Achieving a top rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires a perfect blend of high mains scores, a strong command of the Geography optional, and a stellar personality test. Ishitwa (AIR 50) recently shared his journey of scoring a massive 215 marks in the interview—a score that is among the highest in recent years.
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1. The “Organic” Interview Strategy
Ishitwa had only one week to prepare for his personality test after the schedule was released. Instead of over-processing his answers with endless mock tests, he chose to remain natural.
“Interview is a product of several years of your life—your speaking skills, articulation, and confidence cannot be generated in a month,” Ishitwa notes.
Key Interview Takeaways:
- The Diverse DAF (Detailed Application Form): Ishitwa’s DAF was not just about academics. He was an Under-17 All India Railway football player, a state-level high jump medalist, and a trekker. This diversity gave the board multiple non-academic dimensions to engage with.
- Integrity is Key: Ishitwa listerally left 7–8 questions in the actual interview. He believes that saying “I am not aware, sir” with a smile and confidence is much better than lying or bluffing.
- The “Earned Spot” Mindset: He advises aspirants to feel they have earned their place in that room. “If you are given an important post, the board wants to see that you don’t feel out of place.”
2. Leveraging the Geography Optional
Choosing the right optional is half the battle won. Ishitwa’s academic and research-oriented background allowed him to use his Geography optional as a bridge to current issues.
- Real-World Application: Ishitwa led a research project on the Joshimath land subsidence issue. This not only helped him in his Geography optional papers but also became a major talking point in his interview.
- Multidimensional Answers: His training in geography helped him articulate views on diverse topics, from local trekking and cuisines to large-scale environmental disasters, presenting a “wholesome personality” to the board.
3. Handling “Bouncers” with Composure
The interview board often tests a candidate’s composure with unexpected questions. Because Ishitwa is 6 feet tall, the board asked why he didn’t play basketball instead of football.
By staying calm and explaining his preference for being a goalkeeper due to the pace of the game, he turned a potential “bouncer” into an ice-breaker. This ability to handle pressure is a hallmark of a high scorer.
4. Why Mocks Aren’t Everything
Ishitwa believes that while professional settings and pauses can be practiced, your core “tone and intonation” should remain organic. He warns that over-coaching can sometimes “spoil” a candidate’s natural personality, making them sound robotic rather than authentic.
