UPSC Civil Services Examination
The Indian Civil Services, which include premier services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), represent a dream career for millions of aspirants across the country.
Civil Services as a Preferred Career Path
Civil Services constitute the backbone of the country’s administrative machinery. Among the services offered through this system, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) are among the most preferred.
The IAS is particularly sought after because its officers get opportunities to occupy senior strategic positions in both the Union Government and State Governments.
Understanding the Selection Journey
To enter these coveted services, candidates must appear for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The selection process has three phases:
- Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Civil Services (Main) Examination (Mains)
- Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates must successfully clear the required stages of this selection process to secure entry into the services.
Online Application and Registration Requirements
Candidates are required to apply online through the official UPSC website: www.upsconline.nic.in.
The Online Application Form has two parts, namely Part-I and Part-II, which candidates must complete according to the instructions provided on the website.
An application fee of Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred only) is payable by candidates. However, SC/ST, Female and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
The fee can be paid through any of the following methods:
- Depositing the amount in cash at any branch of the State Bank of India.
- Using the State Bank of India net banking facility.
- Paying through a Visa, Master or RuPay Credit/Debit Card.
Before beginning the online application, candidates must have their photograph and signature scanned in JPG format. The photograph file must be at least 3 KB but not more than 40 KB, while the signature file must be at least 1 KB in size.
Applicants should avoid submitting more than one application. If multiple applications are submitted, the Commission will consider the application having the higher Registration ID.
While completing the application form, candidates must provide a valid and active E-Mail ID. The Commission may use electronic communication to contact candidates at different stages of the examination process.
Structure of the Civil Services Examination
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in two successive stages:
- Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: An objective-type examination used to select candidates for the Main Examination.
- Civil Services (Main) Examination: Comprising the Written Examination and Interview, it is conducted to select candidates for the various Services and posts.
Candidates who are declared qualified for the Civil Services (Main) Examination are required to submit the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
Stage I: Preliminary Examination Framework
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination contains two papers, each carrying 200 marks:
- General Studies Paper I
- General Studies Paper II
General Studies Paper II, also known as the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT), is qualifying in nature. Candidates are required to secure 33% marks in this paper.
The Prelims consists of objective-type questions (Multiple Choice Questions).
Marks secured at this stage are considered only for determining merit in the Preliminary Examination and are not counted towards final selection. A candidate who clears the Prelims becomes eligible to proceed to the next stage of the examination.
Stage II: Main Examination and Personality Assessment
The Civil Services (Main) Examination constitutes the written stage of the examination.
It comprises nine papers, of which marks obtained in seven papers are taken into account while determining the final merit list. For the other two papers, candidates must obtain the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by UPSC each year.
The Mains question papers are of the conventional (essay) type.
| Table shows the Marks distribution counted for final merit | ||
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper-1 | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-2 | General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
| Paper-3 | General Studies–II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) | 250 |
| Paper-4 | General Studies–III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Paper-5 | General Studies–IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper-6 | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
|
Optional Subject – Paper 2 |
250 |
|
| Paper-7 |
Sub Total (Written test) |
1750 |
The Civil Services Personality Test is conducted by a board of members tasked with assessing the candidate’s personality. During the interview, candidates are questioned on matters of general interest.
The interview aims to evaluate a candidate’s personal suitability for a career in public service. This assessment is conducted by a board comprising competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to assess the mental calibre of the candidate.
Basis of the Final Merit Ranking
The final rank of a candidate in the merit list is determined by the marks obtained in the second stage only, i.e. the Written Examination and Interview.
Papers with Qualifying Status
The two papers that are qualifying in nature are:
- Paper-A: One Indian Language chosen by the candidate from the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution — 300 Marks
- Paper-B: English — 300 Marks
Who Can Appear for the Examination?
Citizenship Requirements
- For the IAS and IPS, the candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services, the candidate may be either an Indian citizen or a citizen of another country, subject to fulfilment of certain special conditions.
Age Requirements
- The candidate must be at least 21 years old and must not have attained 32 years of age as on 1 August of the examination year.
- The upper age limit is relaxable by a maximum of 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates.
- Ex-Defence personnel and candidates with certain disabilities are also eligible for age relaxation.
Educational Qualification
- A candidate must possess a university degree or an equivalent qualification to appear for the Civil Services Examination.
- Candidates who have appeared in the final year of their degree examination, as well as those intending to appear in the qualifying examination, can also seek admission to the Preliminary Examination.
- However, such candidates must submit proof of having passed the requisite examination before appearing in the Civil Services (Main) Examination.
Important: A candidate who was appointed as an IAS or IFS officer through an earlier examination and continues to remain a member of that service cannot compete in this examination. Similarly, a candidate appointed to the Indian Police Service cannot opt for the Indian Police Service in the next examination.
Other Services under Group A
The other Group A Services include:
- Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Service
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service
- Indian Revenue Service (I.T.)
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Assistant Works Manager, Administration)
- Indian Postal Service
- Indian Civil Accounts Service
- Indian Railway Traffic Service
- Indian Railway Accounts Service
- Indian Railway Personnel Service
- Indian Railway Protection Force (Assistant Security Commissioner)
- Indian Defence Estates Service
- Indian Information Service (Junior Grade)
- Indian Trade Service, Group 'A' (Gr. III)
- Indian Corporate Law Service
Services Classified under Group B
The Group B Services comprise:
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (Section Officer's Grade)
- ADelhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS)
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS)
- Pondicherry Civil Service
- Pondicherry Police Service
