The final and crucial step in the selection process is the UPSC interview. The test carries 275 points. For the purpose of making the final decision, both the written examination and the interview score are taken into consideration. The prelims exam only serves as a qualification. The interview is crucial in deciding the candidate's ultimate ranking. The possibility to achieve extraordinarily high marks (>75%), which are not achievable in the written portion of the main test, will be given to the students.
The candidate who received low scores in the written exam will still have a chance to do well in the interview and make the final list. The candidate's rank will either drop in the merit list or maybe be eliminated from it if the written exam score is high and the interview score is low. Therefore, the results of the interview are very important in deciding the candidate's rank, service, and cadre.
Therefore, practising extensively before to the UPSC interview is crucial for the aspirant. Mock interviews assist candidates in analysing their performance and avoiding certain typical blunders. Mock interviews help candidates become more consistent.
1. Interview with a Prominent Panel: The panel members for the Mock Interviews are distinguished figures from the Civil Services Fraternity, according to the academies conducting them. The panel of experts consists of highly competent professionals from numerous fields as well as currently employed bureaucrats and top retired IAS, IFS, IPS, and IRS officers. Senior psychoanalysts are also included. The highly regarded panel will examine the candidate and their personality through the lens of their DAF and their skill at working with the fostering Administrators. They have a wealth of experience in several industries. Before speaking to the actual UPSC board, they will make sure you exhibit the proper administrative attributes in your actions and take that confidence into consideration.
2. Prepare for the interview in a real-time setting: A few illustrious academies hold interviews in a setting similar to that of the actual UPSC interview to give you a more authentic setting and experience. This setting may be a five-star hotel or a setup like the one used for the UPSC CSE Interview. This is done in order to offer you experience with the actual interview and to assist you in gaining the concentration and self-assurance you will need to speak with the respected panel at the interview.
3. Be prepared to be questioned and not judged: The greatest place to ask questions on the UPSC pattern and avoid judgement is during mock interviews. Examiners will critically evaluate you based on your personality, general knowledge, and ethical standards without passing judgement. Instead, they will ask you questions about your personality and interests, national and international issues, your logical reasoning in hypothetical situations, etc. They may even make you aware of serious flaws that could hurt you in the final interview stage.
4. Develop the best traits with the help of experts: As previously mentioned, the experts at the mock interviews are well-known members of the civil services fraternity who will evaluate you not only on the basis of the UPSC but also in the context of scenarios they might have encountered while working. This will enable you to present the best possible response or line of reasoning in that particular situation. Such conversations encourage aspirants to consider issues from an administrative standpoint. In addition, the post-interview panel discussion with the distinguished individuals helps you hone your administrative qualities, and your way of thinking automatically adapts to that of a civil administrator.
5. Post-Interview Performance Analysis: Panel discussions during the post-Interview Performance Analysis are very helpful for Civil Service Aspirants to address any issues and weak areas that need to be improved. Examiners will carefully evaluate how you performed in the preliminary round and provide you with insightful feedback and useful tips on how to present your answers, maintain professional body language, and improve your performance in the final quest. They will also point out the areas you need to pay particular attention to.
6. Self-evaluation with recorded session: The interview session (Interview + Panel Discussion) is videotaped, and a DVD of the same is given to the candidate so they can watch their own interview and self-evaluate in the comfort of their own homes and in a much more relaxed state while also understanding what was highlighted by the interviewers & why. For example, the examiner might bring out something you should have mentioned when responding, but only when you're calm will you realise that you actually knew the answer better but couldn't say it out loud or passed over a point for a specific reason (which might have been nothing more significant than nervousness).
7. Candidates can observe live mock interviews of other applicants while they are waiting for their turn at the interview location. This enables students to learn from the errors of others and practise the proper methods before to speaking with the panel.
