About Civil Services

Civil Service is the most coated job in India. Selection for the jobs under Civil Services is done through the three
pronged exam pattern Prelims Mains Interview that is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission
(UPSC). There are many questions related to these exams. We are listing here the answers to some of the popular
questions that are often asked;

How to choose a Civil Service

The Order of preference of services for Civil Service is asked when you have qualified for the mains. This list of
services includes the All India Services, Group 'A' and Group 'B' services, you may choose the order of preference of
services as per your choice. You might be want to join a particular service which you wish to opt for, but rather than
get stuck to the only one service, you should choose other options too, that too in order of popularity. Why to waste
your chance to choose the best? You can change your preferences to a less popular service once you qualify,
but you will not get an opportunity to change to a more popular service even though your rank may permit
it. So it is not a good idea to list the order of preference starting with the service you wish to join? Its better you
choose the preference according to the list of services in Demand.

Some people underestimate themselves and list their preference first for lower or less desirable services so that they
get it for sure. Why to under estimate yourself when you have qualified for the mains? Start with the very first
service that is All India Service then Group A and if you belong to south or the union territories you may choose the
Group B Service. Make sure you do not leave out any service due to over confidence. List all of them in
descending order so that in case you do not get the service you think you will surely get, you still have some options
left. The civil services results can be very unpredictable and even if you are a topper in your school and college, you
may not get the best services on the list.

Get to know about the responsibilities and posting of all the services and their standing in society vis-a-vis other jobs
you may take up. You may look down upon some services to begin with but most times they are better options than
to take up private jobs or other technical jobs. Make sure you do your research and not regret later as many do
every year. You can see some basic information on the links above or also take some advice from the Civil Service
Exam coaching experts too. You will then be aware about the best of the services which you can pursue and choose
while applying for the mains.

About Personality Test or Interview

The Personality test or the interview of the Civil Services exam is conducted in Delhi at the UPSC office. The
interview is conducted by various boards constituted by the UPSC.

The final results of the UPSC Mains exams are declared right after the conclusion of the interview or the personality
test. Candidates about double the number of vacancies are selected through the mains exams and called to appear
for the personality test. There are 275 marks allocated to the personality test. A good score in the personality test can
determine your ranking in the final list of the civil services exam.

According to UPSC report, it has been observed that from 1979 onwards, 90 per cent of the candidates who qualify
for interview hover around the minimal percentage of 55 per cent that is prescribed for the test. However to be
assured of a Class I service, one has to generally obtain about 58 per cent marks. It has been noticed that only those,
securing 60 per cent and above are sure of getting a service of their own choice.
The figures clearly reveal that the marks in the personality test play a determining role in final selection of the
candidate.

Qualities to be tested in the Personality test

The Kothari Committee constituted by the UPSC has listed the qualities that should be rated in the personality test.
They are as follows;

1. Clarity of expression
2. Grasp of narrative and argument
3. Reasoning ability,
4. Appreciation of different points of view
5. Awareness and concern for socio-economic problems
6. Range and depth of interests and personal attributes relevant to interaction with people.

The Personality Test is aimed at assessing the candidate's personality suitable to be a competent administrator. The
candidate is tested for intelligence, attentiveness, balance of judgment and human qualities like honesty, integrity and
leadership.

How to Prepare for Personality Test

The preparation for the personality test or Interview requires proper planning. Since overall personality development
is a continuous process it requires vast reading. Candidates are required to go through numerous books, journals,
magazines and few daily newspapers.

The candidate should make a self-analysis of his/ her strengths and weaknesses and make a conscious effort to work
on them.

They should try to improve their conversational skills with the right pronunciation.

The candidate should be prepared to answer questions on his background, hobbies and extracurricular activities.

It is a good idea to discuss current affairs and recent issues with friends. One good way of rehearsing possible
questions would be to have mock interviews and forming discussion groups.

Personal Traits
The candidate should have a positive attitude, an alert mind, quick reflexes, and good at decision maker, have the
ability to work under stress and is able to handle any difficult situation and free from any prejudices.

Some useful tips for a successful personality test are:

a. To have a positive body language

b. To have a good personal appearance and the right posture
c. To answer questions clearly and confidently
d. Try to remain calm and composed even when faced with provocative questions
e. Try to answer to the point and not get into long winded explanations

How to behave during the Personality test:

 i. Do not give long introductions. Come straight to the point.
ii. You should be logically consistent and analyze the answer rationally. You are supposed to defend what you
say, but with due respect to the board. Stop trying to defend if it becomes difficult to do so logically and
fairly.
iii. Do not make hasty or sweeping generalizations.
iv. Avoid the expression, 'I am sorry.'
v. Avoid conversational clichs, like: 'as you know', 'that's correct', 'of course', 'indeed', 'obviously', etc.
vi. Avoid technical jargon. However, if a member continues to probe you in any technical field, you can use
technical expressions.
vii. Maintain a cheerful face. You can appear serious, now and then, but most of the time keep smiling and
remain composed.
viii. If the board laughs, you should only smile. It may give positive reflection on the depth of your personality.
ix. Show human concern whenever possible in your answers.

Types of questions asked at the Personality test:

a. Relating to your name, any famous personality who has a similar or same name or surname
b. Your career choice, why do you want to be a civil servant?
c. What are your Hobbies, why you pursue such a hobby or questions related to your hobby etc.
d. Current Affairs of recent days are most likely questions. So keep reading and watching the news. If the
recent headlines have something to do with your subject then specially revise those portions.
e. Choice of services, the order of your choice of services can raise questions too.
f. Questions about your academic institution and related to them. If you have studied at the IIM you may be
asked about the rising salaries, if from IGNOU then even about Indira Gandhi and so on.
g. Questions can be asked from your form that you have filled and submitted to the UPSC before your
interview. You must go through the form you have filled because most questions can arise from there. If you
have changed subjects, mentioned anything out of the way, watch out for the questions around them.
Interviewers can take cue from the form you have filled.
h. Question from your educational qualification. If you are an MBBS or from an economy background, question
can be asked how you are going to use your specific knowledge in the civil services. Don't you think you can
serve your country better by remaining a doctor and treating poor patients or joining civil services?
i. Situational questions, like if you were the collector/SP of certain place, what would you do after a Bomb
Blast?

Documents to be submitted at the Personality test:

Following Documents has to be submitted at the time of Personality Test Board for Civil Services Examination.

1) SC/ST Certificate Performa, OBC Certificate Performa, Undertaking, Physically Handicapped Certificate Performa,
Performa of Hailing from Certificate Questionnaire, Attestation Form, TA Form. The Questionnaire, Attestation Form
and TA Form are available at the UPSC official website. If you have applied under SC or ST or OBC, or Physically
Handicapped category then fill in and submit the respective certificate. The certificate is separately available for print
out at the UPSC site - www.upsc.gov.in.

The candidates are requested to carry the following documents for the interview.

I. Filled Questionnaire: The seven page questionnaire is required for the research and analysis section of UPSC and
is used for assessing background information of the candidate appearing for the personality test/ interview. This
questioner has be duly filled and submitted at the time of the interview. The questionnaire is divided into several
sections.
 a. Background of the candidate
b. Employment status
c. Previous Civil Services attempts
d. Competitive exams cleared
e. Reasons for interest in Civil Services
f. Education particulars
g. Background of Parents/Guardian
h. Source of information for Civil Services
i. Coaching attended
j. Optional subject chosen

II. Attestation Form: The attestation form has to be filled with required details including residence, nationality
education and has to be signed by a Gazetted officer before being submitted at the time of the interview.

IAS preparation tips for beginners

A lot of young people have heard of the IAS exam and express a desire to give this prestigious exam. But they have
no idea of how to go about giving this exam or qualifying. Here are some answers to questions like - How to prepare
for ias exam without coaching? How to prepare for ias exam after 12th? How to prepare for ias while working? How to
start ias preparation during graduation.

IAS Preparation
For an exam that can give you an envied career for life, the preparations have to be massive. Your IAS Preparations
have to be dedicated and half hearted attempts will get you nowhere. With almost 2 lakh students competing for 700
odd posts, its a tough cookie to crack. If you think that its like any exam that you have cleared so far beware it simply
isn't. The Ias exam is like no other is scale and approach and therefore your preparations have to be very different
and very wide based. Just knowledge of a subject will get you nowhere. It has to be combined with a jack-of-all-
subjects kind of approach.
We hope you will indeed take your IAS Preparations very seriously. The first step towards that is obviously the choice
of subjects. Do choose them wisely.

How to prepare for IAS exam without coaching?

Many students qualify the exams without going for any coaching and some of them even top the exam. From this it is
very clear that coaching is not the solution but your own preparation is - with or without coaching! Many students
prefer coaching as it sets routines, targets and gives practice, but these can be done on your own. Only it require
discipline and determination. You may actually end up saving more time and resources and putting it back into your
preparations. A to-do list for self study

o Manage your time effectively and be disciplined. Develop a routine!

o Do selective reading but be through in those portions
o Remember to have a good mix of books and self made notes
o Take mock tests at regular intervals
o Start preparations early, its a vast syllabus!
o Make short notes and mind maps on a regular basis! They help your memory.
o Reach out to fellow aspirants. Discuss topics!
 o Most importantly believe that you can do it without coaching!

How to prepare for IAS exam after 12th?

Starting early is great advantage as you can build your general awareness and really excel in the GS paper and
interview as you will tune yourself to analysis and awareness. Also when the time comes you will not waste it on
finding out about the exam and loosing precious time. A to-do list

o Find out everything about the exam

o Choose your Bachelor's degree in such a manner that you may benefit for the IAS exam. If you need a fall
back option by doing a B Tech. Don't worry. You can still start preparing and getting to know the social
subject you wish to take for your IAS exam.
o Follow the news regularly
o Give your opinion and discuss the news daily
o Start giving IQ tests and getting to know about logical reasoning
o Take up online test series for regular practice
o Subscribe to a magazine and read articles with understanding

How to prepare for IAS while working?

With less time in your hands, time management is crucial to your preparations. Some to-do list

o Set a schedule as per your liking and stick to it

o Find people who are in your situation or in your organization and socialize with them to utilize that time for
discussions. You will thus have time to chill with friends who are serious about the IAS exam. It will also fulfill
your social needs and keep you stress free.
o Look for notes and study material that are short and effective. But some topics you will have to do in-depth
studies.
o Listen to the short news and do not waste time in listening to unnecessary discussion based news unless the
topic demands it.
o Use memory techniques that speed up your learning.
o Frequently practice giving tests and writing answers. That will work as revision and practice.

How to start IAS preparation during graduation.

If you have chosen the subject that you will also write for in the IAS exam, then start solving and writing answers
based on the chapters you cover. These will be the notes you will study from when you appear fro the UPSC exam. If
you have not chosen that subject then add the IAS subject to your study routine, so that by the time you fill the form
you know the subject well and only need to update information and do revision. See the tips given for after +2 and
they are the same for you.
 IAS Preparation
This is a guide to your Civil Services preparation and we are giving subject wise details of strategy for taking the IAS
Exam. We continuously add resources to our page for your preparation, so keeps a watch on our newer pages as we
keep them linking for you. The best way is to visit website daily and look for our active links for the newer information
on the preparation of civil services exams.

Tips for UPSC Civil Services Preparation

o How to Cope with Stress of Civil Services Exam
o How to fill the UPSC Application Form
o IAS Strategy
o How to Prepare Notes
o How to Write Answers
o How to Read
o Time Management
o How To Prepare For Prelims
o Gaining Mental Power for UPSC
o UPSC Question Papers
o Suggested Reading
o How to Choose Mains Subjects
o Tips On Choosing IAS Coaching Centers
o Main Examination Syllabus
o IAS tips Videos
o FAQ

Preparation for IAS Strategies

How to prepare for IAS exam
Well formulated strategy along with optimum time management is the only way to climb the ladders of your dream to
get selected in the IAS exam. So it's very important to formulate your own strategy as it pays to be yourself. However,
for the general guidance to tackle this examination, we are providing some guidelines which may be help to the
aspirant to achieve success.

1. Go through the previous question papers: It is the most important part of your strategy to invest your time
to go through the previous question papers. . A thorough insight of the past papers will solve two purposes.
One it will appraise you about the standards of the question being asked and second will constantly guide
you throughout your preparation. So go through the question papers of past ten years to identify the pattern
and select the topics which are asked very frequently. Identify those topics which are particularly useful for
conventional essay type questions and the objective type questions. Once you have clearly demarcated the
topics, the rest of the preparation will be an easy task.
2. Selection of books: It is advised not to go through a lot of books, instead rely on one standard book on
each topic which deals with the basic concepts. Standard books not only save your time but also enrich you
with right knowledge. So always rely on one quality book and not on many books. Also it is advisable to
collect various books on different topics in advance to save time and the last minute blues.
 3. Make your own notes: It is always advisable to make notes of the related topics as you go through the
books and other study material. A well drafted note solves two purposes. One it takes you through the entire
syllabus and second your own notes will be of immense help for the revision of the syllabus.
4. Strategy for General Studies: General studies paper is equally important for Prelims and Mains
examination. It covers everything under the sun. But there is nothing to panic, a glance over the last years
question' paper will make things much easier for you. Broadly this paper is categorized under the following
heads.
5. History: A huge stress is given to modern history and freedom movement. Also emphasis is given to
Ancient India. A cursory glance over the medieval history is also necessary.
6. Geography: A huge stress is given to physical geography and maps related questions. So get yourself well-
acquainted with maps with the help of a good Atlas.
7. General Science: It covers a major chunk of this paper and a standard guidebook can make you well-
versed on the topics of general science.
8. Current affairs: Going through a standard newspaper daily can keep you updated on the current affairs
topics.
9. General awareness: Any good guide book or year book will help you cover this segment.
10. Familiarity with the optional syllabi: Get yourself well acquainted with the content of the optional subject's
syllabi and the topics that it covers. A thorough familiarity with your optional subject will help you select the
one that you are most familiar with and it will reduces your mental tension that is attached with its selection.

Some more important points:

o Prepare short notes of important topics with relevant points and always rely on your self-prepared notes. Go
through your short notes rigorously.
o Never go through any book on the eve of examination.
o Don't read any new topic.
o Don't get engaged with any confusing question or problem on the eve of the examination.
o Rely on your prior preparation that alone will help you.
o Take a good sleep on the eve of examination. It is most important tip for your brilliant performance.
o Do not lose your confidence.

The preparation for Civil Service exam is a labor of love. If you are dedicated enough in this you shall surely achieve
the success. All the best for your IAS preparations!

Subject wise Strategy for IAS Exam

o General Studies
o Essay
o Agriculture
o Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
o Botany
o Chemistry
o Civil Engineering
o Commerce
o Economics
o Electrical Engineering
o Geography
o Geology
 o Indian History
o Law
o Mathematics
o Mechanical Engineering
o Medical Science
o Philosophy
o Physics
o Political Science
o Psychology
o Public Administration
o Sociology
o Statistics
o Zoology
o Anthropology
o Management

Note: The following subjects for whom we do not have any resources or strategy. So we may like to make an appeal
you to help us in suggesting their resources and the strategy. Kindly let us know any links available and send them to
us at; concerninfo2012@ gmail.com

o Arabic
o Assamese
o Bengali
o Chinese
o English
o French
o German
o Gujarati
o Hindi
o Kannada
o Kashmiri
o Konkani
o Malayalam
o Manipuri
o Marathi
o Nepali
o Oriya
o Pali
o Persian
o Punjabi
o Russian
o Sanskrit
o Sindhi
o Tamil
o Telugu
o Urdu