About UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts one of India’s most prestigious and competitive examinations for recruitment into top civil and administrative services of the Government of India. Recognized for its rigorous selection process, the UPSC examination offers a gateway to leadership roles that shape national policy and governance.
Every year, UPSC organizes the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which serves as the entry point to elite services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and several other Central Government services. Candidates who qualify through this multi-stage examination process earn the opportunity to serve the nation in key decision-making positions.
The UPSC exam is not just a test of knowledge, but also of integrity, analytical ability, leadership qualities, and commitment to public service.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), candidates must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
Nationality
- A citizen of India, or
- A citizen of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in In.
- A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, or East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Note: For IAS, IPS, and IFS, the candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years
- Age is calculated as of 1st August of the examination year.
Age Relaxation (as per Government norms)
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- Additional relaxations applicable for certain categories as per UPSC rules.
Educational Qualification
- The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- Final-year students can also apply (subject to proof of qualification before Mains).
- Candidates from any academic background (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medical, etc.) are eligible.
Number of Attempts
The maximum number of attempts allowed depends on the candidate’s category:
- General Category: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (up to age limit)
- PwBD: As per category rules
An attempt is counted if a candidate appears in the Preliminary Examination.
UPSC Civil Services Examination – Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted in three successive stages to select candidates for prestigious civil services in India. Each stage tests different aspects of a candidate’s knowledge, analytical ability, and personality.
Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Exam is the first stage and serves as a screening test.
- Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Two papers:
* Paper I – General Studies (200Marks)Paper
* II – CSAT (200 Marks) (Qualifying – minimum 33%) - Negative marking applicable
- Marks of Prelims are not counted for final ranking
✔ Candidates who qualify Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains Examination.
The Main Examination is a descriptive (written) examination consisting of nine papers:
Two Qualifying Papers
1.Indian Language
2.English
Seven Papers counted for Merit Ranking
• Essay
• General Studies I
• General Studies II
• General Studies III
• General Studies IV
• Optional Subject Paper I
• Optional Subject Paper II
Candidates who qualify the Mains Examination are called for the Personality Test.
- Conducted by a UPSC board panel
- Assesses:
* Personality traits
* Leadership qualities
* Communication skills
* Decision-making ability
* Suitability for civil services - Total Marks: 275
Final selection is based on:
Marks obtained in Mains Examination
Marks obtained in Interview
👉 The combined score determines:
- Final Rank
- Service Allocation (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.)
- Cadre Allocation
UPSC Civil Services Examination
Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted annually to recruit candidates for IAS, IPS, IFS and other prestigious Central Government services.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
- Objective Type (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 400
- 2 Papers (2 Hours each)
- Screening Test (Marks not counted for final merit)
Paper I – General Studies (200 Marks)
- 100 Questions
- Current Affairs
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economy
- Environment
- Science
Paper II – CSAT (200 Marks)
- 80 Questions
- Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Numeracy
- Data Interpretation
- Qualifying – Minimum 33%
Stage 2: Main Examination
- Written Examination + Interview
- Descriptive Papers
- Final Ranking Based on Mains + Interview
UPSC Mains Examination Structure
Qualifying Papers
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Eighth Schedule) | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
Papers Counted for Merit
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I (Heritage, History, Geography, Society) | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations) | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III (Technology, Economy, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 |
Marks Summary
- Written Examination: 1750 Marks
- Personality Test (Interview): 275 Marks
- Grand Total: 2025 Marks