The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
Indian Languages :—
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
This is the last stage of the Civil Services Examination before the final results are declared. Officially it is called the Interview/Personality Test and known to be a part of the Mains Examination for merit ranking purposes. From a preparation point of view, it is considered the third stage as preparation strategies and approaches for the written and interview stages are different. As per the IAS exam pattern, this consists of an interview by the UPSC board to assess the candidates’ suitability for a civil services career and associated responsibilities attached to the post. The board consists of competent and unbiased observers who have a record of the candidates’ career (filled by the candidate in the Detailed Application Form). The board would judge the candidates mental, emotional and social traits by asking questions of general interest. Some of the qualities that the board looks for are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, attitude, clear and logical exposition, a balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, team work, intellectual and moral integrity.