UPSC CSE 2020 Topper Interview – How to score 200 plus marks in UPSC Interview? Apala Mishra AIR 9

• Interviewer – How to prepare DAF for Interview

Apala – DAF makes the most important part of the interview preparation. Candidates need to prepare it from the very first word of DAF that’s your name. The very first question asked to me by the interview board was what is the meaning of your name. Then comes the states in which you have lived, your hobbies, interests & achievements, and how they will be helpful in your civil services career.

• Interviewer – How much role does current affairs or contemporary issues have in the interview.

Apala – I think if DAF is fifty percent of the interview then the current affairs is the remaining fifty percent of the interview. You must read the newspaper really well and have in-depth knowledge of the events. Candidates need to form their own opinion on the issues.

• Interviewer – How to handle Situational behavioral questions in the interview

Apala – I think to handle these kinds of questions firstly you must have clear information about all the services because this exam is not just for IAS. You must at least have information about your first five preferences. You must prepare how you will handle situations from the perspective of different services.

•  Interviewer – How can you maintain a positive attitude and build self-confidence

 Apala – Building a positive attitude should begin from the very start this cannot happen in a day. It is a gradual process that you have to slowly inculcate in yourself. Definitely, everyone cannot be positive all the time even I am not the most positive person. But the crux of the entire is exam is to make you solution-oriented if you are complaining about something you should have a solution about the same as well. If you train your brain that way you will easily be able to answer the mains questions and in the interview, you will definitely give that aura of being a positive person.

• Interviewer – How important are communication skills

Apala – I think communications skills are very important in any service of UPSC because at the end of the day you will be communicating with people in your job. If you are easily able to communicate with people you will be able to maintain trust with them. The focus should not be on the fluency of English rather it should be on whether you are able to communicate your opinion or not.

• Interviewer – How to differentiate between real UPSC questions and rumored questions

Apala – In the UPSC interviews they try to check your general awareness, you must be aware of yourself. I cannot say anything about rumored questions but if they are asking a question that is unique or interesting, so that is also related to your own self and your presence of mind.

• Interviewer – How should be your attire and etiquette for the UPSC interview

Apala –  I think the attire should be formal attire, girls should wear either saree or salwar suit and boys must wear shirt pants and a tie along with a coat. You should look like someone who aspires to be an IAS officer and your personality should come out. You don’t have to worry about attire much wear something in which you feel confident and you feel like an officer.

• Interviewer – What are the documents a candidate should carry along with him for an interview

Apala – Candidates have to carry very basic documents like their 10 class certificates and other certificates. The procedure in UPSC is very student-friendly and people over there were very supportive. They will guide you during the whole process.

• Interviewer –  It is said that few boards are strict and few are liberal what is your opinion on that

Apala – My opinion is that please don’t go with any preconceived notion before the interview. If you will think like this board is strict then it will impact your performance. Just focus on giving your best and avoid being part of such discussions.

• Interviewer – You are a dentist how did you decide to change your career. what motivated you

 Apala – I decided on civil services very late which put me in a disadvantageous position as well. When I was in the health setup I would see the setup and think that administration is the area that gives much wider scope and also a much larger impact on society.