Tricky Questions Asked in UPSC Civil Service Interviews & How Aspirants Answered Them

After successfully qualifying UPSC prelims and UPSC mains, a candidate walks into the Interview. The candidate was asked a mixed bag of questions. A question threw this candidate off-guard was “How can a man go eight days without sleep?” While these questions may seem trivial and irrelevant, the question is designed to test your presence of mind. The answer is “The man sleeps at night.”

The challenge of the UPSC exam continues till the last leg. Qualifying the prelims and mains may be a huge sigh of relief, the interview is a whole different ball game. It tests your presence of mind, composure and ability to deal with people. If you have been mentored by a good coaching IAS academy such as Kamaraj IAS Academy, these will not be road blocks.

Some common questions in the UPSC interview include:

  1. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Why did you choose this optional subject?
  3. Why do you want to be an IAS officer?
  4. Can you tell us about your education and professional background?

Besides these initial questions, there will be questions on current affairs and situational questions. While these are the routine questions for which you will be mentally prepared for, the panel may be ready to pick on anything they see around you or ask you a seemingly silly question. It is here you have to be calm and alert and deal with the questions intelligently. Let us see some of the tricky questions that were asked in the interviews and how you can handle them.

Akash Patel in 2018 was asked Why he did not wear a tie for the interview? Akash was composed in his manner, and he said he found it distracting. Akash cleared and is now an IRS officer. His calm demeanor and self-confidence help deal with a rather intimidating interview Question.

Another question that may rattle you which was asked in the interview was “A peacock does not lay eggs; how does the peacock reproduce?” The answer is as simple as it is a peahen that lays eggs.

Below we list a few more examples of challenging questions and answers

  1. X and Y are born in May. Their birthday is in June. How is this possible?

Answer: May is the name of the place in which they were born

  1. What looks like half an apple?

Answer: The other half of the apple

  1. What ended in the year 1991?

            Answer: The year 1990

  1. A farmer has 4 haystacks and 5 haystacks in another field. How many haystacks will he have after he combines them?

Answer: When the haystacks are combined it becomes ONE haystack

  1. How can you write 23 using only the number 2?

Answer: 22+2/2

  1. A woman has 9 children. Half of them are boys and half are girls. How is this possible?

Answer: There are 10 people in total including the mother. So, there are 5 girls including the mother and 5 boys.

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So, what do we learn from these questions and the candidates who succeeded?

  • The UPSC interviewers test a wide range of skills. Some test common sense, some others test alertness.
  • The interviewers are interested in knowing the candidate's thought process. It is not always about the right answers.
  • Thinking out of the box. The panel wants novel solutions to questions and does not expect mundane and regular answers. Some questions do not have one right answer, there could be multiple approaches. It is here that the thought process and creativity matter.
  • Composure and calmness. Interviewers do not like nervous and under-confident candidates. However silly your answer may be, it is your personality that counts. You must exude confidence and be assertive of your opinions.
  • Be witty. Some interviewers just want to test your wit and creative quotient. Your answer always does not have to sound intelligent. You can win over interviewers with your subtle wit too.
  • Take your time. Do not jump into giving answers. Collect yourself before you attempt to answer. This will help you in judging the intent of the question from the interviewer.
  • Be clear and articulate. One of the most important factors that are tested is the clarity of the expression. No matter what your answer is, articulate your reasoning clearly and help the panel see your point of view.
  • Appreciate the interviewer’s point of view. In case your answer is different from the expected answer, take a moment to appreciate their point of view. This gives them confidence that you are a congenial person who will work well in the team.
  • Be consistent and logical. Do not contradict yourself or your view points. Maintain consistency in your thought process.

How does Kamaraj IAS academy help?

Kamaraj IAS academy has been widely regarded as one of the best IAS coaching centers in Chennai. Kamaraj IAS academy provides holistic training and holds your hands from prelims till you enter the position of a civil servant. Given the experience of our mentors and faculty we will provide you with specialized tips that will help you sail through the interview.

With abundant examples of mock questions and analysis of previous years’ interviews, you will be equipped with all possibilities of questions. There will be hardly any surprises on the day of the interview when you have been coached so meticulously. We provide you statistics and insights into the expectations of panelists from dress code, conduct, body language etc. These insights will give you a nuanced approach to preparation which cannot be found in any books. We will also provide you with mock interviews stimulating a real interview experience. If you have prepared with Kamaraj IAS academy for your prelims and mains, you would already be thorough with current affairs and your specialization. The material and input will come handy in answering questions in the interview.

Kamaraj IAS academy is the best IAS academy Chennai, has successfully trained several students in Chennai and students from across the state come to Chennai exclusively for the training we provide. Our methodology and pedagogy have proven success for every stage of the interview. If you are an UPSC aspirant wondering how to progress with your preparation, book a consultation with us and we will guide you through.