UPSC-CSE

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination

• Nationality:
  • Must be a citizen of India, or
  • Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
  • Tibetan refugee who came before 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or
  • Persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries intending to settle permanently in India.
• Educational Qualification:
  • Graduation degree from a recognized university or equivalent qualification.
• Age Limit:
  • General Category: 21 to 32 years
  • Relaxations in upper age limit exist for SC/ST, OBC, and other reserved categories as per government norms.

Exam Pattern for UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination

• Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper Based Test)
• Number of Papers: 2 Papers (General Studies Paper-I & CSAT Paper-II)
• Duration: 2 hours for each paper
• Total Marks:
  • Paper-I: 200 marks (General Studies)
  • Paper-II: 200 marks (CSAT - qualifying nature)
• Number of Questions:
  • Paper-I: 100 questions (Multiple Choice Questions)
  • Paper-II: 80 questions (Multiple Choice Questions)
• Marking Scheme: Each question carries 2 marks; negative marking of one-third for wrong answers applies.
• Subjects Covered:
  • Paper-I (General Studies): Current events, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, and Technology.
  • Paper-II (CSAT): Comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, decision making, basic numeracy.
• Exam Schedule:
  • Notification Release: Usually in February
  • Exam Date: Generally held in June

Syllabus of UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination

• General Studies Paper-I
  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and Indian National Movement: Ancient, Medieval and Modern history, Freedom struggle.
  • Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World.
  • Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues.
  • Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives.
  • Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change: General issues and policies.
  • General Science: Basic Science fundamentals relevant to everyday life and contemporary knowledge.
• CSAT Paper-II (Qualifying)
  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal Skills including communication skills
  • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
  • Decision-making and Problem Solving
  • General Mental Ability
  • Basic Numeracy (upto Class X level)
  • Data Interpretation

Other Important Information About UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination

Application Process

1. Visit the official UPSC website https://www.upsc.gov.in/.
2. Navigate to 'Examinations' > 'Active Examinations' > 'Civil Services Examination'.
3. Read the detailed notification and instructions carefully.
4. Register on the online portal via the 'Online Application for Various Examinations (CS Online Form)'.
5. Fill in personal, educational, and other details as required.
6. Upload scanned copies of photograph and signature as per specifications.
7. Pay the application fee online using net banking, credit/debit cards or UPI; offline payment is not available.
8. Submit the application and take printout of confirmation page for future reference.

Courses Offered

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a gateway to various All India Services and Central Services such as:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
• Other Central Services like Indian Railway Traffic Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service, etc.

Facts about the Exam

• One of the toughest and most prestigious exams in India.
• Requires a strong conceptual understanding and diverse knowledge base.
• Only candidates who clear the Preliminary exam are eligible to sit for the Mains exam.
• Prelims act as a screening test; marks are not counted for final merit.

Admit Card

• The admit card is released on the UPSC official website about 3 weeks before the exam.
• Download by entering registration ID/roll number and date of birth.
• Important to carry admit card along with a valid photo ID on exam day.
• Read instructions on admit card carefully to avoid disqualification.

Results & Cut-Offs

• Results declared on the UPSC official website usually within 1-2 months after the exam.
• Cut-off marks vary yearly based on exam difficulty and number of vacancies.
• Only candidates meeting the cut-off of Paper-I qualify for Mains; Paper-II is qualifying with minimum 33% marks.

Preparation Tips

• Start early to cover the vast syllabus thoroughly.
• Focus on NCERT books for foundational subjects.
• Regularly read newspapers and current affairs magazines.
• Practice previous years question papers and mock tests.
• Maintain notes and revise consistently.
• Utilize online resources like official UPSC website, government portals, and reputed coaching platforms.

FAQs

• Q: Can I apply for the exam offline?
  A: No, the application process is fully online.
• Q: Is the CSAT exam qualifying in nature?
  A: Yes, candidates must score at least 33% to qualify the CSAT paper.
• Q: How many attempts are allowed?
  A: For General category, up to 6 attempts; more for reserved categories as per norms.
• Q: Can final year graduates apply?
  A: Yes, but they must prove graduation before the main exam.
• Q: Are coaching classes necessary?
  A: Not mandatory but helpful for structured preparation.