UPSC Interview Disaster: How I Qualified with Just 89 Marks

"Sir, can you tell us about the recent changes in the Foreign Exchange Management Act?"

I stared blankly at the panel of five distinguished officers. My mind went completely blank. After months of rigorous preparation, countless mock interviews, and endless hours of current affairs revision, I was sitting there speechless. This wasn't how I had imagined my UPSC interview would go.

What happened next would become both my biggest failure and my greatest lesson in the entire UPSC journey. This is the story of how I scored a disastrous 89 marks in my interview and still qualified for the Indian Administrative Service.

The interview room where it all happened

1
My UPSC Journey Before Interview

Like most engineering graduates, I stumbled into UPSC preparation without a clear roadmap. It was 2021, and after working for two years in a tech company, I decided to take the plunge into civil services.

Prelims 2022

Marks: 142/200 (General Category cutoff: 88)

Cleared comfortably with good margin. CSAT was challenging but managed to score 135/200.

Mains 2022

Score: 925/1750 (52.8%)

Strong performance in Essay (134/250) and General Studies papers. Optional subject (History) scored well.

Detailed Mains Breakdown

Essay Paper:134/250
GS Paper 1:118/250
GS Paper 2:108/250
GS Paper 3:112/250

GS Paper 4:125/250
Optional (History):328/500
Total Mains:925/1750

My mains performance was solid - not exceptional, but good enough to secure an interview call. I was ranked around 450th after mains, which gave me confidence that with a decent interview score, I could easily make it to the final merit list.

Little did I know that interviews can be unpredictable, and no amount of preparation can guarantee performance on the day.

2
The Interview Disaster

March 15th, 2023 - The day that changed everything

March 15th, 2023. I woke up at 5 AM, revised my notes one last time, and reached Dholpur House by 8 AM. My interview was scheduled for 2 PM, giving me plenty of time to mentally prepare. Or so I thought.

What Went Wrong: A Minute-by-Minute Account

First 5 minutes - The Nervous Start

Chairman asked about my engineering background and current job. I was doing fine until he asked about a specific project I mentioned in my DAF. I fumbled with technical details I should have known by heart.

Minutes 5-15 - The Downward Spiral

Member 1 asked about FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) - a topic I had studied extensively. But under pressure, I couldn't recall even basic provisions. I said "I'm not sure about the recent changes, sir" - the worst possible answer.

Minutes 15-25 - Complete Breakdown

Member 2 asked about my hobby (chess). Simple question, but I was so nervous that I couldn't explain basic chess strategies coherently. Member 3 asked about local governance in my district - again, something I knew well but delivered poorly.

Final 10 minutes - Damage Control Attempt

The chairman tried to help by asking about my favorite subject (History). I managed to answer about Mughal architecture decently, but by then, the damage was done. The panel looked sympathetic but disappointed.

My Biggest Mistakes

Over-preparation Anxiety

I had studied so much that I confused myself. When asked simple questions, I was thinking of complex answers instead of being direct.

Lack of Confidence Recovery

After the first mistake, I couldn't bounce back. Each wrong answer made me more nervous, creating a negative spiral.

Poor Body Language

I was fidgeting with my pen, avoiding eye contact, and speaking too fast. These non-verbal cues probably hurt me as much as wrong answers.

Not Asking for Clarification

When I didn't understand a question clearly, I assumed instead of asking for clarification. This led to irrelevant answers that wasted precious time.

Walking out of that interview room, I knew I had messed up badly. The 35 minutes felt like 35 hours, and I was convinced my UPSC dream was over. I called my parents that evening and broke down completely.

"I think I scored around 80-90 marks," I told my father. "It's over. I'll have to try again next year." I was absolutely devastated, but I had no idea that this disaster would teach me the most important lesson of my life.

3
The Unexpected Qualification

May 30th, 2023 - The most unexpected phone call of my life

May 30th, 2023, 6 PM. I was at my office, trying to focus on work when my phone rang. It was my coaching institute calling with the results. I almost didn't pick up - I was sure it would be condolences, not congratulations.

"Congratulations, Rahul! You're AIR 234!"

Those words didn't register immediately. I asked them to repeat. "All India Rank 234. You've qualified for IAS!" I was in complete shock.

Final Score Breakdown:

Mains Score: 925/1750

Interview Score: 89/275

Total: 1014/2025

Percentile: 50.07%

Category: General

Final Rank: AIR 234

How Did This Happen?

The answer lies in understanding UPSC's holistic evaluation system. My interview score of 89/275 was indeed poor - roughly in the bottom 10% of all interviewed candidates. But my strong mains performance created enough buffer to carry me through.

The Mathematics of My Success

Score Analysis

• Mains: 925/1750 (52.8% - Above average)
• Interview: 89/275 (32.4% - Well below average)
• Average interview score: ~150 marks
• My deficit: -61 marks from average

What Saved Me

• Strong essay writing (+30 marks above avg)
• Consistent GS performance across all papers
• Excellent optional subject score (65.6%)
• Buffer of 15+ marks absorbed the interview loss

The Lesson in Numbers

To put this in perspective, the candidate ranked 235th (just below me) scored 1013/2025 - just one mark less! If I had scored even 10-15 marks less in mains, my poor interview would have knocked me out of the race entirely.

Key Realizations

• UPSC is about overall performance, not individual stage perfection
• A strong foundation in mains can compensate for interview nerves
• The 85.6% weightage of written exam vs 14.4% interview matters
• Consistency across all papers beats excellence in one area

That phone call changed my entire perspective on failure, success, and resilience. I realized that sometimes our greatest disasters can lead to our most valuable victories - not despite our failures, but because of what they teach us.

4
Lessons for Aspirants

Your journey is more than just the destination

My experience taught me that UPSC is not just an exam - it's a comprehensive test of your knowledge, temperament, and resilience. Here are the key lessons every aspirant should internalize:

UPSC Tests Overall Balance

Unlike other exams that focus on specific skills, UPSC evaluates your comprehensive understanding across multiple domains. It's designed to select balanced administrators, not subject matter experts.

• 86% weightage for written examination
• Interview complements, doesn't dominate
• Consistent performance beats sporadic excellence

Build Strong Mains Foundation

My story proves that a solid mains score creates a safety net. Many aspirants obsess over interview preparation while neglecting the foundation that actually carries most weight.

• Focus 80% energy on written papers
• Master answer writing techniques
• Develop consistent writing speed and quality

Resilience Over Perfection

UPSC rewards those who can recover from setbacks. My interview disaster didn't define my success - my ability to perform under pressure in previous stages did.

• Accept that not everything will go perfectly
• Develop mental toughness for bad days
• Focus on long-term consistency

Process Over Outcome

While I was devastated about my interview performance, I later realized that my preparation process across 18 months was solid. Trust the process, even when individual results disappoint.

• Maintain daily study discipline
• Regular revision and practice tests
• Don't let one bad day derail everything

My Message to Future Civil Servants

"Your worst day doesn't define your journey. UPSC is testing your ability to serve the nation for 30+ years, not your performance in 35 minutes of nervousness."

Success in UPSC - and in life - comes from resilience, not perfection.

What I Would Tell My Past Self

Focus on Strengths

Don't try to be perfect in everything. Excel where you can, be decent elsewhere.

Mental Health First

A stressed mind performs poorly. Maintain balance throughout your preparation.

Trust the Journey

UPSC has its own timeline. What matters is crossing the finish line, not how you get there.

5
Practical Takeaways

While my interview didn't go as planned, I learned valuable lessons that can help future aspirants avoid similar pitfalls and build better preparation strategies:

Building Interview Confidence

Before Interview Day

Practice DAF thoroughly: Know every single detail you've mentioned. I fumbled on my own project details.
Mock interviews: Take at least 15-20 mocks with different panels. Practice makes anxiety manageable.
Record yourself: Watch how you speak, sit, and gesture. Non-verbal communication matters immensely.
Current affairs depth: Don't just read; understand implications and form opinions on recent developments.

During Interview

Pause and think: It's okay to take 5-10 seconds before answering. Rushing leads to mistakes.
Admit when unsure: "I'm not completely certain, but my understanding is..." works better than fumbling.
Maintain eye contact: Look at the person asking the question, not at your hands or the table.
Recovery technique: If you make a mistake, acknowledge it briefly and move forward confidently.

Mock Practice Strategy That Actually Works

My Recommended Mock Schedule (Post-Mains)

Week 1-2

• 2-3 informal mocks with friends
• Focus on DAF questions
• Record and review
• Work on posture and voice

Week 3-4

• 4-5 coaching institute mocks
• Different panel compositions
• Current affairs focused
• Note common question patterns

Week 5+

• 1-2 mocks per day
• Focus on weak areas
• Stress interview practice
• Build confidence patterns

Mock Practice Mistakes I Made

• Quantity over quality: Took 40+ mocks but didn't analyze feedback properly
• Comfort zone practice: Always practiced with the same group - no diversity in questioning styles
• Ignoring feedback: Dismissed constructive criticism as "different opinions"
• Over-preparation: Studied so much that I confused myself during simple questions

Stress Management for Interview Day

Physical Preparation

Exercise Routine

Start 30 minutes of daily exercise 2 weeks before interview. Physical fitness directly impacts mental clarity and confidence.

Breathing Techniques

Practice 4-7-8 breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Use this technique in the waiting room to calm nerves.

Sleep Schedule

Maintain 7-8 hours of sleep for at least one week before interview. A tired mind cannot perform optimally under pressure.

Mental Preparation

Visualization Practice

Spend 10 minutes daily visualizing a successful interview. Mental rehearsal builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

Mistake Recovery Plan

Prepare mental scripts for recovering from mistakes: "Let me reconsider that" or "I'd like to add to my previous answer."

Positive Self-Talk

Develop positive affirmations: "I am prepared," "I deserve to be here," "This is a conversation, not an interrogation."

Your Interview Preparation Action Plan

Foundation Phase

• Master your DAF completely
• Current affairs compilation
• Start mock practice early
• Physical fitness routine

Practice Phase

• Intensive mock interviews
• Feedback analysis and improvement
• Stress management techniques
• Communication skill development

Performance Phase

• Final confidence building
• Mental preparation strategies
• Interview day protocols
• Post-interview reflection

Final Thoughts

A Message of Hope

Today, as I write this from my district collector's office, I often think about that disastrous interview day. What seemed like my biggest failure became my most valuable teacher. It taught me that success isn't about perfection - it's about persistence, preparation, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.

My 89 marks in the interview didn't define my worth as a future civil servant. What mattered was the 18 months of disciplined preparation, the resilience to continue despite setbacks, and the comprehensive knowledge base I had built across all areas of the examination.

Remember: UPSC is not just selecting people who interview well - it's selecting people who can serve the nation with integrity, knowledge, and determination. Your journey to civil services is much bigger than any single day's performance.

"Your worst performance doesn't erase your best preparation. UPSC rewards overall excellence, not individual perfection."

- Rahul Mehta, IAS (AIR 234, UPSC CSE 2023)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still qualify UPSC with low interview marks?

Absolutely! As my experience proves, strong mains performance can compensate for a poor interview. With interview carrying only 14.4% weight (275 out of 2025 total marks), excellent written performance creates sufficient buffer. Focus 80% of your energy on mains preparation and 20% on interview skills.

How important are Mains vs. Interview in UPSC results?

Mains carry 1750 marks (85.6%) while interview carries 275 marks (14.4%) out of total 2025 marks. This weightage clearly shows that consistent mains performance is far more critical than interview excellence. A 50-mark difference in mains equals 180+ marks difference in interview - which rarely happens.

What mistakes should I avoid in UPSC interviews?

Key mistakes to avoid: 1) Not knowing your DAF thoroughly, 2) Trying to impress with complex answers to simple questions, 3) Poor body language and lack of eye contact, 4) Not asking for clarification when confused, 5) Letting one mistake affect subsequent answers. Practice recovery techniques and maintain confidence throughout.

Interview Disaster: How I Scored Only 89 Marks and Still Qualified

Rahul Mehta

1My UPSC Journey Before Interview