New Delhi: The Civil Services Examination-Personality Test, often known as the interview stage, is the final phase of the selection process. The personality test aims to gauge your suitability for adm
New Delhi: The Civil Services Examination-Personality Test, often known as the interview stage, is the final phase of the selection process. The personality test aims to gauge your suitability for administrative roles. It’s not just about knowledge but also your personality, integrity, and your ability to handle diverse situations with grace and composure. The Interview/Personality Test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. Only candidates who have passed the Civil Services(Main) examination are eligible for the personality test round. But do you know, who scored the highest marks in the UPSC Civil Services Examination interview round over the past 8 years?
Meet woman who scored highest marks in UPSC personality test, it’s not IAS officer Tina Dabi, Pari Bishnoi, Smita Sabharwal
Well, meet Zainab Sayeed from Kolkata who scored the highest marks in the UPSC Civil Services Examination interview round over the past eight years. Kolkata-based Zainab Syed achieved a historic milestone by securing the highest overall interview score in the eight-year history of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her exceptional performance in the Personality Test set a new benchmark, reflecting her outstanding communication skills, knowledge, and composure under pressure.
After earning a degree in English Literature from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, Zainab pursued a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. Following her academic journey, she dedicated herself entirely to UPSC exam preparation, making her first and second attempts in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Zainab secured All India Rank(AIR) 107 in the 2014 UPSC Civil Services Examination. The Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) graduate scored 220 out of 275 in her personality test. Since 2014, Zainab Syed’s interview score remains unmatched in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. In comparison, Ashutosh Kumar and Kiran PB scored 206 in the 2021 interview, while Apala Mishra, who ranked 9th in 2020, received 215 marks. In the 2018 exam, IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh scored 173, and in 2015, Tina Dabi earned 175 marks in the interview phase.
Sayeed, hailing from Chitpur, Kolkata, cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her third attempt, after failing to pass the preliminary exams in her first two attempts. During the interview, she recalled being asked a memorable question about her preference between Kolkata and Delhi.
During her interview, Zainab impressed the panel with her extensive knowledge and confidence, engaging in discussions on a variety of topics, including current affairs and international relations. Lasting 25 minutes, the interview featured questions on issues such as the potential disintegration of the European Union and the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail.