Interview / Personality Test Marks — Meaning, Definition & Examples (Sarkari Exam 2026)
Category: Selection
Short definition: The marks awarded to a candidate during the Interview/Personality Test stage of a Sarkari exam, contributing to the final composite merit score along with written exam marks.
What is Interview / Personality Test Marks? (Detailed Explanation)
Interview is the final selection stage in many Sarkari exams — UPSC CSE, IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B, State PSC officer-level posts, and recruitment to Group A/B Gazetted services. SSC exams (CGL, CHSL, etc.) DO NOT have an interview since 2016 — recruitment is purely on written marks plus skill test. Bank Probationary Officer interviews carry 100 marks; UPSC CSE interview carries 275 marks; RBI Grade B interview carries 75 marks.
Qualifying minimum in interview is generally 30%–50% (varies by board). Below this, the candidate is automatically disqualified regardless of written marks. The interview board typically has 4–7 members from diverse backgrounds (academics, civil services, defence, public sector). Each member rates the candidate independently; the average becomes the interview score.
Interview marks are added to written marks (after normalisation if applicable) to produce the final merit score. For banking exams, the weightage is typically 80:20 (written:interview). For UPSC CSE, 1750:275. The interview's actual influence on rank is therefore proportionally significant only in close cases — outside the top 10%, written marks dominate.
Live examples from Sarkari Exam notifications
- UPSC CSE Interview — 275 marks
- IBPS PO Interview — 100 marks (qualifying 40%)
- RBI Grade B Interview — 75 marks
Frequently Asked Questions about Interview / Personality Test Marks
Q1. Are interview marks announced separately?
UPSC: Yes, with the final result. IBPS/SBI: Yes, as part of the result PDF. RBI Grade B: Yes. State PSCs vary — some publish, some don't.
Q2. Is there a dress code for the interview?
Formal attire is expected. Most candidates wear sober colours — black or navy suit/saree for men/women. There is no official dress code, but appearance affects board's first impression.
Q3. Can I appear in interview if I am unwell?
Most boards allow rescheduling to a later available slot on medical grounds (with certificate). UPSC has specific rules; banks usually conduct interviews in waves so rescheduling within the window is possible.
Related Sarkari terms you should know
- Merit List — The final ranked list of candidates published by a recruitment board in descending order of total ma…
Where to learn more
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