UPSC Civil Services INTERVIEW

Friends, Results for Mains examination has been declared by UPSC and I congratulate those who got the golden chance to appear in Interview. I would like to give some suggestions form my side based on my experiences-

1.Formalities- You have to take certificates in regard of your Educational qualification, Caste Certificate(if u belong to SC/ST or OBC community) and No Objection certificate from your employer if u r already working. Before interview, your certificate will be checked by upsc officials. Read carefully all instructions in this regard in interview form.

2.Dress- Your dress should be decent and  formal. Use dark colour pant(preferrably black and blue) with plain or simple sriped shirts. Tie is optional but if u r comfortable with it then use it. It adds to your look. Use formal shoes and belt. The most important thing is that you should be comfortable and confident about your dress. Use your dress at least 2-3 times to be fully comfortable with it.

3.Salutation- 
Either use Good Morning/afternoon/Evening Sirs/Madom or in Indian Tradition Use Namsakar/Namate with hand gesture. Your eye and face movement should be towards all the board members in one go. Greeting chairman and each board member separately is not needed.

4.Biodata-   Normally, candidates remain in doubt that they need bio-data and their certificates with them in interview room or not. That is not required. Board will have your bio-data based on details filled by u at the time of Mains examination. So, take your certificate folder with you but leave that outside interview room with gateman their.

5.Preparation-
list out all the possible questions on the following area-
-Your Optional subjects
-Current affairs and important topics, Indian Economics, Important public debates going on at present in India and abroad
-HOBBIES given by you in the mains form, their importance and significance in your life, any important development related to that hobby  (I'll discuss this topic in detail in my next post because somtimes your hobby may be most important segment or your interview)
-Your home state, home district and all related and important matters
-If you are working, then important things about your job
Also acquire some knowledge about your Work state and District.
-Regarding extra-curricular activities if You have mentioned them in Your mains Form
-Your Inspiration for joining this service
-Service preference given by you
-Cadre preference given by you
-Hypothetical questions Suppose if you are holding this post, what will you do for this problem...

Prepare all possible questions on these topic and then conduct mock interview sessions with your friends, relatives, teachers, good institutions with all seriousness. Always remember UPSC's motto of Interview-

"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 interst 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.







2. 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.






3. 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."
(From UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in/)

I'll come with specific guidance on some topics like hobbies, Hypothetical questions, using your sense of humour in a positive way, reading the mind of Interview board in coming days. I wish good luck to all the candidates who are going to appear for this year's interview.
With best wishes and Good Luck,
Yours,
Keshvendra