How to Prepare for the UPSC IAS Interview - Do's & Don'ts, Common Question Asked, Tips and Tricks

How to Prepare for the UPSC IAS Interview - Do's & Don'ts, Common Question Asked, Tips and Tricks

Updated on Feb 14, 2024 05:41 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
Upcoming Event
UPSC CSE  Exam Date : 25 May' 2025 - 25 May' 2025

The UPSC IAS Exam is a nationwide exam held annually by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit gazetted officers for group A & B posts. The IAS exam is one of India's most popular exams, and for this reason, is also extremely competitive. There are three stages in the UPSC IAS exam, these being the preliminary exam, the main exam and the interview round.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is the UPSC CSE Interview Stage?
  2. How to Prepare for the UPSC IAS Interview?
  3. UPSC Civil Services Personality Test- Do's and Don'ts
  4. How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Interview? Tips and Tricks
How to Prepare for the UPSC IAS Interview - Do's & Don'ts, Common Question Asked, Tips and Tricks
How to Prepare for the UPSC IAS Interview - Do's & Don'ts, Common Question Asked, Tips and Tricks

For the Civil services prelims and mains, one can easily find out which topics will be covered via the IAS syllabus 2024. However, It is not as easy to find out exactly what the UPSC IAS personality test entails due to its dynamic nature. For details regarding the IAS Interview round, go through the material below, where we discuss how to prepare for the UPSC IAS interview effectively and create a good impression on the interview panel. The three stages of the IAS call for different types of answers.

The preliminary exam is an objective exam that is answered on an OMR sheet, the IAS mains exam is a subjective paper where long answers must be written down and the interview is taken verbally, face to face with a panel of interviewers.

Each stage is more difficult than the previous one due to the stiff competition, as many lakhs of candidates are competing for a few hundred seats. Below, we discuss the dos and don’ts of the IAS Interview round and give tips on how to prepare for the UPSC IAS interview.

Also, check

What is the UPSC CSE Interview Stage?

The personality test is the third and final stage of the UPSC IAS selection process, candidates who clear the Mains, as declared by the IAS result, are eligible to appear for the interview. The UPSC IAS interview round is conducted at the UPSC Bhavan, New Delhi across multiple shifts and dates.

Candidates numbering 3 times the number of UPSC Vacancies are shortlisted to appear for the interview. For instance, if there are 800 vacancies in the Civil Services, then approximately 2400 candidates will appear for the interview.

How to Prepare for the UPSC IAS Interview?

Aspirants preparing for the exam can refer to the IAS syllabus for the preliminary and main rounds. However, for the IAS interview, there is no specific syllabus as the questions are dynamic. Apart from candidates' answers, their confidence and ability to answer the questions, look and posture, pronunciation, communication skills, common sense, ability to express, ability to explain, and how to tackle situations based on given circumstances are also judged. A panel of 4-5 experienced members from UPSC take the interview and based on the performance of the candidates, they are given the marks. These marks are then added to the marks of the mains exam to create the final merit list.

Also check


What Type of Questions are Asked in the UPSC Civil Services Interview?

As already mentioned in this article, the questions in the IAS personality test are dynamic. The UPSC panel can ask questions from anywhere. However, these questions are somewhat related to the candidates themselves. A major chunk of these questions in the IAS interview are based on the detailed application form (DAF) that the candidates will fill out after clearing the mains exam.

For your reference, here are some of the questions that are generally asked by the UPSC Interview panel during the IAS interview. The panel will cover:

  • Questions related to the candidate's personal information

  • Questions related to the academic background of the aspirant

  • Questions related to current affairs

  • Questions related to service preference

  • Situation-based questions

  • Questions related to optional subject

  • Questions related to previous job (If the candidate was working previously)

  • Questions related to taboos, societal misconceptions, stereotypes etc.

  • Questions related to political ideology, communism, socialism, capitalism etc.

  • What makes the candidate best suitable for UPSC?

  • What are the positive qualities of the candidate?

  • What are the negative qualities of the candidate?

UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
Download EBook

Also read

Questions related to personal information asked in the IAS interview

  • Candidates introduction.

  • Meaning of candidate's name.

  • Question on family background.

  • Information related to the candidate's surname, like history, and origins

  • Information related to the candidate's hometown, famous things about the hometown, political figures, and famous personalities about the hometown.

  • Historical links about the hometown.

  • Tourist spots and famous cuisine.

  • Questions related to their home state, history, economic state, crops, and famous things about their home state.

Questions related to academic background

Questions related to the stream in 10+2, and why the candidate took that specific stream.

About graduation, college days, and subject-specific questions.

Questions related to current affairs asked in the IAS interview

This is the most uncertain section, so anything can be asked especially from the last 12 months.

Questions related to service preference and cadre

This section will be based on the Detailed Application Form (DAF) that candidates will have filled out. The questions will be based on the service preference, such as why the aspirant has preferred IAS over IPS, why the aspirant has chosen a specific place as cadre etc.

Questions related to optional subject

The panel will ask questions related to the optional subject, like why the candidate has chosen a specific subject. For example, if a candidate has opted for Political Science as their optional then the question might be - "Why have you chosen Political Science? Why didn't you choose Public Administration? Your graduation subject was Economics, why didn't you choose Economics as an optional '' etc?

Situation-based questions

Candidates will be given hypotheticals and asked about what they will do when faced with such situations. For example, if you are an IPS, and a riot-like situation occurs, what will your plan of action be? Or, if you are an IAS officer and your subordinates are not obeying your orders, what action will you take?

Questions related to the candidate’s previous job (If the candidate was working previously)

If the candidate is a working professional, then the questions might be based on the working background, area of work, expertise, the reason for switching from the field they were working in previously to Civil services etc.

Questions related to taboos, societal misconceptions, stereotypes etc.

If the candidate belongs to a certain religion or background then there might be a few questions that can be related to this. In such a situation, candidates must stay calm and answer the question politely and objectively.

Also read

Questions related to political ideology, communism, socialism, capitalism etc.

Candidates might be asked questions related to their political ideology. While being faced with this question, it is of utmost importance to behave diplomatically and not show too much bias towards or against certain ideologies or figures. If the candidate answers the questions without proper discretion, the panel will be under the impression that the aspirant heavily leans towards a specific political ideology and that they might be susceptible to bias while on duty. This runs the risk of negatively influencing the interview.

What makes the candidate best suited for UPSC?

Here the candidate will have to praise themselves and talk about their best qualities.

What are the positive points of the candidate? (Candidate will have to answer this)

Talk about the positives, but make sure to not get carried away.

What are the negative points of the candidate? (Candidate will have to answer this)

Everyone has some negative points, but it is best to avoid this question politely. Candidates can answer something along the lines of "Sir, I don't think there are any negative points in me as far as I can see, but if the experienced panel's vision can see any shortcomings in me, I assure you I will work hard to rectify it."

Also check

UPSC Civil Services Personality Test- Do's and Don'ts

The interview is the final stage of the Civil Service recruitment process. The UPSC Civil Services exam is a taxing process that takes a toll on the candidate's mental and physical health. Candidates invest years of their lives to be able to qualify for the IAS interview. The candidates' actions during the 30-35 minutes of the interview will determine the direction of the rest of their career. Therefore, candidates must strive to do their best during the interview.

Below, we have shared some dos and don'ts for candidates who will be appearing for the interview round.

Dos for IAS interview

  • Wear well-ironed formal clothes.

  • A suit with a tie is a good option, however, it should not be fancy like a three-piece suit. Stick to neutral, formal colours.

  • Wear polished formal shoes matching the dress.

  • Clean shaved with neatly combed hair.

  • If you wear spectacles, wear frameless ones, it looks sober.

  • Put on a little smiling face during the civil services interview.

  • Sit up straight and maintain a good posture.

  • Keep your hands on your knees.

  • Hide any tattoos that can be seen by the panel.

  • Make eye contact with all the members of the panel while answering questions during the IAS interview.

  • Listen more and speak only when asked.

  • Have a positive attitude while answering questions.

  • End all answers on a positive note with hope.

  • If you don't know the answer, just apologise and say that you will read or look into it.

  • Be soft-spoken and polite while answering the questions during the IAS interview.

Also read

Don'ts for IAS interview

  • Don't wear informal or mismatched clothing. Follow a formal, professional dress code.

  • Don't wear sports shoes.

  • Don't fold sleeves, or open the cuff buttons.

  • Don't wear flashy items like rings, necklaces, bracelets, or costly wristwatches.

  • Don't appear in the interview with coloured hair.

  • Don't be critical while answering questions.

  • Don't smile excessively, or laugh during the civil services interview.

  • Don't elaborate on the answers too much. Stick to the point. Speaking more on a topic will give the panel an opening to question you further and confuse you.

  • Don't speak about sections of which you are not well aware. This will be confusing and will run the risk of your disqualification from the IAS interview.

  • Don't use slangs and unprofessional language.

  • Avoid hand movements while answering questions during the IAS interview.

  • Don't fold your legs in front of the panel.

  • Don't try to answer the questions whose answers you don’t know. It is better to skip the question altogether than to give wrong answers.

  • That being said, don't skip too many successive questions. This may leave a bad impression on the panel taking the IAS interview.

  • Don't get offended when the panel in the IAS interview asks something personal related to your specific religion, gender, reservation, or political ideology. The civil services interview panel does not intend to insult you, they just want to assess your reaction to certain situations. For instance, they will observe if you react to their questions with aggression or with calmness.

  • Don’t carry mobile phones or any kind of paper or bags into the IAS interview room.

Also check

How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Interview? Tips and Tricks

There are a few simple things a candidate can do to improve their performance and excel in the IAS interview stage. Apart from studying the academic portion, candidates must also follow the points mentioned below, so that they are ready to face the IAS interview confidently.

  • Read newspapers and magazines to stay up to date with current affairs to tackle the questions in the civil services interview.

  • Questions on current affairs will be related to the last 12 months. The panel in the IAS interview can also ask questions related to recent national/international events.

  • An important aspect of the IAS interview is punctuation and pronunciation skills. Candidates must work on punctuation skills.

  • Work on your communication skills to ace the IAS interview.

  • Be fluent in the language that the interview will be conducted in.

  • Practice maintaining the right posture and keeping a positive approach. The panel in the civil services interview will judge candidates on the basis of these things.

  • Talk to yourself in the language medium by standing for hours in front of the mirror. This is one of the best tips to excel in the IAS interview round.

  • Give and watch IAS mock interviews. These mock IAS interviews are conducted by many coaching institutions.

Also check


State PSC article links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the IAS interview difficult?

Yes, but remember one thing, you will know the answers to all the questions. So, don't worry and just carry on with your instincts.

2. How can I get good marks in the IAS interview?

Candidates can get good marks by answering all the questions and maintaining a well-mannered demeanour.

3. How can I introduce myself in the IAS interview?

Start with your name, family background, educational qualification, hometown, home state etc.

4. What kind of questions are asked in the IAS interview?

The questions are dynamic in nature and anything can be asked from the academic qualification of the candidates to the past background etc.

5. How many stages are there in the IAS exam?

There are 3 stages in the IAS exam - preliminary, mains and personality test.

6. What are the mistakes in the UPSC Interview?

Some common mistakes in the IAS interview are elaborating on answers too much, trying to attempt questions you do not know the answers to and skipping too many successive questions.

Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

Access to Justice
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Geography XII Part-I
Via National Council of Educational Research and Training
Home Science-Extension and Communication Management Level-2
Via English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Swayam
 220 courses
Edx
 199 courses
LawSikho
 127 courses
NPTEL
 92 courses
Futurelearn
 89 courses
Coursera
 76 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

To become an IAS officer, you must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and then undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). While any bachelor's degree is acceptable, choosing a degree that aligns with the UPSC syllabus, particularly in humanities and social sciences, can be advantageous.

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):

This is the primary exam for becoming an IAS officer, involving three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test (Interview).

Any Bachelor's Degree:

A graduate degree from a recognized university is the basic requirement to be eligible for the CSE.

Beneficial Degrees:

Degrees in humanities and social sciences, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), can be helpful due to the syllabus overlap with subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics.

Optional Subject:

You can choose an optional subject in the Mains exam, and a BA degree can provide a wide range of options.

Hope it helps!!

Hello!!

That's a great goal—and your background as a research scholar can actually be a big asset in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), which is the path to becoming an IAS officer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Become an IAS Officer:

1. Understand the Exam Structure

The UPSC CSE has three stages:

Prelims: Objective (GS Paper + CSAT)

Mains: Descriptive (9 papers)

Interview: Personality Test

2. Check Eligibility

Age: 21 to 32 (for General category)

Degree: Any graduate degree (you already qualify)

3. Choose Your Optional Subject

Choose something you’re comfortable with (can be from your research field if it's available).

Popular optionals: Sociology, Geography, PSIR, Anthropology, etc.

4. Build a Study Plan

Since you're a research scholar, time management is key.

Daily 4–6 hours of focused study can work if you're consistent.

Focus on:

NCERTs (6th–12th)

Standard books (like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History)

Current Affairs (The Hindu, Indian Express, or PIB + Monthly compilations)

5. Join a Test Series (Optional but Helpful)

For Prelims and Mains: to build speed, writing skills, and clarity.

6. Practice Answer Writing

Mains is all about articulation. Practice with previous year questions and mock tests.

7. Appear for the Exam

Notification comes out around February.

Prelims is in May/June, Mains in September, and Interview early next year.

How to Align This With Your Research Schedule:

Create a realistic time-table that includes 2–3 hours on weekdays, and more on weekends.

Use your research experience for deeper understanding and essay writing.

If your goal is to become an IAS officer, choose a degree that supports UPSC preparation and also provides a good backup:

BA in Political Science, History, Geography, or Economics is ideal for IAS.
BSc or BCom is fine too, but you'll need to study humanities separately for UPSC.
For backup, pick a subject with good job prospects like BBA or Computer Science.

KCET is required only if you're planning professional courses like Engineering or Agriculture. It's not needed for BA or general degrees.

After 10th for IAS

Hello aspirant,

For becoming IAS , you have to first complete your graduation from any background from any recognised university or college. If you are in your final year, then also you are eligible. After that you have to give an entrance exam name UPSC . If you will clear this exam then according to your marks you may get the IAS position.

To know about UPSC entrance exam, kindly go through the given link:

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse

All the best!!

Hello Rishika,

You can take any stream for becoming IAS. As per the eligibility criteria of UPSC IAS , student have to graduate from any stream from any recognised university or college. So it's doesn't matter from which stream you choose. But if you really want to become IAS, then humanities , arts related subject helps you alot.

To know more, kindly go through the given link:

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse

Good luck!

View All
Back to top