social justice.
Be Well-Groomed
You can have a saree or bleazer, whichever you’re comfortable in and maintain a professional look. This boost your confidence automatically!
Get all important Documents
Get all the important documents and keep it in the file/zip. Some important documents to consider-
One Identity proof, like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport or Driving License.
Minimum 2 Passport size photos.
Keep you Interview Call/letter or Hall ticket.
Important Academic documents like Class 10th, 12th Marksheet, UG (andPG, if any) Degree Certificates.
If you’re in final year and you didn’t received college degree certificate, don’t worry. You can submit them later by providing a written undertaking.
If you lost any document, or unable you to submit any document, just don’t get panic. Focus on your Interview. UPSC provides you time-frame within which you can produce original documents.
Be Positive
Maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview. Avoid negative comments or criticism. If you can Pay attention to your body language and maintain eye contact with the panel members naturally, then only focus on these thing. You can’t change yourself in such a short time, so just let it go.
Instead you can focus on-
Listening every question carefully.
Your answer and articulation.
Ask Questions
Towards the end of the interview, Interview board may give you an opportunity to ask questions. You don’t need to prepare some questions in advance to show your interest and curiosity. They will easily get this. Instead, if you have guanine question that came up during Interview process and are related with interactions you had with Interview Board; you can definitely ask them. It’s okay, even if you don’t ask question.
Conclusion
The UPSC interview is a crucial and decisive stage of the civil services exam. It is not a test of your knowledge, but a test of your personality. You should be prepared for any kind of question and situation that the board might throw at you. You should also be confident, honest, humble, and respectful.
Remember, the interview is not a one-way interrogation, but a two-way conversation. You should be able to engage with the board and impress them with your personality and potential. I hope this blogpost has given you some insights and tips on how to prepare for the UPSC interview. I wish you all the best for your exam and your future. Thank you for reading this post. 😊
