Interview-Interview Ingredients

The objective of the interview, as sated in the UPSC prospectus for the Civil Service Examination, is to asses the personnel suitability of the candidate for the service or services for which he has applied, by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. During this personality test, the candidate will have before them a record of his career as furnished by him in the board questionnaire. The candidate will be asked questions on masters of general interest and on the subjects he has studied as well as on the subjects he had chosen for the written examination.

The interview is intended to judge the mental calibre, attitude and outlook of the candidate along with his leadership qualities and character traits. Thus, it would be an assessment not merely of his academic proficiency and intellectual qualities but also of his social traits and interest in current events. Some of the qualities to be judged can be listed as:

Mental alertness

Critical powers of assimilation

Calance of judgement

Clear and logical exposition

Variety and depth of interests

Ability for social cohesion leadership and

Intellectual and moral integrity.

During the interview, the candidate has to listen as well as speak. Normally he will be required to do the major share of the talking, expressing his ideas, views, opinions and comments and also arguing his case and justifying his stand or conclusions by adducing sound, sensible, rational, logical and convincing reasons. He should be share of himself, remain consistent and be sincere.

The Personality Test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates, which has already been tested through the written examination. Further, 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 out of their own State or Country, as well as in modern currents of thought and new discoveries. Thus, the candidates should be prepared for some questions relating to their native State, on India and international current events as also on the burning topics of the day.