Most Brilliant IAS Questions: Here are Some of the Trickiest UPSC Interview Questions

Cracking UPSC is not a cakewalk, it demands good academic knowledge as well as quirky mental alertness. While academic knowledge is required for clearing the preliminary and mains examination, one has to have a good sense of humour to clear the interview round.

The most brilliant IAS questions are not only asked to check the strength or weakness of the candidate but also for checking the honesty and integrity level of the person. 

Experience of every candidate who has faced the IAS interview round differs from one another because while one might have faced factual questions, the other might struggle with analytical questions. These questions can be of different types such as short, long, too easy, factual, analytical, tough ones or tricky ones.

Here in this article, you will get to know some of the IAS common sense questions and also will get enough of the most brilliant IAS interview questions with answers that will give you a clear idea about the personality round.

Tips to Answer IAS Common Sense Questions

Be it IS common sense questions or any factual questions, every question asked in the personality round is important as it decides the fate of the candidate.

Before answering, one should be able to identify the key issues. One can answer in the expected line once he/ she understands the purpose of the asked question. No matter what the question is, one should take some time to get the crux of the question and then form the answer.

Now let’s check some of the most brilliant IAS interview questions with answers that will surely give you an idea about how tricky the UPSC interview round can be.

IAS Tricky Questions with Answers

Q1

What is the subtle difference between terrorism, militancy, fundamentalism, insurgency?

Note- These types of questions are asked for checking the conceptual clarity of the candidate. One should take some time, quickly make mental notes of the points and then answer.

Sample Ans: Sir, terrorism is the utilisation of various methods to terrify the mind of the general mass. These methods can be symbolic, violent or even verbal. Militancy on the other hand is the violent methods which are used for achieving some political agenda. And fundamentalism is the adherence to an ideology which can be based on ethnicity, caste, religion etc, on the exclusion of other ideologies.

Q2

According to you, what is the difference between Rule of Law and Rule by Law?

Sample Ans: Rule of law is a British concept that implies equality before the law and equal access to the law while rule by law is a situation where governing is tried to be done as per the legislature or administration rule. Rule of law implies that the government should act as per the law and within the limits of the law.

Q3

Suppose you are the District Magistrate of a district. Two politicians, an MLA and an MP are tossing you around for political gains. What will you do?

Sample Ans: 

I believe politicians are very rational people hence I can not imagine such a situation like this. And even if such a situation occurs, I will follow the rule and will also consult with my colleagues and seniors if the situations demand so.

Q4

Interviewer ordered a cup of coffee for the candidate. Coffee arrived and was kept before the candidate. what is before you?

Sample Ans: Before the alphabet ‘U’comes alphabet ‘T’, hence the answer is ‘T’.

Note- This is a good example of a logical question with an answer. The panellist ordered the coffee to create a scenario and confuse the candidate so that the candidate finds it difficult to answer this IAS common sense question. 

Q5

Where Lord Rama would have celebrated his “First Diwali”?

Sample Ans: This is another one of the most brilliant IAS questions where the candidate has to use his/ her knowledge as well as logic to answer it.

Diwali is celebrated to mark the killing of Narakasura by Lord Krishna and as per the literary history, Krishnavathaar came after Raamavathaar thus it is not possible that Lord Rama ever celebrated Diwali.

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Logical Questions with Short Answers

IAS tricky Q1

• Ram and Raghu two twins born in May, but their birthday is in June | How is that possible?

• Ans: Sir, May is the name of the place they were born.

IAS logical Q2

• How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking?

• Ans: Concrete floors are hard, so an egg won’t be able to break it.

IAS brilliant Q3

• What will you do if I run away with your sister?

• Ans: I will never be able to find a more suitable groom for my sister so I will be very happy.

IAS tricky Q4

• How can a man live up to 8 days without sleep?

• Ans: He can sleep through the nights so it won’t be a problem for him.

IAS logical Q5

• What looks like half an apple?

• Ans: Another half of the apple.

Conclusion

IAS common sense questions can be of various types and there is no limit to the number. Candidates should go through the transcripts of other candidates and try to answer those questions in their own way. The interview round is never about the questions asked but all about how the candidate responds to those.

The panellists want to see how the candidate handles sudden situations, addresses the IAS tricky questions and how much clarity he/ she has.

What are the trickiest IAS questions you have ever heard that was asked to someone in the personality round? Share your answer with us by writing in the box below.

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