100 UPSC Interview Questions

100 UPSC Interview Questions

100 UPSC Interview Questions (2025): The Ultimate Practice Guide

The UPSC Personality Test (Interview) is the final and most crucial stage of the Civil Services Examination. Lasting around 20–30 minutes and carrying 275 marks, it evaluates your personality, judgment, ethics, awareness, and suitability for a career in public service.

This list compiles 100 important and commonly asked UPSC interview questions—carefully categorized for targeted preparation. Practice concise, balanced answers (1–2 minutes each) supported by examples and current context.

Remember: Clarity, composure, and honesty matter more than memorized answers.

1. Personal Background & Motivation (1–15)

1. Tell us about yourself.

2. Why do you want to join the Civil Services?

3. What motivated you to choose UPSC as a career?

4. How has your family background influenced your goals?

5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

6. How do you handle criticism or failure?

7. What are your major achievements so far?

8. Who is your role model, and why?

9. What does being an IAS officer mean to you?

10. How do you define success in life?

11. Tell us about your hometown and its key challenges.

12. How has your educational journey shaped your personality?

13. What values have guided you through life?

14. If not selected, what is your alternative career plan?

15. What makes you a suitable candidate for the Civil Services?

2. Education & Optional Subject (16–25)

16. Why did you choose your graduation subject?

17. Why did you select this particular optional subject?

18. How is your optional subject relevant to administration?

19. Who are the major thinkers or contributors in your field of study?

20. How can you apply your subject knowledge in policymaking?

21. Describe a recent development related to your academic field.

22. What challenges do students face in your discipline today?

23. How has your education helped you in real life?

24. What was your favorite subject and why?

25. What is the relationship between education and ethics?

3. Home State, District & Local Issues (26–35)

26. What are the main issues facing your state?

27. What are the unique strengths of your district?

28. Tell us about a famous personality from your state.

29. What are the key industries or agricultural products in your region?

30. How would you promote tourism in your area?

31. How has local governance evolved in your district?

32. What environmental concerns exist in your region?

33. What role do local festivals or traditions play in your state’s culture?

34. How would you improve infrastructure in your hometown?

35. What is one policy you’d implement to develop your region?

4. Current Affairs & National Issues (36–50)

36. What are the major national challenges today?

37. What is your opinion on the Uniform Civil Code?

38. How can India achieve a $5 trillion economy?

39. What lessons did India learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

40. Discuss the pros and cons of the National Education Policy 2020.

41. What are your views on India–China relations?

42. What are the implications of the Russia–Ukraine war for India?

43. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

44. How can India reduce unemployment among youth?

45. How successful has the Make in India initiative been?

46. What are the challenges to India’s federal structure?

47. Discuss the farmers’ protest and the issue of MSP.

48. What steps can be taken to curb fake news on social media?

49. What role do startups play in India’s economy?

50. What is your take on electoral reforms in India?

5. International Relations & Global Affairs (51–60)

51. How does India balance its ties with the US and Russia?

52. What is India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region?

53. Explain the significance of the QUAD alliance.

54. What are the challenges in India’s bid for a UNSC permanent seat?

55. What are your views on India’s G20 presidency outcomes?

56. How should India respond to global terrorism?

57. What are the prospects for SAARC?

58. How does the Belt and Road Initiative impact India?

59. Discuss India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy.

60. How can India lead in global climate negotiations?

6. Ethics, Integrity & Situational Judgment (61–75)

61. What does ethics mean to you?

62. Define integrity and give an example from your life.

63. How would you handle a corrupt superior?

64. What would you do if you see a colleague accepting bribes?

65. Which is more important — ends or means?

66. How would you balance development and environmental protection?

67. How would you respond to political pressure in your work?

68. How would you handle caste-based discrimination in your office?

69. What is empathy, and why is it important for administrators?

70. How would you manage a crisis, such as floods in your district?

71. What steps would you take to ensure transparency in governance?

72. How would you handle media during a controversy?

73. What is emotional intelligence, and how can it help in administration?

74. What are the root causes of corruption in India?

75. How would you ensure accountability in your team?

7. Economy, Development & Governance (76–85)

76. What is GDP, and what are its limitations?

77. What is inclusive growth, and how can India achieve it?

78. Discuss the importance of MSMEs in India’s economy.

79. How can technology improve governance and transparency?

80. What are the challenges facing India’s agriculture sector?

81. What is your opinion on privatization of PSUs?

82. What is fiscal federalism?

83. How can India promote sustainable development?

84. How can governance be made more citizen-centric?

85. What role does NITI Aayog play in policymaking?

8. Environment & Climate Change (86–90)

86. What are India’s key environmental challenges?

87. What steps has India taken toward renewable energy?

88. How can urban pollution be reduced?

89. How can individuals contribute to climate action?

90. How do you balance development with environmental protection?

9. Administration & Public Policy (91–95)

91. What qualities define a good administrator?

92. How would you implement a welfare scheme effectively?

93. How do you handle conflicting interests among stakeholders?

94. What reforms are needed to improve bureaucracy?

95. How can citizen participation improve policy outcomes?

10. Personality, Logic & Miscellaneous (96–100)

96. Should civil servants be allowed to express opinions on social media?

97. What does patriotism mean to you in the 21st century?

98. Should India adopt a population control law?

99. Is democracy under threat globally?

100. If you were the Prime Minister for a day, what would you change?

Preparation Tips

• Study Your DAF Deeply: Around 60% of questions come from your own background — education, hobbies, and home state.

• Stay Updated: Focus on major national and global developments from the past year.

• Practice Mock Interviews: Record yourself to improve clarity, confidence, and posture.

• Structure Answers Well: Use the PREP method — Point, Reason, Example, Point (Summary).

• Stay Balanced: Avoid extremes in opinions; demonstrate awareness, empathy, and practicality.