While preparing for IAS and IPS exams, many students often struggle with what to focus on. You should work more towards your personality and body language while attending any civil services examination.
It is very important how you answer the questions and how much knowledge you have, but during the preparation for this hard work, you should not forget to look up for smart work on how to face the interview with utmost confidence and honesty.
It is crucial to learn from other’s mistakes. Therefore, you should look at the way others answered the questions, what was their plus point, and where they should have added that to the answer so that you do not make similar mistakes.
A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
So, UPSC Pathshala is here to help you out at every level and provide you with some popular and common questions asked in IAS and IPS exams with the most appropriate answers. Knowing answers to these similar types of questions help you in taking one step towards unique and correct answers. They help in preparing you for the interview questions coming your way.
However, before we dive into the questions, we should get our hands towards the tips to face them and be prepared mentally:
Tips to Face the Questions
Number One
#1. You should be pumped with energy and confidence on the day of the interview:
And when is this possible? Only when you have faith in yourself that you are fully prepared, have given all the needed mock tests, and are referred to UPSC pathshala for appropriate answers.
Number Two
#2. Confidence is good, but overconfidence can be costly:
When thoughts like “I know everything, I have cracked many interviews before, I am an excellent public speaker” comes to your mind, it is a sign of overconfidence. It can lead to poor judgment of your characteristics. So, be yourself and be grounded.
Number Three
#3. Work on your shortcomings:
Just giving mock interviews, again and again, will not help you. You should work on the shortcomings the interview panellists point out, work upon them, and the next time, go prepared and do not repeat the same mistakes. This will save your time and energy and also help you remain positive, strong, and motivated to face your final interview.
Number Four
#4 Do not get too excited after realising that you know the answer to the question:
Maintain your calm because the panellists know you know, but they check your listening skills, personality, patience, and take on questions. So, maintain eye contact and analyse the question in mind to answer accurately and in your way as per your thoughts. The answers should be short, crisp, and to the point; they should represent you.
Types of Interview Questions
There are 3 types of interview questions:
#1. Technical: It is based on what you have learned in the past, and about your skills and experience. Also, about the history and places you have lived in; basically general knowledge, but with specific details and topics.
#2. Analytical: These questions are related to your reasoning skills; through these, they would like to understand your problem-solving skills, for instance, how you can drink water from this bottle without touching it, or how you can divide 7 pieces of chocolate in between 3 students, etc.
#3. Behavioural: By these questions, they like to test your patience and body language towards approaching problems in life. These questions define what you have achieved till now in life, i.e., how you handled situations in the past. Around 60-70% of questions are behavioural, because, through these questions, the panellists get a clear idea about the candidate, which helps them find out whether you are the right fit.
Want to Ace UPSC Interview Round? Grab these Practice Questions for IAS and IPS
Therefore, here are few behavioural Interview questions for IAS and IPS that you should practice:
Question One
#1. Why do you want to become an IPS/IAS Officer?
Answer: This is a very tricky question and can have many follow-up questions with it. So, you need to answer this question very wisely and honestly. Don’t answer on the basis of what the panel would like to hear, answer what you think made an impact on your life to move towards UPSC preparation and exams.
This is the most important question of the interview; depending on the clarity of your thoughts, the panellists judge your overall character. On the basis of your answer, the panellists get to know about your passion, interests, driving force, goals, etc.
Question Two
#2. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses.
Answer: This answer cannot be given instantly; it requires detailed introspection. You should make a habit of noting down and writing the things you are good at, and things you are afraid of trying and the thought of which fills your heart with fear and stress. The strengths you mention should be positive that impact and improve the lives of others. They want to know whether you know your strengths or not to know what to focus on.
Don’t talk about the weaknesses that can affect you professionally. Mention the initiatives you have taken to overcome your weaknesses. Don’t try to impress the panellists, just give an honest and simple answer.
Question Three
#3. Tell us something about yourself or say Introduce yourself?
Answer: Through this question, the interviewer wants to know whether you can communicate well and what is most important to you. So, while answering this question, think about the follow-up questions you will get; secondly, don’t start your life story from the beginning since no one likes to listen to long stories; keep it crisp and represent yourself. Summarise your experience and education in a single line, use positive adjectives to define your personality. The way you answer this question can make or break your first impression, so answer in a nice, decent and appropriate manner.
Question Four
#4. Tell me about the challenges you faced when you started UPSC preparation?
Answer: With this question, they want to know how you work under pressure, how you solve problems and stay motivated. Here they are looking for a story, your story, and the way you plan to get things done. Do not show your emotions or start a blame game.
To ace, this challenge, talk about it briefly, focus more on how you overcame the challenges, and talk about what were your learnings from it. And talk if you have helped someone facing a similar challenge with a solution.
Question Five
#5. What will you do after becoming an IAS or IPS Officer?
Answer: This is a personal answer, but the motive should be positive, engaging, and honest. Through this answer, the panellists want to know if you are ambitious and if you have long-term goals in your mind with respect to your motive of joining IAS or IPS services.
Stress on your goals and reason behind getting into civil services, and showcase your enthusiasm and zeal towards fulfilling that goal. If you are not clear about what your exact goals will be, that’s okay. But do demonstrate how eager you are to pursue civil services.
Conclusion
Everybody makes mistakes, so don’t lose hope if you fail to answer one question. Move on and jump on to the next question. Don’t let the pressure build-up, and take enough rest the night before. We at UPSC Pathshala know that, and help you at every step by providing you with appropriate study material and guide you towards betterment, so don’t worry and join us. Prepare with us as we offer A-Z IAS/IPS exam preparation guidelines and support. It showcases your self-confidence and perfect fit for the company, even if you are shaking from inside.
Interview is the most challenging part of the UPSC exam. The candidates get nervous to confront the examiners and answer adequately. This article is truly beneficial in giving the knowledge of the questions asked in the interview. Do you guys have anything to ask?