How should I tackle topics like reservation, which I am firmly against, in the UPSC interview?
(1) Vishnu H Prasad (Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Nashik):-
For one thing, I don’t think the interview board will ask you controversial issues which might make both you and them uncomfortable.
There are two ways in which you can still approach the question if it is asked and it depends on what kind of person you are.
If you are the practical type, who believes that what you say in the interview is not a reflection of the stand that you are going to take in all time to come, you can simply go by the government and the constitution and support the reservation system. And there are very good arguments that actually can be put forth in favour of the reservation system.
If you are an idealist and believe that you would only stand by what you believe in, then go ahead and tell them that you think that the reservation system is flawed. The interview board never minds a differing opinion. They in fact encourage non-conformist opinions, which are well backed by good arguments. However, don’t play debate there, and be humble while expressing your opinion.
It is not whether you differ that matters, but how you differ that does. Be careful while treading that line.
(2) Vishnu gauda(IRPS,2014 batch):-
In a democratic set up everyone is independent to hold their own views. However when you aspire to be in the position of changing lives of others , to you should be more empathetic. Being a civil servant you should be having balanced views on all social issues. Kindly go through the history, how resrvation arrived and read about the view of its supporters and also opposers. By this way you will get comprehensive idea about reservation. To me reservation is protection against social discrimination faced by lower strata of the society, unless social discrimination based on caste vanishes, there is need for it. Ex: the problems faced by poor Brahmin is totally different from poor Dalit, poor Brahmin is not prevented by society to engage in any profession and his social respect remains same irrespective of his economic position. In the same vein a poor Dalit has to face x social prohibition along with economic hurdles. It's only tip of the iceberg of problem. So peruse the matter sufficiently without any prejudicea and come to your own conclusion which you can defend with evidences
So at one point the Chairman, Shri A. S. Bhonsale sir asks me, “Why are you not wearing a tie?”
Me, remembering my last interview, “to wear or not to wear, that is the question.”
Again smiling, I replied, “ Sir I am not very comfortable with tie. When I wear one, my whole attention is focused here (pointing towards my throat). And I didn't want that to happen today”
Chair-, “Whole world except you is wearing a tie.”
“Yes sir, I saw that on my table only”
Chair-, “Did you wear one in your IRS-wala interview?” ( Referring to ealier one in which I got selected)
Me, (time to lie) , “No, Sir.”
Chair-, “Bandhni ati hai? (Do you know how to tie the knot?)
Me, (candidly and smiling), “Sir, ek knot ati hai.” (I know just one knot).
Chair, (he too smiling, almost laughing), “ Mujhe to wo bhi nahi ati. Dusro se bandhwata hu, wahi pahnta hu.” (I don't know even one knot. Someone else does it for my and i just wear.) Well, I was just curious, nothing serious”.
Score- 201. Highest score this year was 206. Got selected again.
Moral of the story- Don't fret. Be calm and composed. Tie or no tie, suit or no suit, sky blue or any other color shirt- these things don't matter at all. I have never worn any conventional shirt, pant to any of my interviews and have scored well.A lot of coaching institute will push you for such totally irrelevant things. Don't fall for them. All that matters is a little knowledge, your communication skills, your pleasant presence and honesty.
Be honest. If you don't know the answer, say it, don't bluff. If you partially know the answer, say it, don't guess. There is no right or wrong answers to most of the question. You just have to be honest about what and why you have one particular answer.
There is a reason UPSC officially calls it personality test and not interview. It does exactly that, testing your personality, not knowledge.
Now one question,👇
why I lied about tie when I myself am saying that we should be honest in interview ?
I lied because it was not a serious/significant question. It was just trivial conversation. I had already stated that tie makes me uncomfortable. If I had replies in affirmative to that question, it would have lead to other questions as to why I wore tie then, why not now etc etc. I just wanted this conversation to get over.
Lying in this scenario could be compared to situation when some random person asks you how you are and you say you are fine, even if you are not. It's not lying per se, it's just convenient. Because you don't really want to talk about what's going on in you life. It's not being dishonest.
What I meant by being honest in UPSC interview was that you should present your opinion truthfully. Of you don't know something, be honest, say sorry and move on to next question. Don't try to bluff.
Similarly, if you have a flaw/gap in your DAF(consider it like résumé), don't make stories around it. Simply admit it and explain the reason. It will be fine. But if you are dishonest regarding these things, chances are they will know and you could
Via:- Akshat sir(IPS,2019batch)