About Civil Services Examination:
The Indian Civil Service was the elite higher civil service of the British Empire in India between 1858 and 1947. Lord Warren Hastings laid the foundation of civil service and Charles Cornwallis reformed, modernised and rationalised it. Hence, Charles Cornwallis is known as the ‘Father of Civil Service in India’. Its members ruled more than 300 million Indians and were ultimately responsible for overseeing all government activities in the 250 districts that comprised British India. The present modern civil service was formed after the partition of India in 1947. It was Sardar Patel’s vision that the Civil Services should strengthen cohesion and national unity. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. It is conducted in two phases – a preliminary examination consisting of two objective-type papers (general studies and aptitude test), and a main examination consisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type, followed by a personality test (interview). From 2011 onwards, the preliminary examination, now popularly known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) (officially it is still called General Studies Paper-1 and Paper-2), intends to focus on analytical abilities and understanding, rather than the ability to memorize. The new pattern includes two papers of two hours duration and 200 marks each. Both papers have multiple choice objective type questions only. Paper I tests the candidate’s knowledge on current events, history of India and Indian national movement, Indian and world geography, Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, environmental ecology, biodiversity & climate change and general science. Paper II tests the candidate’s proficiency in comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision making and problem solving ability, basic numeracy, data interpretation, and general mental ability. The main examination is a written examination consisting of nine papers, two qualifying and seven for ranking purpose. Candidates who pass the qualifying papers are ranked according to marks obtained in the remaining 7 Papers. A selected number of candidates are called for Interview or a Personality Test at the Commission’s discretion. There are four papers of ‘General Studies’, of 250 marks each, which comprises of Indian heritage, history and culture, Geography of India and the world, Indian Polity, constitution and governance, Social Issues, International relations, Indian economic development, Biodiversity and environment, security and disaster management as well as ethics, integrity and aptitude. There is also a separate essay paper where the candidates are asked to write to large essays from choices of topics given based on General Studies itself. The candidate will have to answer 2 papers of 250 marks each from a subject chosen from a list of Optional Subjects. Two qualifying papers are of Indian Language and English. The overwhelming share of General studies in the total scheme of examination warrants an extensive preparation of these subjects for getting qualified in this examination. Selection of optional subject is also very important, in the overall context.
Introduction
Union Public Service Commission is a body under the Constitution of India, which conducts the exams for the Civil Services. Almost 10 lakh aspirants enroll each year while almost 5 lakh candidates appear for the exam. The Preliminary examination is conducted in May/June while the Main examination is conducted in November/December.
Pattern of the Examination
UPSC Civil Services Examination is divided into two stages: Preliminary Examination & Main Examination
Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination
The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each.
Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and each will be of two hours duration
The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%
The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.
Stage 2 – Main Examination
Main examination is a conventional (Essay Type) exam consisting of 9 papers followed by a Personality Test.
Paper 1 – Essay Paper 4 – GS 3 Paper 7 – Optional Subject Paper 2 – GS I Paper 5 – GS 4 Paper 8 – Compulsory English Paper 3 – GS 2 Paper 6 – Optional Subject Paper 9 – Compulsory Indian Language
Each paper is of 250 marks except Paper 8 & 9 which is of 300 marks each. The marks for Paper 8 & 9 are not counted in the final score.
UPSC has a list of 26 subjects from which the candidates shall choose one. The chosen optional subject is divided into two papers for paper 6 & 7.
Interview/Personality Test (275 Marks)
The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his/her career. He/she will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only his/her intellectual qualities but also social traits and his/her interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own state or country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well educated youth.
Rank List
Rank List is prepared based on the total marks obtained in the Seven Written Papers of Main Examination and the Marks of the Personality Test. (i.e. 1750 Marks from Seven Papers + 275 Marks for Personality Test = 2025 Total Marks)
Eligibility
The educational qualification needed to appear in UPSC Civil Services Examination is Graduation in any subject recognized by UGC.
Age Limit and Attempts
The minimum age to appear for UPSC Civil Services Examination is 21 years and upper age limit and no of attempts for various categories are as follows:
1. General 32 years, 06 Attempts
2. EWS 32 years (No relaxation),06 Attempts (10% reservation)
3. OBCs 35 years (3-years relaxation), 09 Attempts
4. SC/ST 37 years (5-years relaxation), unlimited attempt till the age limit.
Important Dates
1. Notification and Form filling for IAS Prelim Exam – February / March
2. Date of Prelim Exam – May/June
3. Declaration of Main Exam Results – December/January
4. Result of Prelim Exam – August/September Personality Test – February/March
5. Commencement of Main Exam – Sept/October
6. Declaration of Final Merit List – May/June
7. Notification and Form filling for IAS Prelim Exam – February / March
8. Date of Preliminary Examination – May/June Result of Preliminary