Making It Through MPPSC Interview: A Complete Preparation Guide

The interview is the last leg of the journey towards successfully cracking the MPPSC exam. It is of great importance especially from the perspective of gradation of post as the final selection list includes marks secured in the Mains exam and interview. While an aspirant often tends to dedicate special time and attention towards preparing for the Prelims and Mains exams, due to time constraints one may ignore the interview process.

Worrying about the interview? Please don’t. We are here with a complete strategy on how to prepare for the MPPSC interview. So, let’s begin.

MPPSC interview is a one-on-one session, including Q&A and discussion, with the panel lasting for anytime between 30-45 minutes. An aspirant qualifying Mains exam faces the panel during this face-to-face session. Preparing well for the interview and being upto the mark in the inteview can help the aspirants in acquiring an upper hand over competitiors. Infact, aspirants securing top ranking in the overall examination are often the top scorers in the interview. 

Areas to focus on while preparing for the inteview

Your biodata including background, educational qualification, work experience (if any), hobbies, areas of interests, region-specific questions (the region to which the candidate belongs)

Interest in MPPSC – appropriate, logical reasons

Current Affairs & GK – events of national and international importance

General Awareness

Questions on society and polity (socio-economic and political issues)

State-specific questions on current happenings

Economy, banking and finance 

Questions on the government functioning

View/perspective-based question especially from the administrative point of view

Parameters of Evaluation

The interview panel assesses a candidate based on various parameters to adjudge if he/she can be a good administrator. Selected candidates ultimately not only become a part of the government functionary, but are also the important building blocks of the state and nation. 

Clarity of thoughts – The interview panel assesses a candidate’s thought process as it is one of the most important qualities of an administrator.

Understanding and sensitivity – While it is important to follow the due process, it is equally important to react cautiously towards sensitive issues for instance, matters which lead to mass outcries like religion, caste or gender-related issues,  etc.

Administrative skills – Some fundamental traits of being a good administrator include accurate decision-making, promptness in terms of reacting to a particular situation, transparent attitude, accountability or responsibility. 

Attitude – A candidate’s attitude in terms of his/her honesty, punctuality, etc. is always one of the topmost priorities of the panel.

Leadership skills – It is important to lead by example but a leader must also avoid being a dictator. Therefore, a candidate’s leadership skills are also on the test during the interview. 

Not to miss tips for successfully cracking the MPPSC Interview

Learn about yourself – including the latent aspects of your personality, Go through the biodata multiple times and try to explore every aspect. Don’t forget to acquire knowledge about your native place, hobbies/ areas of interest, educational discipline, etc. A copy of your Detailed Application Form (DAF) is circulated among all panel members. Therefore, it is important to provide answers in the form cautiously and defend those during the interview such that there is no mismatch between what’s written in the form and the answers given during the interview. Otherwise, it may put your integrity at stake.

Honing your communication skills – Remember now matter how well you prepare for the interview but if you can’t answer properly with the right kind of attitude and confidence; it all may go into vain. So, work upon your communication skills. You can have a couple of mock interviews among peers. You can take some classes to improve your verbal and language skills as the choice of right words makes a huge difference.

Attitude is the key – Having the right kind of attitude and body language with utmost honesty, integrity, punctuality, sensitivity, understanding, and respect towards the process, panel and the questions raised in the interview matter the most. A lot of times an interviewee may not know answers but in cases like these behaving with a positive difference can pave the way forward for making an impression on the employer. 

Keep yourself updated– Often what is looked forward to is the candidate’s awareness of the recent happenings and his/her knowledge and views on the same. Therefore, keep yourself updated by resorting to newspapers, current affairs study material, digital media and news channels, etc. Try to give a balanced answer instead of being strongly opinionated. It is strongly recommended to know different sides of the coin for the same.

Simple, clear and straightforward answers – Avoid beating around the bush. Get straight to the point. Instead of trying to flaunt your knowledge through complex answers, ensure that you provide simple and easy to comprehend answers showcasing clarity of thoughts. Take a minute or two to think before answering questions on the sensitive issues. Also, don’t be reluctant in accepting a different side of the story in case the interviewer shares one. 

Thumbs up for your interviews!! We hope you’ll make it through with flying colors.

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