Methodology-of-UPSC-Interview
Preparations for the interview have to be made keeping in mind the qualities that the Interview Board would look for and the methodology that the Board follows in evaluating the personality traits. In this connection, one can do no better than to carefully scan the pronouncement made by the recruiting bodies themselves in this regard
In the advertisement published by them. For instance, the text of the UPSC notification in this regard is given below verbatim :
The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He 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.
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.
“The interview test is not intended to be at least either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates who have already been 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 modem currents of thought and in new discoveries which should arouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.”
As such the interview is to assess the personal suitability of a candidate for a career in public service which will be tested in terms of the following attributes :
(1) Mental calibre to be judged by mental alertness.
(2) Critical powers of assimilation.
(3) Intellectual qualities to be judged by clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, maturity, etc.
(4) Social traits including ability for social cohesion and leadership.
(5) Interest in current affairs :
(i) Candidates are expected to take an intelligent interest in the events happening around them both within and outside their own State or country.
(ii) Modem currents of thought.
(iii) New discoveries which could arouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.
(6) Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest in their special subjects of academic study.
It would be seen from the above that the UPSC have spelt out in sufficient detail the personality traits that they will seek to unveil and evaluate in the interview. It is important to take note at this stage itself of the manner in which this is done generally by interviewers.
