IAS Preparation

You have cleared Prelims. You have conquered Mains. Now, you face the Board. The UPSC Interview (officially called the Personality Test) is the final 275 marks that stand between you and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). UPSC Interview Questions

Unlike the written exam, the Board doesn’t care if you know the GDP of Brazil. They care about who you are. At Trademark IAS, our panel of retired bureaucrats helps you polish your personality. Here is what you need to know about the most common UPSC Interview Questions. UPSC Interview Questions

![Image: A formal interview setting with a candidate sitting in front of a 5-member panel]

1. The “DAF” is Your Horoscope UPSC Interview Questions

The Board has your Detailed Application Form (DAF) in front of them. 80% of the questions will come from what you wrote there.

• Home State: If you are from Bihar, prepare for questions on the “Liquor Ban” or “Flood Management.”

• Hobbies: If you wrote “Cricket,” be ready to answer “How does DRS technology work?” or “Compare Kohli’s leadership with Rohit’s.”

• Name: Does your name have a historical or mythological meaning? Know it.

2. The “Why” Questions (HR Round) UPSC Interview Questions

These are guaranteed questions. Prepare 2-minute answers for them.

• “Why do you want to join Civil Services?” (Don’t give a Bollywood answer like “I want to remove corruption.” Be practical.)

• “Why did you quit your high-paying IT job?”

• “Why IAS and not IPS?” (If IAS is your first preference).

3. Situation Reaction Tests (SRT) UPSC Interview Questions

The Board will put you in a crisis to test your nerves.

• Question: “You are the DM of a district. A communal riot has broken out, and a politician is pressuring you to release a suspect. What will you do?”

• Strategy: Never show anger. Stick to the Rule of Law. Your answer should be: Safety of citizens first -> Law & Order -> Investigation.

4. “I Don’t Know” is a Good Answer UPSC Interview Questions

In the UPSC Interview, honesty is a virtue.

• Scenario: If they ask a factual question like “What is the distance between the Earth and the Sun?” and you don’t know, just say:

  • “I am sorry Sir, I do not recall the exact figure at this moment.”

• Mistake: Do not guess or bluff. They are experts; they will catch you in seconds.

5. Myth: “Tricky Questions”

You might have seen WhatsApp forwards like “How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?”

• Reality: UPSC rarely asks such riddles. They are looking for administrators, not comedians. Stick to serious current affairs and social issues.

Conclusion: Be Yourself

The Board is looking for “Officer Like Qualities” (OLQs): Integrity, Leadership, and Calmness. You cannot fake these.

Nervous about the Board? Book a Mock Interview with us. Our panel includes retired IAS/IPS officers who will give you a real feel of the Dholpur House.

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