How to Prepare for Interview (Personality Test) of UPSC?

If you read the official guidelines, it is very clear that it is not a knowledge test. However, the board will evaluate your personality through questions that honestly require your answer. It may even play tricks on you to get your real personality.

UPSC Official Guidelines on Interview (Personality Test) for Civil Services

The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, the balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

The technique of the interview 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 test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised 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.

UPSC Official Guidelines on Interview (Personality Test) for Indian Forest Service (IFoS)

The candidate will be interviewed by a Board of competent and unbiased observers who will have before them a record of his/her career. The object of the Interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for the Service. The candidate will be expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in his/her subjects of academic study but also in events which are happening around him/her both within and outside his/her own state or country, as well as in modem currents of thoughts and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well educated youth.

The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross examination, but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation, intended to reveal mental qualities of the candidate. The Board will pay special attention to assessing the intellectual curiosity, critical powers of observation and assimilation, balance of judgment and alertness of mind, initiative, tact, capacity for leadership; the ability for social cohesion, mental and physical energy and powers of practical application; integrity of character; and other qualities such as topographical sense, love for out-door life and the desire to explore unknown and out of way places.

Dress Code

There is no specific dress code. But it should be pleasant. You can even wear jeans if you are confident.

For males, a light colour plain shirt is suitable with dark colour trousers. You should use a stripes tie. Coat is optional. You can use it based on your confidence. But if you wear coat, remember coat wearing has a few rules. The button should be knot when you stand and lose it when you sit.

Females have many choices of dresses to choose from. Any traditional dress or Punjabi chudidar or trousers and shirt are fine. It should be proper and professional.

Interview Procedure

You should report to the UPSC office at least one hour before the scheduled time. After completion of formalities, you will be asked to wait in the waiting room where Many aspirants stay. You can start a conversation with your fellow members. Then you will be escorted to the Board assigned to you.

Before entering the room, knock on the door. You can enter the room when you are given permission. Then only greet the chairman of the Board. You are not supposed to greet other members. But you can greet other members through your eyes. The Board generally comprises 5 members including a woman. Once the chairman starts a simple conversation, other members step in and continue the conversation. Before answering any question, take 3 seconds time to arrange your thoughts. After the interview is completed, don’t show your back immediately. Walk backward showing your front to the board for a few steps before stepping out.

Where do You Stay If You Go to Delhi for the UPSC Interview?

The state governments have Guest Houses in Delhi. With prior permission from the state government, you can get accommodation free for a couple of days. For example, Andhra Bhavan provides accommodation for up to 3 days for all UPSC interviewees from Andhra Pradesh.