Personality Development Programme(PDP)

This course starts from the third week of MARCH. The personality test is an integral part of the Main Examination. In view of the fact that the personality test carries 275 marks, it has assumed greater importance. Therefore, good score in the personality test plays a crucial role in the process of final selection to Civil Services, especially, in determining the rank of a candidate. The test is aimed at to assess "the personal suitability of a candidate, particularly his mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest and for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity" (Kothari Committee Report).
Broadly speaking a candidate is asked questions on his bio-data (including extra-curricular activities, prizes, medals and scholarships won during school and college days, hobbies, sports, jobs held, knowledge of his State etc), current national and international affairs, on some hypothetical situations to test the candidate's mental alertness and qualities of leadership and on his subjects of study. Since the aim of a candidate is to spend about thirty minutes purposefully before the Interview Board, it is advisable to attract the attention of the Board in areas wherein the candidate can engage the Board Members in discussion satisfactorily. This can be done by developing interests on some hobbies, sports etc., beforehand, and throwing subtle hints during the course of the interview, without over doing it.
It is almost impossible to change completely the personality of a candidate even over a long period of time, let alone within a short period of 10 or 15 days. What the Institute attempts to help is to enable a candidate to appear before the Interview Board equipped with adequate knowledge, confidence and composure, by providing a minimum of three mock interview sittings. After the mock sittings, a candidate is given a fair and candid assessment of his performance indicating his strength and weaknesses with suggestions for improvement.