How to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Personality Test 2021?

The interview is an important part of your preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Personality Test. It can greatly impact your marks, so it is crucial to prepare well.

Here are some tips to help you prepare: | UPSC Civil Services Personality Test

Prepare for general questions:

There are certain general questions that are commonly asked in interviews, such as why you chose civil services, why civil services after Engineering/Medicine, why your service/cadre preference, etc. It is recommended to prepare answers for these questions, practice them with your interview trainer, and be ready to confidently respond during the interview.

Study the Basics of current affairs:

Stay updated with current affairs and analyze them. Understand the basics of the topics related to current affairs so that you can answer questions related to them effectively. For example, if there is news about women in the army, you should know the role of women in combat positions in the army.

Know the basics of your graduation:

Regardless of your academic performance, it is important to know the basics of your field of study. For example, if you are an ECE Engineer, understand why a mobile phone is called a cell phone. If you are a doctor, be familiar with the Hippocratic oath. Relate your academic knowledge to real-life situations and be prepared to answer questions pertaining to your field of study.

Address the question:

When answering questions, make sure to directly address what is being asked. Avoid giving unrelated or irrelevant answers. For example, if asked about the cinema-politics link in Tamil Nadu, provide a comprehensive response that acknowledges the strong link between Tamil cinema, politics, and the impact on society.

Study root cause:

For certain questions, it might be necessary to analyze the root cause of an issue. Understand the historical, political, or social factors that contribute to a specific situation. Use this knowledge to provide a well-informed answer. For example, if asked about the root cause of the Mullai Periyar issue, mention the British favoritism towards Madras province over Travancore during the signing of an agreement.

Never say unverified things in the interview:

Avoid making unsubstantiated claims or presenting unverified information during the interview. Stick to facts and be cautious with your statements. This helps maintain credibility and avoids creating a negative impression.

Questions to know your stand:

There might be questions that require you to take a stand on controversial topics. Instead of avoiding or refusing to answer, take a clear stand, but make sure to be respectful of different perspectives. Consider the stance of the government or judiciary, but if you have a strong conviction, you may take a stand against it.

Work on your biodata:

Familiarize yourself with your own biodata and anticipate potential questions related to it. Prepare answers that highlight your achievements, experiences, and skills. This will help you respond confidently when asked about your background.

I don’t know:

If you come across a question you don’t know the answer to, handle it effectively. Politely admit that you don’t know the answer and maintain a subtle smile. For easier questions, acknowledge that you should know the answer but are unable to recall it at the moment. Avoid using excuses such as forgetting due to the passage of time.

The answer should flow from you:

When explaining your choices or opinions, make sure they genuinely come from your own decision-making process. Avoid choosing something simply because someone else suggested it. Provide answers that reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and values.

Finally, Belief:

Have confidence in yourself and believe that you can clear the interview. This self-belief will be reflected in your answers and make a positive impression on the interviewers.