100 IAS Interview Questions

100 IAS Interview Questions

100 IAS Interview Questions (2025 Edition)

A Complete Guide for the UPSC Personality Test

Section 1: Personal Background & Motivation (1–15)

These questions help the panel understand your personality, goals, and values.

1. Tell us about yourself.

2. Why do you want to become an IAS officer?

3. What motivated you to join the Civil Services?

4. How has your family influenced your career choice?

5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

6. What are your hobbies and how do they shape your character?

7. Who is your role model and why?

8. Describe a challenging situation you faced and how you overcame it.

9. What does “public service” mean to you?

10. How do you define success?

11. How do you handle criticism or failure?

12. If not the Civil Services, what other career would you choose?

13. What is your biggest achievement so far?

14. What values guide you in life?

15. How would your friends describe you?

Section 2: Education & Optional Subject (16–25)

These assess your academic depth and how you relate it to real-world problems.

16. Why did you choose your graduation subject?

17. Why did you select your optional subject for UPSC?

18. How is your subject relevant to administration?

19. Who are the most influential thinkers in your discipline?

20. What are recent developments in your field of study?

21. How did your college or university shape your worldview?

22. What are the key challenges facing education in India?

23. How can your subject help in policymaking?

24. How do you stay updated in your academic field?

25. What is your opinion on the National Education Policy (NEP 2020)?

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

These test awareness of your socio-economic environment.

26. Tell us about your home state and its key challenges.

27. What are the main industries or resources in your district?

28. How would you address unemployment in your region?

29. What is your state government doing to promote tourism?

30. Tell us about a notable personality from your state.

31. What environmental issues affect your region?

32. How does your district contribute to the national economy?

33. How would you promote education in rural areas of your state?

34. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your local governance?

35. How can your district be developed sustainably?

Section 4: Current Affairs & National Issues (36–50)

These require balanced, well-informed, and ethical opinions.

36. What are the major national issues India faces today?

37. How can India become a $5 trillion economy?

38. What are the key takeaways from India’s G20 presidency?

39. What is your opinion on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?

40. How effective is the Ayushman Bharat scheme?

41. What lessons has India learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?

42. Discuss India’s progress in digital governance.

43. How can India reduce unemployment among youth?

44. What are your views on the farm laws and MSP debate?

45. What role do startups play in India’s growth?

46. What reforms are needed in India’s judicial system?

47. How can India ensure gender equality in public life?

48. What is your view on the new criminal law reforms (2024)?

49. How should India tackle fake news and misinformation?

50. What steps can strengthen cooperative federalism in India?

Section 5: International Relations (51–60)

These check your understanding of global diplomacy and India’s foreign policy.

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

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

53. Discuss the significance of the QUAD alliance.

54. How can India lead in global climate negotiations?

55. What are India’s major diplomatic challenges today?

56. What impact does the Russia–Ukraine war have on India?

57. How does China’s Belt and Road Initiative affect India?

58. What is India’s soft power, and how can it be strengthened?

59. Is SAARC still relevant?

60. What role should India play in the United Nations?

Section 6: Ethics, Integrity & Governance (61–75)

These evaluate your moral compass and administrative decision-making.

61. What does integrity mean to you?

62. How would you deal with a corrupt superior?

63. What would you do if you discover a policy error that benefits the rich?

64. How do you balance ethics and efficiency in governance?

65. Which is more important — ends or means?

66. What is the role of empathy in administration?

67. How would you promote transparency in your department?

68. What would you do if a senior asks you to do something unethical?

69. Define emotional intelligence and its administrative value.

70. How can e-governance improve accountability?

71. How would you handle communal tension as a District Collector?

72. How do you ensure fairness during elections?

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

74. How would you promote work-life balance as an administrator?

75. What makes a good civil servant — intelligence or integrity?

Section 7: Economy & Development (76–85)

Expect conceptual and opinion-based questions related to India’s economy.

76. What is GDP and how does it differ from GNP?

77. How can India achieve inclusive growth?

78. What are the challenges facing MSMEs?

79. What is your view on the privatization of PSUs?

80. What is fiscal deficit, and why does it matter?

81. What are the pros and cons of subsidies?

82. How has globalization affected India’s economy?

83. How can India improve ease of doing business?

84. What are the key features of India’s 1991 economic reforms?

85. What is the future of cryptocurrency in India?

Section 8: Environment & Sustainable Development (86–90)

86. What are India’s main environmental challenges?

87. What steps has India taken toward renewable energy?

88. How can India achieve carbon neutrality?

89. What is your view on balancing development with conservation?

90. How can citizens contribute to climate action?

Section 9: Administration & Public Policy (91–95)

91. What qualities make a good administrator?

92. How would you handle political pressure as a District Magistrate?

93. How can public grievances be addressed effectively?

94. What reforms are needed in India’s bureaucracy?

95. How can public policy become more citizen-centric?

Section 10: Opinion-Based & Tricky Questions (96–100)

96. Should civil servants express their opinions on social media?

97. Is democracy under threat in the modern world?

98. Should India have a population control law?

99. Should education be fully privatized?

100. If you become the Prime Minister for one day, what would you change?

IAS Interview Preparation Tips

• Master Your DAF: 60–70% of questions come from your personal data (education, hobbies, hometown).

• Stay Updated: Focus on the past 12 months of national and international news.

• Practice Daily: Record mock interviews to improve body language and clarity.

• Structure Your Answers: Follow PREP — Point, Reason, Example, Point (Summary).

• Maintain Composure: Panels test attitude, not factual memory. Stay calm, honest, and balanced.