UPSC Interview Most Asked Questions

Congratulations! You have reached the final stage of fulfilling your dream of serving the country by joining the civil service. Now that you have written your main examination, you must be thinking to be prepared for the interview round, which is also known as the personality test round. You must be finding some references for UPSC interview questions.

There may be fears and nervousness, but do not get demotivated because of this. You must be feeling anxious at this time because of the myth that the UPSC interview panel can ask anything ‘under the sun’. But dear candidates, this is not true. The UPSC interview questions are not there to check your memory or knowledge, as they have already checked that during the first two stages—prelims and mains. Now, as the name, Personality Test, suggests, the main motive of the UPSC interview questions is to test your personality to make sure that your thought process and mindset meet the exact need of the job profile being offered and you’re the right candidate to be a civil servant. Remember, you’re a human, and it is completely fine to accept that you don’t know everything.

Below we have discussed the most-asked UPSC interview questions. Please read this blog carefully, as it will prove very helpful for your interview preparation. So without any further delay, let’s get started.

Q.1. Why do you want to join civil services?

Ans: This is one of the UPSC interview questions which is asked to almost every aspirant. You must be aware of the job profile while answering this question. As UPSC CSE exam is conducted for recruitment into administrative services, you’ll need to give a reason which will convince them that you’re the right candidate for handling the duties of an administration. Here are some of the ways that one can organize their response:

• Commitment to Public Service:
  Civil servant is my desired career path because I hold a strong desire to serve the public as well as enhance the welfare of society…. I find serving in the public sector as very rewarding since I understand that I will be working in line with my goals and enhancing the welfare of my community and country.

• Desire to Contribute to Society:
  It is the prospect of working in the interests of society, on tackling social issues that spur me as a civil servant, and the capacity of delivering effective and meaningful policies and programs for society.

• Alignment with Personal Values:
  About integrity, dedication, and responsibility, I am right for the civil service because I believe I have a mindset for being transparent, fair, and honest.

• Utilization of Skills and Knowledge:
  That is why I have a desire to contribute to the boost of my country, and I want to do that as an expert in policy-making, an administrator, or an active participant in public welfare programs; effective problem solving based on my experience and knowledge is important for me.

• Long-term vision:
  To be a civil servant is in line with my life, particularly my career, goals and philosophical aspirations of being in a position that can bring about change and positively contribute in the achievement of sustainable development in our society.

This response is your reason for wanting to be a civil servant and your passion to serve the public, it qualifies you to be a civil servant. This is a very important UPSC interview question, make sure to answer with confidence.

Q.2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Ans: It is also one of the most - asked UPSC interview questions. When evaluating your strengths and limitations, it is necessary to be as accurate as possible and at the same time, present the weak aspects always with the mention of improvement. Here's a structured way to present your answer for this one of the most-askedUPSC interview questions.

• Strengths:
  While answering about strength in any of interview, make sure to be realistic. Especially when answering in UPSC interview. This is asked to test your personality. Just be confident and real while answering any of these types of UPSC interview questions. Some examples are:

• Adaptability:
  I have relatively quick experience improvement and can remain effective in a wide range of situations, thus being ready for new situations and changes.

• Problem-Solving Skills:
  I consider myself good in problem solving and particularly love to dissect a scenario and look for the best solution.

• Strong Work Ethic:
  I am very passionate about my work and aim to deliver more than what is expected of me, I pride myself on being someone who does a very good job and is always willing to go extra mile.

• Weaknesses:
  Be careful while answering UPSC interview questions about your weak points. Along with telling about weakness, you must include the way you're trying to overcome that. You need to tell them how you are dealing with it.

• Perfectionism:
  Well, I think I’m somewhat of a perfectionist, and that is why I spend a lot of time on tasks than is necessary, but I am learning the art of doing things efficiently while at the same time meeting my deadlines.

• Public Speaking:
  Standing before an audience has been one of my weaknesses, I have been now looking for every chance to present before a group and every opportunity to attend a workshop oriented towards boosting confidence.

  When you confidently promote your virtues and recognize your vices as chances for development, you disclose awareness of your habits and the desire to change.

Your strength and weaknesses may be different please have a self analysis and frame your answer according. You can use above given sample answer for your reference. These type of UPSC interview questions will test your personality type to make sure you're a perfect candidate.

Q.3. How would you handle a situation where your personal values clash with your official duties?

Ans: This type of UPSC interview questions must be answered with a presence of mind. The most important thing that must be understood about a situation in which personal values conflict with ethical responsibilities is that it is a sensitive matter that must be approached without being biased. Here’s how you can approach it:

• First, I would want to analyze the situation to determine the extent of the conflict between private and professional ethical standards.
• I would study the existing policies, code of conduct, and legal requirements that I am bound to adhere to as a professional in the administration. Knowing the official guidelines as well as the ethical conduct of the body is very helpful in identifying the right action to take.
• Finally after dealing with the situation I would think over how the similar issues may be handled in a better way in future, The concept of learning never comes to an end it is a part of both personal and professional ethics system.

This approach demonstrates the willingness to act ethically, professionally and to think twice before making any decision, especially in such circumstances. Make sure to have a professional and unbiased approach while answering any of ethical dilemma UPSC interview questions.

Q.4. How would you deal with corruption if you were in a position of authority?

Ans: Corruption is a major issue in democratic countries like India. India needs proper adminstrative support to deal with it. Hence, have a unbiased and fearless approach while answering any corruption based UPSC interview questions. Here is an example how you can answer:

I would very much take it upon myself to help reduce the happening of corruption by not only adhering to the highest ethical standard but by making such a standard the new normal. This would mean establishing strong programs that would deal corruption, bring transparency, and periodically audit for malpractices. In case of discovering corrupt practices, I would immediately act and ensure the involved ones face sanctions, dismissal, or other legal consequences.

Also, I would also ensure that there is ethic training throughout the company, in order to remind staff and workers that integrity is a crucial part of their job.

You can have a way forward. This approach of answer these types of UPSC questions will convince the interview panel that you're the right candidate.

Q.5. Why did you choose XYZ as your optional?

Ans: UPSC has provided a optional subject in its mains syllabus and the interview panel will ask the questions related to it. If you have chosen any subject from your graduation subjects or subject different from your graduation then frame your answer according. These types of UPSC interview questions are asked with almost every candidate.

We have provided an approach to help you frame your answer. Follow the given steps while framing your answer for this question.

1. Start by describing the subject you have chosen as optional and what has inspired you about this subject. It may be some memory, a story from your life, a class, or a specific element of the course content that you liked.
2. Explain how your academic major or your interest in learning brought you to XYZ.
3. You will need to state how XYZ relates to your future aspirations for civil services career progression and what it will be of value in your preferred service.
4. Link your decision to self-identity, interests, and goals to be fulfilled. This makes a choice very unique and warm, allowing them to realize that a decision based on dreams does exist.

5. You should also indicate how XYZ supports your career plans and how it will benefit you in civil services. However to avoid any controversy, seek to prove that this choice is well calculated.

   Here is a sample answer:
   I have selected XYZ, as my optional subject for civil services because of my passion and knowledge in this area. The subject is not only timely and identifies with the current social problems but also cuts across all disciplines of study and is in harmony with my desire to serve the public. I will be able to gain useful information from the course in XYZ and analytic skills that I require to meet various needs in civil services.

You must have got the right approach to answer such types of UPSC interview questions.

Tips for Answering UPSC Interview Questions:

1. Maintain eye contact and speak clearly
2. Keep an idea of current affairs
3. Think a way forward about any problem to the administration
4. Familiarize yourself about the interview by giving mock interview
5. Maintain a natural gesture
6. Know your DAF, Detailed Application form thoroughly
7. Be prepared to answer the questions from your optional subject
8. Take a moment to think before answering complex questions
9. Have an idea about your hobbies
10. Read about national and international events impacting the country
11. Read about the latest schemes and policies of government
12. Be cool and calm, do not panic

Remember, at the time of answering UPSC interview questions, there may be some questions asked that you haven't even heard before. But that will be the time when your real personality will be judged. The interview panel will check your reaction to something that is not in your favor. If you manage to keep yourself cool and accept that you don’t know the answer, they will definitely appreciate it. So if something comes like this, just keep yourself calm and answer, "Sorry, Sir/Mam, I’m not aware of this, but I’ll definitely read up on it.

This will create a good impression of you in front of them and they will appreciate this attitude as it will help you manage the ups and downs coming in your way as a civil servant.

I hope that this article has made it clear that UPSC CSE interview panel wants in a candidate to select them as a civil servant and how you need to answer UPSC interview questions. Your knowledge and memory will not be judged there but your personality and thought process will be judged. You will be asked such types of UPSC interview questions and they will check your approach to deal with the questions they are asking. Sometimes they may put you in contradictory situation so that they can check your approach to deal with something unexpected.

Answer all the asked UPSC interview questions with a calm mind and make sure you don't panic. We wish you all the best for your interview and hope you’ll definitely come out with flying colours.