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The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) interview, or Personality Test, is the last step in your journey to becoming the topmost civil servants in India. This interview isn’t just about testing how much you know—it’s about seeing who you are as a person. It’s about your personality, behavior, and attitude, all of which are very important for someone who wants to work for the people.
Candidates who clear the Mains exam are called for the Interview, which assesses the candidate’s personality, intellectual capabilities, and suitability for a career in public service.
The interview schedule will be released after the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 are declared. For IAS 2023, the first phase of the IAS Interview took place from Tuesday, 2nd January 2024 to February 16, 2024.
The Phase 2 interviews for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 for 1003 candidates was scheduled from 19 February to 15 March 2024.
The Phase 3 interviews was held from March 18 to April 9, 2024, for 817 candidates.
The IAS interview takes place at the Union Public Service Commission on Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069. Interviews are held in two sessions daily: the forenoon session at 9:00 AM and the afternoon session at 1:00 PM. Specific details are shared with candidates in their call letters.
Spanning around 30 minutes, the IAS Interview contributes 275 marks out of 2025. Though it may appear less significant than Mains, a strong interview score can greatly influence a candidate's service and cadre allotment.
For UPSC CSE 2024, it is expected that around 1056 positions will be filled after the interview process. Typically, about twice the number of vacancies are called for the interview stage, so approximately 2,100 candidates may be invited. This ensures a competitive selection process and allows the commission to assess a broad pool of qualified candidates for the final appointments.
The UPSC interview 2024 process is organized and requires candidates to stay calm and prepared. When candidates arrive, they go through security checks and show their documents. After this, they wait in a large hall, seated with others who have similar panel numbers. Each panel interviews about 5–6 candidates, with each interview taking around 20 minutes. Candidates are called by name for their interview, going through one last security check. Important qualities like staying calm, being respectful, and confident make a strong impression on the interviewers.
|
Particular |
Details |
|
Name |
UPSC Civil Services Personality Test 2024 |
|
Authority |
Union Public Service Commission |
|
Stage |
Third |
|
Interview Dates |
January 2025 to February 2025 (Tentative) |
|
Reporting Time |
Forenoon: 9:00 AM, Afternoon: 1:00 PM |
|
Dress Code |
Formals |
|
Time Duration |
20 to 30 minutes |
|
Total Marks |
275 |
|
Number of Vacancies |
1056 |
|
Candidates Called |
Twice the number of vacancies |
|
Venue |
Union Public Service Commission, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi |
|
UPSC 2024 Important Dates |
Prelims: 16 June 2024, Mains: 20 Sept 2024, Final Results: May 2025 (Tentative) |
The IAS 2024 interview is different from a regular exam. It’s not just about answering questions correctly but also about showing your personality. The panel wants to see if you are suitable for a role in public service. Here’s what they’re looking for:
Integrity and Honesty: Are you truthful and trustworthy?
Clarity in Communication: Can you explain your ideas clearly?
Confidence Without Arrogance: Are you sure of yourself but not overconfident?
Understanding of Current Issues: Do you know what’s going on in the world, and do you have opinions on it?
Ability to Handle Stress: Are you calm and collected under pressure?
Tip: Remember, you don’t have to impress with big words or complex answers. The interviewers appreciate genuine and thoughtful responses.
Your DAF for IAS 2024 exam is like a snapshot of your life that you submitted to UPSC. It has all the details of your background, from your education to your hobbies and preferences for certain services. Many questions in the interview will come from this form, so it’s essential to prepare on each point.
Education Background: Be ready to discuss why you chose your field of study.
Work Experience (if any): Think about how your job has shaped your outlook.
Hobbies: Interviewers often ask about hobbies to understand you better as a person. Be sure you can talk about your hobbies in-depth.
Choice of Services and Cadres: You should know why you want to join a specific service, like IAS or IPS, and why you selected certain locations.
Tip: Go over your DAF with a mentor or friend and discuss each part. This will make you more comfortable and confident.
Your understanding of current events is an important part of the interview for UPSC CSE 2024. This includes major national and international news, government policies, and socio-political developments. Here are some areas to focus on:
National News: Stay updated on major changes or issues happening within India.
International Relations: Know India’s relationships with other countries, especially its neighbors.
Economic Developments: Understand the basic economic policies, especially those affecting people directly, like inflation, taxation, etc.
State-Specific News: If you have mentioned your home state in your DAF, be aware of the current issues there.
Tip: Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu or listen to reliable news channels. Apps with daily news summaries can also be helpful.
How you speak and present yourself matters a lot in the IAS interview for UPSC CSE 2024. It’s not only about what you say but also about how you say it.
Avoid jargon and big words. Simple, clear language is preferred. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and avoid crossing your arms. Answer thoughtfully. If you don’t understand a question, politely ask for clarification.
Tip: You can record yourself answering questions to see how you come across. This will help you identify areas of improvement.
Sometimes, the IAS 2024 interview panel will give you situations to see how you think. These scenarios are usually based on the kind of decisions you might have to make as a civil servant.
For example: “What would you do if there was a flood in your area, and you were the District Magistrate?”
In such cases, think about what’s best for the people, how you would prioritize resources, and what steps you would take to ensure safety. Show that you can think calmly and practically.
Tip: Practice with different situations and discuss them with a mentor. This will help you build a habit of structured thinking.
Some questions are designed to test your patience. The IAS 2024 interviewers may ask tricky or uncomfortable questions to see how you react under pressure. These are called “stress questions.”
For instance: "Why did you leave your previous job to join civil services?"
Respond calmly without getting defensive. Stress questions are not there to make you feel uncomfortable—they are a way to see if you can stay composed and positive.
Tip: If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to say, “I’m not sure, but I’d be happy to learn more about it.”
As a future public servant, you are expected to have a balanced view of social issues in the country. This could include topics like poverty, education, health, gender equality, and environment. Be ready to discuss your perspective on these matters, as they directly impact people’s lives.
Ethics and Integrity: They may ask questions to check your moral compass. For example, “What would you do if you found someone in your team is corrupt?”
Think of honest, practical, and law-abiding solutions to these ethical questions.
Tip: Read about current social issues and consider how you would address them if you were in a position of authority.
Mock interviews are a great way to get comfortable with the process. These practice interviews help you learn how to answer questions confidently and calmly, and they also provide useful feedback on your performance.
Join a few IAS 2024 mock interview sessions at a good coaching institute or practice with mentors.
Review your performance in these sessions to understand your strengths and areas to improve.
Tip: Treat each mock interview as the real thing. This will help you get used to the atmosphere and feel confident on the actual day.
Some mistakes can hurt your chances, even if you’re well-prepared otherwise. Here are a few things to watch out for:
Don’t Memorize Answers: Speaking from memory makes you sound robotic. Be natural.
Avoid Arrogance: Confidence is important, but so is humility.
Don’t Guess: If you don’t know an answer, politely admit it. Making up answers is risky.
Tip: Authenticity goes a long way. Speak from your own experience and knowledge.
Finally, on the day of your interview, keep yourself relaxed. Anxiety is normal, but managing it is key to success.
Practice Breathing Exercises: This can help you stay calm and focused.
Dress Neatly and Professionally: First impressions matter, so wear clean, well-ironed clothes that make you feel confident.
Avoid Last-Minute Cramming: Trust your preparation and give yourself some time to relax before the interview.
Tip: Remember, this is your chance to showcase your strengths and your personality. Believe in yourself and your preparation.
Preparing for the UPSC CSE 2024 Interview can seem challenging, but with the right mindset & preparation, you can approach it confidently. Remember that this is an opportunity to show the panel who you are beyond test scores. Stay calm, keep learning, & believe in your abilities. You’ve made it this far, & the finish line is near—good luck!
The interview tests not just knowledge but evaluates personality, attitude, and behavioral traits. It’s designed to see if candidates are suitable for public service.
Interviews are held at the UPSC office in New Delhi, generally in two sessions daily (9:00 AM and 1:00 PM). Dates are announced after the Mains results.
The interview is worth 275 marks, playing a crucial role in the final ranking despite being a smaller component than the Mains.
Focus on understanding current events, revising your Detailed Application Form (DAF), and practicing communication skills through mock interviews.
Mock interviews simulate the real experience, helping candidates refine responses, build confidence, and gain feedback to improve.
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