Expected Hobby-Related Questions in UPSC Interview

There are a total of three parts to the Civil Services Examination: the preliminary, the main, and the interview. The third and most important stage is the IAS interview, when candidates will get the opportunity to face a variety of questions presented by the UPSC panel. Typical questions given in a UPSC interview pertain to the aspirant"s hobbies. Questions that pertain to your interests are covered in this article.

Here you will find our blog post regarding the anticipated questions regarding hobbies in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) interview. Those hoping to get into this esteemed program are aware that the interview portion of the test can frequently determine their fate. Despite the fact that the exam evaluates a variety of qualities, including knowledge, personality, and aptitude, the question about aspirants" hobbies frequently catches them off guard during the UPSC interview. The significance of hobbies in the UPSC interview and some often-asked questions about them are the topics of this blog article. Whether you"re looking to become a public servant or are just interested in the UPSC interview process, this article will give you a leg up when it comes to answering questions regarding your hobbies.

Questions on Food in the UPSC Interview

1. Culinary Foundations

• Would you mind telling me about a few of the dishes that you love to make?
• Can you tell me the methods of cooking in which you excel?
• I was wondering whether you have a specialty dish.

2. Familiarity with Food:

• When did you first get interested in the kitchen?
• Do you know anything about the background and significance of the foods you make?
• Is this your first year attending a cooking class?

3. Invention and Originality:

• When was the last time you tried something new with a recipe and ended up with something completely different?
• What is your go-to method for modifying recipes to fit your personal preferences or dietary restrictions?
• Is cooking more of an art form, a science, or anything in between, in your opinion?

4. Organizing and Managing Your Time:

• How do you keep track of all the moving parts when you"re making a multi-course dinner?
• Tell me about a time when you were cooking and had to think on your feet because of unforeseen obstacles.
•  

5. Considerations of Society and Culture:

• Have you ever had to prepare food for a big gathering? When it was time to serve, how were you in charge?
• In your opinion, how may one"s culinary skills facilitate cross-cultural understanding and appreciation?

6. Nutrition and Health:

• When you cook, do you think about the nutritional value of the ingredients?
• When cooking, how do you strike a balance between flavor and nutritional value?

7. Collaborating and Working Together:

• Have you ever worked on a meal with others? What was your role in assisting the team?
• Do you have any memories of a time when you had to work together with your fellow cooks?

8. Making Decisions and Leading Others:

• How do you deal with people who have different ideas about how to cook a meal when you"re in the kitchen?
• Share an experience where you had to think on your feet and make a snap choice while in the kitchen.

Questions Regarding Photography in the UPSC Interview

1. Photography Fundamentals:

• Please tell me how photography first piqued your attention.
• Give me an example of an unforgettable moment that made you want to start taking pictures.

2. Photographic Abilities:

• I was wondering whether you had any particular expertise in portraiture, landscape photography, or macro photography.
• Are you self-taught or have you attended any classes specifically for photography?

3. Subjects and Places I Enjoy:

• When you take pictures, what do you love to capture the most?
• Where do you usually find the most creative inspiration for your photography?

4. Methods and Tools:

• What kind of camera gear do you use, and what factors led you to select it?
• Would you be willing to share some of the methods that have helped you become a better photographer?

5. Photographs as a Creative Medium:

• As an art form, what is your opinion on photography?
• Are you of the belief that your images include a narrative or message?

6. Photographic Obstacles:

• In your photography, what are some of the obstacles you encounter, and how do you manage to overcome them?
• In order to get a certain photo, have you ever had to think quickly on your feet?

7. Societal Influence on Photography:

• What, in your view, is photography"s role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and social consciousness?
• Are there any social issues or projects that you"ve photographed and utilized?

8. Post-Processing and Editing

• When you take a picture, how do you usually go about editing it?
• Do you have any before-and-after examples of retouched photos that you could share?

9. Exploring the World Through Eyes:

• Is photography your primary motivation for traveling? Do you mind sharing your stories if the answer is yes?
• In what ways does your exposure to various cultures and landscapes shape your photography?

10. Juggling Photography and Other Duties:

• With all of your responsibilities and your love for photography, how do you find time to do it all?
• Do you find it difficult to juggle your photography passion with your other commitments, such as school or work?

Questions Regarding Reading and Writing in UPSC Interview

1. Favorite Books:

• Tell me about the literary forms that you find most appealing.
• Give me an idea of the kinds of literature and authors that you enjoy reading and tell me why.

2. The Study of Literature:

• In what ways has reading shaped your outlook on life?
• Is literature from many cultures and eras something you"ve looked into?

3. Routines for Writing:

• Is keeping a journal or composing creative work something you do on a regular basis?
• In what ways does your everyday routine include writing?

4. Writing Style That I Prefer:

• Do you have a preference for fiction, poetry, or non-fiction when it comes to creative writing?
• Would you be able to provide a short passage from your work?

5. Analyzing Literature:

• When evaluating literature, what is the best way to start?
• Give me an example of a piece of literature that really resonated with you and tell me why it stuck with you.

6. Literature"s Social Impact:

• From your point of view, how can literature help bring about societal change or awareness?
• Do you know of any novels that tackle significant societal problems?

7. Communicative writing:

• What kind of impact has your interest in writing had on your ability to express yourself?
• Have you ever found yourself writing with a certain target in mind?

8. Sources of Motivation and Impact:

• Who among the literary greats or contemporary writers has the power to move you?
• In what ways have these sources of inspiration affected the way you write and the genres you prefer?

9. Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance:

• How do you balance reading and writing with all of your other commitments?
• Has maintaining a healthy work-life balance been difficult for you, both professionally and academically?

10. Literature and News:

• Are you able to keep up with current events because of your reading habits?
• Is there a book that you think is very applicable to the world as it is right now?

Questions Regarding Music in the UPSC Interview

1. Set the Scene Musically:

• Tell me about the beginnings of your love for music.
• I was wondering if you had any kind of music education or if you taught yourself.

2. Music I Love and My Favorite Artists:

• Please tell me which musical styles you prefer and why.
• Who are some of your favorite composers and musicians?

3. Music with melody or voice:

• Are you mostly a vocalist or do you play any instruments?
• Which instrument did you decide to play, and how good are you at it?

4. Showcases and Viewers:

• When was the last time you played music for a crowd? Do you have a story that stands out in your mind?
• When performing music, how do you establish rapport with the listeners?

5. Composing Music:

• Is this anything you"ve ever dabbled in?
• Tell me about your process and the places you go for inspiration when making music.

6. How Music Has Shaped Your Life:

• In what ways has music impacted your mental and emotional health?
• Could you tell me about a time when a song really spoke to you?

7. Traditional and Regional Music:

• Would you want to listen to folk or traditional music? In your opinion, how does it enrich our cultural legacy?
• Did you know that there is music from all around the world?

8. Festivals and Other Musical Events:

• To what extent have you been to major music festivals and events? In your opinion, what did it convey?
• In your opinion, how might music festivals help spread cultural understanding and appreciation?

9. Finding a Happy Medium Between Activities and Music:

• With all of your commitments and interests, how do you find time to listen to music?
• Do you have any experience juggling your musical endeavors with other responsibilities, such as school or work?

10. The Power of Music for Social Good:

• Is there a movement that you"re aware of that uses music to promote social change? 
• From your perspective, how may music be used to bring about constructive change?

Questions about sketching and painting in the UPSC interview:

1. Introduction about Art 

• Tell me about the moment when you realized you wanted to be an artist.
• Tell me about a pivotal moment that made you want to pursue art seriously.

2. Methods and Styles of Art:

• In what ways would you characterize your creative approach?
• When you paint or draw, do you have a preferred method or medium?

3. Subjects I Enjoy the Most:

• In your artwork, what do you most like to portray?
• What does the relevance of these themes mean to you?

4. Inspirations in the Arts:

• Does art move you? If so, which artists or movements?
• Tell me how these sources of creativity have shaped your own artistic development.

5. Emotions and Art:

• In what ways do you find that art helps you communicate your thoughts and feelings?
• Tell me about a work of art that has deep personal meaning for you.

6. Difficulties in the Arts:

• When you pursue art, what obstacles do you encounter, and how do you get past them?
• In the course of creating something, have you ever had to change your strategy?

7. The Relationship Between Society and Art:

• To what extent do you think works of art help people become more culturally and socially aware?
• Is there a social cause or campaign that you"ve spearheaded with your art?

8. Finding a Balance Between Art and Other Duties:

• In the midst of your many responsibilities, how do you find time to pursue your love of painting and sketching?
• Does juggling your artistic endeavors with your academic or professional responsibilities ever present any difficulties for you?

9. Evolution of the Arts:

• In what ways has your method of painting and sketching changed throughout the years?
• To hone your craft, have you enrolled in any art classes or workshops?

10. How the Arts Affect Government Work:

• Would you consider a career in public service if you were interested in painting or sketching?
• In your position as a public worker, how do you see your artistic talents fitting in?

Questions about Drama in the UPSC Interview

1. A Primer on Drama:

• When did you first get interested in the performing arts?
• What was it about a particular performance or event that first sparked your interest in the dramatic arts?

2. Function and Involvement:

• Tell me about the theatrical roles you"ve had.
• Have you ever dabbled with more behind-the-scenes roles, like directing, creating scripts, or managing the stage?

3. Theater Obstacles

• In your experience, what are the most difficult aspects of being a drama student?
• Provide an example of a time when you had to overcome obstacles while performing and how you did it.

4. Genres or Plays That You Love:

• Which play or author is your favorite? Why?
• Specify the type of theater that most interests you and explain why it"s your favorite.

5. Developing One"s Abilities:

• What kind of personal and professional growth have you experienced as a result of your involvement in the dramatic arts?
• Through your involvement in theater, have you developed any particular abilities?

6. Working together as a team:

• What kind of teamwork with other performers and crew members is required to pull off a flawless performance?
• Can you think of a time when your team"s performance in a theatrical presentation hinged on how well they worked together?

7. How Dramatics Affect Society:

• From your point of view, how can the performing arts impact and transform society?
• Is there a social or cultural theme in any of the plays in which you have performed?

8. Being able to change and improvise:

• When performing live, how do you deal with setbacks or unforeseen circumstances?
• When was the last time you had to use your improv skills while performing live?

9. Inspirations and Favorite Characters:

• Is there a particular role you"re most proud of portraying, and if so, what makes it special?
• Is the world of theater a place where you find inspiration from directors and actors?

10. Finding a Happy Medium Between Interests and Work:

• Given your dedication to the stage and your other obligations, how do you balance the two?
• How did you handle situations where your passion clashed with other important things in your life?

If you are someone striving to succeed in the upcoming UPSC exams, join DICS for top-notch IAS coaching in Ahmedabad. Visit our centre today and start your journey.