About UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruiting agency responsible for conducting various examinations to recruit personnel for various civil services and posts under the Government of India. The most prominent exam conducted by UPSC is the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which recruits candidates for prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and others. Here’s a detailed overview of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), including criteria, age, eligibility, reservations, paper types, and other details:
Exam Stages
The UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – Objective type (Qualifying in nature)
- Main Examination (Mains) – Descriptive type
- Personality Test (Interview)
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- For IAS and IPS: Candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services: Candidate can be a citizen of India, Nepal, Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, or a person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or Vietnam.
Educational Qualification
- A candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Candidates in their final year or awaiting results are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years (as of August 1 of the exam year).
- Maximum Age: 32 years (as of August 1 of the exam year).
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- Defense Services Personnel: 5 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 10 years
Number of Attempts
- General Category: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (until age limit)
- PwBD (General/OBC): 9 attempts
Reservation Policy
The UPSC follows the Government of India’s reservation policy:
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 27%
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10%
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 4% (horizontal reservation)
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Type: Objective (MCQs)
- Papers:
- General Studies Paper-I: Covers current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and general science (200 marks).
- General Studies Paper-II (CSAT): Tests comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and decision-making (200 marks) (Qualifying in nature – 33% marks required).
- Duration: 2 hours each.
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question.
Main Examination (Mains)
- Type: Descriptive
- Papers:
- Paper-A: Indian Language (Qualifying, 300 marks).
- Paper-B: English (Qualifying, 300 marks).
- Essay: 250 marks.
- General Studies I to IV: 250 marks each (total 1000 marks).
- Optional Subject Paper I & II: 250 marks each (total 500 marks).
- Total Marks: 1750 (excluding qualifying papers).
Personality Test (Interview)
- Marks: 275
- Total Marks (Mains + Interview): 2025
Optional Subjects
Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects, including:
- Literature (e.g., Hindi, English, Tamil, etc.)
- Humanities (e.g., History, Geography, Political Science, etc.)
- Science (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, etc.)
- Others (e.g., Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, etc.)
Syllabus
Prelims Syllabus
- General Studies Paper-I: Current events, Indian history, Indian and world geography, Indian polity, economic and social development, environmental ecology, and general science.
- General Studies Paper-II (CSAT): Comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, and basic numeracy.
Mains Syllabus
- Essay: Topics of national and international importance.
- General Studies:
- Paper-I: Indian heritage, culture, history, and geography.
- Paper-II: Governance, constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations.
- Paper-III: Technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, and disaster management.
- Paper-IV: Ethics, integrity, and aptitude.
- Optional Subject: Two papers on the chosen subject.
Final Merit List
- The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains Examination (1750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks).
- Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit list.
Services Offered
Based on rank and preference, candidates are allocated to various services, including:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Defense Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Others
Application Process
- Mode: Online through the UPSC website (https://upsc.gov.in).
- Fee: ₹100 (General/OBC), No fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates.
- Frequency: Once a year (notification usually released in February).
Preparation Tips
- Focus on NCERT books for basics.
- Read newspapers like The Hinduor Indian Express for current affairs.
- Practice previous years’ question papers.
- Join a test series for Prelims and Mains.
- Develop answer-writing skills for Mains.
Important Points
- The exam is highly competitive, with a success rate of less than 1%.
- Consistency, hard work, and a well-planned strategy are key to cracking the exam.
- Candidates should stay updated with current affairs and government policies.
Why Join Dnyanjyoti Education for UPSC :
Dnyanjyoti Education, established in 2012, is a trusted name for UPSC preparation, known for delivering exceptional results with numerous successful candidates in IAS, IPS, and other services. With experienced faculty, personalized guidance, and comprehensive coverage of the UPSC syllabus including Prelims, Mains, and Interview preparation, it ensures a structured and result-oriented approach. The institute provides high-quality study materials, regular mock tests, and answer-writing practice to build confidence and improve performance. Offering affordable fees and a student-centric environment, Dnyanjyoti Education focuses on individual growth, doubt-solving, and mentorship, making it the ideal choice for aspiring civil servants aiming for success.
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