Best IAS Exam Interview Tip :Must Learn

IAS Interview: 25 Golden Tips
for Success
Filed under: UPSC Interview and last
updated on March 19th, 2017 at 9:12
am.
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IAS interview is a half-an-hour exercise
which can change your life. A high
score in UPSC interview can
sometimes create a difference of more
than 100 marks with fellow candidates
in just under 30 minutes. Being the last
round, this would give one, an
unassailable lead in India’s toughest
competition – UPSC Civil Services
Exam (CSE). Though the final rank list
is prepared by taking the sum of UPSC
mains marks and interview marks, very
often we see that interview high-
scorers top the final selection list too.
In this post, we present 25 golden tips
for success in IAS interview.

1. Start early!
It is very important not to lose time.
Start early. Don’t wait for the results of
UPSC Civil Services Main exam. Start
polishing your personality as early as
possible.
2. Know your-self
The most crucial problem with us is
that we don’t know ourselves fully. A
human being has so many skins inside,
covering the depths of the hearts. We
know so many things, but we don’t
know ourselves. Try to know the
different aspects of your personality,
even hidden or unknown. If any of your
personality traits does not suit an IAS
officer, try to overcome that weakness.
COPY CODE SNIPPET 3. Read your bio-data multiple times
Most of the questions in UPSC
interview will be based on the biodata
of the candidate. Copies of the
Detailed Application Form (DAF) will
be shared with each of the board
members. It is extremely important not
to fumble on personal questions.
Revise your bio-data many times and
prepare well for questions from areas
like hobbies, education, work
experience, service-preference etc.
4. Develop a positive attitude
There are many myths and rumors
about IAS interview. You might have
bad experiences from previous
interviews as well. But don’t let
negative thoughts to ruin your chances.
Don’t worry about matters – interview
board, position, questions etc. – which
are beyond your control. Hope for the
best.
5. Don’t take UPSC interview in a light
spirit
Be serious about the process and
questions. Give respect to the board
members who take your personality
test. Never underestimate the persons
in the board. They have vast
experience and knowledge. Don’t be
too casual on serious questions.
Also read: IAS Interview
Syllabus: 6 Important UPSC
Clues Which You Never Noticed
Before

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6. Develop self-confidence

Everyone loves people with self-
confidence. If you are sure about your
beliefs, answers or solutions, express
them confidently. But at the same time
ensure that you don’t go overboard.
Remember that the line between self-
confidence and arrogance is very
narrow.
7. Don’t lie
Don’t say lies to impress UPSC
interview board. Never create fake
facts in your bio-data. Very often they
will catch you.
8. Improve your communication skills
Improve your command over the
language for UPSC interview. If you
search for words in the 25-30 minutes
UPSC personality test, you may run
short of time to express your ideas
completely. Listening to debates and
news on television channels is one
practical way to improve
communication skills. Also, start
talking with your friends in the medium
for UPSC interview.
9. Get straight to the point
Master the art of giving to-the-point
answers. Very often, long answers can
be condensed into crisp, but interesting
statements. If you need more guidance
on do’s and don’ts for IAS interview,
read our article on civil services
interview where we have mentioned
about the books which help in UPSC
interview preparation.
10. Don’t stop reading newspapers
Candidates often stop reading
newspapers once the UPSC main exam
is over. But, information about current
happenings is very important for IAS
interview, just like the UPSC main
exam. Have a general idea about the
major happenings for last one year.
Also, be familiar with the headlines
and stories of the newspapers on the
interview day.
11. Prepare well on your hobbies
Very often this is the first question
UPSC interview board ask, many times
in a light mood. Make sure you start
well. Don’t give cliche answers.
Hobbies help the interviewer to
understand the personalities of
candidates. Keep practicing your
hobbies till the last week before UPSC
interview.
12. Revise your optional subject
It is seen that many candidates tend to
neglect their optional subject after
UPSC CSE Mains. But UPSC interview
panel may ask questions from your
optional subject on the interview day.
Brush up recent happenings related to
your optional subject.
Also read: Roshni Thomson
(CSE 2014 Rank 98) UPSC
Topper’s Interview – Part 3
13. Go through your graduation text
books
UPSC expects candidates to take their
graduation seriously. As this is one
area where the interview panel
perceives the candidates to have
expertise with. So, more in-depth
questions can come from this area.
14. Learn to give balanced answers
Your views should be balanced and
impartial. This does not mean that you
should not take a stand. Ideally, you
should have stand – without any
political or social biases. Once
you take a stand on controversial
topics, be prepared with
your justification for the same. Don’t
give sweeping generalizations without
a proper base.
15. Know your district and state
Questions may be asked about the
district and state. Collect details about
your birth place. Know the problems in
your village or city. Be prepared with
solutions as well.
16. Keep calm
The questions may be from a wide
area of topics/subject. You sometimes
may not be knowing answers of many.
If you do not know anything about a
topic you are asked, then admit that
you do not have any idea. Don’t panic.
Keep calm. Your emotional intelligence
matters. Nobody knows about
everything under the Sun. UPSC board
obviously knows that.
17. Don’t compromise your moral
integrity
UPSC not only measures one’s
intellectual qualities but also social
traits. Ensure that your moral integrity
is sound.
18. Maintain a positive body language
Reinforce your spoken words through
your body language. Avoid gestures
which do not suit the occasion.
19. Understand the real ‘IAS interview
questions’
Most of the questions forwarded as
‘IAS interview questions’ on the internet
are not questions asked in UPSC
interview. UPSC says ‘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’. Read ClearIAS UPSC
toppers interview section to know
about real UPSC interview experience.

20. Don’t be swayed by rumours

Many UPSC candidates are seen to be
carried about by the rumours about the
personality test. Certain boards are
seen are tight in awarding marks while
others are perceived as liberal. Though
slight variations may come, in reality,
all boards award high and low marks
depending on the performance of the
candidate on the date of UPSC
interview.
Also read: Cut-Off Marks for
UPSC Civil Services Exam: Trend
Analysis
21. Use common sense
Sometimes UPSC members ask
questions which can be answered just
by using common sense. But the
stress on the interview day may
hamper your thinking process. Realise
that common sense is not common.
Expect some puzzles which require on-
the-spot critical or lateral thinking.
22. Dress neat
The first impression matters. But it is
not necessary to wear expensive
blazers or suits for UPSC interview. Be
comfortable with what you wear. For
gents, a light colored shirt and dark
trousers should give a professional
appearance. A simple churidar or
saree is recommended for ladies.
Whatever you wear, in that dress you
should look confident and neat.
23. Re-check your documents
We advice to carefully verify the
documents before-hand to avoid last
minute panic. Ensure that you have all
necessary documents ready. Read our
article – check list for UPSC interview
– to know about the documents that
should be brought in for IAS Interview.
24. Take mock IAS interviews
Rehearsals help to avoid common
mistakes. Good mentors and friends
can find your strengths and weakness
and suggest necessary suggestions.
IAS toppers like Gaurav Agarwal (2013
All-India Rank 1) has said that mock
interviews help . They also help to
improve your consistency. At the same
time, care should be taken not to lose
your genuine personality, because of
the confusion created by different
opinions from different people.
25. Be yourselfDon’t try to present before UPSC board
a fake personality. Don’t mug up
ready-made answers for UPSC
interview. Be yourself and express
your opinion.