Dear Aspirant Officers, in this chapter I have discussed more than 100 commonly asked queries by the candidates related to different aspects of the UPSC Personality Test. Before you move further I would like to bring it your notice that these replies need not be the only reply possible. Based upon your peculiar circumstances, you can make the required modifications.
Q: Is there a need for a specific preparation for the Personality Test?
Ans: The answer is an unequivocal yes. Many times I get surprised as to why this becomes one of the topmost query of many Aspirant Officers at all. Had this stage been so inconsequential or so unproductive then why the highest recruiting agency of the nation, that is the UPSC, had this stage at the very first place? This is indeed a very important stage and it tests a parameter which has virtually not been tested in the previous two stages, that is your personality. Undoubtedly you need a dedicated preparation for Personality Test which is colloquially termed as interview.
Q: When should I begin my preparation?
Ans: Please see the topic "When to start"
Q: Should I take a leave from my job/institution for the preparation or can the both go simultaneously?
Ans: Unlike the pre and mains exams which require a very intensive study and long sittings, the Personality Test has a quite different nature and requirements. Firstly, here the number of hours to be devoted is comparatively lesser. Secondly, it is not necessary to have very long sittings. The preparation for the Personality Test requires that your senses should always be open to grab the opportunity to learn. You are required to not concentrate on the knowledge aspect only. There are various other aspects, many of which can be prepared for in your office, during transportation etc. Nevertheless, if it's possible for you to take a leave you should, but you should always keep in mind that few days of leave is almost mandatory to take just before the exam. It becomes all the more important if you are coming to Delhi from some outside city. So you should plan accordingly.
Q: My job schedule is very hectic. It leaves me with very less time for the preparation. I can't even apply for the leave. So how should I go about the preparation?
Ans: You should remember that there are two aspects of the preparation: the quantity of time you have and the quality of time you spend. Let's first take the quantity of time. As has been mentioned by you that you don't have much quantity of time but friends I have seen it many times that the quantity is not that scarce as seems to be. Please read the concept of "Squeezing the time out" on page no [35]. It will help you immensely.
Second aspect is related to the quality of time. This has two dimensions. First, you should study with full focus and concentration. Second, you should prepare in the order of priority. Also, when you have prepared your "preparation blueprint" as explained here try to do the most important things first and then gradually move to the relatively lesser significant areas. Such an approach would ensure that in lesser time you cover more area.
Q: It is termed as a test of personality but I've been told by various eminent people that personality is something which cannot be developed or manipulated within a few days. So that means there is no utility of preparing for it just a few months before the exam. Kindly explain this paradox.
Ans: You are absolutely right when you say that the personality is developed over a period of time and that it cannot be developed within few days. But tell me one thing. What do you exactly mean by "over a period of time"? This "period of time" consists of many months which further consist of many days. That means the personality which you are possessing today has been created over all these days. Now before your Personality Test you still have a lot many days. So why can't you think that the personality cannot be changed, albeit to a small extent, during this time period.
See friends, you have to understand that there are certain aspects of the personality which have become very intrinsic into your system. They probably cannot be changed or can be changed after a lot of efforts which might not be possible to do in this short span of time. But then there are so many other attributes which are very superficial part of your personality and they are there because you probably never consciously thought of them. They can be very easily changed. Secondly, new characteristics and traits can always be added to your personality. So I think the question is now settled. These few months can definitely help you in bettering and enhancing your personality.
Q: What should be the areas and domains for the preparation?
Ans: Please see the article "The Sources of Preparation.
Q: What are the qualities and attributes that Board is looking for in the candidates?
Ans: Please see the article "Qualities in the candidate".
Q: Please tell me some strict do's and strict don'ts for the Personality Test.
Ans: Please see the article "Do's and Don'ts".
Q: What mode of transport should I take?
Ans: The personal vehicle is the best option. But for a large number of Aspirant Officers, it is not possible in Delhi. So you arrange for a cab or an auto, though the former should be preferred. You should avoid the public transport, particularly the buses.
Q: Can we, in any way, manage which Board we will get in the Personality Test?
Ans: You can do absolutely nothing about the Board that you will get. It is known to you just a few minutes before the actual test begins. So don't waste your energy on that front.
Q: It is often said that certain Boards are very strict Boards and that they don't give the marks easily. Is that right?
Ans: If I have to answer that frankly, I would say yes, there is a degree of subjectivity definitely and by that logic it can happen that different Boards will award the score in slightly different manner; the logical conclusion of which is that there can emerge certain Boards which apparently look to be on the stricter side but even these so-called strict Boards are not there to harm you or to fail you. It is just that the parameter of testing you is on a bit stricter side.
But as I have already said that we cannot do any1hing about this, so why to waste the time on this discussion. Nevertheless, it is very important that one should have knowledge about the profile and personality of the different members. You should also try to get an idea about the tone and tenor of the questions that a particular Board asks. All these things can help you, albeit to a small extent, in your preparation.
Q: Can we prepare ourselves in accordance with different boards?
Ans: To some extent. It can be done by going through the profiles of the members of the UPSC. You can also get an about their style of asking the questions by discussing with the successful candidates and with the teachers.
Q: Is honesty the best policy in front of the interview board?
Ans: Yes, it is indeed. The members are very experienced and intellectual people. There is a high probability that they will be able to nail you down.
Q: Should we tell the truth in every matter asked in the interview?
Ans: For about 99% cases, the answer is yes; you should speak truth. In certain scenarios , though, there is some scope of masking. But there also complete lie should never be told.
Let's take an example. Many times it happens that the preference of the state cadre for the IAS and the IPS is different and generally in the IPS preference list the states having law and order problem are put at the lower end. Obviously the question can be asked that it seems you are afraid of the challenging situations and difficult situations related to militancy and insurgency. Now here friends, you can try to conceal to an extent your actual thoughts. Here you can suggest to the board that you have filled states with law and order problem at the lower end because in the domain of policing you are more fascinated with the investigation. Remember investigation, law and order maintenance, counter-insurgency, anti militancy operations are some of the different and equally important works of the police. It is quite normal that you have more inclination towards a particular dimension of policing. So with a little bit of presence of mind you can mask yourself to a small extent but this should be done very carefully.
Q: Can I bluff in the interview?
Ans: If you want to commit suicide, then you can bluff! Throughout the book I have emphasized that never try to fool or manipulate the Board in any form. It can end your journey there itself.
Q: Is it right that the information provided in the Detailed Application Form (OAF) forms the basic bedrock on which questions in the Personality Test will be asked?
Ans: Yes, that is absolutely correct. For further details, please see the chapter "Filling of the Detailed Application Form (DAF)".
Q: is it necessary to write a hobby?
Ans: You should try your best to write at least something in this column but that should be genuine. Leaving the column blank leaves a wrong impression.
Q: I don't have anything as hobby to write. What should I do?
Ans: It's not that difficult to have a hobby! I will just show you how. Ask yourself that what you like or prefer doing in your free time or leisure time. You can write that as your hobby. For example you might be watching TV in your free time or surfing the net or hanging out with your friends. You can write any one of these things. Just intellectualize the language a bit, make it a bit sophisticated. As an example, if you prefer to watch the TV in your free time, then you may write watching television within brackets, the channels related to environment and biodiversity; or the music channels. There are chances that the Board won't ask any question on that because it's something very common but at any rate it is better than the leaving the column totally blank.
Q: Can I write a hobby that I used to have earlier but not pursuing now?
Ans: If you have a hobby earlier but are no longer pursuing it, there is no harm in writing that hobby. It can be justified that the preparation of the exam or some other reasons prevented you from actively pursuing that hobby.
Q: Should I write something which is very common as my hobby? For example reading or singing or watching the TV etc.
Ans: If you have nothing else to write and such a common hobby is indeed your hobby then you can write it. But to the extent possible try writing it in a 'sophisticated' and 'intellectual' manner. It can be done by providing more specifics regarding the hobby.
Q: As I don't have anything concrete to write as hobby, can I bluff here?
Ans: To tell a lie, to bluff or to be fake, as far as the hobby is concerned, is sure recipe of disaster. You should refrain from that. Instead of bluffing it is better to leave the column unfilled.
Q: Should I try writing something different and unique as my hobby?
Yes you can write a different and a unique hobby but it should genuinely be your hobby. In fact it is always better to write something which is different from others. The only thing is that you should be able to substantiate that hobby during the Personality Test.
Q: Can a good hobby be prepared for the interview?
Ans: In my opinion, it is very difficult to 'prepare' a hobby in such a short span of time. But if you think that you can gain command over something in this period you can go for it. But it should be done with utmost care.
Q: Is it necessary to indicate IAS as the first choice of service?
Ans: No it is not necessary to indicate IAS as the first choice. In fact increasingly it has been seen that the candidates rewriting other services as their first choice but whatever service you are choosing to be at the top you should be able to convincingly defend that choice.
Q: Can I write IPS/IFS/IRS as the first choice of service?
Ans: Yes definitely you can but again here also you should be able to explain the reasons behind your choice.
Q: People often say that if I will put IRS as my first option for the service, it will give a message to the Board that I am after money. Is it right?
Ans: There is a great possibility that the person who has told you such a thing must have the same intension himself. This is absolutely not right. Very often this perception is made because this service deals with the taxation related aspects and due to that heavy quantum of money is involved. Secondly no doubt the corrupt officers can do lot of corruption here. In other words the scope of corruption is quite high. So it is for those type of people to get worried about this thing. If you have chosen IRS as your first option, there must be some reason behind it and you should simply put forward the reasons for the same? For example you could be from that background or you must have got inspiration from somebody from the same service etc.
Q: I have placed the JPS/IFS/IRS service quite low in the hierarchy. Is that wrong?
Ans: No, that is not wrong but you should be able to explain your decision
Q: I have not at all listed the JPS/IFS/IRS service in my list of options. Is that wrong?
Ans: No, that is not wrong but you should be able to explain your decision
Q: Is it fine not to mention all the services in the list of options?
Ans: Though there is nothing that officially stops you from doing that but I would advise that you should never skip a service. If you don't want a service, you can always leave it later but you should never leave a service from the list because there is a possibility that one of the Board members belongs to that service or has a soft corner for that service. So unnecessarily you are sending a wrong signal to that member.
Q: Should I need to have knowledge about each and every service that I have filled as a choice of service?
Ans: Yes it is always better that you should have at least a basic idea of all the services but there is no need to go for a very deep knowledge.
Q: I have been preparing for the last 3 years for the civil services exam and have not been able to clear the exam even once and neither have I pursued any other job or higher studies. How should Ianswer on this aspect?
Ans: I would suggest that please don't allow this point to play too much in your mind. There are many examples in the preparation of this exam wherein, before succeeding;, the candidates have gone through certain failures . So you are not an exception.
In my opinion you should focus more on the question "What do you think are the factors because of which you have not been able to succeed so far?" If you can answer this question satisfactorily that means that you are aware of your shortcomings and are working on them.
Q: I am going to appear for the Personality test in my first attempt. Will I get any benefit for that?
Ans: According to the rules there is no such provision. Even the Board members won't give you any extra edge due to that, though It will definitely help you in forming a good first impression.
Q: Is there any gender bias in the mind of Board members?
Ans: No, there is absolutely nothing like that.
Q: Which newspapers and magazines should I read?
Ans: At least two national newspapers should be read every day. The Hindu is almost mandatory. It can be coupled with The Times of India or Hindustan Times of Indian Express. The Aspirant Officers with Commerce background should also try reading a business newspaper.
Magazines have the same importance that the newspapers have. Here I would like to draw your attention to one important thing; that for the Personality Test preparation you should not rely too much on the normal current affairs magazines specially made for the competitive exams. They might be good for the prelims and the Mains exam but not for the Personality Test as they are more fact oriented and less analysis oriented. Moreover, the articles present in these are generally not written by the experts. Hence I would recommend going for the general national magazines like The Outlook, The India Today, The Week, The Sunday Indian, Frontline, Governance Now etc.
Q: What is the period for which the newspaper should be studied?
Ans: It should be the first thing you should start with; and should continue till the very morning of the Personality Test.
Q: Aren't the regular competition magazines that we have been studying so far sufficient for the preparation?
Ans : No, they are not sufficient. The reasons are explained in the preceding question.
Q: Is watching the television required for this preparation?
Ans: The importance of the television is the most in the Personality Test stage. It might not be of much significance in the prelims and mains exams but here it is not only important but I would even say that at times it is much more important than the newspapers and magazines also.
Q: What kind of programmes should be watched on the TV?
Ans: Please see the topic "Television".
Q: I have often heard that while going through the newspapers, magazines and the news channels I should be careful as there are some hidden agendas. Is that right?
Ans: This is an open secret that almost every media house has some kind of bias. When I say bias, I am not implying that it is essentially a negative bias or they are biased intentionally or are biased with some ulterior motive. I am simply trying to bring to your attention that almost invariably there exists an element of bias, in varying degrees, in all the news coverage. And this bias in their approach could be the result of a particular set of values that they subscribe to and by no means, that in itself is wrong. So you must be aware that a particular media house or journalist belongs to which ideology and then try understanding their analysis in that perspective. eg. If you are reading a newspaper the editorial Board of which is more inclined towards the left-of-centre; you should factor-in this aspect while reading something written by them related to the liberlaisation, FDI in retail etc. This will help you in building a more informed, accurate and relatively biasfree viewpoint.
Q: Would you recommend me any other source for the preparation?
Ans: Some other sources are the internet, general nature books, interaction with the successful candidates and the experts of various fields. For further details, please see Chapter "The Sources of Preparation".
Q: Should I prepare the notes of the newspapers?
Ans: Though I won't suggest that the 'notes' in the conventional sense need to be prepared for the Personality Test , but I would definitely say that the salient points of what you are reading, some important facts and figures etc. should be jotted down in the Personality Test Buddy in a chronological manner.
Q: Is there any significance of the internet in the preparation?
Ans: The scope of Internet is limitless. For the Aspirant Officers who are very tech-savvy and adept in the Internet, the Internet can virtually provide the substitute of every other source like the newspapers, the magazines and the TV. But even for the others who are not that tech-savvy, internet can be used to get whatever information they want. It is particularly very important in helping in preparing for the personal biodata.
Also there are various social networking sites on which many other Aspirant officers, from different parts of the nation, are also sharing their experiences. You should try to be the part of such groups.
Q: I feel that the social sites and the preparation groups therein are a big wastage of time as majority of them are using fake accounts and carry out meaningless debates. What's your take?
Ans: You are right to the extent those majorities are like that. But there are some which are carrying out very serious business. Try to get into one such and that is definitely not wastage of time.
Q: I am not a very tech-savvy person and don't use the internet frequently. What should I do?
Ans: There is nothing to panic in this. Internet is just 'one of the sources' through which you can prepare. It is not the only source. As it is a very effective way of preparation, you should try to use it to extent possible but even without it the Aspirant Officers are preparing and succeeding.
Q: Does group study help in the preparation?
Ans: Yes. lnfact group study should be the preferred mode of preparation.
Q: Should I join any interview coaching program?
Ans: You should try joining one. In such courses, the current affairs re brushed up from the perspective of the Personality Test. Moreover, they also help you in certain aspects related to your biodata.
Q: Should I take the mock test?
Ans: Appearing in a few mock interviews is always going lo bbo11oflcial. It is all the more beneficial to those Aspirant Officers who have never faced any interview conducted by the UPSC
Q: What are the advantages of taking the mock tests?
Ans: A mock interview is basically the simulation of the actual interview. It is the closest you can come to the actual interview conditions. The basic idea behind taking the mock interviews is to acclimatize yourself with the interview and the prevailing conditions. It helps you to better your preparation and to actually see how you will respond is the interview conditions. You can rectify the mistakes that you are performing while giving the mock interview. It also helps boosting the confidence and removing that 'fear about the interview' from your mind.
Q: When should I start with the mock tests?
Ans: This is a very important question and there is a lot of confusion regarding it. There is no perfect answer to this question. Hence I would suggest what I think is best and try to give the reasoning for the same. Well friends, I feel that you should start the mocks a bit 'early'. When I say 'early'. that means when about two months' time is there for the actual Personality Test to take place. This first mock interview is for a very special purpose. It will tell you your level, your caliber. your strengths, your weaknesses in your original form; when you have not yet started any kind of coaching related to the Personality Test. Based on this first feedback, you can then prepare your blueprint and it will be this very first mock interview which will help you in deciding that how many mock interviews you should take and when you should take them.
Q: How many mock tests should I take?
Ans: Based on your first 'early mock test' and the blueprint formed thereafter. you should decide the number of mock tests. This will obviously vary from one candidate to another but I would suggest that one should take at least 3 to 4 mock tests. Also, you should try to appear in front of the same mock Board twice, at least once. In this way you will be able to get two feedbacks from the same mock Board which will help you in ascertain whether you have been preparing in the right direction or not.
Q: How should I decide the institution for the coaching program and for the mock test?
Ans: You should join only a reputed coaching institute. Refrain from joining the institutes which try to trap you through the 'free mocks'. Remember friends, in this world there are no free lunches. Everything that is coming to you as 'free' has certain hidden things attached with it. At this juncture you should not fall prey to such things . You should also keep in mind the composition of the mock Board. You should join only where the experienced and expert people are the members.
Q: I don't have the time to join a coaching program or a mock test. What to do now?
Ans: If that's not possible, there is nothing to worry. You can also prepare through what I term as the 'amateur mock interviews' or 'friends- based mock interviews'. Here the mock interviews ore b ing conducted by you and your peer group at a mutually convenient place and time.
Q: But can such 'amateur mock interviews' actually help me?
Ans: No doubt, the amateur mock interviews cannot match the level of the mock interviews involving experts; as all the participants of these interviews are themselves aspirants ; nevertheless they have some of their own inherent advantages .
Firstly, because your friends are now interviewing you they can grill you more on those areas which they know you are weak at. Secondly, by rotation you will be many times on the other side of the table that is, interviewing another of your friends. Now when you ask questions you tend to get an idea about the mind and perspective of the Board members. This helps in the better judging of the questions that the actual Board can ask you and hence the better preparation.
Q: The feedback that I am getting from the mock test is not very good. Is there any chance for me now to really perform well at the actual Personality Test?
Ans: See friends, this is a test of your attitude. Even if the things are totally against you, you should not even once think of quitting. Build on and correct the 'negative' feedback. If you will keep working on it with due perseverance , there are chances that you can perform very well during the actual Test. In any case you have nothing to loose. But if you will give up at this stage, you will surely loose.
Q: When should the last mock interview be taken?
Ans: You should stop taking any mock during last five to seven days.
Q: Is it necessary to wear a coat suit?
Ans: No. And infact I would suggest that one should avoid it. The weather in Delhi during the months of April and May doesn't make you feel comfortable in the coat suit.
Q: I'm not very comfortable with a tie. Is it necessary to wear one?
Ans: No, it is not necessary. Though, you should try wearing one if that's possible.
Q: Can I use perfume or a deodorant?
Ans: You can but it should be mild.
Q: I am not very comfortable in the saree. Can I wear salwar kameez?
Ans: Yes you can.
Q: Should we or shouldn't we do the makeup?
Ans: Heavy makeup is a strict no. Makeup which seems to be natural though, can be done. '
Q: Can I wear the mangalsutra?
Ans: Yes, you can. There is no problem there.
Q: Can I have the jewellery?
Ans: You should avoid ii.
Q: Can I wear spectacles with photo chromatic lens?
Ans: You should avoid that as for the initial moments in the room the lenses will still be dark and that's not a very desirable situation.
Q: Can I wear contact lens instead of spectacles?
Ans: If you are comfortable, you can. There is no. harm.
Q: Can I wear a patka?
Ans: No. You should not as it is not the part of the formal attire. You should always wear a turban.
Q: Should I wear a watch?
Ans: Yes, you should but it should be simple and a conservative watch which should be apt for the occasion.
Q: I support a beard. Should I shave it?
Ans: No, it is not necessary. But it should be properly combed and maintained.
Q: Should I wear new clothes or should I choose from my existing wardrobe?
Ans: You should try wearing the clothes that you have already tried because you will comfortable in them. The brand new dress may cause you discomfort. But you should ensure that the tried dress in absolutely good condition and is spot free.
Q: Do I need to go through the entire syllabus of my optional subject again?
Ans: No. you need not to. But you should be aware of the important aspects of your optional. Also generally the applied aspects will be asked. So you need to prepare accordingly.
Q: Do I need to prepare my graduation subjects as well?
Ans: The mode of preparation is similar to the preceding question.
Q: My subjects of graduation are different from my optional subject. How will I justify this thing?
Ans: You need to say what the fact is. The reason can be the interest in the optional subject or lack of it in the graduation subject, the ease of coaching, the perceived higher scorability of the optional etc. The thing to be kept in mind is that you should not say anything that is incorrect. You can be caught and that can cost you dearly.
Q: I'm having a professional degree (engineer or doctor or an MBA).What should be my response if they ask me that doesn't joining the civil services means that I wasted all that learnt In that course.
Ans: Well I would say that this is an 'old fashioned' question which doesn't have much place in the contemporary governance paradigm. But still I will discuss that how to deal such a question if at all someone asks you.
My dear Aspirant Officers, the current governance model Is multidimensional and its challenges are also multifarious. So any particular service requires officers from diverse backgrounds so as to tackle the challenges emanating from different spheres.
Being a police officer, I would take the example of the Police department now see the nature of the crime today the police is facing. It has moved much ahead of the conventional thefts, murders and rapes. Today there are cyber crimes, financial frauds, biological crimes etc. And see the varied technology that is required in the day to day functioning of the police like the use of computers, internet, mobiles, various types of detectors, thermal imagers, bio-gadgets etc. It goes without saying that these challenges require technical knowledge.
Hence the technical knowledge that you have acquired is a big asset, not only for you in your career progression but also for your department.
For further elucidation please see the topic 'Professionals entering the service'.
Q: I am engineer from an llT/NIT/govt institution or I am a doctor from AllMS/PGl/govt institute or an MBA from an llM. How should I respond to a question that my joining the civil services would amount to wastage of government's money or wasting a professional seat?
Ans: It is not the wastage of the government money because of the reasons mentioned above.
Q: What should be my answer to a question "How will you apply the knowledge of your graduation into the civil services?"
Ans: There can be no universal answer lo this question as different subjects have different application. Hence I would advise you to closely study the applied aspect of your subjects so that you can deduce its application in your service.
Q: The country very badly needs your services as a doctor, as an engineer in the rural areas. Why are not you serving the nation in that capacity? Why only the civil services? Isn't it a contradiction there?
Ans: There's no contradiction here. Please take the example of your family having your grandparents, parents, siblings , spouse and children. Now can you say that only your mother or grandfather or spouse is working for the home? Ofcource not. All of them are contributing towards the overall wellbeing of the house depending upon their interests, capabilities and roles.
Same is the case here. Everyone, a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, a civil servant, a policeman etc. are serving the people and the society in their respective capacities. You have chosen the Civil Services because you are passionate about it. That's simple.
There is another peculiar aspect about the civil services which sets it apart from the other services and is very often the strongest reason for the candidates opting for it and that is the enormous decision making and policy making potential that it has. In many other services, though you are serving the society, very often there is hardly any involvement in the top most policy decision. The civil services provide you with that.
Q: What should I do if I am being interjected in between a reply?
Ans: The most important that you need to do is to remain calm and composed. See, the basic logic behind such kind of behavior by the Board is to check how you react when there is an attempt to unnerve you. They are checking it because tomorrow as a civil servant you will have to go through such situations very often. So remain calm and keep answering the 'latest' question that pose to you after evo1y interjection.
Q: What should I do if a member shouts at me for one of my answer?
Ans: You have to remain calm and composed. You should not feel irritated and even if you are feeling so, at no cost it should be exhibited. Listen to what he is shouting for and wait for the next question.
Q: What should be my response if there is a difference of opinion between me and the Board members?
Ans: Please see the topic "Difference of opinion" on page no (78]
Q: If there is a difference of opinion between me and the Board and I am sure that I'm right should I persist with my stand?
Ans: Yes you should. If you are right there is a big possibility that the Board is deliberately trying to create a difference of opinion just to check whether you will buckle down under the pressure or you have the guts to remain with your stand. But you should be 100 percent sure that you are right; otherwise you can give an impression of being a very arrogant person.
For further details, please see the topic "Difference of Opinion".
Q: What should I say if they ask "Did you take any coaching?"
Ans: You should not tell a lie to the Board. Because of their vast experience, they can quite easily make out from your answers that whether you have taken any coaching or not. Secondly, there is nothing wrong in taking coaching.
Q: How to react when one Board member cracks a joke on the other member?
Ans: Under no circumstances you should smile at that joke. It is a business being conducted between the equals, that Is, the members of the Board. It is their prerogative. You cannot be a party to it. Mostly such a situation is created to test your reaction. Don't fall prey to it.
Q: If a Board member talks with mo In Hindi or in some other native language, should I reciprocate In the same language or in English only?
Ans: You should reply in the same language but it should be restricted to that particular question only. After that you should revert to English.
Q: How should I react if a Board member uses slangs?
Ans: You should avoid the slangs. He/she could be deliberately using the slangs just to check you. You should restrict yourself lo the standard and the official language only.
Q: How should I react if a Board member says "I don't agree with your answer."?
Ans: First of all you should not show any signs that you have felt offended or that your ego is hurt. You should simply say "Right Sir. Please guide me about the correct approach for this question"
Q: What should I do if they offer me a cup of tea or coffee?
Ans: There can be a peculiar situation where you are offered tea or coffee by the Board. Now what should you do? There are certain experts who suggest that you should indeed accept the offer. The reasoning they provide is that if you will say no, it will look rude and probably amount to the insult of the Board member. Secondly, the Board member can make an opinion that probably you are very nervous and therefore not taking the tea.
On the contrary, equally eminent experts opine otherwise. They say that you should not accept it because after all there has to be some gap between you and them. By accepting the tea you are making this formal occasion too informal. Secondly, it can lead to deviation and distraction in your thought process. And in the scenario of it spilling over, it can be a real messy situation.
So considering both the viewpoint s, I would suggest that you should say "Thank you Sir, but I don't take tea/coffee". This is a polite way of saying 'no'.
Q: Please tell me the techniques by which I can control my anxiety and nervousness during the Personality Test.
Ans: The most important technique is never to lie. If you are being truthful in your responses, a major cause of the stress and anxiety ends there itself. Then if you find yourself in some difficult or tricky situation, please gently remind yourself that if you will panic the things will only become worse. Hence the best way is to be calm.
Q: Is it necessary to maintain eye contact with the Board members?
Ans: Please see the topic "Eye Contact".
Q: While answering a question should I maintain the eye cont t i only with that member who has asked the question or with II the members?
Ans: Please see the topic "Eye Contact".
Q: Can I make the movement of my hands while answering?
Ans: There is often confusion among the Aspirant officers that whether we should move our hands or not. I would suggest that there is something what is termed as the 'natural movement' of the hands and the face while talking with somebody. That is right and should be maintained in the Personality Test. Anything over and above that should be avoided.
Q: Can I put my hands in the pocket?
Ans: No that should be avoided. It sends a signal of you being defensive.
Q: I have lived in and worked in a number of cities and states. Should I need to prepare all of them?
Ans: You should have at least some information about all the cities and states where you have lived at any point of time but here you should follow a graded approach . For example you should know much more about the place where you have lived more. Secondly you should also be having more knowledge about that place where you have been staying recently.
Q: Should I prepare about my parents' and siblings professions too?
Ans: You should just have the basic idea. Nothing in detail is required.
Q: Does the work experience in a Govt. or private body, provides any advantage?
Ans: It won't give you any direct advantage as there is no weight age for the same in the Personality Test. But you can always have an indirect advantage; as based on your experience your answers will be more pragmatic.
Q: How can I steer the direction of my Personality Test?
Ans: The best way of steering the Personality Test is to answer in a manner that a particular question can be asked to you after that. This requires a calculative use of words, phrases, illustrations, facts, figures etc. But this is easier said than done. Hence do a regular practice of this art during your preparation.
Q: Can the Board come to know that I'm trying to steer the direction of my Personality Test?
Ans: If you are doing it shabbily they will definitely come to know and then it can be a big problem for you.
Q: Should history of UPSC be prepared?
Ans: You can go through the important milestones regarding the UPSC.
Q: Some people study the profiles of the various board members. Is it necessary?
Ans: It is always advantageous if one goes through their profiles. It gives you a basic idea about their background and profession which will definitely help you in framing the answers.
Q: Am I supposed to answer every question asked from me?
Ans: Though you should, but generally you can't. Few questions going unanswered are almost a certainty and you should not worry about that.
Q: I feel nervous and start sweating when I am asked to speak in English, what should I do?
Ans: Practice more and more under the guidance of a teacher r expert is the only solution for this problem. You also try to watch you own recorded videos as it would give you a better understanding of the problem.
Q: How should I enter the room?
Ans: After gently knocking the door, you should seek the permission , "Sir may I come in?" When they respond positively, only then enter the room.
Q: What to do before leaving the room?
Ans: When the Board tells you that the interview is over and you can leave, thank the Board while maintaining a pleasant smile and gently get up from the chair without making much noise. Then move towards the door without looking back towards the members and gently shut the door.
Q: Whether the lady members in the Board a positive or negative?
Ans: There is nothing like positive or negative about a lady member inthe Board. Don't form any preconceived notions.
Q: Who should I greet first: the chairperson or the lady member?
Ans: As per the conventions, you should greet the lady member first.
Q: Whether I can change the location of the chair in the room to make myself comfortable?
Ans: You should not change the location of the chair though you can definitely adjust the distance of the chair from the table.
Learn Next: Sample Question Bank for UPSC interview
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