IAS Interview: An overall test of the personality of the interviewee

The objective of Union Public Service Commission interviews is to assess the personal suitability of a candidate for the service he has applied for. The candidate is interviewed by an interview board. The interview is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate of not only his intellectual qualities, but also his social traits and interests in current affairs.

The technique of the interview is a natural one. It consists of a direct and purposive conversation, which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.

The Interview preparation process is continuous. All knowledge a candidate has acquired during his academic as well as his personal life contribute in the preparation of the interview. This involves a wide reading of books, journals, magazines and newspapers etc. The interview test is not meant for judging the candidates academic knowledge only, rather it is a test of the candidate’s overall personality. That is why appropriately it is called a personality test rather than an interview.

In addition to the academic preparation, the candidate should also put emphasis on how to improve his/her conversational skills with right body language and expressions. Candidates can hold group discussions with friends and seniors to point out each other’ mistakes and thus can work on them to improve and present themselves in front of the interview board.

The candidates fill the examination form with the required columns of his/her interests and hobbies. During the interview, the interview board keeps the information provided by the candidate with them and they do ask a number of questions based on the candidate’s bio-data. So, a candidate should be prepared to answer questions which could arise from their bio-data. In addition to that the interview board tests the candidate his knowledge and grasp on the optional subjects on which he/she has passed the mains examination.

Thus an overall preparation of the candidate’s academic as well as personal front is needed to face the IAS interview.