UPSC Exam Details and Paper Pattern
UPSC Exam Details and Paper Pattern
Overview of UPSC Exam
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually for recruiting candidates into various civil services in the Government of India. This includes roles like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other prestigious positions. The examination is highly competitive and consists of three main stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview (Personality Test).
Eligibility Criteria
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age. Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories.
- Educational Qualification: A candidate must have a degree from a recognized university.
- Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India. (For some posts, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees may also apply.)
UPSC Exam Paper Pattern
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Paper |
Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
| General Studies Paper I |
Objective (Multiple Choice) |
100 |
200 |
2 hours |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) |
Objective (Multiple Choice) |
80 |
200 |
2 hours |
Note: The marks obtained in Paper II (CSAT) are qualifying in nature. Candidates need to score at least 33% to qualify.
Main Exam Pattern
| Paper |
Type |
Marks |
| Paper A (Indian Language) |
Qualifying (Descriptive) |
300 |
| Paper B (English) |
Qualifying (Descriptive) |
300 |
| Paper I (Essay) |
Descriptive |
250 |
| Paper II (General Studies I) |
Descriptive |
250 |
| Paper III (General Studies II) |
Descriptive |
250 |
| Paper IV (General Studies III) |
Descriptive |
250 |
| Paper V (General Studies IV) |
Descriptive |
250 |
| Paper VI (Optional Subject I) |
Descriptive |
250 |
| Paper VII (Optional Subject II) |
Descriptive |
250 |
Total Marks for Mains Exam: 1750 marks (excluding Paper A & B, which are qualifying).
Interview (Personality Test) Pattern
- The interview carries a maximum of 275 marks.
- The Personality Test is intended to assess the candidate's overall suitability for a career in public services.
Syllabus
Preliminary Exam Syllabus
- General Studies Paper I: Current events, History of India, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, etc.
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Decision making, General mental ability, etc.
Main Exam Syllabus
- Essay Paper: Candidates are required to write an essay on a given topic, testing their ability to think and express themselves in writing.
- General Studies I: Indian Heritage, Culture, History, Geography of the World and Society.
- General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International relations.
- General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-Diversity, Environment, Security, Disaster Management.
- General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Optional Subject Papers (Choose any two from a list of subjects): For example, Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Sociology, etc.
Important Points
- The UPSC Civil Services Exam is highly competitive, with thousands of candidates competing for limited posts.
- Preparation requires extensive reading, writing practice, and consistent effort.
- Negative marking is applicable in the Preliminary exam for wrong answers.
- Be sure to keep updated with official notifications regarding the exam dates and eligibility.
