UPSC Interview (Personality Test): Process, Marks, DAF

The interview, which UPSC calls the Personality Test, is the last stage of the Civil Services Exam. It carries 275 marks, has no minimum qualifying mark, and is added to your written mains marks to give your final total out of 2,025. UPSC calls about twice as many candidates as there are vacancies.

This guide sets out what UPSC's notice says the board looks for, how the process ran for CSE 2025, what became of the "DAF", and how to prepare. The first three come from UPSC's documents; the preparation advice is ours.

What the board assesses

In the notice's words, you are interviewed by "a Board who will have before them a record of the candidate's career", and asked questions on matters of general interest. Paraphrasing the rest of that section:

• The aim is to assess your personal suitability for a career in public service, by a board of competent and unbiased observers.
• It judges mental calibre: not only intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs.
• The qualities named include mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity.
• The method is not a strict cross-examination but a natural, directed and purposeful conversation, meant to reveal your mental qualities.
• It is not a knowledge test. Your specialised and general knowledge has already been tested in the written papers. You are expected to have taken an intelligent interest in your own subjects of study and in events around you, inside and outside your state and country, and in new ideas and discoveries.

Marks and how they count

The 275 interview marks are added to the 1,750 marks of the seven written papers that count. For CSE 2025, the last General category candidate recommended had a final total of 963 out of 2,025. If two candidates tie on the final total, the one with more marks in the five compulsory papers and the interview together ranks higher. See the final cut-off.

From the mains result to the interview

This is how UPSC ran it for CSE 2025, from its mains result notice of 11 November 2025 and its final result:

1. The mains result. UPSC published the roll numbers that qualified for the Personality Test.
2. The update window. The Rules give qualified candidates a 15-day window to upload proof of passing their degree and update their details. For CSE 2025 it ran from 13 to 27 November 2025. Even with nothing to change, you had to log in and submit, or no e-summon letter would be issued.
3. The e-summon letter. UPSC issued it online only; no paper letters were sent.
4. The venue and dates. Interviews were held at UPSC's office, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi, between December 2025 and February 2026. UPSC said requests to change an interview date or time would not ordinarily be entertained.
5. Documents. Candidates had to bring original certificates for age, education, community, EWS and PwBD claims, and documents such as the TA form. The notice says UPSC checks eligibility against original documents only after you qualify for the interview.
6. DoPT's attestation form. Candidates also had to fill an Attestation Form online on DoPT's portal during the interview period.
7. The final result. UPSC declared it on 6 March 2026, recommending 958 candidates and keeping a reserve list.

What happened to the DAF?

The CSE 2024 notice asked candidates who qualified for the mains to fill a Detailed Application Form-I (DAF-I), and those who qualified for the interview to fill DAF-II, with their service and cadre preferences, higher education, achievements and service experience.

The CSE 2026 notice doesn't use that term. You give these details in the online application itself, then update them in two windows: one of 10 days after the prelims result, and one of 15 days after the mains result. The details asked for in the second window include your address, higher education, achievements in different fields, employment and service experience, any service allocated in an earlier exam, marital status, parental details and a socio-economic questionnaire. Whatever the form is called, treat every detail in it as something the board may ask you about.

How to prepare

• Know your own application. Your education, work, achievements, hobbies, home state and service preferences. Be able to explain each choice simply.
• Follow current affairs with a view. The board looks for interest in current affairs and balance of judgement. For the major issues, know the facts from official sources, the main arguments on each side, and your own reasoned position.
• Revisit your subjects. The notice expects an intelligent interest in your subjects of academic study. Refresh the basics of your degree and your optional, and how they connect to public life.
• Practise conversation, not speeches. Short, clear, logical answers suit a "directed and purposive conversation". If you don't know something, say so plainly rather than guessing.
• Use mock interviews with care. They help with nerves and clarity. Don't memorise scripted answers; the board is looking for your own thinking.
• Get the logistics right. Keep your original documents and forms ready, and plan travel so that the date UPSC gives you is fixed in your calendar.