Civil Services Exam 2012 – Issues for Interview by S. Nagarajan IAS

What the UPSC says:-

1. The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his/her 

career. He/she will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the 

interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by 

a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental 

calibre of a candidate. In broad terms this is really  an assessment of not only his intellectual 

qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. 

Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear 

and logical exposition, balance of judgement,  variety and depth of interest, ability for social 

cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

2. The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural,
though directed and purposive conversation which is  intended to reveal the mental qualities
of the candidate.
3. The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised or general
knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers.
Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects
of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and
outside their own state or country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new
discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well educated youth.

Overall Approach:-

  Dress Code
  Interview Etiquette
  Body Language
  Answers – timing and structure
  Arguments
  Issues related to Biodata
  Issues related to Tamil Nadu
  Issues Related to India
  International Issues
  Current Affairs

Issues Related to Bio-data:-

  Questions from your  Bio-data are asked by the Interview Board to  make you feel
comfortable.
  If any particular item ‘stands out’ in your Bio-data, Interview Board asks out of
curiosity on why you have done that, what is the speciality, etc.
  However, if poorly prepared, Bio-data questions can make you feel uncomfortable or
difficult.
  Common Mistake –
o  to prepare only for the simple, obvious questions like :
why/when/where/how/how, etc. for each item in the Bio-data.
o  But, more questions will flow out of the answers given by you.
nagarajan.ias@gmail.com  Page 2
o  Or, the members of the board will relate to a similar situation elsewhere and
ask about that.
  e.g.:  Student of Annamalai University  -  not only about history/etc. of Annamalai
University, but also whole range of issues to Private Universities, Deemed Universities,
recent controversies about foreign universities.  This can also lead to the area of
Constitution and freedom of speech via the IIPM website controversy route.  This can
in turn lead to China  and much more. (The short point here is  –  be ACTIVE while
preparing your biodata. It is like a seed that can take the shape of a huge tree with
countless branches.)
  Make a ‘Tree Diagram’ of the Issues -  Answers –  Issues out of each  item in your Bio-data. Make it till the third level.
  Hobbies: Generally we would have filled up some hobby we might not be very familiar
with. In such cases, narrow down the area of interest and steer the board to your area
of interest.
  eg: Watching films – is a vast area.
You should be ready with what kind of films you watch, which ones you like, which are
the latest ones, etc.  (Needless to say this will end up in freedom of speech and civil
rights. Got the route?)

Common Issues:-

  Why Civil Services?
  If IPS/IFS 1st choice, any particular reason?
  Why this order of preference? (top few only)
  Role of Civil Services – any future for Civil Services?
  Why did you choose this optional?
  How will your degree / optional be useful / relevant?
  What were you doing till now? (if not working etc)
  Why are you leaving your present job? ( if working – particularly in Govt Service)
  Will you work if you posted in  a naxal-affected area?  What difference can you
make?

Situation/theme based questions:-

  Ends vs Means is the crux of the issue
  Means are as important as the ends
  Rule of Law and spirit of the law matter
  When can rules be broken?  –  in public interest, in public view, when you ae ready
to face the consequences – upholding the spirit of the law
  When can orders be disobeyed? – when illegal and against public interest
  Constitutional imperatives to be borne in mind, over-riding the common and casual
value judgements e.g. fake encounters;
  Assume you are the Delhi Police Commissioner. What will be your response/how
will you handle if the barbaric rape-murder were to happen during your tenure?
  Assume you are the Foreign Secretary. How will you handle the Maldives crisis?
  If you posted as the DC of Mandya district and the Cavery problem erupts. How
will you leave aside your bias  and maintain peace?  How will you instill confidence
among the public?

Scenarios:-

  Use of force against – Maoists, Protestors, Street vendors.
  Extra judicial killings.