S. Vishnu Sharma
UPSC Civil Services interview will now be conducted on a different date. The interview which was supposed to be conducted from 23 March to 3 April have now been scheduled to be conducted on a different date.
Sources say, the measure was taken keeping in view the pandemic outbreak and the necessity to stay safe amidst such a risky atmosphere. An official notification released by UPSC in this regard says the new dates for the personality tests will be informed to the candidates in due course of time.
UPSC Civil Services interview 2019 postponed
The notification can be accessed by candidates at ‘https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Material-Uploading-20032020.pdf’ The UPSC Civil Services interview meant to take place between 23 March to 3 April were for the candidates who have cleared the civil services main exam of 2019.
UPSC had declared the main exam results on 14 January this year, interview, which is popularly known as UPSC Civil Services Interview was supposed to be held soon after that. The e-summon letter for interview were also issued on 27 January.
UPSC Civil Services interview is the last phase in the process of becoming a high profile bureaucrat in the government departments. This is the phase where the academic knowledge of the candidates and also his ability to handle various situations in day-to-day life are tested.
This is for 275 marks. As this UPSC Civil Services interview forms an essential part in the process of becoming an civil servant, it is quite essential for this part of the recruitment to take place at the right time.
T.S. Krishnamurthy, history lecturer and a part-time faculty with IAS coaching institutes says postponement of interview can bring a lot of difference for the candidates.
Applicants who are not confident of making in UPSC Civil Services interview 2019 may be affected. If they dont get selected in 2019 interview, they have to focus on 2020. Should 2019 interview be lately held, candidates will have little time for Civil Services 2020 Prelims, he says.
Though one cannot say at this given point of time as to what will happen, pray that UPSC Civil Services 2020 prelims should not be postponed, says P. Santosh Kumar, a civil services aspirant for 2020. If 2020 prelims are postponed then this will have its impact on Mains exam of 2020, applicants may have to prepare for Mains exam in a short span of time if prelims 2020 are postponed, he says.
However, K. Ratnakumar, another civil service aspirant sees a convenience. Postponement does not mean inconvenience, this gives more time for candidates to prepare themselves.
They can make use of this time to go through those topics they were not able to focus on during their regular preparation due to some valid reason. There are many others who are taking this point of view. T.S. Krishnamurthy again reminds there is a ray of hope always.
UPSC has been trying hard to reduce the examination cycle. Once they work out an effective alternative hindrances like corona-virus may not be a concern at all, he says. While uncertainty may go on for a few more days, aspirants must not forget to stick to their preparation schedule, say experts.
UPSC Civil Services interview is just for 30 minutes or so, good performance in this can make a vast difference by fetching more than 100 marks. A few tips by experts are given below
Early start
Candidates must begin focusing on interview soon after they have finished mains exam. UPSC Civil Services interview preparation need wait for the arrival of mains exam results.
Analyse yourself
UPSC Civil Services interview attendees must first analyse themselves. They must know their strong points and weak points. If they they have some weak points which can play spoil sport, they have to overcome them.
Know your self
Candidates appearing for UPSC Civil Services interview must also know their bio data. Copies of the detailed application form will be made available to the interview board members, questions based on information made available in the application form must be answered properly. Candidates must ensure they answer questions related to their experience, personal likes, hobbies very carefully.
Have a positive attitude
Candidates must ensure they have a positive attitude. They must make themselves feel strongly confident and that can happen only when they have a strong positive attitude. Positive attitude gives rise to confidence, replies with confidence creates an unforgettable impression.