The Personality Test or UPSC Interview is the final stage of the IAS recruitment process. Through some tricky interview questions for IAS, this round tests candidates’ personalities, decision-making skills, and critical thinking. For all aspirants vying to crack UPSC, we bring a list of 20 interview questions with answers for IAS. You can structure your answers on similar lines while facing the interview questions for IAS.

Top 20 Interview Questions With Answers For IAS

1. Why do you aspire to join the civil services?

I see civil services as a unique platform through which I can bring positive changes in society through my contributions. I wish to address the ills in our society and I am confident and committed to serving my motherland.

2. Would you address gender inequality in the society? And how?

Gender equality is one prime principle of a just society. As a civil servant, I will strive to implement policies, create awareness, and foster and nurture an environment that endorses equal opportunities, irrespective of gender.

3. Do you think spending crores on ISRO missions is justified while so many people are below the poverty line in the country?

This interview question for IAS tests your visionary skills and social cohesion. You can frame your answer like, “ISRO missions are of greater importance as they can help us mitigate disasters, help with disaster management, crop productivity forecasting, and even groundwater level monitoring. All of which can indirectly help poor farmers and benefit society largely.”

4. Name any three consecutive days without mentioning the days of the week like, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday?

To bag coveted government jobs in India like IAS, you have to be sharp with critical thinking. The answer to this question is, ‘Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.’

5. What measures will you resort to, in order to improve education in the rural areas?

Your interviewer may ask several society-related interview questions for IAS. To this question, you can answer by saying, ‘I would focus on community involvement, infrastructure development, and teacher training. With innovative teaching methods mixed with tech and fun interactive sessions, I would ensure children turn up to school every day.’

6. Do you think civil servants should actively participate in politics?

This interview question for IAS is a test of your leadership skills. You can answer by saying, “As civil servants work for the demands, needs, and woes of the common public, it is indirectly a significant part and parcel of politics.”

7. How will you improve the agricultural sector in your designated region?

In another social interview question for IAS, you can frame an answer like, ‘I would provide access to modern technology, improve credit facilities, and irrigation amenities for farmers. For overall agricultural development, I will promote sustainable farming practices and implement crop diversification.’

8. Among the list of top 10 world universities, India doesn’t rank! What are your thoughts on this?

These are fact-based questions and your answer should be objective here. You can say, ‘Indian education is hailed worldwide but we are lacking in terms of resources and infrastructure as compared to foreign universities. Also, the population problem remains one big factor.’

9. What can you do to achieve inclusive urban development?

An inclusive urban development addresses the requirements of all strata of society. To maintain it, I would focus on better infrastructure, affordable housing, and several social inclusion plans to create cities that are equitable and accessible for everyone.

10. If a ship sinks on the border of India & USA, how would you bury the survivors?

It’s one of the tricky interview questions for IAS. You can answer by saying, ‘The survivors aren’t buried but rescued!’

11. If you face resistance from the local people or community towards a welfare initiative, how will you handle the issue?

I would strive to communicate with the people and community to understand their concerns. Addressing grievances, building trust, and acting on local feedback are a few steps to overcome resistance from any community, thereby ensuring the successful implementation of any welfare program.

12. If you had a chance to invent something, what would you invent right now?

This is a situational-based interview question for IAS and can be answered like, ‘Interviewees outside seem a lot tensed and pressurized, I’d invent the machine that can gauge or calculate the pressure of others!’

13. In a diverse country like India which is also multicultural, how would you promote unity and social harmony?

With an emphasis on education, I would arrange for more awareness programs that promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity. By fostering dialogue, engaging with communities, and extending support to cultural events, I will build understanding among different groups.

14. Many people excel in academics, and do well in exams but do not succeed in life. What are your views on that?

This is a tricky question that tests your leadership skills. You can answer it by saying, ‘One has to implement the learnings from school and college in their practical life, if they fail in doing so, the results will be slow and they might suffer failure.”

15. Can you say in which state is the Indian Ocean?

Another tricky and provocative question whose answer is ‘Liquid’!

16. How will you manage the urban-rural divide in your area or district?

A balanced development in the district requires comprehensive planning. To minimise the urban-rural divide, I would start by uplifting the rural infrastructure, providing quality healthcare and education, and creating opportunities for skill enhancement.

17. Ram & Shyaam are twin brothers born in May, but their birthday month is February. How?

To crack coveted government jobs in India, candidates are asked interview questions for IAS that test their attention to detail and critical thinking. The answer to this question can be, ‘May is the name of any hospital or town.’

18. What do you think about the role of youth in nation-building? How will you engage them for the same?

Youth are integral to any nation; they are the strong backbone of an economy. I will focus on creating platforms for youth engagement in the decision-making process, promoting entrepreneurial skills and mindset, and supporting higher education initiatives. Interactions with youth over social media and cultural or community events can harness youths’ energy and ideas for nation-building.

19. How will you deal with a class of students who don’t want to be taught?

These kinds of interview questions for IAS test candidates’ flexible and dynamic nature. To answer it, you can say, ‘I will try to attract their attention towards me as I will talk about their likes and dislikes. Next, I will try to approach their problems with effective solutions.’

20. Corruption is deeply rooted in our society, how do you weed it out, once you become a civil servant?

Transparency and accountability are important to remove corruption. I will encourage citizen participation, implement e-governance, and bring a culture of integrity and ethics among all public sector employees to tackle corruption.

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Conclusion

The UPSC Interview round tests the prowess and abilities of candidates that decide the future of civil servants. The aspirants are keenly observed on their diversity & depth of interest, mental alertness & acuity, impartiality & balance of judgment, logical explanation, social cohesion & leadership, and scholarly & moral integrity. We hope that this list of interview questions with answers for IAS will aid your preparation for government jobs in India.

Also, visit our website Rozgar.com to access exam resources and other important details for UPSC and several other competitive exams in a few simple clicks.

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