How to succeed in Civil Service Interview for IAS Exam 2023?
Interview (also known as Personality Test) is the final stage of the civil service exam. It is held after results for main exams are declared. The interview carries 275 marks and the entire process of the Interview (Personality Test) plays a crucial role in deciding the rank of the aspirant. It is really very important for preparation for the interview along with the written test. The primary objective behind the interview is to test the personality and suitability of the candidate for the job.
The candidate cannot change or postpone of the interview date. In case candidates fail to present before the interview (Personality Test) on the scheduled date and time, the candidate will be treated as absent and will not be called again and no further correspondence will be made in this regard.
How the Civil Service Interview for IAS Exam 2023 is conducted ?
It is consists of 20 or 30 minute, where a panel of five members including Chairman of each panel, who is the member of Union Public Service Commission conducts the interview. Every candidates who are selected for the interview must be present in the venue half an hour before the time and undergo the necessary security checks. Then they are allotted tables to sit on and wait. Each table is attended to by a staff of UPSC who takes care of all the documentation. After this, interview begins. Candidates are informed about the chairman and the board which they are going to face. Then one by one, every candidate is sent into the interview room.
What is the objective of the interview ?
The primary goal of the interview test is not intended to be a test the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates, but for many other things. Aspirants are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic but also about the current affairs. So, the board of observers will assess the candidate in the following terms.
- Clear logical thinking
- Critical powers of assimilation
- Mental Alertness
- Balance of judgment
- Variety of depth of interest
- Inter-personal relationship skills) and leadership
- Humane attitude and due sensitivity towards people's feeling
During the interview, the precision of language, discipline of thought and lot of patience in placing the views are the prerequisites for success. The personality test requires the candidates to exhibit not only the art of balanced and precise thoughts, but also the art of delivering or communicating them effectively.
When are the results declared?
After main results are declared, candidates are called for interview from the first week of March. Interviews are scheduled in morning and afternoon slot. Around 6 candidates will interview in each slot. Interview (Personality Test) will be held in the Office of the Union Public Service Commission at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069. Interviews results will be announced around the first week of May. The final list will be is prepared on the basis of the sum of their scores in the 2nd and 3rd stage of the exam.
Tips to improve your performance at the Interview
There are generally 5 members at the board with the Chairperson seated at the centre. Enter confidently and greet the Chairperson, who will probably welcome you, and pleasantly nod at other members. Wait till you are asked to sit.
Listening patiently and maintaining eye contact with the board members is the mantra to get good marks in the interview. You should not glare at the board members but at the same appear attentive. While answering do not glance at other members, as it can be very distracting for the interviewer. However if some other member asks you anything, look at that member and answer and turn back to the first.
Do not fidget or throw your hands around, or shake your head. Less amount of movement does not mean you should sit unnaturally stiff. Your posture should be attentive and relaxed at the same time do not crouch/bend forward or place your hands on the table.
Cut your answer short to the required patience shown by the member talking to you. They usually like to talk more, so listen carefully and think for a few seconds before you start answering the question. This will show that you are organising your thoughts in mind before starting to speak.
Leave some room for difference in opinion. Do take a stand, but do not look adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion.
Use couple of words from the question while answering any question. It shows you have listened to the question carefully. But at the same time limit the use the technical jargon.
Come to the central issue of the question immediately. Do not make wild guessing or indulge in speculation.
Do not start evaluating your performance while still in the interview. Even if you have committed mistakes in the beginning, do not think that you have already lost the game. They are looking for warm, sensitive respectful and attentive youngsters. They know you are good or you would not have come so far.
Talk humbly about your achievements and hobbies. You may have mentioned some hobbies in the form that you have filled so before the interview it would be useful to pick up some basic information on your hobby.
Say less to convey more. Less is more these days as per the minimalist creed. Argue logically and generalise correctly. Do not try to read too much between the lines. Remember, while answering any question, what is easy to see is easy to miss. We often tend to miss the obvious and go for some non-crucial aspect of the subject. Get up to leave only when the chairperson asks you to do so. Similarly, even if someone has not asked a question and the chairperson asks you to leave, then please leave. Some members may not ask questions at all, due to various reasons and this should not bother you.
Before leaving, politely thank the chairperson and nod at the others members politely. Avoid saying "Have a good day sir". A "Thank you Sir/Madam" is enough.
- Documents to be submitted at the Personality test
- Types of questions asked at the Interview or Personality test
- Qualities to be tested in the Personality test
- How to Prepare for the Interview or Personality Test
- How to face the interview board
- Personal Traits to face the Interview
- How to answer your question during the interview
- Place of Civil Service Interview
- Civil Services Interview by UPSC
- More on Civil Services Examinations
