The Interview or Personality Test is the final hurdle in the UPSC Civil Services Examination process. The main written examination carries a total of 1750 marks. Candidates who clear this stage are then called for the Interview or Personality Test, which carries 275 marks. The interview is a crucial determinant of the candidate's final ranking.
Candidates who may have just cleared the main examination but not scored very high have an opportunity to significantly improve their final rank by excelling in the interview. However, if the interview performance is not up to the mark, even a high score in the main examination may not save the candidate from sliding down the merit list or even getting eliminated. Hence, while the interview carries a smaller percentage of the total marks, it is highly significant in determining the candidate's final rank.
Aspirants often look for resources that can help them perform better in the interview. It is important to remember that the primary objective of the Interview/Personality Test is to assess the candidate's suitability for a career in public service. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest, as well as about various aspects of their life.
A majority of the questions will be based on the details provided in the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Therefore, it is crucial to take extra care while filling the DAF. Staying updated with current events till the date of the interview is also very important, as questions on current events can be expected. Therefore, the key resources for the UPSC interview are:
- DAF (in-depth knowledge of details mentioned in DAF)
- Newspapers
