How to Prepare for UPSC Civil Services Personality Test/Interview? - Details, Eligibility, Process and Important Tips

How to Prepare for UPSC Civil Services Personality Test/Interview? One of the most prestigious competitive exams in India, the UPSC CSE 2024 is conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC). The exam is the common gateway for the recruitment of civil servants in services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), etc. According to the UPSC calendar for 2024, the Civil Services Preliminary examination will be conducted on May 26, 2024, and the UPSC CSE Mains will be conducted on September 20, 2024. Candidates taking the personality test can no longer expect to excel based solely on their book-learned knowledge. They have to rely on their personality and interpersonal skills to do well in the test.

Also referred to as the IAS exam, the UPSC Civil Services exam is considered to be one of the toughest exams in India. This is not only because high-difficulty level questions are asked from a very wide range of subjects and syllabi but also because the selection ratio is quite low. In 2016, more than 11,00,000 candidates applied for the UPSC Civil Services Exam when the number of vacancies was just over 1,200. Therefore, it becomes very important to familiarise yourself with each and every section of the UPSC Civil Services examination, to have a good strategy, be smart with your preparation, and work for overall growth. In this article, we explore the UPSC Personality Test and how to prepare for it. Check the details of How to Prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Personality Test/Interview?

Also Read: List of Required Documents to Fill UPSC CSE 2024 Application Form

UPSC Civil Services Personality Test: Highlights 

Having an in-depth knowledge of essential subjects is vital for any civil servant. However, for a candidate to become a good civil servant, it is important that they come prepared to function even during stressful and demanding situations. This is why it becomes essential to judge the overall personality of a candidate and Personality Test (Interview) is conducted. Given below are some key highlights of the UPSC Civil Services Personality Test.

What is Personality and Personality Development?

Personality is a combination of how a person reacts to certain things and also a combination of his or her attributes and characteristics. Personality is something that is tested on multiple levels when someone is applying for a competitive exam because it is very important to have a strong personality when you will be working with highly respected individuals. Personality development is a process of developing one's personality in order to become a better person and to have a good image. When there will be an interview round for UPSC civil services, the person's personality will also be tested through the personality test which is an integral part of the selection procedure. It is very important to have a very attractive personality in order to crack the UPSC CSC Personality Test/Interview.

What is Tested Through UPSC CSE Personality Test?

Through the UPSC CSE Personality Test, the following areas will be used to test the candidates:

• Mental alertness
• Clear and logical exposition
• Critical powers of assimilation
• Balance of judgment
• The ability for social cohesion and leadership
• Variety and depth of interest
• Intellectual and moral integrity

Types of Questions Asked in the UPSC Personality Test

Even though there is no specific syllabus for the personality test of UPSC Civil Services, there are some sample questions that can help the candidates prepare for the test. The most common topics and questions asked in UPSC Personality Test are given below:

Also Read: UPSC CSE Mains Passing Marks 2024

UPSC Personality Test Eligibility Criteria

Only the candidates who have cleared the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination are considered eligible to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Personality Test.

UPSC Personality Test Interview Process

Roughly, the number of candidates selected for the UPSC Personality Test is two-and-a-half times the number of total vacancies. Selected candidates can refer to the steps given below for the procedure in a UPSC Civil Services Exam Personality Test.

• Download e-Summon: Candidates who have cleared the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination must download their e-Summon letter from the relevant portal. The e-Summons Letter and its attachments. Go through any instructions and carefully note the date and session for your UPSC Personality Test.

• Reach Venue: Show up at least 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled time. You will be required to go through security and document checks before being allowed inside. Showing up early also helps provide you time to calm your nerves and get in the zone. Candidates who live outside Delhi are advised to check the location of the interview center and make appropriate arrangements for accommodation beforehand to avoid any hiccups on the day of the UPSC Civil Services Interview.

• Document Verification: Submit documents for verification. The document verification is generally conducted before the interview. Original documents are checked and returned to the candidate on the same day.

• Panel and Sequence Allocation: You will be required to pick chits based on which you will be assigned the panel number and sequence number for your interview. Interviews are conducted by a number of panels, each containing multiple members who conduct 5-6 interviews in each session.

• Interview: When your turn arrives, a staff member will lead you to the respective room where your interview will be conducted.The interviews usually are around 30 to 45 minutes long but the duration is not fixed and may last longer or shorter than average, depending on the satisfaction of the interviewing panel. A longer-lasting interview is considered a good indication that a candidate has managed to grab the attention of the interviewing panel.

• Medical Examination: You will be required to appear on the next working day for a medical checkup. You are also required to carry certain additional medical documents and certificates for this step.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Preparation Quiz

UPSC Personality Test Required Documents

Candidates called for a UPSC Personality Test (Interview) are required to bring the following documents with them to the interview.

How to Prepare for UPSC Civil Services Personality Test and Interview?

The interview part of the UPSC CSE exam is one of the most important parts that are very hard to crack for the candidates. Sometimes when you are anxious it is very common to make mistakes and these mistakes can cost you a lot. You can check out some of the major preparation tips for the UPSC Civil Services Personality Test/Interview from the pointers given below and prepare yourself for the interview round:

• First of all, there are some general questions that you can prepare such as the questions related to the definition of civil services or even the details related to IPS and IAS. The candidates can get a general idea of the UPSC organization and also other details related to the job that they have applied for so that they seem prepared. 
• The candidates are also supposed to work on their current affairs skills so for example if there is something latest going on in the country then the candidates must have proper information about the same. You must have a perfect idea of the political and economical state of the country because questions can be asked from the same.
• The students must also have proper information about the graduation that they have done so if you have any specific graduation degree then you must have proper information about the same so you come out as a preferred candidate. If the candidates don't have any idea regarding their graduation and the things that they have studied in their school life then it can come out as irresponsible behavior.
• The students are requested to address the question directly and always try to answer the question in the most ideal way possible. Make sure that you are providing relevant information as per the questions that are asked by the authorities.
• The applicants are advised to not say anything that is irrelevant and unverified during the interview round. Make sure that you are answering the question on the basis of facts that you have learned and not on the unverified things that can be wrong.
• The applicant must come out as a strong candidate and must have good stand-in controversial questions. There can be questions on women's empowerment and there can also be questions on different things that are very controversial but you must have a strong stand on your opinion. You must try to justify your opinion as much as possible in a positive life.
• The applicants have the option of dodging the question by saying that they have no idea about the question if that is the case. You must not answer vaguely and must try to pass the question if you do not have any idea about it. Make sure that you are politely declining to answer the question instead of sitting blankly on the interview chair and making the board members annoyed.

UPSC Civil Services Personality Test: Skills To Develop 

Apart from overall personality development, proper planning after qualifying for the Mains exam can help the aspirants prepare for the Interview or the personality test in a better way. The preparation for UPSC Civil Services Personality Tests has to be done in 3 parts, wherein one includes summing up the knowledge and storing them intact in your memory. The second is to develop and work on conversational skills. While the third is to develop personality traits. So, first of all, the candidates should analyze his/ her strengths and weaknesses on these three points and then make a conscious effort to work on them.

• Conversational skills: As we know that an interview is basically about how you speak before the interview board, and you need to improve your conversational skills with the right pronunciation. Before the interview board, try to talk softly and intelligently. Rather than dragging, stick to the points and keep your answers short. It is to be noted that you should avoid being subordinate and at the same, you should not also sound overly friendly. All your answers should be crisp, clear, and to the point. In order to develop this you must first work on adapting a professional -like approach in your conversation.
• Personal Traits: The candidate must have a positive attitude, along with an alert mind, quick reflexes, and good decision-making ability. He/she should also be able to handle any difficult question in a cool and comfortable manner. It is quite difficult to visualize the way you will look in an interview. So it is advisable to practice in front of a mirror or ask a friend to give you observations on the way you look while answering in the interview.

How to Face UPSC Civil Services Interview Board?

• Generally, there will be 5 members on the board with the Chairperson seated at the center. Always keep in mind to enter the room confidently by knocking on the door and greeting the Chairperson, who will probably welcome you. After that, you have to give a pleasant nod to other members present there and wait till you are asked to sit.
• Secondly, candidates must have positive body language, a good personal appearance, and the right body posture in the interview room. After you are asked to sit, listen patiently to all the questions and maintain eye contact with the board members. Your body language must look attentive and engaging and do not glare at the board members.
• Thirdly, when you are answering do not glance at other members, rather keep your eyes at the center. However, sometimes you can move your face to the right and left but it should predominantly remain focused at the center. If some other member asks you anything, look at that member while answering them and then again turn back to the first.
• Fourthly, hand actions may cast a bad impression, so do not throw your hands around or place them on the table. Do not bend forward and shake your head unnecessarily. Make sure that your movement should be at a less amount. Again, it does not mean you should sit stiffly. Your body posture should be attentive, normal, and relaxed at the same time.
• Fifthly, your answers must be short of the required patience shown by the member talking to you. The board members usually like to talk more. So listen carefully and before answering think for a few seconds. This will show your thinking and analyzing skills, the way you organize your thoughts in mind before starting to speak.
• Then, your answers must show a difference in opinion. You don’t need to take a stand or become adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion. While answering, try to derive the words from the question as this would show that you have listened to the question attentively. 
• Try not to prefix your answer with introductory comments. Try to directly come to the central issue of the question. If you do not know the answer, it is better to admit that you are unprepared. It is advisable not to make wild guesses or as this may spoil your image.
• Your final exit may look humble enough. To leave, you must get up from the chair only when the chairperson asks you to do so. Also keep in mind, even if some members have not asked a question and the chairperson still asks you to leave, then please leave the room smiling. It should not bother you if some members do not ask questions at all. Before leaving, politely thank the chairperson and nod at the other members politely.

Personal Traits To Adopt For UPSC Personality Test

• Eye contact: In order to assess your confidence level, eye contact is one of the important assessment parameters. If you avoid eye contact with the members or look down elsewhere while giving answers, this will end up showing that you are nervous.
• Fiddling with fingers: Any sort of hand gesture may cast a bad impression, or show your less interest in the interview. Therefore, you must avoid fiddling with your fingers and present yourself with confidence.
• Avoid crossing your arms: While sitting, try to keep your hands straight on your lap and not on the table. Also, avoid crossing your arms consciously and subconsciously as it will create a barrier and makes you look defensive. 
• Slouching in the chair: Try to sit straight on the chair. Do not sit on its edge or try to lounge back on the seat. Your sitting position will carry a lot of impression and weightage to the interviewer.
• Avoid hand gestures: It is okay to make some hand gestures in order to highlight some crucial points but too much of hand gestures may be distracting to the interviewer.
• Avoid biting your lip: If you bite your lip, it may indicate your indecisiveness. Again, if you lick your lips, you are signaling your lack of confidence.
• Stop touching your face or hair: Avoid scratching your face or twirling your hair, even involuntarily. You can be judged a lot by the interviewers, so try to keep your face as natural as possible.

UPSC Civil Services Personality Test: Preparation Tips

The Personality Test is a very important step in the Civil Services Examination since a little over 10% of the total marks of the UPSC Civil Services Exam depend upon the interview. The UPSC Civil Services Personality Test or Interview is considered to be difficult not only because of the immense knowledge and experience of the candidate but also because of the level of competition that a candidate has to face. While the interview may take any turn and it is better not to have set expectations in your mind, there are some common questions and areas which you can prepare and improve upon to have an answer ready when it is asked. Here are some tips for a candidate preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Interview.

Knowledge-Building

• Start with yourself. Generally, an interview starts with personal questions. Even though personal questions help in making you feel comfortable and at ease at the start of the interview, they also help show the panel how well you know yourself and the confidence with which you can justify your choices. Some of the topics that personal questions may be related to are:

1. Bio-Data: Questions related to yourself, your family and other personal relations may be asked.
2. Name: Meaning, unusual spellings, famous personalities with similar names etc.
3. City/state of residence: Famous places, points of interests, important facts etc.
4. Hobbies and interests: Favourite subjects, choice of subjects in the UPSC Civil Services exam, choice of services if selected etc. You are expected to have good knowledge of your interests and you should have a good answer prepared.
5. Current and previous employment

• Stay on top of the current affairs: Questions related to matters of national and international importance may be asked and a Civil Services aspirant is expected to be aware of these events. However, if you express an opinion you may be expected to provide your reasons for having that opinion. Don't just cram, analyse, carefully form your reasons and don't be afraid to share your perspective.

• Theoretical and subject-related knowledge: A civil services aspirant is expected to have good theoretical knowledge as well and questions may be asked related to your studies in graduation and for UPSC preparation.

Personality Development

Personality development is a long-term process and requires the development of certain habits and traits. However, improving your personality is not an impossible task.

• Practice in groups: Practice talking in a voice that is clearly audible. Practicing for the interview in the company of friends will help you gain the confidence of talking to a person. When practicing in groups, you can also provide and receive feedback and notice the mistakes that may not be obvious when you consider only yourself.
• Work on developing a calm and confident body language: There are many strategies that a person can use to improve their body language. Drop any bad habits such as biting nails or touching face or hair while talking or unnecessary shaking of hands or legs.
• Appear for/Watch mock interviews: Many IAS coaching centers and study groups conduct mock interviews for the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Mock interviews of previously-selected civil servants can also be found online.

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC Civil Services Personality Test Tips?

UPSC Civil Services Interview Tips

The UPSC Civil Servies Interview is as much about confidence and poise as it is about having knowledge and skill. The panel judges the analytical and problem-solving skills of a candidate, how a person handles a difficult question or situation, mental awareness, social conduct, and many other factors essential to a person holding a post as a civil servant in India. It helps if you consider the interview as a conversation than as an assessment of your skills. However, it should always be kept in mind that this is not a casual event. You will be facing an esteemed panel of (mostly retired) professionals with decades of experience in their respective fields and a wealth of knowledge that's hard to beat. Be formal, polite, and respectful in your conduct and speech, and take the interview very seriously. Here are some pointers that you should keep in mind while sitting for the UPSC Civil Services Interview.

Before the Interview

• Have a good night's rest before the interview. In the morning, have a light breakfast before you come to the venue.
• Dress appropriately. Good attire goes a long way when it comes to boosting confidence and self-esteem. Remember that it won't matter if your clothes are old but they should be clean and ironed and should not look shabby. Take special care to polish and clean your footwear.
• Clear your mind on the day of the interview. Obsessing the questions you are going to be asked can confuse and derail you.
• Know the panel board. Reading more about understanding the panel can help you formulate better answers during the interview.

During the Interview

• Be confident. From the moment you walk in, to the way you greet the panel and the way you sit and talk, your body language says a lot about you. Sit straight up in the chair with feet placed firmly on the ground, palms flat on the thighs, and arms resting on the armrests.
• You will be greeted by the Chairperson when you walk in. Return the greeting and greet the other members of the panel as well.
• Be attentive and mentally alert. Maintain eye contact with the person asking the question while delivering the answer.

When and What You Speak

• Your answers and views should be shaped from the perspective of a civil servant and not just a common citizen. A person gains an immense amount of knowledge about the country and the world while preparing for the interview and that helps build a unique perspective.
• Use polite words and soft language during your conversation with the panel. Avoid being too negative about situations.
• Give answers that are concise and to the point. Put your point across without beating around the bush.
• It's OK to not know the answer to a question. Simply telling the panel that you do not know is much better than making up an answer or getting stuck on it for too long.
• You may be asked to solve a puzzle or provide an answer that uses nothing but your common sense.
• Do not be hesitant to share your views and opinions provided that they are backed by good reason. You can be assertive and confident but only to the extent that helps the panel understand your perspective. Do not enter into an argument with the panel over any issue.
• Do not lie or boast unnecessarily. Do not quote facts and figures that you are unsure of.

Also Read: UPSC Exams 2024 Preparation Tips

The UPSC Civil Services Interview can prove to be one of the most difficult and stressful phases of the whole process. However, it is also a wonderful opportunity to interact with some highly-experienced and knowledgeable people. Just sitting for the interview is a unique experience, which is only gained by a handful of millions of aspirants appearing for the exam. Be confident of success, prepare well, and give it your best. Good luck!

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