The room is silent. A candidate walks in, palms sweaty, heart racing, files clutched tightly. Across the table sit five strangers calm, unreadable, and armed with nothing more than a few sheets of paper. Within the next 30 minutes, these strangers will decide the fate that years of preparation have led up to.

But have you ever wondered who these people are? Are they retired bureaucrats with decades of experience? Professors with a sharp eye for detail? Diplomats who have represented India on the global stage? And more importantly, how are they chosen to judge the country’s future civil servants?

THE CHAIR THAT MATTERS

At the head of every board sits a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). These are not just seasoned bureaucrats; they’re handpicked by none other than the President of India, under Article 316 of the Constitution.

Think of them as the guardians of meritocracy. Former IAS, IPS, IFS officers, judges, scientists, and academics, you’ll find a variety of careers represented amongst UPSC members. Once they join the Commission, they also chair interview boards.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

Now, a UPSC Member doesn’t grill you alone. Each board usually has four other panelists, carefully chosen experts from across the country.

• Retired civil servants bring in the “been there, done that” perspective.
• Academicians and subject experts test whether you really understand that optional subject you swore was your passion.
• Defense personnel, diplomats, or professionals ensure you can handle cross-disciplinary questions.

These experts are not permanent staff. UPSC empanels them after a vetting process that checks their professional track record, integrity, and ability to evaluate without bias.

THE MYSTERY ELEMENT

Here’s what makes it interesting: the composition of the board is never disclosed beforehand. Even seasoned aspirants walking into their second or third attempt never know which panel they’ll face. This secrecy serves a purpose: no “leaking questions,” no chance of favouritism, and no shortcuts. Every candidate is judged fresh, on that day, in that room.

WHY SO MANY FACES?

Civil services demand a mix of qualities administrative judgment, moral courage, intellectual curiosity, empathy. No single person can measure all of that.

That’s why a board is deliberately diverse. A retired ambassador may test your global outlook, while an academic might probe the theoretical clarity of your answers. Add to that the chairperson’s keen eye on your temperament and suddenly the 30-minute conversation feels like a personality X-ray.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Panellists aren’t just checking what you know. They’re assessing who you are when stripped of rehearsed answers. Do you lose your cool when pressed? Do you think on your feet? Do you carry the humility to learn?

In a way, the selection of panellists itself reflects the very ethos of UPSC fairness, balance, and a wide lens on talent.

So the next time you imagine yourself walking into Dholpur House, remember: the people across the table aren’t just random faces. They are handpicked evaluators, drawn from the best of India’s public life, tasked with spotting the leaders who will carry the nation forward.

And if they look intimidating, that’s by design. After all, if you can hold your ground before them, you can probably handle just about anything India throws at you.

– Ends