21 handy tips for clearing IAS, IPS or other civil services interview.

Here are 21 interview skills for civil services

1. Start your Interview Preparation from January Onwards

First tip is start preparing from the start of the year. You will get at least 3 months to prepare. But I recommend to start preparing from one year onwards so that you get enough time.

2. Give respect to the members who will take your Interview

Once you enter the interview room then give due respect to the members who will be going to take your interview. The board members will notice mannerism and decide whether you will be fit or not. So take mannerism seriously.

3. Do Not Forget what your wrote in your Mains Exam

You will only come for the interview after successfully clearing the written mains exam. So while you give interview you will be asked what you did in your mains. So remember and revise what you did there.

4. Have Positive Views in Your Mind

Go for the interview with a positive mindset. Usually, it happens that negative thoughts would start coming to your mind. Especially, who are giving interview for the first time? So be positive and think right.

5. Have proper command on Your Language Skills

It does not matter what is your medium of the interview. Be it Hindi or English. It really does not matter. What matters is the command over the particular language.

6. It takes more courage to listen than to speak

You must listen to the interviewee before you answer anything. It is good to listen completely and then answer rather interrupting when they are speaking.

7. First question why you want to join IAS?

Seventh interview technique would be to prepare for this question because you will be asked. This will be perhaps the first question that you have to answer. So prepare an honest reply beforehand. You will find it easy to answer.

8. Speak Your Heart and Do not lie Yourself

If you are asked with tough questions or questions that you would not like to answer then do not tell a lie. Never create a fake story to boost yourself just tell them truthfully it does not really matters.

9. Show Confidence talk to them not at them

You should always look into their eyes and then talk. This is very basic interview tip for a civil service interview. Do not look down or elsewhere and answer. If do then they might think you do not have self-confidence.

10. For Serious Question give a Serious Reply

Although you should give a smile and give answers laughingly. But if you are asked a serious question then your answer should be serious too. You have to show them that you care about what they are asking.

11. Prepare what you’re going to Say for Hobby Section

This is again very obvious question that you will be asked in a civil service interview is about your hobby. You should answer this question in a light mood. The board members must get a chance to laugh at some point in time.

So make this answer entertaining as well as unique.

12. Take Your Additional Subjects Seriously

The additional subjects that you will choose for the civil service exams must be taken seriously. Normally, it is seen that candidates tend to neglect their additional subject. So when they are asked questions from it they are not prepared.

Therefore, do not neglect your additional subjects because they might ask some tough questions from it.

13. Your Views must be impartial and fair

In an interview, when your asked some questions which are very political in nature then you must present a fair and balanced opinion. You must not be biased about a particular subject or topic.

They must get a sense that you are very balanced in your approach.

14. Be in Touch With Current Affairs and other Latest Developments

You will be asked a lot of questions about current affairs and state of the country. Thus keep updating yourself with the things going around the world. You must know what is happening in the country and around the world.

15. In Depth knowledge about the State, City and District you come from

Questions will be asked about the state, city and district you come from. So collect some knowledge about your state, city and district. They would like to know how much you care about the country.

16. Good General Knowledge Very Important

General knowledge is always a key to success in any interview. You should know about some great personality from India and around the world.

17. Keep Your Calm even when they Say you do not know about this Topic

If you are asked about a particular subject and you do not know but still giving some irrelevant and in the end interviewee says that you do not know anything about the subject. Then do not get angry and behave normally.
18. If do NOT know the answer then be Candid to Admit you don’t Know

Continuing from the last point, if you seriously do not anything about a topic you’re asked then admit it that you do not have any idea. You should hesitate to give a frank answer that you do know about this subject.

There is nothing wrong in admitting honestly.

19. Download Debates and Discussions from all India Radio & BBC Documentaries

This point is more to do with preparation just like the first point I made. You can download debates and discussions from various sources present online. You can search many such website which are offering downloads.

20. Do Not Show anger or frustration if rejected

After the entire discussion, if you feel from the body language of the interviewers that you will not be selected then do not show anger or frustration at them. Just take it on your side.

21. Do NOT lose Heart

Finally, if not selected then do lose your heart. You can prepare for second. It is normal that candidates clear their interview in second or third attempt. So do not give up.

These 21 interview skills will come handy if you are appearing for civil service interview.