The UPSC Detailed Application DAF Form is a comprehensive document filled at different stages of the UPSC journey. Aspirants are supposed to mention personal, educational, and other important details. Both the forms serve as a reflection of an aspirant’s detailed information about their educational qualifications, employment experience, service and cadre choices, and other relevant information. The first form is known as UPSC DAF-l form and is filled out before the UPSC Mains Examination, whereas the next form, known as DAF-ll is filled out before the Personality Test Round. In the UPSC journey, the stages to fill the detailed application form follows a sequence. UPSC Prelims → DAF-I → UPSC Mains → DAF-II → Interview. Therefore, the significance of both the forms are different. The DAF-l includes basic information about the aspirant such as personal, educational, employment and cadre preferences. Whereas, the DAF-ll is more detailed and forms the basis of questions asked in the UPSC interview.
DAF-I form is submitted after clearing the upsc preliminary exam and collects basic personal, educational, and service preferences. DAF-II is submitted after passing the UPSC Mains exam and is deeply explained about your life achievements, hobbies, and socio-economic background, serving as a primary source for the interviews.
The Significance of UPSC DAF 1 Form
The UPSC Detailed Application Form (DAF) is highly significant because it serves as the foundation for the Personality Test, with the interview board using it to generate nearly all questions about a candidate's background, education, and interests. The UPSC daf 1 is filled after clearing the civil services preliminary examination. This is basically filled to state one’s aspiration to appear for the mains exam and the form serves as an official verification of an aspirant’s background and participation in the civil service examinations. This form must be submitted online at the official website of the Union Public Service Commission.
The UPSC DAF 1 form includes essential details such as personal information, educational qualifications, extracurricular activities, employment history (if any), Optional subject and service/cadre preferences. UPSC aspirants are also required to upload documents such as educational and category certificates along with photographs and signature.
The Significance of UPSC DAF 2 form
The UPSC DAF-II form is a crucial document for the UPSC Civil Services Examination Personality Test, as it serves as the basis for the interview questions and helps the board assess a candidate's suitability for civil services. The DAF-ll is filled after the mains examination to appear for the Personality Test also known as Interview Stage. The form serves as the foundation of the UPSC interview as most of the questions asked by the panellists are from the information mentioned in DAF-ll. Unlike the DAF-l, the DAF-ll includes every bit of information about an aspirant’s background and capabilities. This form should also be submitted online at the official website of UPSC.
The UPSC DAF form includes detailed information about professional and academic achievements, work experience(if any), personal information, the specific, sanctioned strength and structure of a service or department within an organization, defining the number, type, and hierarchy of posts, often including their pay scales preferences , hobbies and background. Aspirants also need to upload all relevant documents to support their information legally along with a fee.
The Difference between UPSC DAF-l and DAF-ll Form
UPSC DAF-I and DAF-II are two parts of the UPSC's Detailed Application Form, filled at different stages of the exam cycle. DAF-I is filled after clearing the prelims, focusing on basic personal, educational, and professional details to confirm eligibility for the Mains exam. DAF-II is filled after clearing the Mains exam and focuses on more in-depth information like service/cadre preferences and hobbies, serving as the primary document for the final interview. Since both the forms are filled at different stages in the UPSC journey, the forms hold distinctive value. Each form includes information about an aspirant’s background and provides an official proof of an aspirant’s participation in the civil service examinations. Let’s take a look at the differences between DAF-l and DAF-ll
| Particular |
UPSC DAF-l |
UPSC DAF-ll |
| Stage |
After Prelims and before Mains |
After Mains and before Personality Test(Interview) |
| Purpose |
Confirms candidature for the Mains |
Provides detailed information for the Interview |
| Key Information |
Personal details, Education information, Employment information,, Service Preferences, Language Preferences for the exam |
Personal Details, Contact Information, Educational and Professional Achievements, Hobbies, detailed information about hometown/state and district, information about parents, Cadre preferences, Service allocation |
| Documents |
Educational certificates, provisional certificates, caste or disability certificates(if applicable) |
Educational certificates, certificates of achievements, service certificates,PwBD/disability/caste certificates(if applicable) and Travel allowance reimbursement form(if applicable) |
| Significance |
Crucial for Mains eligibility |
Crucial for the Interview questions |
| Timeline |
June 2025 |
November 2025 |
Influence of UPSC DAF 2 in the UPSC Interview
The Detailed Application Form (DAF-II) is highly influential in the UPSC interview because it is the primary basis for the interview board's questions, effectively serving as a blueprint for the personality test. The upsc daf 2 plays a vital role in the UPSC interview because it guides the panel in framing tailored questions based on a candidate’s personal details, interests, and experiences. A thoughtfully prepared upsc daf 2 strongly shapes the interview conversation, enabling the board to evaluate the candidate’s personality, coherence, and overall fitness for the civil services. Therefore, it is essential to complete the form with precision and honesty, as it can significantly influence the final ranking and overall outcome. Let’s understand the influence of DAF-ll in the UPSC Interview:
Source of Questions
The UPSC daf 2 lets panellists ask questions tailored to an upsc aspirant's background, such as their achievements, qualifications, optional subjects, hobbies and professional experience.
Evaluation Of Personality
The panellists get to understand the personality of an aspirant through the information mentioned in the DAF-ll. This understanding helps them assess the suitability of an aspirant for civil services.
Demonstration of Strengths
The UPSC DAF 2 form provides a chance to aspirants to showcase their strengths and achievements to enhance their chances of success in the UPSC interview.
Conclusion
For aspirants looking forward to making a career in civil services, it is important to gain clarity on the detailed application form and its significance. There are mainly two detailed application forms, which need to be submitted after prelims and main respectively. The DAF-I includes basic information about the aspirant along with providing an official verification of their participation whereas, the DAF-ll provides in depth information about an aspirant’s background and personality which is important for the interview. The DAF-ll provides aspirants a chance to showcase their achievements to the panellists which enhances their chance of UPSC success.