Question : How To Prepare For UPSC Civil Services Personality Test/Interview?

Answer :

Personality development tips for UPSC board interview

Communication Skills

  • Improve your communication skills. Be kind in your words, be polite and gentle. This reflects a lot of your personality. People admire those who talk gentle and work efficiently rather than those who talk big alone.
  • Also, you must not falter while speaking. Don’t hesitate or fumble for words. Speaking well also shows confidence which brings us to the next point.

Develop Confidence

  • Having confidence works wonders for your image.
  • Mind your body language.
  • Your body communicates as well as your words. How you behave in an interview also impacts the board’s perception of you.

Dress Appropriately

  • Your attire is an integral part of your personality. Dress appropriately for any occasion. It speaks volumes about your discipline and seriousness.
  • Be passionate about your work.
  • Loving what you do and finding meaning in it contributes to your personality. This helps you develop a natural confidence.

Listen

  • Listening is as important as speaking. Being a good listener helps you learn and analyse a lot.

Social Skills

  • Work on your social skills. Do not shy away from meeting new people. You must also learn to be empathetic to others especially in the civil services profession.

Leadership

  • This is a definite quality an IAS officer must possess. Read books on leadership and try to inculcate it in your personality.

Be Positive

  • Being positive is infectious. Your positive attitude can lead to others developing a positive attitude towards you.

InstillGood Qualities

  • Genuinely develop good qualities like civility and empathy. Avoid being a bitter and vindictive person.

Maintain Physical Health

  • You don’t have to have a model’s body to develop a good personality. But since personality depends on a lot on perception, it helps to have a healthy physique. It is also beneficial to your health.

Dressing: An Essential Part

American Costume Designer Edith Head rightly said, “You can have anything you want if you dress for it.”

  • The culmination of months of gruelling studying and clearing examinations by the candidates stands before them in the form of an interview board consisting of senior bureaucrats. The interviewers can ask a candidate just about anything under the Sun. Therefore, interview is a crucial component of UPSC examination preparations.

General Tips for UPSC Interview dress code:

What to wear for UPSC Personality Test

  • Wear clean and well-ironed clothes
  • Try to pick sober colours/light shades/simple prints

IAS Interview Dress code for Men

  • You must wear light coloured full sleeved formal shirts and dark trousers
  • Tie will make you more formal (if you are comfortable then wear it, if not leave it)
  • Male Candidates should wear light coloured shirts like white, light blue or cream (Again it is completely your choice)
  • Shoes should be polished and can be accompanied by a simple wristwatch and a mild cologne

IAS Interview Dress code for Female

  • You can either opt for a simple saree or even a salwar suit depending on your comfort level
  • Try to wear low-heeled shoes that do not make a lot of noise
  • You must tie your hair neatly and wear minimum makeup
  • Carry a handkerchief as well

What NOT to wear for UPSC Interview

  • Avoid wearing ill-fitting clothing
  • Avoid bright colours/shades/prints
  • Do not wear casual clothes like jeans and T-shirts
  • Try to avoid strong perfume/cologne
  • Do not wear bling neckpiece/jewellery or too much of jewellery as a whole
  • Candidates must not wear sneakers or flip-flops
  • Male candidates should avoid sporting a beard and long hair too
  • In the end, your attire must be such that it gives importance to the occasion. Be comfortable and carry yourself confidently for your IAS interview.