If you want to crack the UPSC interview, avoid making these three mistakes in the form, as your candidacy may be cancelled..

UPSC Interview Tips: After clearing the UPSC Civil Services Prelims and Mains, one has to go through the interview round. This is considered the most difficult and crucial stage for a government job in the civil services. Often, candidates pass the Prelims and Mains written exams, but fail in the interview. The reason behind this could be the mandatory form filled out after clearing the Mains.

Yes, very few people realize how crucial a form filled out before the UPSC interview is to their success. It requires extreme caution when filling it out; otherwise even a UPSC candidacy could be rejected. We are talking about the UPSC Detailed Application Form (DAF-II).

What is the UPSC DAF?
The UPSC Detailed Application Form is a document containing detailed information about the candidate. The Commission obtains personal, academic, and professional information about the candidate through the DAF form, which is used during the recruitment process. This not only helps understand the candidate's profile, but also serves as an important document during the UPSC interview and for service or cadre allocation. (Photo Source - Freepik)

What does the UPSC DAF contain?
The DAF-I for the Mains exam consists of six columns, including personal details, ID proof, educational qualifications, preferred service and cadre, experience, hobbies, and required certificates such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS or disability (if applicable).

The DAF-II for the interview exam consists of nine columns, including information about parents, school/college or professional achievements or projects (if worked on), final preference for cadre and service, and hobbies.

UPSC DAF-II to be filled by November 27
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the UPSC Civil Services Mains Result (UPSC Mains Result 2025) on November 11. Now, the Commission has given candidates who qualified in the Mains exam the opportunity to fill out the online information form, also known as the Detailed Application Form (UPSC DAF). Eligible candidates can fill in the form by visiting the Commission's official website, https://upsconline.gov.in. The forms are being submitted starting November 13, with the deadline being November 27, 2025.

How to Fill UPSC DAF: See the Method Here
Visit the UPSC official website, https://upsconline.nic.in.
Click on Login on the homepage.
A new page will open. Log in by entering your Mobile & OTP, URN & Password, or Email & Password, and the captcha code.
Now, update the required details or fill in new details and upload the relevant documents.
Your form will be updated as soon as you click Save.

Don't Make These 3 Mistakes in the UPSC DAF Form
You provide the Commission with all the necessary information through the UPSC DAF form, so it must be absolutely accurate. Mistakes or inaccuracies can lead to your candidacy being rejected.

1. Exaggerating or Overclaiming: When filling in academic details, avoid overclaiming degrees, certificates, or other courses. The UPSC conducts cross-checks. You may be caught in the interview, and if a mistake is discovered, your candidacy may be rejected.

2. Employing hobbies, interests, cadre, or state preferences for the sake of formality: Extreme caution should be exercised when listing hobbies, interests, cadre, or state preferences in the UPSC form. Avoid providing false information, as these are the questions asked in the interview round, and you should have in-depth knowledge of them.

3. Proofreading errors: Not taking the UPSC DAF form seriously can be a major mistake. Because 30%-40% of your interview depends on it. Therefore, after filling out the form, carefully check the spelling, formatting, names, dates, categories, etc. There should be no room for error.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Navbharat Times. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.