UPSC Civil Services Interview (Personality Test) – Complete Guide

1. What is UPSC Interview?

• Final stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).
• Officially known as the Personality Test.
• Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at Dholpur House, New Delhi.
• Duration: 25–40 minutes (average).
• Panel: 5–6 members, headed by a Chairperson.
• Maximum Marks: 275 (out of 2025).
• Purpose: To assess personality, confidence, judgment, integrity, communication, and leadership qualities, not just knowledge.

2. Services Allotted After Interview

Based on Final Merit (Mains + Interview), candidates are allocated:

• All India Services (AIS): IAS, IPS, IFS (Forest).
• Central Services Group A: IFS (Foreign), IRS, IAAS, IRTS, IPoS, etc.
• Central Services Group B: DANICS, DANIPS, Armed Forces HQ Service, etc.

💰 Salary & Perks:

• Probation (IAS/IPS/IRS): ₹56,100 + DA + HRA + TA.
• Grows up to Cabinet Secretary (IAS): ₹2,50,000/month + perks (bungalow, staff, car).

3. Eligibility for Interview

• Must clear Prelims and Mains stages of CSE.
• Final Merit = Mains (1750 marks) + Interview (275 marks) = 2025 marks.

4. Selection Process (Interview Stage)

1. DAF-II submission (Detailed Application Form).
2. Personality Test (Interview) at UPSC HQ.
3. Medical Examination for fitness.
4. Final Merit List → Service allocation based on marks + preferences.

👉 No separate written test at this stage.

5. Nature of Interview Questions

The UPSC panel asks questions to test analytical ability, decision-making, ethics, and awareness. Typical areas:

• DAF-based: Hometown, graduation subject, hobbies, job experience.
• Current Affairs: National & international events, governance, economy, foreign relations.
• Situational Questions: Crisis handling, law & order, administration decisions.
• Behavioral Questions: Leadership, failures, stress management, teamwork.
• Ethics & Opinion-based: Social issues, government policies, reforms, morality.

👉 There is no fixed syllabus; it’s about how you think and respond.

6. Marking Pattern

• Maximum Marks = 275.
• No qualifying cutoff.
• Average Score: 150–170.
• Good Score: 190–210+.
• Interview marks often decide service allocation & rank jump.

7. Application & Schedule

• Fill DAF-II after clearing Mains.
• UPSC notifies interview dates (Feb–April).
• Venue: UPSC Dholpur House, New Delhi.

8. Resources & Preparation Materials

• DAF Analysis: Graduation basics, hometown details, hobbies.
• Current Affairs: The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, Rajya Sabha TV, Yojana.
• Ethics & Personality: Lexicon (Ethics), case studies practice.
• Mock Interviews: Vajiram, Vision IAS, ForumIAS, Shankar IAS.
• Soft Skills: Communication practice, body language improvement.

9. Summary Table

10. Quick Reference

• What → Final stage of UPSC CSE.
• Whom → Candidates clearing Mains.
• When → Feb–April every year.
• Where → UPSC HQ, New Delhi.
• Why → To evaluate personality traits required for administration.
• Which → IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS & allied services.
• How → Prepare DAF, revise current affairs, attend mock interviews.
• How Much → 275 marks (life-changing impact on rank).

11. Preparation Strategy

Step 1 – Know Your DAF

• Expect questions on education, optional subject, family background, hometown, hobbies.
• Example: If hobby = cricket → Expect questions on sports governance, ethics in sports.

Step 2 – Stay Updated

• Read newspapers daily.
• Prepare balanced opinions on current issues (Pros, Cons, Way Forward).

Step 3 – Build Personality Skills

• Practice speaking clearly & concisely.
• Work on body language (eye contact, posture, smile).
• Stay calm under pressure.

Step 4 – Practice Mock Interviews

• Attend at least 2–3 professional mocks.
• Record and analyze your performance.

Step 5 – On Interview Day

• Dress formally (light shirt + blazer / saree / salwar).
• Greet politely, sit confidently.
• Listen carefully, answer honestly.
• Avoid bluffing → Say “I don’t know” when required.

12. Why is UPSC Interview Important?

• Decisive Factor: Can shift rank by 100+ positions.
• High Weightage: 275 marks (13.5% of total).
• Prestige: Final step before becoming IAS/IPS/IFS.
• Career Impact: Determines service & cadre.
• Life-Changing: From student to administrator in 40 minutes.

✅ In short:

• Stage: UPSC Personality Test (275 marks).
• Focus: Confidence, judgment, leadership, clarity, ethics.
• Best Prep: DAF analysis, current affairs, mocks, soft skills.
• Outcome: Entry into India’s top services (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS).