UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission
Everything You Need To Know About UPSC Preparation
About UPSC Examination:-
Complete details regarding the exam, are following:
UPSC CSE Pattern/ Plan:
The Civil Services Examination comprises three successive stages:
- Civil Services Preliminary Examination-Objective Type, for the selection of candidates for Main Examination.
- Civil Services Main Examination-Written, for the selection of candidates for Interview.
- Interview or Personality Test for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.
Overview of IAS Exam Pattern :
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Details
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Name Of Exam
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Civil Services Exam- IAS
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Conducting authority
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Union Public Service Commission
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Mode of exam
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Offline
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Number of Stages
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Prelims
Mains Exam Interview |
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Number of papers
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Prelims: 2
Mains :9 Exam Interview |
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Prelims marking scheme
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Paper 1: +2 marks per question
Paper 2: +2.5 marks per question Negative marking: One-third of marks allotted to each question |
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Duration
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Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper)
Mains: 3hours (Each paper) |
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Type of Questions
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Prelims: Objective type
Mains: Subjective type |
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Posts
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800 approximate (Tentative)
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IAS Exam pattern of Prelims
- Prelims examination consists of 2 compulsory papers – General Studies paper and (CSAT) Civil service aptitude test to test the analytical skills of the candidate.
- All the questions in the prelims exam are objective in nature. So, the candidate has to choose any one option out of 4 answers given for each question.
- Questions are in both Hindi and English language. However, comprehension questions in the English language in the CSAT paper are without Hindi translations.
- Questions are in both Hindi and English language. Also, the prelims exam is qualifying only. The cut-off of paper ‘I’ is decided by UPSC every year. The CSAT paper requires the candidates to score at least 33% i.e. 66 marks to qualify and to be able to sit for the Mains e
IAS Prelims Exam Pattern
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Exam Mode
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Offline
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Number of Papers
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2- General Studies and Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT)
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Number of Questions
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Paper 1- 100; Paper 2- 80
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Question Paper Type
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Multiple Choice Questions
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IAS Prelims Total Marks
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400
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Nature of Exam
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Qualifying
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Exam Duration
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2 hours each, +20 minutes for blind students
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Exam Language
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English and Hindi
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Marking Scheme of Prelims
The IAS Exam pattern is very important to understand to pass the prelims exam. Here is the marking scheme of prelims:
- Every question in paper I is of 2 marks. So, the question paper is a total of 200 marks.
- Every question in the Civil Service Aptitude Test carries 2.5 marks. So, the question paper is a total of 200 marks.
- Also, for every wrong answer by the student, 0.33 marks will be deducted i.E. 0.66 will be deducted from paper I and 0.83 marks will be deducted from paper II.
- If the candidate gives more than 1 answer, then it will be considered as wrong even if one of them is right.
- Candidates must cross the cut-off marks in Paper I and a minimum of 33% score in Paper II to sit for the main exam.
Negative Marking
The Civil Services Exam (CSE) pattern is very different from other exams. Also, the candidates can easily get negative marking in the UPSC Exam. In other words, 3 incorrect answers will lead to around 2 marks deduction. In short, the candidate will get a 1/3rd mark deducted for incorrect answers. There is no negative marking for blank answers. Read everything about UPSC on its official website.
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Paper
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Type
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No. of Questions
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Marks
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Duration
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Negative Marks
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General Studies - I
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Objective
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100
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2*100 = 200
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2 Hours
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Yes, 0.66
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General Studies - II(CSAT)
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Objective
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80
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2.5*80=200
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2 Hours
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Yes, 0.83
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IAS Exam Pattern for Mains
- UPSC CSE mains is an offline exam. There are a total of 9 papers in the Mains exam.
- Every paper is of 3 hours and extra 30 minutes extra is given to blind students.
- Paper ‘A’ and Paper ‘B’ are of 300 marks each and the remaining papers are of 250 marks each.
- The mains exam is divided into 2 parts qualifying and being considered for merit. And it is compulsory to sit in for all the exams to go into the interview stage. Here, questions are subjective. And you can write in either Hindi or English language So, the candidate is get tested based on knowledge and understanding of the subject. You have to answer touching the basic and relevant aspects. You will also be marked upon whether you can provide valuable and constructive way forwards
Qualifying Paper
- Paper A – Either of the Indian languages can be selected from the 8th schedule of the constitution. It carries 300 marks.
- Paper B – This paper tests your knowledge of basic English paper. And it also carries 300 marks.
General Studies – The students have to score minimum marks in the general studies paper to crack the exam. Moreover, the question paper is set to test the student’s ability to analyze. In other words, the questions test the student’s understanding of the concept and subject. However, there would be 2 optional exams that the student will have to choose from. The list of GS and Optional papers and marks is given below for more information:
Mains Examination
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Paper
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Title of Paper
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Total Marks
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Paper - 1
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Essay writing
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250 Marks
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Paper - 2
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General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)
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250 marks
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Paper - 3
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General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
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250 Marks
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Paper - 4
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General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
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250 Marks
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Paper - 5
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General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
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250 Marks
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Paper - 6
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Optional Subject – Paper 1
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250 Marks
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Paper - 7
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Optional Subject – Paper 2
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250 Marks
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Sub Total in the written Test
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1750 Marks
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Personal Interview
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275 Marks
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-
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Grand Total ( for merit calculation)
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2025 Marks
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Prelims Syllabus
Paper 1(General Studies) – This will test the student’s knowledge and passion for learning about the country. Also, the questions are from various aspects like history, geography, economy and much more.
- Events of National and International Importance
- Geography impact in the country
- Constitutional and governance structure
- Issues faced by the country currently
- Social and Economic Development
- Research and development
- Scientific development
Paper 2 (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – In the CSAT paper, students have to score at least 33% to crack the exam. So, candidates have to practice mock tests to be able to score the minimum marks. However, the aptitude of the student determines the ability to solve complex problems, time management, and much more. Also, the important fields to practice for the Civil Services Exam (CSE) are as follows:
- Logical Reasoning
- The capacity of problem-solving
- Interpersonal Skills
- Numerical Ability
- Analytical Skills
- Comprehension
- Synonyms/antonyms
Mains Syllabus
Paper A(Any Indian Language) – This paper is to test the candidate’s knowledge of the language.
Paper B (English) – This paper tests your ability to understand the English language.
Paper 3(Essay Writing) – Students write essays on the topic of their choice.
Paper 4(General Studies 1) – It will have questions related to ancient India like history, geography, heritage and much more.
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern – History of India.
- Significant changes in Architecture, Literature, etc.
- Significance of Geography.
- Diversity, Indian Society.
- Globalization
Paper 5(General Studies 2) – This part will have questions regarding the reform in Indian governance after Independence. Further, the topics are:
- India’s Constitution
- Analysis of the world’s constitution
- Legislature and Parliament
- Main issues faced by the nation and solutions
- Welfare schemes by the government
- Structures and departments in government.
- International Relations.
Paper 6(General Studies 3) – This paper has questions regarding the Modern Indian Economy and key developments. Topics included are:
- Indian Economy
- Farming
- Science
- Research and Development
- IT
- Environmental Studies
- Achievement in different fields
- Security challenges
- Industrial growth
- Infrastructure Development
Paper 7(General Studies 4) – This will have questions about Integrity, Ethics, and aptitude. Moreover, the included topics are:
- Public Administration ethics
- Emotional Intelligence
- Behavior Analysis
- Functional Values and case studies based on given topics.
- Moral thinkers.
Paper 8 and 9 – This will cover the optional subjects chosen by the candidates. Students can choose any subject from the following:
- Agriculture
- Animal husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineer
- Geography
- Geology
- History of India
- Law
- Management
- Maths
- Mechanical Engineer
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political science and International relations
- Psychology
- Public administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of any available 23 subjects
IAS, IPS Exam Eligibility | Eligibility criteria for UPSC Civil Services
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Category
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Maximum Age
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No. of Attempts
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General
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32
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06
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OBC
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35
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09
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PWD
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42
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Till Age limit
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ST/SC
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37
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Till Age Limit
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NATIONALITY
For Indian administrative service, Indian Foreign Service, & Indian Police Service
- A candidate must be a citizen of India.
For other services
- A candidate must be a citizen of India/ Nepal/Bhutan.
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India. or
- If you are from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, or other above-mentioned countries (having the intention of permanently settling in India), knowing only the fact that you are eligible for such coveted posts will boost your confidence, and surely, you would not want to miss this chance.
Many youngsters from such countries live in India yet are unaware of this golden opportunity in their way.
By studying the job profiles, you are eligible for, you can choose one dream job that you’re passionate about and it will motivate you in your hard times throughout the UPSC journey.
A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary, may be admitted to the examination but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India.
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