IAS Interview: Do’s and Don’ts for the IAS Interview

Do’s for the IAS Interview

•    In the UPSC Interview board, generally there are five members with the Chairperson seated at the centre. Enter confidently and greet the Chairperson, and pleasantly nod at other members. However, if there is any female member in the interview board, greet her first to show your politeness.

•    Wait till you are asked to sit. Take your seat calmly after you are asked to sit, saying thank you to the board members as a whole.

•    Have an eye contact with the person you are interacting with. This will help you to be attentive. Moreover, having an eye contact will show your confidence also.

•    In answering any question, judge the required patience shown by the member/members talking to you and cut short your answer according to the demand of the situation. 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.


•    If you do not know any of the answers to any question, say politely and firmly that you do not know the answer. This will show that your approach is clear and straight forward.

•    If the interview board gives complements on any of your answers, do express thanks.

•    A pleasant look and a pleasing smile certainly help to make a good first impression. Formal clothing is preferred in the interview. Do have trials at home with the same pair of clothes that you wear on the day of the interview so that from any angle you don’t look uncomfortable or first time user of such clothing.

•    Leave some room for difference in opinions. Do take a stand, but don’t be or at least don’t look adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion if you feel that the board’s opinion is nicer.


Don’ts for the IAS Interview


•    Do not make unnecessary movements of your hands, head and your body. But at the same time keep in your mind that you are not sitting unnaturally stiff. Your posture should be attentive and relaxed. Do not crouch or bend forward toward the table.

•    Do not make wild guesses or speculations. First listen carefully and then come to the central issue of the enquiry immediately. Moving around the bush will irritate the interviewer.

•    Do not go for an argument deliberately with the interview board. In case an argument arises, argue logically and generalise correctly.

•    Do not try to read too much between the lines.

•    Say less to convey more. Answer with right expressions and right body language.

•    Never try to bluff the interview board. The board members are senior and experience holder. It is always better to be honest in front of the interviewers.

•    Do not show over confidence or arrogance in replying to anything even when you are sure that you are 100% right and you are very much comfortable in dealing with the issue on which you have been asked.

•    Avoid wearing anything shiny, glossy or extra bright in the interview session. Wear decent and modest attire.

•    Do not relate unnecessary jokes just to be friendly with the interviewers. However, a situational light joke is fine if at all you can relate it sensibly.

•    Do not leave the interview hall till you are asked to do so. After you are asked to leave the hall do express thanks with a nice smile on your face.

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