After school, people take one of the most challenging yet much-needed decisions of one's life. It is a career option. The path you choose after 10+2 will decide how you spend your upcoming days. Many aspire to become an engineer, while others opt to stay attached to the academic field. However, this is all a personal choice.
One of the most competent and sought-after career options is the civil service exam. Every year, lakhs and lakhs of candidates appear for the UPSC exam. Unfortunately, not all can make it to the final round as this is considered one of India's most challenging exams. However, you need to put in hard work and dedication to succeed in the UPSC exam.
About UPSC exam
The UPSC exam consists of three rounds – the Prelims, the Mains, and the interview round or the personality test. Passing all of these rounds is a real challenge as the candidates have to go through a vast syllabus, revise thoroughly and retain everything. Further, candidates can move on to the next round only after passing the previous round. For example, an IAS aspirant can only sit for the UPSC Mains if he passes the UPSC Prelims.
You will be surprised to know that only 1% to 2% of the candidates appearing for the UPSC exam can make it to the UPSC interview round. Yes, it is genuinely challenging. The panelists sitting in the interview round ask questions about the candidate's life interest and background and inquire about topics related to his zone of interest. A significant part of the UPSC interview question concerns the subjects he chooses in the UPSC Mains.
Interview process in UPSC exam
Most candidates complain that the UPSC interview questions are extremely tough. Well, there are some techniques for answering these questions. The job of the panelists is to make the situation difficult for you. The reason behind complicating the questions is to test whether the candidate is capable enough to take up executive and administrative duties. Through these challenges, the panelists check how a candidate will overcome any challenging situation.
The UPSC interview questions and the whole round is carried on for nearly 20 – 30 minutes. During this period, the interviewer not only comes up with relevant UPSC questions but also studies the candidate's body language and behavior. Given below is the kind of experience that every UPSC candidate will face, only if they make it to the interview round:
All candidates are asked to report at the interview venue sometime before reporting. This is because the security guards conduct a thorough checking process to ensure candidates have appeared with valid ID proof and interview call letter. Therefore, to avoid any commotion, the best that a UPSC candidate can do is carry an identification proof issued by the government like an Aadhar card, voter card, etc.
Once the security check process is completed, the UPSC candidates are asked to submit their personal belongings. Before entering the entrance hall, a staff member goes through the caste certificate and education certificate to ensure that the candidate is suitable for the interview round. For the relaxation of the candidates, the staff offer newspapers and some refreshments.
All candidates are asked to fill up a questionnaire for analysis and research purposes. To process the order of the interview, the candidates are provided with the panel number.
Next, the candidates are divided into groups according to their panel numbers. At this stage, the candidates have to fill up the reimbursement form. Each panel consists of 5 – 6 candidates, and the whole interview for each panel is covered within 30 minutes. However, there is no fixed time limit for the interview.
As soon as the interview process begins, one of the staff calls out the names of the candidates one after another. Since candidates are asked to reach by 8.00 am, it is suggested that you have a wholesome breakfast.
The secret to cracking the UPSC interview is to reach the venue with a calm mind. Concentrate on the important aspect of the day. Have such a deep focus on the UPSC interview as if the rest of the world does not exist.
UPSC interview preparation strategy
Many students enquire if there is any particular strategy to ace the UPSC exam. The strategy or technique the IAS aspirants can follow differs from one candidate. This is because all candidates' grasping power and retention are not the same. However, some of the effective tips that stand familiar for all are as follows:
● Focus on current affairs
One of the basic requirements of passing through the UPSC interview round is to have a solid knowledge of current affairs. Here, read the current affairs concerning both national and international importance. Since you have come across the UPSC Prelims and Mains, by now, you already have some knowledge. Try to expand it as much as possible.
● Prepare according to the application
Before you appear in the UPSC interview room, you are asked to fill in an application where you have to put up details about yourself. Generally, the interviewers ask questions according to this application. So, be honest while filling up the application.
● Practice in front of the mirror
The more you practice, the better you get. To answer confidently in front of the panelists, practice thorough communication in front of the mirror. This way, you can find out your faults and work on them.
● Be honest
Above all, be honest. The examiner automatically understands whenever you tell a lie or try to hide something. Besides, you do not want to stand as a liar to the panelists. So, instead of appearing as a perfect human being, be honest to speak the truth.
Conclusion
Therefore, now that you know the tediousness of the UPSC interview round, you can assure yourself to prepare better. Since the UPSC interview round is no joke, make sure to prepare well. If needed, you can also join some UPSC coaching centers for better preparation.