UPSC Exam Pattern

The Civil Services Examination comprises two successive stages

  1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for Civil Services (Main) Examination; and
  2. Civil Services (Main) Examination.

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

  • The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers (General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper II or CSAT) of 200 marks each.
  • Note :
    • 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%.
    • Total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services Preliminary Examination as may be determined by the Commission.
    • The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.

MAIN EXAMINATION

  1. Written Examination
    • The written examination will consist of the following papers :—
      • Qualifying Papers :
  2. Paper-A (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). 300 Marks
  3. Paper-B English 300 Marks
  4. Papers to be counted for merit
  5. Paper-I Essay 250 Marks
  6.  Paper-II General Studies-I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
  7. Paper-III General Studies -II 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
  8. Paper-IV General Studies -III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
  9. Paper-V General Studies -IV 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
  10. Paper-VI Optional Subject – Paper 1 250 Marks
  11. Paper-VII Optional Subject – Paper 2 250 Marks
  12. Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks

PERSONALITY TEST OR INTERVIEW

  • The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object 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
  • Personality Test 275 Marks Grand Total of Mains Exam is 2025 Marks