In the Civil Services Examination (CSE), the marks of the interview (Personality Test) make a lot of difference. You can get 100 marks (or less) and you can even get 200+ marks in interview. When the competition is so tough and each mark counts, the marks in the interview can make or mar your chances of getting into CSE and getting the service of your choice.

There is no hard and fast rule for getting good marks. However, if you prepare well, you can surely improve the chances of high score. I can’t suggest you any trick which can guarantee you great marks in interview but I can suggest some methods, which can perhaps help you scoring better in the interview.

#1. Why do you wish to join Civil Services?

This question is as old as civil services itself and the right answer of this question is very critical. You must be clear in your mind (and so the interviewers after listening your reply) as to why you wish to join IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS etc. It is better to know the functioning of the top services and be ready to justify joining these services.

If you are a professional like Engineer, Doctor, CA, MBA, etc. you should be doubly prepared for it. If you are from premium institutes like IIT, IIM, AIIMS etc, be ready to be grilled even more as if you are committing a crime by joining these services. If you are leaving a job in private or government sector to join civil services, be ready to justify it.

#2. Increase the width of your knowledge

A civil servant must be sensitive to every important development in the country and even around the world. You may not be able to remember everything, but at least don’t miss out the important ones. It is not enough to know the facts, you must also have a view on every issue.

For example, you must know about GST, Land Bill, FDI/ Retails reforms which are very important for country. You must read newspapers and magazines extensively to know the positives and negatives of everything. A civil servant is not expected to have a hardened view about anything.

He must be persuasive and should have a reasoned view of everything which must also be flexible. You are also expected to know your subject well. If the interviewer happen to be from your field, you can expect tough questions.

#3. Understand the mind of Interviewers

There are typically 4/5 members of the interview board headed by the UPSC Member or Chairman. It is always better to know in depth about all the members of the UPSC because you can’t know who is going to take your interview.

Their names are available on the UPSC website. You must do extensive research about their earlier professions and know their likes and dislikes, from their articles or books.

You can’t know the other members of the board in advance, you have to make instant judgment about them during interview. You must also meet the candidates who have already faced interview to know the types of questions asked by the different boards and be accordingly prepared for it.

#4. Think Before Speaking

It is important to listen the questions carefully and think about the best answer before you start speaking. Avoid instant reactions to questions, particularly on the provocative questions. It is always advisable to admit, if you don’t know the answer. You must put yourself in the shoes of the officer before answering the question. Don’t answer the question from a student or a common citizen’s perspective but from the perspective of an officer, because most members of the boards are usually retired or senior serving officers. They don’t expect that you know everything under the sun. But they expect honesty, fairness and decency from you.

#5. Practice for the Interview

It is better to practice for the interview by the help of your friends or those who have already faced the interview. There are many mock-interviews coaching centers, who become active after the declaration of the results of the Mains. You can join one or more of them and they will train you for interview. You must debate all issues with your friends to get wider perspectives of the issue. It is better to avoid controversial statement during interview. If forced to speak on a controversial issue, it is better to be diplomatic and noncommittal. You must learn the art to handle complex and controversial issues. You must train yourself for such questions appropriately. The more you practice, the more confident you will become.

#6. Dress Appropriately

It may be advisable to dress appropriately and formally for the occasion. Your dress should be comfortable and decent. You should never look casual. You must also avoid being tense during the interview. Don’t wear tight cloths that are uncomfortable to you and you have difficulty in sitting or walking. Needless to say that your cloths should be clean and shoes must be polished. A light color shirt and dark trousers may be advised for males and saris or salwar-suits of decent design for females.

#7. Be Idealist, Be Law Abiding

A civil servant is expected to have high ideals because he is to given immense power to administer the country and influencing the lives of millions at very young age. You must have high ideals for national service and upholding the Constitution of India.

You should never justify following illegal means to achieve noble ends. You are a law enforcer. If you break the law yourself, who is going to follow them. You should never justify police encounter for reducing crime and eliminating criminals.

And lastly,

#8. Be Positive

There are so many uncontrollable variables responsible for a getting good or bad marks in the interview. You can’t control them all. Often the interviewer may be biased for or against certain community, religion, region, gender, language, background. However, these are random factors which often balance each other. You can’t control them and hence you must think positive and presume that all these factors are going to help you. You must have faith in yourself and God to decide your destiny.

Try your best and leave the rest to God.

Source: Awdhesh Singh, A Senior IRS officer @Quora