{"id":48206,"date":"2026-03-23T11:47:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T11:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=48206"},"modified":"2026-03-23T11:47:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T11:47:23","slug":"geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/","title":{"rendered":"Geography Optional Strategy: AIR 50 Ishitwa\u2019s 215 Interview Score"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Achieving a top rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires a perfect blend of high mains scores, a strong command of the <strong>Geography optional<\/strong>, and a stellar personality test. Ishitwa (AIR 50) recently shared his journey of scoring a massive 215 marks in the interview\u2014a score that is among the highest in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69dfca26ba481\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69dfca26ba481\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/#1_The_%E2%80%9COrganic%E2%80%9D_Interview_Strategy\" title=\"1. The &#8220;Organic&#8221; Interview Strategy\">1. The &#8220;Organic&#8221; Interview Strategy<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/#Key_Interview_Takeaways\" title=\"Key Interview Takeaways:\">Key Interview Takeaways:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/#2_Leveraging_the_Geography_Optional\" title=\"2. Leveraging the Geography Optional\">2. Leveraging the Geography Optional<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/#3_Handling_%E2%80%9CBouncers%E2%80%9D_with_Composure\" title=\"3. Handling &#8220;Bouncers&#8221; with Composure\">3. Handling &#8220;Bouncers&#8221; with Composure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/#4_Why_Mocks_Arent_Everything\" title=\"4. Why Mocks Aren&#8217;t Everything\">4. Why Mocks Aren&#8217;t Everything<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/geography-optional-strategy-air-50-ishitwas-215-interview-score\/#Check_out_our_Geography_Optional_Course_%E2%80%93_Click_Here\" title=\"Check out our Geography Optional Course &#8211; Click Here\">Check out our Geography Optional Course &#8211; Click Here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_The_%E2%80%9COrganic%E2%80%9D_Interview_Strategy\"><\/span>1. The &#8220;Organic&#8221; Interview Strategy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Interview is a product of several years of your life\u2014your speaking skills, articulation, and confidence cannot be generated in a month,&#8221; Ishitwa notes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Interview_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Interview Takeaways:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Diverse DAF (Detailed Application Form):<\/strong> Ishitwa\u2019s DAF was not just about academics. He was an <strong>Under-17 All India Railway football player<\/strong>, a state-level high jump medalist, and a trekker. This diversity gave the board multiple non-academic dimensions to engage with.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrity is Key:<\/strong> Ishitwa listerally left <strong>7\u20138 questions<\/strong> in the actual interview. He believes that saying &#8220;I am not aware, sir&#8221; with a smile and confidence is much better than lying or bluffing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The &#8220;Earned Spot&#8221; Mindset:<\/strong> He advises aspirants to feel they have <em>earned<\/em> their place in that room. &#8220;If you are given an important post, the board wants to see that you don&#8217;t feel out of place.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Leveraging_the_Geography_Optional\"><\/span>2. Leveraging the Geography Optional<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right optional is half the battle won. Ishitwa\u2019s academic and research-oriented background allowed him to use his <strong>Geography optional<\/strong> as a bridge to current issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Real-World Application:<\/strong> Ishitwa led a research project on the <strong>Joshimath land subsidence<\/strong> issue. This not only helped him in his Geography optional papers but also became a major talking point in his interview.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multidimensional Answers:<\/strong> His training in geography helped him articulate views on diverse topics, from local trekking and cuisines to large-scale environmental disasters, presenting a &#8220;wholesome personality&#8221; to the board.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Handling_%E2%80%9CBouncers%E2%80%9D_with_Composure\"><\/span>3. Handling &#8220;Bouncers&#8221; with Composure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The interview board often tests a candidate&#8217;s composure with unexpected questions. Because Ishitwa is <strong>6 feet tall<\/strong>, the board asked why he didn&#8217;t play basketball instead of football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By staying calm and explaining his preference for being a goalkeeper due to the pace of the game, he turned a potential &#8220;bouncer&#8221; into an ice-breaker. This ability to handle pressure is a hallmark of a high scorer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Why_Mocks_Arent_Everything\"><\/span>4. Why Mocks Aren&#8217;t Everything<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ishitwa believes that while professional settings and pauses can be practiced, your core &#8220;tone and intonation&#8221; should remain organic. He warns that over-coaching can sometimes &#8220;spoil&#8221; a candidate&#8217;s natural personality, making them sound robotic rather than authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_out_our_Geography_Optional_Course_%E2%80%93_Click_Here\"><\/span><strong>Check out our Geography Optional Course &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/geography-optional-by-shabbir-sir-integrated-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Click Here<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"AIR 50 Ishitwa Scored 215 in Interview \ud83d\ude33 | UPSC Personality Test Strategy | Shabbir Sir\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KJ2bMlC76bA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,56,224],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogs","category-success-stories","category-toppers-corner"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48206"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48215,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48206\/revisions\/48215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}