Interview

I appeared for two UPSC interviews. 

First interview:

20th Feb 2019 (Afternoon). 

Board - Satyavati Ma'am.

Score - 176 / 275.

Interview transcript 2018

Second interview:

3rd March 2020 (Afternoon). 

Board - BB Vyas Sir.

Score - 204 / 275.

Interview transcript 2019

Some funda based on my limited experience of two interviews:

• When to begin? The actual and exclusive preparation can begin after Mains exam or once Mains results are declared (based on tempo levels). But one should spend good time in researching before filling DAF so as to not add any unwanted/complicated things to it. (More on DAF in a separate blog post soon) 
• How to get started? Pick each key word that you mention in your DAF such as your home town, your college name, your hobby, everything. Prepare a list of potential questions from all these areas and read up as much as you can about these topics. The other area you should focus on is current affairs. Slightly different approach from mains, here you need to have well substantiated opinions on issues. So read up current affairs booklets and newspapers with that in mind.
• Notes: To me notes was important in retaining any information, so I decided to make good notes for interview as well. I picked each key word from my DAF and made notes in question and answer format. You can find link my notes here (these are for you to just get an idea, you may follow similar approach):
  Sociology optional related
  IIT Kgp 
  Dramatics
  Telangana
  Metallurgy 
• Question bank: Use DAF analysis sessions and discussions with friends to collect potential questions on your DAF and current affairs. Go through transcripts of previous years - available on Telegram and Forum IAS also publishes a compilation. This reduces surprise element in questions and helps you prepare in an organised manner as it is easy to feel lost.
• Practice: Give a few mock interviews. But highly advice you to limit them. Before my first interview I did the mistake of taking too many mocks. It might actually harm you (as was the case with me). Sometimes Coaching Institutes give ridiculous feedback in mock interviews that can leave you confused, sad and feeling under prepared (obviously, not all but a few that I personally faced.)
• To illustrate my above claim, one coaching mock interview gave me weird feedback on my voice level (calling me loud), even more weird suggestions on my saree colour (I chose to wear a sober cream colour saree which she did not happen to like 🤦). All this, 3 days before the final interview. Do not take all feedback seriously as sometimes they tend to give random feedback as it is their job to say something!
• Another mock / DAF analysis left me uncomfortable too. There I was given a 10 minute lecture for using the word 'ambition' while answering a question. Such over critical scrutiny tends to make us unnecessarily conscious. Most of us have some pretty impressive fact based opinions and we need to speak out without fear before the board in order to express them. Being over cautious about each word uttered is not a way about it for sure!
• My advice then? Just give 2-3 mock interviews, no more. Instead practice with a friend so that you can become comfortable in clearly articulating your views and simplify complex thoughts. Sometimes discussing with friends helps in building an opinion on issues which you might not have a prior opinion on.
• This is the most asked question to me, so here it goes. Coaching institutes that I suggest for mocks - Samkalp (if in Delhi) to build question bank, Vision IAS (use it for final mock) and one more of your choice. 
• Don't be afraid to express yourself: The 35-40 min that you have is all you get to showcase yourself. You cannot impress someone in an interview with one word replies. I'd say shun your fear and communicate freely. If you ask me the only reason behind my huge hike in interview score was the confidence and comfort level with which I entered that room for my second interview. I was not scared of having a fruitful debate and sticking to my opinion till the end (of course, with good reasons to support).
• Bonus tips: 
• Maintain a good energy level. No one wants to talk to a dull, unenthusiastic candidate.
• 'The smile conundrum': as I'd like to call it. As you will soon find out, it is everyone's favorite feedback - asking candidates to smile more. I do agree that you should overall have a pleasant facial expression and need to smile often, but not to the point that a constant smile plastered on your face hurts your cheeks! Please maintain a balance and trust yourself, you know best.
• Practice entering the room, sitting in the chair confidently, introducing yourself and exiting the room gracefully. Do all of this before a mirror.

Looking at my scores, I can safely say that the only thing that made difference was the confidence with which I approached my second interview. I had no time to prepare current affairs or brush up old notes (as I was under training in NPA). I only went there to have a pleasant conversation and that clearly reflected in the way I spoke.

Parting words: Is interview arbitrary? To an extent, yes. You can prepare a lot and still have a bad day and end up not doing well. That is always a possibility as there are many subjective factors involved. Don't let UPSC interview become a daunting experience. Instead, think of it as a moment to showcase the culmination of your hard work. Be relaxed, read the morning news paper, be as dapper as you can, wear a smile throughout and don't forget to click pictures outside UPSC gate! 😀