Civil Services Examination Interview/ Personality Test

CSE Interview/ Personality Test

It is the third and final stage of the CSE Comprising 275 marks. Candidates get marks in the range of 120-220 in general. On an average most of the candidates fall in conservative range of 160-165. This interview goes on an average for 25-35 minutes. There would be around 7 boards each comprising 5 members including   UPSC member as chairman of these boards. In U/C- shape panel candidate will face interviewers one by one moderated by chairman.

Mostly candidates are tested over a number of issues related to written words in DAF (Detailed Application Form) having relevance of current affairs. However, major things they will focus upon---

1.       Name of candidate- its meaning, any similarity with any famous personality or anything famous, e.g. “Santosh” can be asked about first  Indian woman to climb Himalaya or about “ Santosham param sukham” like sukta if taken from some ancient text

2.       Date of Birth- if it is falling on some important day say 22^nd December, National mathematics day in honour of Srinivas Ramanujan or may be due to winter solstice.

3.       Place of Birth- if it`s famous one like some born in Nalanda  may be asked about the historical significance of place followed by minute things of Buddhism, Jainism or Old Nalanda university etc

4.       Candidates’  district, state might be asked for many things e.g. a candidate from Bihar can be tested over various issue-

·         Why Bihar has come to such a situation from its glorious past?

·         What are strengths and weaknesses of Bihar?

·         Why is it unable to attract investment, industrial growth?

·         Why is so less urbanization, only 10%?

·         To what extent law and order issue is still prevalent, including the menace of Naxalism?

·         Why is there no strong step for stopping migration of laborers, students?

·         Presently, what are different schemes going on in the state for socioeconomic empowerment?

·         What is your take on liquor ban? Is it a political gimmick or really a well intentioned move even at the cost of big revenue loss? Do you have any idea about its real implementation or just illegal sell is still prevalent?

·         In recent the “Manav Srikhla” (Human chain) against dowry, child marriage and intoxication has been arranged. Do you think such drive will bring some change?

5.       Optional subject, one can be tested over basics of the subject to see its relevance with contemporary development for example, a political science and international relation candidate can be really asked a number of question over India’s relation with various countries or any particular events going on like Syrian crisis, Afghan issue, Israel –Palestine issue, Brexit, WTO and controversies around it vis –a-vis developing countries, UNSC relevance, North Korean crisis etc..

Similarly on Indian politics s/he can be tested for recent development in politics like parliamentary secretary as office of profit, death penalty, right to privacy, and various Supreme Court judgments pertaining to civil liberty, social justice, electoral reform etc.

Even s/he can be asked over some theoretical questions like favorite political philosopher- western as well Indian. Even the very basic like whether political science is truly science or art or just a discipline- in- confusion can be put forth.

Even the relevance of this optional for the administration can be asked, so a well rounded argument must be shaped to put it rightly.

So one must be well equipped with such questions basics of optional seeing its general significance.

6.       Graduation subject to test one’s basic understanding and awareness about the discipline for example a mechanical engineering g graduate may be asked about recent trend in automobile sector, IC engine, basics of Machine, Air-conditioning working in room- split vs. window one, power plant sector, robotics, manufacturing sector, make in India vs. make for India vs. made in India, Electric car, mechanics of train….they may not ask very difficult questions but articulating satisfactorily will not be easy unless one has thought these things prehand.

Further, the famous question for IITians, NITians  or even normal professional graduate from Management, Medicine, why do you want to come in administration when already you had spent so much and even Government spent so much for such education.

Also, how will you use these engineering skills in the IAS or for central services like IDAS, ICAS etc.

So, an honest and multidimensional analysis prehand is desirable to develop clarity of thought else on extempore you may say many things which may invite a number of harsh counter questions derailing the interview.

7.       Hobbies and Extracurricular column invites interviewers’ attention without fail because it is personality test, one’s hobby reflects a lot about one’s personality. It’s expected one must be pursuing it sincerely, so, Question may range from very technical to very general. For example, one’s hobby of watching movies may invite question from one’s favorite movie to CBFC controversy to evolution of women’s role in Indian film industry. So, one must be having a good and holistic understanding about movies and contemporary dimension like “Padmaavat” movie generating controversy in various corner. Even right to freedom of artistic expression can be brought to judge one’s critical legal acumen.

8.       Achievement in school, Colleges or extracurricular can be asked if any attention seeking is mentioned like one mentioning “reward for child education initiative”. He may be asked about RTE, National Education Policy, and various issues regarding education sector as well as child as section for its education, child labour, various schemes for nourishment etc….

Further, if one mentions a rank holder in Mathematics Olympiad, s/he can be asked about difficulty in learning mathematics, why is it phobia for many, India’s contribution to world in mathematics etc.

 Further, a Bihar Board topper may be asked about cheating in exam, toppers scam and so many malpractices prevalent in education sector. So, the dimension may keep on evolving from trivial facts to policy level question testing one’s capacity to give detailed and comprehensive view over any issue.

9.       Leadership in school, college is also asked to know about one’s ability to lead. Suppose one who led a “social service club” in one’s college or school may be asked about learning there and difficulties/crisis faced and how one resolved it. So, it would be desirable to recall well   at prehand.

10.   Sports section is another area to test one’s sporting attitude, being a team man, being extrovert and understanding well about losing and winning situation coming in the way. However, question of general nature is mostly asked including some technicalities. For example, one mentioning Badminton may be asked about India’s performance in Olympic, Indian Badminton League, emerging women in this sport etc.

11.   Work experience is another most important area where candidates are asked questions at length. In fact it opens a new vista where more than one member can pick up question. For example one working or worked in Coal India can be asked about Privatization of public sector, Coalgate issue, problems of mining area, safety issues, pollution issue, mine and mineral act, pricing of coal, import of coal issue, renewable energy, new coal technology, Paris deal to SDG etc.. and regular job related one`s organizational experience and learning. Also, about location of work may be asked. A coal mine based in Orissa may invite question for tribal in hinterland of Orissa and even a comparative perspective of two different places where one has lived. So all facets must be recalled well.

Once one has mentioned anything in DAF, one should be well prepared to answer rather being defensive. They will hardly ask very difficult question except one or two, which too can be polity accepted for being ignorant.

12.   School/ college- name, its motto, vision, mission, alumni, recent major development regarding it. For example, a candidate from Visevesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur may be asked about Sir M. Visvesvaraya, his contribution, his birthday as Engineering day.

Further about Nagpur, some trivia may be asked along with serious issue of Vidarbha- farmer suicide, drought, Bt cotton issue etc.

Also, about NIT, various aspects can be asked.

13.   Current affairs is one of the inevitable area to be tested but mostly prominent issues of the week or day or most talked about issues (and with high probability if its connected to candidate in any sense) would be asked. So, a thorough opinion making on relevant issue is desirable.

Economy and International issues are invariably asked across the background, so broader issue in the news must be prepared.

Some more on personality test

1.       It is more about testing one’s mental alertness, confidence, articulation with clarity and integrity. Integrity means there must be coherency in argument and overall honesty in confessing mistakes, asserting right thing politely and not loosing temper despite provocation.

2.       Sustained smile must be carried to lighten the ambience despite tough face off.

3.       It really matters to create first impression, so walk calmly, confidently and wish them sending positive vibes.  If a lady member in panel and seeing you (while u r about to wish) along with all, then u should wish her first else chairman and then combinedly all. Sit confidently, straight and maintain eye contact with all giving much time for the one who is asking question at the moment (3:1).

4.       Excessive anxiety will back fire, so, at all cost just maintain coolness. Trust me being confident and calm will sail you through smoothly. As there is no mercy in giving marks by the board, so just one needs to be sound and aptly confident. No need to be too apologetic if not knowing even good number of questions. Handle it well by directing interview in your comfort zone. Bring those areas and issues where you are comfortable.

5.       Regarding language, one must try to be very clear, simple and well articulated. English if chosen and finding difficulty in it, one must practice it well and speak with medium pace reflecting body language. Language should be such which should be used as medium rather it be itself a challenge. So, either Hindi or English or regional language in which one feels comfortable, one should opt for interview. One must work on speaking part if really finding difficulty. Use mirror, mock interview or informal group to correct it. Listen some good interview or panel discussion.

6.       Regarding dress and look- try to look decent, well groomed and well dressed. Wear suit if u can (not necessary) along with well knotted tie. These things really don’t matter much as long as one is sounding relevant, confident, and honest however one must work on look and attire part to create a sense of completeness.

For lady candidate, sari is preferred. Its choice should be to serve the purpose of occasion. Some ladies even prefer to appear in salwar kameez. So one must see one’s comfort level. In mock interview all such decisions can be taken to find suitability.

7.       All documents, photos, ID card must be well carried. These small things should not divert the attention, so it should be kept well in advance.

To conclude, personality test is the last step in selection process, so it must be too taken seriously. Yes, it’s personality test so one may not change much in short span but an objective preparation of it will do wonder. As 25-35 minute is not a long duration ton asses an individual’s true personality, so preparation on all said topics/ areas can make it quite predictable. Only part left would be to present and articulate well which too can be finessed with good practice.