How to Fill UPSC DAF-II Form for UPSC Personality Test 

The UPSC Personality Test, also known as the Interview, is conducted by a board of competent and unbiased observers who assess the suitability of the candidates for a career in public service. The board will evaluate your performance on various aspects such as mental alertness, critical thinking, social awareness, leadership, communication skills, and moral integrity.

To appear for the Personality Test, a candidate must fill and submit a Detailed Application Form (DAF) - II, which is available on the official website of UPSC. It is a crucial document that collects important information about the candidates’ background, education, and preferences for various services and cadres. The document is highly valuable as it also influences the questions asked by the board during the interview. It helps the UPSC board gain insights into candidates personality, background, and interests. Filling it accurately is pivotal to presenting an authentic representation of the candidate.

Therefore, it is essential to fill the DAF-II carefully and correctly, following the instructions and guidelines provided by UPSC.

Steps to Fill the DAF-II Form

The DAF-II is available online on the UPSC website from 15th December, 2023 to 29th December, 2023. UPSC DAF-II requires you to fill 9 columns: 

1. Mother Tongue
2. Place of Birth
3. Personal Details
4. Education Qualifications
5. Higher Educational Qualifications
6. Home State
7. Hobbies and co-curricular activities
8. Cadre Preference
9. Service Allocation

After filling all the sections of the DAF-II, the candidates have to submit it online and take a printout of the same. You have to carry the printout of the DAF-II along with the required annexures, such as OBC Annexure, EWS Annexure, etc., to the interview venue and submit the DAF-II and the annexures to the UPSC officials before the interview.

Tips and Tricks to Fill the DAF-II

The DAF-II is not just a form, but a reflection of your personality, achievements, and aspirations. The form should reflect not only your materialistic achievements but also your interpersonal skills like honesty, integrity, public service, leadership, intent to serve the society , career opportunities etc. .Therefore, you should fill the DAF-II with utmost care and attention, keeping in mind the following tips and tricks: 

• Read the instructions and guidelines provided by UPSC for filling the DAF-II before starting the process. Before filling the final version, it is advisable to take a print out of the form, fill it, cross check it multiple times, get it checked by a mentor and then finally fill and submit the final version. Your DAF Form should not have any spelling and grammatical errors. Please avoid acting overconfident while filling your DAF-II, as the form is going to be the most important document in framing your personality in front of the Interview Board. 
• Be honest and consistent while filling the DAF-II. Your answers should have a consistent tone to them and not be in conflict with one another. Do not provide any false or misleading information in the form, as it may lead to disqualification or legal action. 

Column on Education Qualification 

The column of education qualification for DAF-II is where you have to provide the details of your academic achievements, such as degrees, diplomas, certificates, and marks obtained. Here are some tips on how to fill this column:

• If you have any professional qualification, such as CA, CS, ICWA, etc., mention it after your academic degrees. Provide the name of the institute, the year of passing, and the rank or score obtained.
• If you have any additional qualification, such as a foreign language course, a computer course, a certificate course, etc., mention it at the end of the column.
• Ensure that the details you provide match your supporting documents, such as mark sheets, certificates, etc. Do not lie or exaggerate your educational qualifications, as it may lead to disqualification or legal action.

Column on Home State 

Your Home State plays a very important role in your Personality Test. Based on your answer in this column, questions can be asked with regard to the Historical, Political, Social and Economic issues, themes and Government schemes of the mentioned State. 

For Example, your Home State is Delhi.

Here are a number of questions that can be asked with respect to Delhi- 

1. Do you know about Khandwa Prasta and Indraprastha?
2. Chronologically enlist the dynasties that ruled over Delhi.
3. Why is Chandni Chowk famous? Any particular art and craft?
4. What is the reason behind constant conflict between the Governor and the Chief Minister of Delhi?
5. Do you think Delhi should be granted full statehood? What is the status of Delhi at present?
6. When did Delhi become a UT?
7. We witness stark contrast between developed areas and slums in the same districts of Delhi. Why?
8. Explain the concept of Mohalla clinic and school development in the AAP era?
9. Delhi has one of the highest population density. Is it demographic dividend or Burden?
10. Was Odd –Even policy of Delhi govt a success or failure?

Column on Hobbies and Activities 

The column of hobbies and activities for DAF-II Form is where you will have to mention your interests, passions, and leisure pursuits that you engage in regularly. This column can help you showcase your personality, skills, and values to the interview board. Here are some tips on how to fill this column:

• Be honest and authentic. Don’t mention hobbies that you don’t actually do or enjoy, just to impress the board. They can easily catch you if you lie or exaggerate. Mention only those hobbies that you can confidently talk about and demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm.
• Be specific and relevant. Don’t write vague or generic hobbies like reading, music, or sports. Instead, mention the genres, artists, or teams that you follow, or the books, songs, or games that you like. 
• Be prepared and updated. Be ready to answer any questions related to your hobbies and activities, such as why you chose them, how you pursue them, what you learned from them, or how they benefit you or others. Also, keep yourself updated with the latest news, trends, or developments in your areas of interest.

Column On Cadre Preference 

Cadre preference is important because it determines your place of work, language, culture, and career prospects for the next few decades of your life. If you want to work for the government, you need to be ready to serve in any part of the country. 

• You should research the different cadres available and align them with your career aspirations, strengths, and interests. You can consider factors such as development, governance, security, diversity, climate, and personal/family reasons while choosing your cadres.
• You should also be realistic and flexible about your cadre preference, as there is no guarantee that you will get your first choice. The allocation of cadres depends on your rank, category, availability of vacancies, and the preference of other candidates.
• Do not leave any blank spaces or repeat any cadres in your list.
• Fill your cadre preference carefully and confidently, as you cannot change it once you submit your DAF-II Form. Also be prepared to justify your choices in the interview, if asked by the board.

Column on Service Allocation 

Filling the column of service allocation is a very important decision, as it will affect your career and posting in the future. While the choice of service preference is absolutely personal, it is advisable not to be over-confident about it.

• Do some research on the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of each service and cadre. You can refer to the official websites of the respective services, or read the experiences of previous candidates and officers. You can also use the web search results from my tool to get some information.
• Rank the services and cadres according to your interest, aptitude, and suitability. Consider your personality, strengths, weaknesses, goals, and values. Don’t be influenced by peer pressure, family expectations, or stereotypes. Be honest with yourself and choose what you really want to do.
• Be flexible and realistic. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Have some backup options in case you don’t get your first choice. Remember that there is no perfect service or cadre, and every option has its pros and cons. You can always make the best of any situation with your attitude and performance.
• Fill the column carefully and accurately. Follow the instructions given by UPSC and avoid any mistakes or omissions. Double-check your entries before submitting the form. Once you submit the form, you cannot change your preferences, so make sure you are satisfied with your choices.

The DAF-II is a vital document that can make or break your chances of clearing the Personality Test and securing your dream service and cadre. Therefore, fill the DAF-II with utmost care and attention, following the instructions and guidelines provided by UPSC. Fill the form with honesty and consistency, specificity and relevance, and preparation and confidence.Focus on the quality of the content rather than the quantity. If you require any additional assistance, you can register for our Free Interview Guidance Programme to join us for a guided DAF-II filling session. Best Wishes!