It’s a nightmare to appear for the interview after clearing Civil Services Preliminary and Mains exam for most of the candidates, especially for those candidates who are not good with words and cannot turn around a question. The good part is – you have cleared the first two stages of UPSC, both the prelims and mains. Looking at the current trend – you’re going to successfully clear your interview as well.
So, start with the basics -- train your wandering mind to stay calm – inject the positive tonic in it, hone the confidence and polish your skills, and most importantly – be honest. It’s not a problem if you don’t understand the question or not know the answer at all. The problem would come only if you handle it like a socially awkward cat – just blankly staring back at them, don’t! Nothing works like an honest reply, like – ‘Yes, I don’t know the answer’.
Being that said, here are our top selections of tricky questions – to give you the flavor of an IAS interview. Here you go:
Ques. 1 – In a hole of 3-ft deep, 6-ft long and 4-ft wide, how much dirt is there?
Candidate’s Answer – None, or else there wouldn’t be a hole in the first place.
Ques. 2 – How many times can you subtract 100 from 1000?
Candidate’s Answer – Only once, since, on the next turn you’ll have to subtract from 100 from 900.
Ques. 3 – If you have a matchbox, and you enter a cart with a candle, a fireplace, and a lamp, which one would you light first?
Candidate’s Answer – Matchbox.
Ques. 4 – Do you know which mountain was the highest before Mt. Everest was discovered?
Candidate’s Answer – Mt. Everest, it just wasn’t discovered.
Ques. 5 – In a wild stormy night, you are driving in your car. Then you suddenly cross a bus-stop – you see that there are three people waiting for a bus; an old lady who is about to die, an old friend who saved your life and your dream girl. Knowing that there is only one seat to offer, who would you offer a lift to?
Candidate’s Answer – I would hand over the keys to my old friend who saved my life and request him to drop the old lady to a hospital. Meanwhile, I will stay back, with my dream girl and wait for the bus.
Ques. 6 – There are months that have 31 days, others have 30 days, but how many months have 28 days?
Candidate’s Answer – All of the months have 28 days. No exception.
Ques. 7 – Imagine a plane crash, and in that every single person on board dies, but still, two persons survive. How?
Answer – Probably the two were married.
