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UPSC 2024 Expert Guide is an initiative by Times of India where we share expert advice and insights for IAS aspirants. From 12-hour-a-day preparation regime, to notifications and form submissions, carefully choosing the optional subject, to the Preliminary stage that eliminates almost all the aspirants, to rigorous intermediary Mains answer writing and finally the interviews, it’s a rigorous journey to say the least. Because you have not experienced it up close and personal, it would be absurd if you mention a hobby and you cannot answer a question related to it,. Because you have already shown your mettle in the Mains, your ‘Personality Test’ is not about the knowledge you possess,.
Read on for his suggestions on how you can make the best of your UPSC interview, also known as Personality Test . The UPSC exam is a prolonged process which engages its aspirants for almost two years to finally make it to the list. UPSC gives you time frames in batches/slots to appear for the Interview Round. Here are some insights from my own interview experience on how you can maximise your interview scores ! Be careful with interests and hobbies . They are those traits which you like doing in your free time, not for money, but pleasure and you have been doing it regularly, till recently. Let’s say cricket is not your hobby if you only played gully cricket in your childhood and have not been in touch. Or, reading may not be your hobby if you read academic books out of compulsion, in order to clear an exam! Be confident . Maintain an upright posture and calm, composed demeanour. Be gentle, yet firm, humble, honest, neat and tidy, simple and sober, ambitious, but not anxious. Have the positive attitude of an ant looking to grab even the last drop of honey! It is about what type of a person you are. Are you good enough to serve the diverse and vulnerable, underdeveloped people of India? Are you ready to take the challenge or do you still love your comfort zone and wish to sign and move files like a government clerk?
Today, our expert Shubham Aggarwal, Director and Chief Mentor at Vidyapeeth IAS Academy , is sharing his insights on UPSC interviews which follow the Mains.