Challenging Questions in UPSC Interviews: A Test of Wit and Intelligence

The Rigorous UPSC Examination

The UPSC exam is renowned as one of the toughest assessments globally, requiring immense dedication and hard work. Aspirants invest countless hours preparing to clear the IAS examination. Those who have attempted the IAS exam understand that passing the interview stage can be even more challenging than the written test. Interviewers pose tricky questions that can leave candidates bewildered, often testing their IQ levels with unexpected queries.

Tricky Questions Asked

A few years back, a candidate faced a particularly tricky question during her IAS interview that left her momentarily stumped. The question was, "What is something that both men and women prefer to take at night?" This question might seem perplexing at first, but with careful thought, the answer becomes clear.

IQ Level Assessment

In IAS and IPS interviews, candidates' IQ levels are often assessed through such challenging questions. After some contemplation, the candidate correctly answered 'sleep' to the question, which pleased the interviewers and led to her selection. Indeed, such tricky questions are common in interviews, and with patience and a calm mindset, candidates can often arrive at the right answers. Here are some more intriguing questions that have been asked in UPSC/IAS/IPAS interviews:

Question: Who was the first to read Ashoka's edicts?
Answer: James Prinsep

Question: When and where was the resolution for complete independence passed by Congress?
Answer: At the Lahore session in 1929

Question: What can a woman give to everyone but not to her husband?
Answer: A rakhi

Question: In which country does the sun shine at midnight?
Answer: Norway

Question: Who invented the television?
Answer: John Logie Baird

Question: Which metal was first used by humans?
Answer: Copper