A
Comprehensive Article on "How to acheive Success in KAS INTERVIEW" by 'KAS Guru'
Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari (KAS):-
The Interview stage, third and the final stage of the civil services
examination, has emerged as the most deciding phase of the exam. I extend my
heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all those who have made it to this
stage and to all those who could not, I put in my sincere appeal to carry on and
prepare for the next time. This 250 marks test, may not be of the qualifying
nature, but is very central in your selection and putting your rank up or down
the final list. Therefore one should take this final step very seriously.
You may call it interview but the more appropriate term is
the personality test. The object of the interview is to assess the personal
suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of
supposedly competent and unbiased observers- the Members of Public Service
Commission. The test intends to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In
broad terms this is really an assessment of not only of his intellectual
qualities but also the social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some
of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of
assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and
depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and
moral integrity. These traits cannot be acquired overnight, but are embedded in
your personality developed over your age. Thus, theinterview shouldn’t normally
require any extra preparation other than being aware of issues and especially
those related to one’s home state. Bio-data is also important topic.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict
cross-examination but of a natural and purposive conversation, which is intended
to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. The interview test is not
intended to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the
candidates which has been already tested through their written papers.
Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their
special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening
around them both within and outside their own state or country.
Although the number of members is not fixed, generally the
interview is conducted by a board consisting of 5-6 members including the
Chairman of the Commission. These members are from different fields, including
subject matter experts, psychologists, bureaucrats, educationists etc. All of
them are highly experienced and ask searching questions to the candidate.