After quite a few sessions with UPSC interview candidates, I have a few things to share. I am seeing some definitive patterns, some common mistakes students make across the board. It is certainly something that all candidates will benefit from. So even if you are not an Edukemy student, I hope you read this and I certainly wish you the very best. We had a good UPSC mock interview session today, and it was particularly useful as we do these mock sessions in a group. The candidate gets a feedback about their mistakes from most of the audience, and the panelist summarizes it all.
We also provide feedback on a 14 different dimensions based on our YUVA framework (here’s a blog link and a video link to YUVA), which the students greatly benefit from. There is very little time left for interviews after mains results, and this candidates need accelerated learning. We have to get smart about those common mistakes!
So here we go. UPSC interviews – common mistakes candidates make are (drumrolls here!!):
UPSC Interview Common Mistake 1:
Not recounting your UPSC journey with passion and purpose
1. Why UPSC, Background, Motivation type questions: This is the #1 common mistake students make. BY nature most of us are humble. We don’t do a good job of marketing ourselves. Most students talk from the DAF or provide a very underwhelmingly factual view of their journey till this point. We forget that the important thing is to tell YOUR STORY. This is your chance to shine. Today’s candidate has an excellent answer and it started with a personal story that touched his motivation, gave a window to his true character, and the things he values most in life. If u were present , u will get what I’m saying. This is your opportunity to show your motivation, passion, leadership and vision. Don’t lose this chance.
UPSC Interview Common Mistake 2:
Not having a balanced perspective. Jingoism.
2. When asked about a particular question about development whether healthcare, or education, or economic, many UPSC interview candidates make the mistake of just naming the government schemes and praising the government. This is NOT necessary. Although the panelists are government servants, they are not jingoists by any stretch of imagination. They are balanced, thinking individuals and expect to hire more rational people like themselves. In fact , it will be much more impactful to find out schemes that haven’t worked well or whose methods have been controversial and delve deeper.
Another example – I’m yet to hear a balanced India vs China response. People have tended to be highly optimistic in the responses. This can be interpreted as jingoistic pride. There must be a single, small thing we can replicate from the Chinese, surely? China has an amazing cultural heritage, great ideas have come from it, and its contribution to the world has been nothing short of significant. Remember, balanced perspectives are always a hit. Cheesiness is not!
UPSC Interview Common Mistake 3:
Not Hitting the high points first
3. Taking too much time to get to the high points: this is a problem typically with broad based questions like ‘What do you mean by Inclusive Growth’, or ‘Do you think India is poised as a true leader of Global South’. Students often spend too much time context setting, explaining dimensions etc. They lose the audience. This is the difference between a written answer and an interview answer. How you converse is inherently different from how you write. You can just say ‘Sir , a lot to say, but let me hit the high notes first..’ create a bridge so that you can use to cross over quickly to the things that matter. Do your homework. Big questions need a framework to answer. From that framework, let the big points emerge. And then, think how to get to them fast.
UPSC Interview Common Mistake 4:
Not understanding No-compromise points
4. Take a position or make up your mind: As a UPSC candidate, you must know that there are some dimensions like national security, social justice, constitutional rights, humanitarian aspects etc, have clear positions. These are often interview questions that test your moral fiber. A common mistake we do is to waver there or appear to be on the fence or have a balanced perspective. Economic inequality maybe an unfortunate outcome in recent times, but it is something we must unwaveringly address. The Caste system discriminations must disappear to have an equitable society. National security cannot be compromised at any cost. It’s things like that. It’s not just a position, but a moral point. The words we use, give others the impression of where we stand. So choose carefully.
UPSC Interview Common Mistake 5:
Not Showing your vision and leadership
5. Most UPSC interview candidates forget to show their vision and leadership. They are just too busy answering the question, For example, When asked broad based questions like the one on inclusive growth, or demographic dividend, or humanitarian impact of war, you always have an opportunity to showcase your vision for the country or the world. Don’t be shy. Write down your personal vision. Where would you like to see India in the next 2 decades in that particular area ? What is your personal vision of the world from that dimension? How to get there? Vision always connects history and future. It has elements of and ambition and also indicate your firm belief. So think of where India has come from and where India needs to go.
For example, a simple question on quality of education in India, you could say something like ‘Madam, in the last few years, we won against illiteracy, but education quality is still elusive. We haven’t really solved and scaled our education solution, which is actually the fuel for good economic development….” Now you have the attention of the panelist. You can only make statements like that, if you have gone deeper. So introspect with your class notes, summaries. Build your vision statements.
Finally, I tend not to worry too much about interview etiquettes. As I have told many of you before, you can learnt hat stuff on the internet. There is limited value in that kind of feedback. While I trust you are all doing that, we will focus here on most of the key aspects.
Best of luck. May the force be with you!
Thank you and bye for now!
