So are you ready for your UPSC interview? Have you explored the most important areas being probed in interview rooms? What are the top 25 questions that you cannot miss? If you have, that’s great. But if you haven’t, don’t worry, you have come to the right place. We spoke to many students who appeared in interviews and selected top questions that figured in interviews. These are often repeated, and you should prepare to nail these down. We don’t know where things might go in a UPSC interview, but being prepared for the obvious is a sound strategy!
While the specific questions asked in UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) interviews can vary widely, as they cover a broad range of topics and aim to assess the candidates’ knowledge, personality, and suitability for administrative roles, here are 25 common questions that you might encounter in UPSC interviews:
- Tell us about yourself.
- Why do you want to join the civil services?
- What motivated you to choose this career path?
- Can you discuss your educational background and how it has prepared you for this role?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How do you handle pressure and stress?
- What is your understanding of the role of a civil servant?
- How do you plan to contribute to society as a civil servant?
- What do you understand by the term ‘governance’?
- What are the biggest challenges facing India today?
- How do you stay updated with current affairs?
- Can you discuss a current event or issue that interests you?
- What is your opinion on the role of technology in governance?
- How do you plan to tackle corruption if you were appointed to a position of authority?
- What is your view on the role of youth in nation-building?
- How would you handle a situation where there is a conflict between your personal beliefs and your duties as a civil servant?
- Can you discuss a situation where you demonstrated leadership skills?
- How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively?
- What is your opinion on the importance of ethics in public administration?
- How do you plan to address the challenges of rural development?
- Can you discuss a policy initiative or program that you think has been successful in India?
- How do you plan to promote gender equality and social justice as a civil servant?
- What is your opinion on the role of the civil services in promoting inclusive growth?
- Can you discuss a book or author that has influenced your thinking?
- Why should we select you for this position?
These questions are designed to assess the candidate’s personality, suitability for a career in civil service (You, your motivations, your qualities as it matches with civil servants) understanding of various issues, their ability to think critically (Understanding, considering different dimensions, having a mental framework) their vision and leadership (Vision, nation building) and the actionable and outcome-based execution focus (Approach to deliver results). At Edukemy, we call this YUVA – your overall mantra for success in UPSC. Here is a video where I explain this concept.
That is our summary of the 25 most important UPSC interview questions you cannot miss. I hope you enjoyed it!
Remember not to get bogged down by things like ‘interview etiquette’. If your foundation is right, if you understand the real issues, and have the strength of character, the confidence will automatically come. The etiquette will follow suit. We wish you the best always and hope you bring success to yourself, your family, and your community. May the force be with you.
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