After giving a successful attempt in Mains (CSE), The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have a detailed record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The objective of the interview is to assess the caliber of the candidate for a career in public service. This assessment is done by a competent and unbiased Board.

The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms this isn’t just an assessment of intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities judged in this assessment are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

This interview does not examine a candidate with a strict cross-examination, but it more directed towards purposive conversation which reveals the mental qualities of the candidate. The interview test is not intended to assess the general knowledge of the candidates as it has already been tested through the written papers.

Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their opted 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.

Significance of Personality Test

‘Your aptitude is an indicator of your chances of success in Civil Services Examination’. This statement is valid for every situation and circumstances. Some experts even suggest that when you make up your mind to appear in ‘Civil Services Examination’, first thing you need to think about is your personality, which is tested through third and last stage of the examination process i.e., interview.

Interview, the last stage of Civil Services Examination is not a mere awareness test but is more of a psychological assessment. Significance of Interview marks is clearly visible. The personality test (Interview) has only 275 marks attached to it, but significance of marks obtained in the Interview still plays a vital role.

Comparing to the written examination, fetching high marks in the CSE Interview is easier to some extent. In recent Civil Services Examination results, many candidates have scored 200 plus marks in Interview that helped most of them in succeeding.

The worth of Interview marks becomes prominent in current environment when written cut-off is low. Obtaining high scores in the Interview can play a vital role in your final selection and more importantly in securing a rank in the merit-list so that you can be sure of getting the post of your first choice.

What the Interview Board looks for?

The Interview Boards explore originality, temperament and matching personality for the civil services In the beginning, their intend is to make you feel comfortable and provide encouraging atmosphere so that you express yourself better.

They are looking for originality of thoughts, interpretation of ideas in each situation, adaptability, and expression. When they identify these qualities in a candidate, they reward such performance with good marks. Many Candidates have candidly shared their experiences of CSE interview. According to their experiences, the board creates a cordial atmosphere during the interview and opens a room for discussion like situation rather than grilling the candidate.

Though the Interview Board may grill you, may trap you in arguments, build up pressure as discussion prolongs on given topics, may fire a bolt from the blue. But this is meant to check your mental alertness and could be a situational question that reflects your decision-making capabilities.

Personality Test – Success insight

A major hard work that has gone into Main Examination would have laid the roots but interview marks can add a significant edge to your result; that will determine your standing in the merit-list.

‘Personality Test’ is a stage where you should remain more serious about efforts and don’t let any complacency set in. As has been observed, many fails at the Interview stage just because of their careless attitude towards it and thinking that the final success is almost in their grip. Only a few marks lost in Interview could hamper your ranking in the merit-list or even your chances in the final selection.

The opportunity to appear in Civil Services Examination Interview is big and now, the destination is in sight. We suggest you to work on few areas to improve your presentation and face the Interview Board confidently.

During Personality Test (Interview) for Civil Services Examination, candidates are asked variety of questions from diverse fields and aim of the Interview Board is to assess your character and behaviour.

So, while preparing to face interview, set your eyes on some of the important areas which would be explored to scrutinize your personality.

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Importance of date of Interview
• Roll Number
• Residence/Place of Birth (Village/District/City/State)
• Educational Background
• Cross-domain shift
• Your Current Job Related
• Work Experience
• Gap in between study and examination
• Optional Subject
• Hobbies/Areas of Interest
• General Awareness/Current Affairs
• Headlines/major issues covered in that particular Day’s Newspapers
• Situational Questions
• Hypothetical Questions

Prepare clear, concise explanations for everything you need to know – practical and applicable; be it current affairs, contemporary issues, optional subject or even something relating to your academic background.

Articulate your personal account of information that you have shared in Detailed Application Form (DAF) before Mains Examination. Understand the technicalities of the UPSC Interview and look at the elements that can boost your confidence and put you on solid ground.

To put it simple words, you must enhance your understanding of yourself and the world around you.