We will provide a comprehensive overview of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), highlighting the importance of the Interview or Personality Test stage. Here, you will understand how the Interview evaluates essential qualities such as personality, leadership, decision-making, and communication skills.

We will also discuss the marks distribution, qualifying marks for the Interview, and how a strong performance can significantly impact a candidate’s final rank, especially in cases where the competition is tight.

What is UPSC?

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a multi-stage process aimed at selecting candidates for prestigious roles such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). It comprises three stages: the Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and the Interview, which is commonly referred to as the Personality Test.

UPSC Interview Marks Distribution

The Interview stage plays a crucial role in the selection process, as it evaluates a candidate’s personality, leadership, emotional intelligence, and decision-making skills. The interview does not have a fixed distribution for specific areas of evaluation. Rather, it assesses overall qualities such as intellectual abilities, integrity, social adaptability, and approach to problem-solving and critical thinking.

• Total Marks for Interview: 275 marks
• Weight in Final Rank: The Interview marks are combined with the Mains Examination marks, which carry a total of 1750 marks, to determine the final merit list. Though the Interview is essential, it is the Mains marks that have the most significant influence on the final rank.

While the Interview is vital, its marks are particularly impactful in cases where candidates have similar scores in the Mains Examination. Thus, while it contributes a substantial 275 marks, the overall rank is determined by both the Mains and Interview performance.

Here’s a table illustrating the merit list distribution of marks between the Mains Examination and the Interview for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):

• Mains Examination: Carries the majority weight of the final merit list, accounting for 86.73% of the total marks.
• Interview (Personality Test): Contributes 13.27% to the final rank, playing a significant role especially in cases where candidates have similar Mains scores.

How Many Marks for UPSC Interview?

UPSC Interview is allotted 275 marks, which directly impact the final merit list. These marks, when added to the Mains Examination score, contribute to the final ranking. There is no set cutoff for the Interview; however, a higher score in the Personality Test can be the deciding factor when the scores from the Mains are tied.

What are the Qualifying Marks for UPSC Interview?

UPSC Interview is a personality assessment, and there are no fixed qualifying marks like those for the Preliminary or Mains Examinations. The final rank is determined by combining the marks from both the Mains Examination and the Interview. Thus, candidates must perform well in both stages to secure a spot in the final merit list.

There is no minimum qualifying score set by UPSC for the Interview. Instead, candidates need to score sufficiently well overall (from both the Mains and the Interview) to ensure their final selection for roles in the civil services.

How Many Marks Required for IAS Interview?

There is no predefined minimum score required to “pass” the IAS Interview, but the marks you score in this stage significantly influence your final selection. The total marks for the Interview are 275 and, along with the Mains Examination marks (which carry a weight of 1750 marks), the final merit list is decided.

To gauge how many marks are required for the IAS Interview, it’s essential to understand that the overall rank is a combination of both written and interview scores. While the written exam (Mains) holds the largest weight, the Interview marks are still significant enough to impact your final rank. In general, candidates aiming for the top ranks typically need to score higher in both Mains and Interview, as the competition is fierce.

While it’s difficult to predict a specific number of marks required for the IAS Interview, candidates should aim for a well-rounded performance in both the Mains and Interview stages, as scoring well in the Interview stage can help boost your chances if the difference in ranks is small.

Conclusion

UPSC Interview is a crucial stage of the Civil Services Examination, contributing 275 marks to the final selection process. Although there is no fixed qualifying score, candidates must perform well in both the Mains Examination and the Interview to secure a spot in the final merit list. The Interview assesses qualities such as personality, communication, and leadership, playing a significant role in determining the final rank, especially when candidates have similar scores in the Mains. A well-rounded performance across both stages increases the chances of success in securing a prestigious civil services position.

UPSC Interview Mark Distribution FAQs