The UPSC assesses candidates' general awareness through various methods, including multiple-choice questions, essay-type answers, and interviews. Candidates must stay updated on national and international events, as well as historical, cultural, and economic issues. This awareness is tested in the General Studies and preliminary exams, where understanding of current affairs and general knowledge is essential. The interview further gauges an aspirant's awareness through spontaneous questions that evaluate depth of knowledge, opinions on recent events, and understanding of their implications on governance and development.