‘Around 45 years ago, when I faced the UPSC interview…’ A veteran shares his experience and addresses key FAQs (Part 2)

Roshni: What is the best way for candidates to handle stress, tricky questions, or situations where they simply do not know the answer?

Sharad Mallik: Tricky questions are deliberately designed to test your balance of judgment, your ability to reason under uncertainty, your ethical grounding, and your temperament. When such questions are asked, take a brief pause and try to break the question into parts.

For example, if the question is, “Should India ban social media?”, first understand the context in which it has been asked. Then discuss the pros and cons, followed by a balanced conclusion. This demonstrates structured thinking.

My advice is to stay moderate, not extreme. Weigh the pros and cons of alternatives before arriving at a conclusion. Avoid hard-line answers. Use phrases such as “In my view,” “A balanced approach would be…,” “While this concern is valid, we must also consider…,” or “An advanced strategy could be…”. This is a moderate, mature language.

When you are unsure, rely on constitutional and ethical principles such as transparency, inclusiveness, rule of law, and the balance between rights and responsibilities. This reflects administrative stability. If you do not know the answer, admit it honestly and confidently. Use dignified statements like, “I’m not aware of the specific fact at the moment,” or “I may not have the exact data, but I can share the broader perspective.” You can also simply say, “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know this.”

A calm admission shows integrity, which is extremely important. But do not stop there and move to what you do know. For example, “I’m not aware of that particular committee, but committees of this nature generally focus on…” This shows presence of mind, willingness to attempt, and honesty without bluffing.

Most importantly, never bluff. The moment you bluff, board members, who are experienced and perceptive, will sense it. It reflects dishonesty and weak ethical values, which can severely damage your personality test score. Saying “I don’t know” is far better than bluffing. Honesty is valued more than perfection.

Roshni: Can you share an example from your own interview experience that can be important learnings for aspirants today. 

Sharad Malik: Around 40–45 years ago, when I appeared before the interview board, I came from a state considered backward. In my preferences, I had listed the Indian Foreign Service as my first choice and the IAS as my second.

One board member asked me about the reasons for my state’s backwardness. I had anticipated the question and answered confidently. The board member was convinced, but then remarked that since my first preference was the IFS, it seemed like I did not want to serve my state and wanted to escape abroad. This placed me in a catch-22 situation. I lost my composure and argued with the board member, which negatively affected my interview marks.

Through this example, I urge candidates not to get emotional or take things personally. Stay calm and composed. Present pros and cons, positives and negatives, before taking a position, if you are asked to take one at all. Speak slowly and do not rush through your arguments.

Rushing signals anxiety. Slow, clear speech signals control. UPSC also evaluates your reactions — an unspoken criterion. Can you stay calm when challenged? Do you remain respectful when provoked? Do you admit gaps without embarrassment? Do you handle uncertainty gracefully? Do you think before you speak? These aspects matter greatly.

When such questions are asked, pause, organize your thoughts, and then respond. If you do this, you will score well.

Roshni: How important is body language in the interview room? 

Sharad Mallik: Body language is extremely important in the UPSC interview for several reasons. 

1. It reflects emotional stability. Calm posture and composed facial expressions show that you can handle pressure which is a crucial trait for administrators.

2. It signals balanced confidence and not arrogance or nervousness. This is the most important non-verbal quality the board looks for.

3. It reflects respect and maturity. Politeness, attentive listening, and controlled gestures indicate that you can interact respectfully with colleagues, citizens, and superiors.

4. Body language also reveals authenticity. Natural movements, genuine expressions, and a relaxed tone show that you are not pretending. A warm presence can even compensate for minor factual gaps.

Roshni: From the moment a candidate enters the interview room, what should she keep in mind to create a strong impression on the interview board?

Sharad Mallik: When entering the interview room, carry a positive demeanor and calm confidence. Walk naturally, keep your shoulders relaxed, offer a light, genuine smile, and greet the board politely. These first five seconds set the tone.

Sit with a balanced posture — back straight but not stiff, feet flat on the floor, hands rested gently and not clasped tightly. Lean slightly forward while listening; this signals attentiveness and respect. Maintain natural eye contact. Look at the board members while speaking and shift your gaze naturally. Avoid staring or darting eyes. Eye contact reflects credibility. Control your gestures. Keep your hands visible and calm. Avoid tapping, fidgeting, or adjusting your clothes repeatedly. Smooth gestures reflect emotional steadiness. Smile appropriately while greeting, thanking, or acknowledging.

Your voice is also part of body language. Speak clearly, steadily, and at a moderate pace. Rushed speech signals stress, while slow, thoughtful speech signals maturity.

Listen like an administrator. Do not interrupt. Nod gently to show understanding. Maintain eye contact and allow the speaker to finish. The board observes how well you listen, often more than how you speak. Handle stress with visible composure. If you feel stuck, pause, breathe gently, and say, “Let me think about that, sir/ma’am.” A composed pause is better than a rushed wrong answer.

To create a strong impression, structure your answers. Use formats like “three points,” “short-term and long-term,” or “from a constitutional perspective.” Structured answers reflect clarity. Keep responses concise and crisp. Long-winded answers indicate lack of clarity. Aim for 45–50 seconds unless asked for detail. Use simple, precise language and avoid jargon.

Remain polite and respectful. Courtesy leaves a lasting impression. Handle disagreement gracefully. If challenged, acknowledge the point and present your view calmly. This shows emotional maturity. When body language is strong, the board perceives the candidate as emotionally stable, pressure-resistant, respectful, and officer-like. Good body language allows your personality to shine, even if you don’t know every answer.

Roshni: Candidates are often asked opinion-based questions on governance, society, or current issues. How can they balance honesty, diplomacy, and practicality?

Sharad Mallik: Start with a balanced stand. Avoid black-and-white opinions. Civil servants must think in shades of grey. You can begin by saying, “Both sides of the issue have valid concerns,” or “This is a complex issue requiring a balanced approach.” This signals maturity.

Acknowledge multiple viewpoints — political, social, economic, and cultural. For example, while development is important, environmental sustainability and community livelihoods must also be considered. This shows empathy without extremism.

Then add a practical administrative perspective. This is crucial. Use phrases like, “A feasible administrative solution could be…” or “In the short term… in the long term…”. This shifts your response from opinion to policy-oriented thinking.

Avoid extreme positions. Never blame the government or judiciary. Avoid political commentary and overly idealistic solutions. Also, avoid emotional responses.

Your answer must be honest yet diplomatic, non-political, and grounded in practical administration. If you follow this approach, you will handle opinion-based questions effectively.

Roshni: In the final weeks before the interview, how should candidates prepare for current affairs? Is depth or breadth more important?

Sharad Mallik: At the interview stage, the board evaluates understanding and not your ability to recall numerous facts. Depth matters more than breadth, but only for selected topics.

Focus deeply on major national developments and about 15–20 important global issues. Governance-related topics are also essential. Develop in-depth knowledge of your home state’s issues, especially those mentioned in your DAF, such as education, health, or agriculture.

Depth matters because interview questions are open-ended, analytical, and opinion-based. With strong conceptual clarity, you can handle varied questions.

Breadth still matters, but at a basic level. Be aware of major headlines even if you lack details. If needed, say, “I’m aware of the issue, but I may not have the latest details.” General awareness is expected, not mastery.

To read Part 3 click here

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