UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2024 Concludes: What’s Next for Aspirants?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially concluded the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024, which took place from September 20 to September 29. The last day of the exam was held in two shifts, with the morning session from 9 AM to 12 PM and the afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Candidates who cleared the Preliminary Examination earlier this year were eligible to participate in the Mains, which serves as a key stage in India's prestigious civil services recruitment process.

What Happens Next?

With the conclusion of the Main Examination, the UPSC will now begin the process of evaluating candidates' papers. Based on their performance and the minimum qualifying marks, a list of shortlisted candidates will be released. These individuals will be invited to participate in the next and final stage: the Interview or Personality Test.

The Interview Process

The Interview/Personality Test is a crucial stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. According to the commission’s official notification, the interview is designed to assess the candidate's overall personality, suitability for public service, and their interest in matters of general and national importance. A board of competent and impartial observers will interview each candidate based on their academic and career record.

“The purpose of the Personality Test is not to evaluate specialized or general knowledge, which has already been examined in the written papers,” reads the UPSC notification. Rather, the interview focuses on assessing key traits such as intellectual alertness, clarity of thought, critical thinking, social cohesion, leadership ability, and moral integrity.

Candidates appearing for the interview are expected to demonstrate more than just academic knowledge. The UPSC encourages them to take an active interest in current affairs, both within and beyond their state or country, as well as in significant global discoveries and modern ideas. The interview panel aims to gauge a candidate’s ability to assimilate information, present ideas logically, and showcase a strong sense of public responsibility

The final merit list for UPSC Civil Services 2024 will be prepared based on the combined marks from the Main Examination and the Interview. Those who make it through this final stage will be appointed to various prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services.

Aspirants are advised to stay updated with the official UPSC website for further announcements and to start preparing for the final hurdle: the Interview/Personality Test.