SOME TIPS FROM TOPPERS
MUTYALA RAJU REVU :
The 2006 Civil Services Examination results were declared on Monday and Mutyalaraju Revu, an OBC candidate from Andhra Pradesh has topped the exam.Revu, belongs to an extremely humble family and his father is a farmer in the Krishna district in the state.Last year, Revu had cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, but he had been awarded the Indian Police Service (IPS) because his rank was low.
A product of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Revu then wrote the exam again and made it to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) this time.
When asked what he remembers most during his preparation, Revu says, “It is the support of my parents, friends and roommates that is responsible for this grand success.”
“We divided a period of five months into different segments and prepared according to the plan we made. Sheer hardwork, perseverance and confidence has contributed to the success,” he added.
This was the third time Revu had appeared for the exam. It has been his dream for sometime to get in the administrative services.
He says an unfortunate incident, which led to the death of his six friends enthused him to qualify for the IAS.“During my third year B Tech, some of my friends came to my village, which lacks proper transport, education and medical facilities, for a picnic. Six of them drowned and died in the sea. And it took us two hours to reach the nearby town for some medical help. This incident made me appear for civil services,” Revu says.Revu, who is presently at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad doesn’t wish to go abroad. He says he would not be able to serve the nation even he’d go abroad.I wanted to be in civil services so that I can render my services to the nation, “ the topper says.
Hard Work, Good Planning, positive Approach and Faith In God Ensure Success - Vinod K.Jacob, IAS Topper 2000 (5th Rank) :
A civil servant is one of the most balanced and normal personalities in a country. He/she need not be an expert, a genius or a super-specialist, he/she has to be an average man/woman of pleasing nature and personality with a flair for leadership and administration. This dictum should guide every IAS aspirant throughout the 3 stages- Prelims, Mains and Interview. A 10 to 14 months programme is a must for this Exam. One should not attempt the first Prelims as a trial. The first attempt ought to be the best attempt. Preparation should be focussed on the Mains 3 months solely devoted to Prelims. Choice of Optional should be the first step the choice should rest solely on aptitude and bent of mind. The study should begin with understanding of the first principles and the basics. One should refer only to the standard text-books and noted classics in the concerned subjects. Preparation for Mains should not be on the basis of past years' Questions papers only. First, complete the syllabus and then one month preceding the Mains, practise with the help previous years' papers. I feel that it is the performance in General Studies paper that tilts the scales.
My observation has been that he candidates are extremely thorough with their Optionals and level of knowledge is improving s the years pass by. Hence General Studies alone makes or mars one's chances. Likewise, one has to practise writing good essays. Writing and presentation skills count for much. English paper and Language paper are no easy sailing affairs. I could not succeed in my first attempt (1998) because I failed in Hindi compulsory paper. So it is always advisable to brush up one's grammar and vocabulary. Making notes, keeping paper cuttings, regular map reading and group discussions are a must. Keeping focussed is often a tall exercise but with the help of our family and few reliable friends we can always recharge our betteries and stay on course.
I decided sometimes in January 97 during my sixth Semester at IIT Kanpur. Then comes the stage as to what is required to be done. Start the practise of regular reading of a newspaper. I was regular with The Hindu and I found it fairly useful. Also the choice of the optional is very crucial. You can decide about it based on your own interests, aptitude, graduation study, consulting the previous years' question papers, etc. it need not necessarily be the popular choice. I had Maths and Chemistry as my optionals. The criteria to choose Chemistry as against Physics was entirely based on my self-analysis because I have more liking for the subject plus by better scoring abilities in it. So despite the fact that there was hardly any guidance available for chemistry as against Physics, I decided about it. Also because I was getting more number of days in between G.S. -Maths and then Math- Chemistry papers (atleast 10 days break in between), this also was favourable and encouraging which did later prove beneficial - for I got sufficient time for last-minute revision.After the self-convincing choice of optional, the collection of the reading material becomes crucial. The study of the previous years' Test Papers together with solution is very useful to understand the trend and type of questions set and how to answer them. Here again Competition Success Review, by publishing answer to the latest such test papers in various Competitive exams including civil Services as a regular Feature, is way ahead of many such contemporary periodicals.
Apart from this, the university level books are consulted for they match the style of the Paper. By September '98, I started on with some optional subject study - taking one topic at a time but main emphasis was on General Studies especially Polity and Modern History. Due to the demanding B.Tech study, I was not able to give a lot of time exclusively for this Exam. But still, I was single-mindedly concentrating on my goal. At times I had to compromise with my B.Tech studies. I used to make a time schedule and a work schedule for the next day and also note down my time analysis and work progress if that particular day and introspect my shortcomings and possible improvements. This went on till April '98 When I gave my Final Semester exams. In between, I managed to devote the Whole one month just to study Indian Polity - the subject I feared the most in GS and its in-depth study instilled self-confidence in me for an otherwise tough subject for me. I started on for Prelims from mid-March. I just studied the Brilliant Notes on Maths and read the NCERT books on History, Geography and Spectrum Guide for Current Affairs. I got the previous years' solved Test of Mathematics to develop a good speed and maintain it as well.
Generally, my tendency during the Practise Test was to complete the paper 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled time (Duration: 2 hours) for in the Exam Hall, in the Hot Summers, one can never be sure of the comfortable conditions. Also signing the Attendance sheets and certain few announcements being made by the invigilators at intervals may be distracting and time-consuming. Prelim is just a qualifying Exam, so my eyes were always directed on the Mains. Still I devoted one full month of May exclusively for it to avoid any risk so that later I can prepare comfortably for the Mains without having any apprehensions about my clearing the first stage. The generally accepted strategy for this Exam is that one must have studied the whole syllabus for the Mains before the Prelims or at least before its result is out, i.e. by July end. But I must admit that it wasn't the case with me.
After my Prelims - taking a 3.4 days' rest break, I prepared a work plan for the next 5 months. I knew that revision is very important, still it was only by August end that I could finish off my syllabus once. With just two months before the Exam,. This was a bit demoralising and at times. I felt that I was out of the race. But keeping my expectations low, still I was determined not to let my spirits go down (Swami Vivekananda quotations and anecdotes never let me down), and sustained my consistency and without letting any negative thoughts overpower my mind, I worked mechanically till the last.
The next two months, I divided into three slots of 20days, each for the three subjects. At first, I revised Maths wholly followed by Chemistry and then GS till the General Studies paper on 30th October. I couldn't do any special study for the Essay paper. However, the high caliber essays for Civil Services published by CSR proved immensely useful in giving me an insight of the methodology to attempt the next 15 days for Math Paper exclusively and then the next 10 days for the Chemistry Paper. So a sufficient gap in between the Exam proved really beneficial to me.
During the crucial six months duration after the Prelims, I feel that you must have a very systematic approach, be disciplines and sincere, be consistent and work zealously. (Each day I would aim at attainable limits of 10-12 hours of study time, maintain a diary, go for some physical work-out for 30-40 minutes in the evening to refreshing myself.) be calm and positive. You should be so dedicated that no external coaxing should be needed to sit and study for long hours have faith in yourself and the Almighty and your concentrated sincere effort will never betray you.
The execution step is the last but the most cautious one. you must take light diet during the Exam days. Have good sleep. The night before the Exam for two papers during a day can be very exhausting and during the second exam, there may be a tendency of lethargy creeping in quite unwittingly. Be calm and positive. Dress comfortably. Reach the Exam centre well in time, so some deep breathing to maintain your cool and be charming during the interview. The work limit prescribes for the GS paper should be largely conformed with, for it helps in good time management as well. Work out the time plan for the Exam beforehand for the Exam pattern is very well known.
For the Essay paper about 45 minutes can be given for planning out, then two hours of writing (on 200 words) and later 15 minutes of overhauling. Interview preparation is not just a matter of a few days - your whole personality counts. Still you must acquaint yourself with your home State, district your college, your hobbies, general concepts of Public Administration, etc. also you can brush up the Mains GS material like Polity, Economy, History, etc.
Interview is more of a psychological test than just content based. But along with good communication skills and self-confidence, good knowledge base gives you an upper hand. Here again, reading certain articles like, "Facing the Interview Board" published by the Competition Success Review helps prepare oneself accordingly. I solely relied on this important feature in Competition Success Review. Group Discussions and MockInterviews are equally important. However, I myself could not make a group and go for any mock interview but I think this may prove helpful especially to those who feel less self-confident and have some difficulty in communication. I did not join any Academy either. On the whole, I feel that the first attempt should not be taken lightly for the enthusiasm and the dedication for the first time may be difficult t sustain on for the next time. Also one must keep his options open while going in for this exam - for with the decreasing number of the seats each year and increasing competition, an alternative job security can give one more self-confidence and thus a wholehearted effort is possible.
With good wishes and good luck to all future aspirants of this coveted service.
Self-Confident, Planning And Systematic Study : Stepping Stones To Success - Amit Negi, IAS Topper 1999 (2nd Rank) :
To achieve glorious success in the Civil Services Examination, proper approach and excellent guidelines are indispensable. Your Optionals are the things which can make all the difference. This single decision has the potential to alter your life. Choose your Optionals carefully and with due care. Try to choose subjects in which you have some background knowledge. Only choose those subjects which are scoring and also with which you are comfortable
. Remember you'll have to do both intensive and extensive study of Optionals. So it is imperative that you must have interest also in your Optionals. Always keep an open-mind. Information from any source relevant to your goal is always welcome. Discuss with your friends, talk to them and listen to their views. This will expand your knowledge base and also expose you to different views. This is important as this will enable you to view things in a balanced perspective and avoid taking extremes. Make it a habit to go through magazines (especially competition Success Review and General Knowledge Today) and newspapers regularly and read as many as possible.
The syllabus in the Civil Services is very hazy and vast with no clearly-defined boundaries. So, it might happen that you end up reading things which are connected with the syllabus but are practically irrelevant from your preparation point of view. So it is necessary that you get a feel of what the examiner expects from you. For this keep a copy of syllabus and side by side keep the previous year' papers. Compare them and see what types of questions are repeated every year. Try to have a feel as to what constitutes important portions of the syllabus and what is irrelevant. Try to from boundaries of the syllabus. This analysis will give you an in-depth insight into the paper and the examiner's mind. This will make you understand which topics need intensive study. This will also enable you to identify unnecessary portions, which are not important from the point of view of examination, so that you may avoid them and save your precious time and energy. It is always useful to maintain a note-book to jot down all important developments happening in the National and the International scene. Also if possible one should make short notes for Optional Paper as well as General Studies. For example, in Mathematics and Physics one can make a formula note-book in which one should write all the important formulae and their derivations. Besides making it easier to remember, such notes are also very useful and handy during revision stages and save a lot of time.
Always do a planned and systematic study. Work out your study schedules in a planned and orderly manner. Maintain a daily routine of studying in a manner suited to you and stick to it; no matter what happens. Plan your whole preparation well. I think this whole preparation should last about 12-15 months. So plan your preparation in such a manner that before the prelims you should have completed your both Optionals and General Studies right up to the Mains level. This will ensure that you have sufficient time to revise. So planning at every stage of the examinations important. Also do a very systematic study.
Work out your syllabus and finish it in an ordered manner. Some time when you are free, try to write an essay on post topics covered in the Civil Services. This will expose you to your lacunae as well as make you understand the things involved: writing a good essay. Not only the easy you should also attempt previous years' Optionals Papers and General Studies Papers. This will expose your weaknesses and give you an idea about the extent of your preparation, your knowledge base, your speed and accuracy. Thus you can develop your writing skills and make sure that you can cover lengthy papers, especially GS Paper-1, in time.
Remember in the Civil Services, writing skills matter a lot. Most of the people appearing for Mains Examinations have a lot of knowledge, some of them have been preparing for the last three or four years, even then such candidates are not selected sometimes. One of the reasons for their failure is their writing skills. They are not able to present all the information present in their mind in a coherent and logical manner as expected by the examiner. So, you should develop your writing skills. The attitude that I will write directly in the Examination should be done away with
. Remembers hours do not count. Don't go by the claims of other persons who say that they study more than 18 hours a day. Do not get depressed if you are unable to achieve their targets. Remember, it is your preparation, you are the one who will appear in the examination, you know yourself better, so do your study according to your needs. Quality of hours put in is more important than quantity. You should use your energy an time in an efficient and effective manner.
Take due care of your health. You might go in for a walk in the evenings. also maintain a hobby which relaxes you during your preparation like listening to music etc. take sleep as required by your body and mind. It is always better to do study when one's mind and body are fresh, this helps in easy grasping of things a swell as in retaining them. Remember that without a good health, you will not be able to concentrate on your studies and your whole idea of the Civil services will go haywire.
It is always better to peak at the time of Examination. So channelise your preparation in such a manner that you don't burn yourself out before the Examination. Build up reserves of energy in yourself. You will need this energy at the time of your Examination. Do not worry much about the compulsory Hindi and English language papers. You will coolly pass them, and you don't need to waste your time preparing for them.
For Interview, from a group of friends who have offered the same Optionals. Remember, Interview is of a personality test. The Board will check certain traits in your personality such as your honesty and integrity, your mental alertness, your acumen, your response to some situations, your views on varied topics and also your knowledge base. So, for Interview read as many newspapers and as many magazine as possible. Discuss with your friends. Take mock-interviews. Try to find loop-holes in your arguments and plug them. Form your views on various subjects in a very logical and rational manner supported by data whenever necessary. Do not get nervous whenever necessary. Do not get nervous before the Interviews. Improve your communications skills by giving mock-interviews.
These will also open you up. Ask your friends to grill you, so that you can face pressure from the Board easily. Always pause a bit before answering even if you know the answer. Do not give a hasty reply. Answer in an orderly and logical fashion an always look into the eyes of the interviewer while answering. Be polite and courteous. Don't be too much argumentative. Be consistent in your views, i.e. just don't change your views because of the fact that the Board is differing with you. Remember that they are only testing you and often even try to provoke you. Give balanced answers and avoid taking extremes.
Alongwith your preparation for the Civil services Examination, the following four elements are the pre-requisites for success in the examination :
(1) Hard Work - Remember that there is no substitute for hard work. No genie is coming to help you. You
have to finish the whole course by yourself.
(2) Dedication - Dedication towards your duty always pays in life. Be totally dedicated towards your study. You will have to sacrifice something like movies, parties, etc. at this stage of your life to achieve bigger things. Just work day and night and go on and on.
(3) Patience - As the civil Services Emanation spans a whole one year right from Preliminary stage to the Interview stage, it requires a lot of patience to maintain your tempo. At times you may feel tired and sick of further studying during the course of your preparation, but don't throw the towel as yet. Maintain your cool and patience and go on. To take out your anger and frustration, talk to friends and parents. They'll provide you with the much-neede emotional support.
(4) Self- confidence- your self-confidence can make the whole difference. If you don't believe in yourself and your capacity to achieve then no matter how hard you try. You will end up in failure. So your self-confidence should be at a very high level. I don't intend to say that you should become over-confident, but a good self-esteem matters. So to pep up your confidence level say t yourself everyday in front of the mirror that you can do it and you will do it. You should be in the surroundings of the people who could constantly motivate you and inspire you. Keep a group of close friends with you who are as determined t make it to the Civil Services as you are. This will make sure that if you are facing some problems in any subject then you can approach some one. Also while talking and discussing with them you'll be exposed to different views. This will also ensure that you can vent out your frustration by talking to some one. Besides, good friends are always a source of inspiration and motivation.
Motivation And Confidence Secrets Of My Success - Deepak Tayal, IAS Topper 1993 (3rd Rank) :
The first and the foremost step to achieve success in the Civil Services Examination is to aim high and have a belief in oneself. Once that is done, one is prepared to give it a go. The first step involves a suitable choice of the Optional subject for the Preliminary Examination and the Mains.
I think that the choice subject be based on interest and comfort level rather than how scoring they are. One should rather than how scoring they are. One should have a natural inclination and aptitude towards these subjects. It always helps if the choice of Optionals for the prelims is one of the subjects chosen for the Mains.After this, it depends on the Particular individual as to what he feels about the method best suited to him and his instincts. But in general preparation can be broadly classified as long-term or short time depending on the available time for preparation.For a long term, one should begin with one of the Optional for the Mains and try to finish as much as possible until about 15 days to 2 months depending on the comfort level for the Optional chosen for Prelims and whether one began with the same subject or not. This should be followed by preparation for the prelims. In the prelims, there is no need to give undue emphasis to the General Studies and to waste time in order to attempt to cover everything. A quick study of different areas of the General Studies is enough if one has prepared thoroughly for the Optional in which attempt should be made to score more than 225 marks.
Preparation for Mains should begin soon after the Prelims is over and one should not waste time waiting for the Interview. Here again the major thrust should be on preparing for optional subject more thoroughly and give them more time. The preparation for General Studies can be highly selective and one can easily see that there is a similar pattern in the questions asked in different years. Of course, there is no feels that there is a lot of available time. On the other hand, if one is following short-term preparation either because of lack of time available for studies or because he feels more comfortable with it, there are some suggestions for books from my side, based on what I did. For History & Indian Polity, selected portions of Unique's Guide and for Current Affairs, Economy & Science and Technology, Spectrum's current affairs are good enough to score more than 325 marks if one has the ability to grasp them quickly. It helps if one has read magazines and newspapers regularly but if he is unable to do so, there is no cause for panic and one can do without them.
A major part of the preparation should go towards the Optional. The most important thing to know about the Interview is that it is not a question-answer session and what they are looking out for is different aspects of one's personality. As far as possible, the answer given should reveal a particular aspect of one's personality and attempts should not be made to present a make-up appearance or politically correct answers. There is no harm in taking extreme views if one is able to justify them.
One need not get carried away by the flood of books and coaching institute. If one feels that he is confident enough to take his own, he can do without them. Most of the questions asked in the Interview are opinion-based. For such questions, it always helps if one already such questions…. it always helps if one already has some views on the issue and he can present them spontaneously. If it is a relatively new issue, the best approach is to think there and also to be seen thinking. If the candidate seems to be applying his mind in an effort towards reaching the solution, it is the best thing that can happen in an Interview.
For the knowledge-based questions, the presentation of the answer becomes more important. One should not make himself appear as having crammed be presented in a conversational manner. There is no need to panic for the Interview and even " I don't know, Sir" should be said with confidence and cheerfulness. One is not expected to know everything under the sun. Finally, whatever the stage might be, one has to have faith and confidence in himself. An individual should be the best judge of what he thinks as the best way to prepare. He should not follow the crowd if it doesn't suit his instinct. Once that happens, he is bound to success and excel
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Monday, November 22, 2010
General Instructions for UPSC Interview test
General Instructions for Interview test :
The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his/her career.
Candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers.
The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural and purposive conversation, which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
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. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special 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.
INTERVIEW :
The Interview stage has emerged as the most deciding phase of the exam. The range of marks awarded itself is a proof, it varies between 50 to 240. If the UPSC
board feels that a candidate is unsuitable for administration, then it awards very low marks. As a result he may not get the desired service in spite of good performance in the mains exam. So interview plays a very crucial role in the final selection.
The personality is some thing that cannot be developed in few days. It is a continuous process since your childhood. But, you can modify it suitably to get good marks in the interview.
What is looked for in the Personality Test ?
The UPSC is looking for some traits, which can be summarized below:
1. Suitability to a public career
2. Mental Caliber
3. Not only intellectual traits but also social traits
4. Interest in current affairs
5. Mental alertness
6. Critical powers of assimilation
7. Clear and logical exposition
8. Balance of judgment
9. Variety and depth of interest
10. Ability for social cohesion and leadership
11. Intellectual and moral integrity
In the words of former UPSC Chairman Surendra Nath, an ideal civil servant should be:
“ Firstly, an officer must be a gentleman. He should possess good character qualities.He should have courage of conviction, intellectual and moral capabilities, leadership qualities and capable of taking the right decisions at the right time. He should have indepth professional knowledge, self confidence, good communication skills, analytical in his thinking, flexible and not rigid, must be able to inspire and motivate his colleagues and his sub-ordinates. There should be a balance of judgment in decision making”.So, you will have to improve these qualities as you progress towards the interview stage.
How to Prepare?
• Start full-scale preparation for the interview, immediately after the mains exam.
• Be very careful while filling the mains application form. This form is the basis on which the whole interview depends. So, consult the seniors and fill the information carefully. Through this form, you can direct the board into your strong areas. The interview will go on expected lines and you can give wellprepared
answers. Do keep a photocopy of the form.
• The preparation should be at two levels - the subject matter preparation and the way you present yourself.
• One should prepare for the interview with a group of 3-4 people as the preparation for Interview cannot be done in isolation. Personality is a life-time asset and expecting miraculous changes in personality in a span of a few days or weeks is not possible. Yet, efforts can be made to overcome major deficiency and polishing of views and opinions.
• Use a handy cam or a mirror to see how you speak, the facial expressions,mannerisms etc.
• Keep visualizing the interview scenario and modify yourself accordingly. In interview- you are assessed right from the moment you enter. So the following aspects are important
The way you walk;
The way you sit down;
The way you dress up;
The enthusiasm and cheerfulness in your face;
The way you talk;
your mannerisms;
Facial expressions;
Politeness;
Behavior;
The way you tackle the questions;
The confidence you display;
The way you take leave and walk out of the room; etc.
So in all these dimensions you should keep contemplating and put your best performance on that day.
• The best way of preparation is to just sit and do brain storming intensively.
Think what type of questions can be asked and how you can give a simp le and logical answer. This will not come from reading many books. It requires lot of introspection.
• Show a positive body language. You believe that you are suitable for the job.Convey to them the message that you are the person they are looking for.
• Read various original interviews given in the magazines to understand what the UPSC expects from you.
What type of questions does the Interview Board asks?
What are the things that trigger a question in the mind of the Interview board?
The elements in their immediate view. What are these elements? First the candidate himself/herself, second his back ground record as revealed from the mains application form, third important events that have happened in last few months or
are in news currently and lastly words that we use in our answers to the board.
Types of questions asked at the UPSC interview:
• Relating to your name: Any famous personality who has a similar or same name or surname.
• Your career choice: Why you want to opt for the civilservices.
• Your Hobbies: Why you pursue such a hobby or questions related to your hobby. So research well on your hobby.
• Hot topics of recent days like the Bird Flu and Tamiflu, Growing airlines, Terror attacks in India, India US Nuclear deal, Indian Cricket, Saurav Ganguly etc
(These are just examples).
Keep reading and watching the news. If the recent
headlines have something to do with your subject then specially revise those portions. For example if you are a veterinary doctor, Bird flu may go on to other animal diseases that can infect men. If you are an MBBS, then you might be
asked about human to human spread of epidemics or any other epidemics and precautions etc. If you are from an economy background, the same topic will veer towards the economic implications of the Bird flu.
• How you are going to use your specific knowledge (like if you are a doctor,lawyer, engineer etc) in the services.
• Situational questions/ Hypothetical questions: Like If you were the collector/SP of so and so, what would you do after the Communal riots/Bomb Blast?
• Choice of services: The order of your choice of services can raise questions too.
• About your institution and related: If you have studies at IIM you may be asked about the rising salaries, if from IGNOU then even about Indira Gandhi and so on.
• Other areas to be focused are:
why optionals;
Background of the parents places;
Where you stayed;
Academic background and related aspects;
Optional subjects;
Graduating subject;
Positions if held;
Job experience if any;
Hobbies;
sports;
Mock/Practice :
One should form a group of 4-5 people, as the preparation for Personality Test cannot be done in isolation. Try holding as many mock interviews as possible.
No training institute can develop/transform your personality in a few days.However, some of the tips may help in ironing out some weaknesses/gray areas and can provide an avenue for a well-planned preparation and group discussions.
Take mock interviews with your friends. In the mock interview, ask your friends to grill you so that you can face pressure from the Board easily. Discuss a lot with your friends. This not only helps in you assimilating different points of view, but also enhances knowledge levels.
Dressing Up :
Dress sense is of crucial importance. The choice of dress should be according to the weather conditions. Try not to wear newly stitched clothes, as they might make you uneasy.Wear comfortable clothes. Men need to wear light coloured shirt and a dark trouser with a tie. Women appear best in a saree or salwar kameez.
Pay attention to the details, ironed dress, polished shoes, hair accessories, trimmed nails etc. Polish your footwear meticulously. Use convenient footwear like black or brown leather shoes.
Women candidates should take care to avoid the hair falling over the face as it could annoy both – you and the interviewer.Do not wear anything that connects you with a eligious or political group.Do not use heavy perfume/deodorants.In case you have a running nose or have caught a cold, carry a handkerchief,or sufficient stock of tissue paper. Tissue paper is preferable. Some candidates take medicine to relax on the previous night of the interview;this should be avoided as the effect of medicine may decrease your alertness during the interview.
What and how you eat is also important. Have a light meal on the day of the Personality Test. Do not go for the interview on an empty stomach. However,also avoid over-eating, or having a heavy meal. First impression is often the best impression. So create a positive, good impression within the first few minutes of the interview.
Entry :
Arrive 20-30 minutes early. This will give you enough time to relax Keep a file/folder to keep your certificates and documents in an organized manner. They are verified before you enter the interview room. (You don’t have to carry file/folder inside board room) While waiting for your turn in the waiting area, read a newspaper or a magazine and try to remain focused without thinking too much of what will happen in the interview. Do not try to pre-suppose situations in the Personality Test.
Take a final, deep breath before entering the boardroom.
Do not forget to knock at the door before entering, as it indicates basic courtesy.
On entering the room, greet all the members cordially and do not sit down on the seat without being asked to.If there is a lady member in the interview board, greet her first.Be conscious of your body language when you are seated. Men should keep the feet flat on the floor during the interview, knees at waist
level, and hands on your thighs and place your elbows on the armchair. Avoid locking hands.
Women, cross your ankles or legs, but keep the bottom leg straight down and do not swing it over the top leg and keep your elbows positioned on the arms of the chair.
When the Board members thank you at the end of the Personality test, do not forget to thank the members one last time and keep your body posture straight at the time of leaving the room. Be cool. Be yourself during the Interview. Your aim should be to make the board members feel comfortable in your presence. Don’t expect any expression on the faces of board members, even if your answer is very good.
During Interview :
In a personality test, what is of importance is how you say what you say. It is the style of presentation that matters.
Your personality is, on an average, assessed in 25-30 minutes; it is your responsibility to bring out your very best in front of the board. Intelligent listening is the mantra, and for this maintaining eye contact is very important. You should not glare but all the same appear attentive and do not glance at other members, it can be very distracting for the interviewer. However if some other member asks you anything, look at that member and answer and turn back to the first - this is what we do in normal attentive listening. Try not to jump into an answer before the complete question has been posed,as you will end up wasting time on answering a question that you were not actually asked. If you are not sure of what was asked, you can always politely seek a clarification.Do not try to answer the question as soon as it is posed. Think over the question, take your time and organize the broad outline of the answer before airing it.Pause a while before answering, even if you know the answer. Do not speak rapidly. Speak slowly and clearly so that the Board members grasp what you are saying and do not have to interrupt you or ask you to repeat your views.
Do not fidget or throw your hands around, or shake your head. Less amount of movement does not mean you should sit unnaturally stiff. Your posture should be attentive and relaxed at the same time. Do not crouch/bend forward or place your hands on the table.
At times, you will be given situations wherein you will be required to take a decision. In such situations, the board is testing your ability to comprehend issues and use reason and good judgment logically, precisely and arrive at a balanced decision. Your replies should be crisp and to the point. Do not beat around the bush. Cut your answer short to the required patience shown by the member talking to you. They usually like to talk more, so listen carefully and think for a few seconds before you start answering the question. This will show that you are organising your thoughts in mind before starting to speak.Leave some room for difference in opinion. Do take a stand, but do not look adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion. Use couple of words from the question while answering any question. It shows you have listened to the question carefully. But at the same time limit the use the technical jargon.
Do not start evaluating your performance while still in the interview. Even if you have committed mistakes in the beginning, do not think that you have already lost the game. They are looking for warm, sensitive respectful and attentive youngsters. They know you are good or you would not have come so
far.Talk humbly about your achievements and hobbies. You may have mentioned some hobbies in the form without serious background in them, but before the interview it would be useful to pick up some basic info on the hobby.
Say less to convey more. Argue logically and generalise correctly. Remember, while answering any question, what is easy to see is easy to miss. We often tend to miss the obvious and go for some non-crucial aspect of the subject.
Questions posed before a candidate by the interviewing board are very well framed and answers to them should be made taking into consideration all possible views and a balanced approach is expected from a candidate.
Remember, non-awareness of something should be admitted with politeness. It is okay to not know something! It is better to say 'No' than to bluff around.Those interviewing are highly experienced persons and know much better than us.
If the question put is not clear to you, politely ask for more information. It is not the factual knowledge but your views, which will be tested in the interview.
Always observe interview etiquette and be honest, polite, convincing a modest.Arrogance, rigidity, flicking round the issue should be avoided.
Don't be argumentative. Be consistent in your views, i.e. just don't change your views because of the fact that the Board is differing with you. Remember that they are only testing you and often even try to provoke you. Give balanced answers and avoid taking extremes. The most important thing to know about the Interview is that it is not a question-answer session and what they are looking out for is different aspects of one's personality. As far as possible, the answer given should reveal a particular aspect of one's personality and attempts should not be made to present a make-up appearance or politically correct answers. There is no harm in taking extreme views if one is able to justify them.
Maintain a gentle smile off and on during the Personality Test without overdoing it. It displays a sense of ease and confidence. Wherever possible use your sense of humour judiciously.
Get up to leave only when the chairperson asks you to, not because you think everyone has asked a question. Similarly, even if someone has not asked a question and the chairperson asks you to leave then please leave. Some members do not ask questions at all, due to various reasons like limited time.
Before leaving politely thank the chairperson and nod at the others politely. Avoid saying "Have a good day sir/madam". A "Thank you Sir/Madam" is enough.
General Do’s and Don’ts for the personality test:
The board members are usually very senior and learned people, so give utmost respect to the board.Speak honestly, truthfully and modestly.Never make an attempt to present a made-up appearance or politically correct answers.
If you are taking an extreme view, you should also be able to justify the same.
Take tea or coffee, if any member offers the same to you. This will show you are relaxed and it will also help in lightening and relaxing further proceedings and give them an informal touch.
Don’t criticize any government policies or even individuals.
Take a good night’s sleep. A good, sound sleep will keep you refreshed, cheerful and relaxed. Otherwise you will have a fuzzy head and you will have a confused personality. You will neither be able to grasp questions correctly, nor be able to
think clearly.At times, the Board members might pile pressure upon you. Do not panic – it is a strategy aimed at gauging the point till which you can maintain your cool under pressure and can think originally even in tense situations.
Form your views on the subjects in a logical and rational manner supported by data whenever necessary.To be in touch with the latest happenings/events – nationally and internationally, candidates should read magazines and newspapers (at least two for interview), watch current affairs-based television programmes.
Assume that all questions are asked with a good reason and answer them accordingly. Do not entertain any rumors regarding the integrity of the board. The UPSC interviews are of the top class and the marks awarded are also proportional to what the candidate deserves. The rumors are, mainly spread by people who do not clear the exam. Instead of criticizing others, it is better to introspect and
make efforts to develop one’s personality. So, go to the interview with utmost respect for the board and confidence in their integrity. Put your best performance on that day.
Avoid conversational clichés, like: 'as you know', 'that's correct', 'of course','indeed', 'obviously', etc.
Avoid technical jargon. However, if a member continues to probe you in any technical field, you can use technical expressions.Maintain a cheerful disposition. Now and then you can appear serious; but most of the time keep smiling or look cheerful and composed. One caution here: if the board laughs, you should only smile. It is only when you maintain some amount of distance that the board begins to wonder about the depth of your personality. Do not give long introductions. Come straight to the heart of the matter.
Show human concern whenever possible in your answers.
You should be logically consistent and analyse things rationally while talking.You are supposed to defend what you say, but with due respect to the views of the board. Stop trying to defend an answer if it becomes difficult to do so logically and fairly.Do not make hasty or sweeping generalisations.
The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his/her career.
Candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers.
The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural and purposive conversation, which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
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. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special 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.
INTERVIEW :
The Interview stage has emerged as the most deciding phase of the exam. The range of marks awarded itself is a proof, it varies between 50 to 240. If the UPSC
board feels that a candidate is unsuitable for administration, then it awards very low marks. As a result he may not get the desired service in spite of good performance in the mains exam. So interview plays a very crucial role in the final selection.
The personality is some thing that cannot be developed in few days. It is a continuous process since your childhood. But, you can modify it suitably to get good marks in the interview.
What is looked for in the Personality Test ?
The UPSC is looking for some traits, which can be summarized below:
1. Suitability to a public career
2. Mental Caliber
3. Not only intellectual traits but also social traits
4. Interest in current affairs
5. Mental alertness
6. Critical powers of assimilation
7. Clear and logical exposition
8. Balance of judgment
9. Variety and depth of interest
10. Ability for social cohesion and leadership
11. Intellectual and moral integrity
In the words of former UPSC Chairman Surendra Nath, an ideal civil servant should be:
“ Firstly, an officer must be a gentleman. He should possess good character qualities.He should have courage of conviction, intellectual and moral capabilities, leadership qualities and capable of taking the right decisions at the right time. He should have indepth professional knowledge, self confidence, good communication skills, analytical in his thinking, flexible and not rigid, must be able to inspire and motivate his colleagues and his sub-ordinates. There should be a balance of judgment in decision making”.So, you will have to improve these qualities as you progress towards the interview stage.
How to Prepare?
• Start full-scale preparation for the interview, immediately after the mains exam.
• Be very careful while filling the mains application form. This form is the basis on which the whole interview depends. So, consult the seniors and fill the information carefully. Through this form, you can direct the board into your strong areas. The interview will go on expected lines and you can give wellprepared
answers. Do keep a photocopy of the form.
• The preparation should be at two levels - the subject matter preparation and the way you present yourself.
• One should prepare for the interview with a group of 3-4 people as the preparation for Interview cannot be done in isolation. Personality is a life-time asset and expecting miraculous changes in personality in a span of a few days or weeks is not possible. Yet, efforts can be made to overcome major deficiency and polishing of views and opinions.
• Use a handy cam or a mirror to see how you speak, the facial expressions,mannerisms etc.
• Keep visualizing the interview scenario and modify yourself accordingly. In interview- you are assessed right from the moment you enter. So the following aspects are important
The way you walk;
The way you sit down;
The way you dress up;
The enthusiasm and cheerfulness in your face;
The way you talk;
your mannerisms;
Facial expressions;
Politeness;
Behavior;
The way you tackle the questions;
The confidence you display;
The way you take leave and walk out of the room; etc.
So in all these dimensions you should keep contemplating and put your best performance on that day.
• The best way of preparation is to just sit and do brain storming intensively.
Think what type of questions can be asked and how you can give a simp le and logical answer. This will not come from reading many books. It requires lot of introspection.
• Show a positive body language. You believe that you are suitable for the job.Convey to them the message that you are the person they are looking for.
• Read various original interviews given in the magazines to understand what the UPSC expects from you.
What type of questions does the Interview Board asks?
What are the things that trigger a question in the mind of the Interview board?
The elements in their immediate view. What are these elements? First the candidate himself/herself, second his back ground record as revealed from the mains application form, third important events that have happened in last few months or
are in news currently and lastly words that we use in our answers to the board.
Types of questions asked at the UPSC interview:
• Relating to your name: Any famous personality who has a similar or same name or surname.
• Your career choice: Why you want to opt for the civilservices.
• Your Hobbies: Why you pursue such a hobby or questions related to your hobby. So research well on your hobby.
• Hot topics of recent days like the Bird Flu and Tamiflu, Growing airlines, Terror attacks in India, India US Nuclear deal, Indian Cricket, Saurav Ganguly etc
(These are just examples).
Keep reading and watching the news. If the recent
headlines have something to do with your subject then specially revise those portions. For example if you are a veterinary doctor, Bird flu may go on to other animal diseases that can infect men. If you are an MBBS, then you might be
asked about human to human spread of epidemics or any other epidemics and precautions etc. If you are from an economy background, the same topic will veer towards the economic implications of the Bird flu.
• How you are going to use your specific knowledge (like if you are a doctor,lawyer, engineer etc) in the services.
• Situational questions/ Hypothetical questions: Like If you were the collector/SP of so and so, what would you do after the Communal riots/Bomb Blast?
• Choice of services: The order of your choice of services can raise questions too.
• About your institution and related: If you have studies at IIM you may be asked about the rising salaries, if from IGNOU then even about Indira Gandhi and so on.
• Other areas to be focused are:
why optionals;
Background of the parents places;
Where you stayed;
Academic background and related aspects;
Optional subjects;
Graduating subject;
Positions if held;
Job experience if any;
Hobbies;
sports;
Mock/Practice :
One should form a group of 4-5 people, as the preparation for Personality Test cannot be done in isolation. Try holding as many mock interviews as possible.
No training institute can develop/transform your personality in a few days.However, some of the tips may help in ironing out some weaknesses/gray areas and can provide an avenue for a well-planned preparation and group discussions.
Take mock interviews with your friends. In the mock interview, ask your friends to grill you so that you can face pressure from the Board easily. Discuss a lot with your friends. This not only helps in you assimilating different points of view, but also enhances knowledge levels.
Dressing Up :
Dress sense is of crucial importance. The choice of dress should be according to the weather conditions. Try not to wear newly stitched clothes, as they might make you uneasy.Wear comfortable clothes. Men need to wear light coloured shirt and a dark trouser with a tie. Women appear best in a saree or salwar kameez.
Pay attention to the details, ironed dress, polished shoes, hair accessories, trimmed nails etc. Polish your footwear meticulously. Use convenient footwear like black or brown leather shoes.
Women candidates should take care to avoid the hair falling over the face as it could annoy both – you and the interviewer.Do not wear anything that connects you with a eligious or political group.Do not use heavy perfume/deodorants.In case you have a running nose or have caught a cold, carry a handkerchief,or sufficient stock of tissue paper. Tissue paper is preferable. Some candidates take medicine to relax on the previous night of the interview;this should be avoided as the effect of medicine may decrease your alertness during the interview.
What and how you eat is also important. Have a light meal on the day of the Personality Test. Do not go for the interview on an empty stomach. However,also avoid over-eating, or having a heavy meal. First impression is often the best impression. So create a positive, good impression within the first few minutes of the interview.
Entry :
Arrive 20-30 minutes early. This will give you enough time to relax Keep a file/folder to keep your certificates and documents in an organized manner. They are verified before you enter the interview room. (You don’t have to carry file/folder inside board room) While waiting for your turn in the waiting area, read a newspaper or a magazine and try to remain focused without thinking too much of what will happen in the interview. Do not try to pre-suppose situations in the Personality Test.
Take a final, deep breath before entering the boardroom.
Do not forget to knock at the door before entering, as it indicates basic courtesy.
On entering the room, greet all the members cordially and do not sit down on the seat without being asked to.If there is a lady member in the interview board, greet her first.Be conscious of your body language when you are seated. Men should keep the feet flat on the floor during the interview, knees at waist
level, and hands on your thighs and place your elbows on the armchair. Avoid locking hands.
Women, cross your ankles or legs, but keep the bottom leg straight down and do not swing it over the top leg and keep your elbows positioned on the arms of the chair.
When the Board members thank you at the end of the Personality test, do not forget to thank the members one last time and keep your body posture straight at the time of leaving the room. Be cool. Be yourself during the Interview. Your aim should be to make the board members feel comfortable in your presence. Don’t expect any expression on the faces of board members, even if your answer is very good.
During Interview :
In a personality test, what is of importance is how you say what you say. It is the style of presentation that matters.
Your personality is, on an average, assessed in 25-30 minutes; it is your responsibility to bring out your very best in front of the board. Intelligent listening is the mantra, and for this maintaining eye contact is very important. You should not glare but all the same appear attentive and do not glance at other members, it can be very distracting for the interviewer. However if some other member asks you anything, look at that member and answer and turn back to the first - this is what we do in normal attentive listening. Try not to jump into an answer before the complete question has been posed,as you will end up wasting time on answering a question that you were not actually asked. If you are not sure of what was asked, you can always politely seek a clarification.Do not try to answer the question as soon as it is posed. Think over the question, take your time and organize the broad outline of the answer before airing it.Pause a while before answering, even if you know the answer. Do not speak rapidly. Speak slowly and clearly so that the Board members grasp what you are saying and do not have to interrupt you or ask you to repeat your views.
Do not fidget or throw your hands around, or shake your head. Less amount of movement does not mean you should sit unnaturally stiff. Your posture should be attentive and relaxed at the same time. Do not crouch/bend forward or place your hands on the table.
At times, you will be given situations wherein you will be required to take a decision. In such situations, the board is testing your ability to comprehend issues and use reason and good judgment logically, precisely and arrive at a balanced decision. Your replies should be crisp and to the point. Do not beat around the bush. Cut your answer short to the required patience shown by the member talking to you. They usually like to talk more, so listen carefully and think for a few seconds before you start answering the question. This will show that you are organising your thoughts in mind before starting to speak.Leave some room for difference in opinion. Do take a stand, but do not look adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion. Use couple of words from the question while answering any question. It shows you have listened to the question carefully. But at the same time limit the use the technical jargon.
Do not start evaluating your performance while still in the interview. Even if you have committed mistakes in the beginning, do not think that you have already lost the game. They are looking for warm, sensitive respectful and attentive youngsters. They know you are good or you would not have come so
far.Talk humbly about your achievements and hobbies. You may have mentioned some hobbies in the form without serious background in them, but before the interview it would be useful to pick up some basic info on the hobby.
Say less to convey more. Argue logically and generalise correctly. Remember, while answering any question, what is easy to see is easy to miss. We often tend to miss the obvious and go for some non-crucial aspect of the subject.
Questions posed before a candidate by the interviewing board are very well framed and answers to them should be made taking into consideration all possible views and a balanced approach is expected from a candidate.
Remember, non-awareness of something should be admitted with politeness. It is okay to not know something! It is better to say 'No' than to bluff around.Those interviewing are highly experienced persons and know much better than us.
If the question put is not clear to you, politely ask for more information. It is not the factual knowledge but your views, which will be tested in the interview.
Always observe interview etiquette and be honest, polite, convincing a modest.Arrogance, rigidity, flicking round the issue should be avoided.
Don't be argumentative. Be consistent in your views, i.e. just don't change your views because of the fact that the Board is differing with you. Remember that they are only testing you and often even try to provoke you. Give balanced answers and avoid taking extremes. The most important thing to know about the Interview is that it is not a question-answer session and what they are looking out for is different aspects of one's personality. As far as possible, the answer given should reveal a particular aspect of one's personality and attempts should not be made to present a make-up appearance or politically correct answers. There is no harm in taking extreme views if one is able to justify them.
Maintain a gentle smile off and on during the Personality Test without overdoing it. It displays a sense of ease and confidence. Wherever possible use your sense of humour judiciously.
Get up to leave only when the chairperson asks you to, not because you think everyone has asked a question. Similarly, even if someone has not asked a question and the chairperson asks you to leave then please leave. Some members do not ask questions at all, due to various reasons like limited time.
Before leaving politely thank the chairperson and nod at the others politely. Avoid saying "Have a good day sir/madam". A "Thank you Sir/Madam" is enough.
General Do’s and Don’ts for the personality test:
The board members are usually very senior and learned people, so give utmost respect to the board.Speak honestly, truthfully and modestly.Never make an attempt to present a made-up appearance or politically correct answers.
If you are taking an extreme view, you should also be able to justify the same.
Take tea or coffee, if any member offers the same to you. This will show you are relaxed and it will also help in lightening and relaxing further proceedings and give them an informal touch.
Don’t criticize any government policies or even individuals.
Take a good night’s sleep. A good, sound sleep will keep you refreshed, cheerful and relaxed. Otherwise you will have a fuzzy head and you will have a confused personality. You will neither be able to grasp questions correctly, nor be able to
think clearly.At times, the Board members might pile pressure upon you. Do not panic – it is a strategy aimed at gauging the point till which you can maintain your cool under pressure and can think originally even in tense situations.
Form your views on the subjects in a logical and rational manner supported by data whenever necessary.To be in touch with the latest happenings/events – nationally and internationally, candidates should read magazines and newspapers (at least two for interview), watch current affairs-based television programmes.
Assume that all questions are asked with a good reason and answer them accordingly. Do not entertain any rumors regarding the integrity of the board. The UPSC interviews are of the top class and the marks awarded are also proportional to what the candidate deserves. The rumors are, mainly spread by people who do not clear the exam. Instead of criticizing others, it is better to introspect and
make efforts to develop one’s personality. So, go to the interview with utmost respect for the board and confidence in their integrity. Put your best performance on that day.
Avoid conversational clichés, like: 'as you know', 'that's correct', 'of course','indeed', 'obviously', etc.
Avoid technical jargon. However, if a member continues to probe you in any technical field, you can use technical expressions.Maintain a cheerful disposition. Now and then you can appear serious; but most of the time keep smiling or look cheerful and composed. One caution here: if the board laughs, you should only smile. It is only when you maintain some amount of distance that the board begins to wonder about the depth of your personality. Do not give long introductions. Come straight to the heart of the matter.
Show human concern whenever possible in your answers.
You should be logically consistent and analyse things rationally while talking.You are supposed to defend what you say, but with due respect to the views of the board. Stop trying to defend an answer if it becomes difficult to do so logically and fairly.Do not make hasty or sweeping generalisations.
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