UPSC Civil Services Examination

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UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a highly competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. The examination is held annually to select candidates for various civil service posts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The Civil Services Examination consists of three stages:

  • The Preliminary examination
  • The Main examination
  • Interview
The Preliminary Examination The Main Examination Interview
The preliminary examination is a multiple-choice test that assesses the candidate's knowledge of current events, Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, and environmental ecology, and biodiversity. The main examination is a written test that is conducted over a period of five days. It consists of nine papers, including essays, general studies, and optional subjects. According to the IAS exam schedule, the UPSC board will interview the candidates to determine whether they are qualified for a career in the civil service and the responsibilities that go along with it. The panel is made up of knowledgeable, objective observers who are familiar with the candidates' professional histories. A few characteristics the selection committee looks for are intellectual and moral integrity, as well as mental alertness, critical capacities of absorption, clear and logical presentation, a balance of judgment, variety, and depth of interest.

The Civil Services Examination is widely considered as one of the most difficult and prestigious examinations in India, with a success rate of less than 0.1%. The examination is open to all Indian citizens who hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. The selection process is highly competitive, with only a small percentage of candidates making it through to the final stages of the examination.

Many of the successful candidates in the CSE go on to hold high-profile positions in the Indian government, including as district magistrates, ambassadors, and senior officials in various government departments. The CSE is also a popular choice among students who are interested in pursuing a career in public service and making a positive impact on the country.

Events Important Dates
UPSC CSE Application Release Date 2024 14/02/2024
Last date to fill out the application 5 March 2024
UPSC Prelims 2024 16 June 2024
UPSC CSE Mains 2024 20 September 2024
Interview Date To be announced
Final Results for UPSC 2024 To be announced

No. of attempts that candidates can attend the IAS Exam:

Category No. of Attempts
General Maximum 6 attempts
OBC Maximum 9 attempts
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) + OBC Maximum 9 attempts
SC/ST/PH Unlimited attempts

UPSC Civil Services Examination Application Form

To apply for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE), you will need to follow these general steps:

  • Step 1 : Visit the UPSC official website https://upsc.gov.in./
  • Step 2: Visit the “What's New section” on the home page.
  • Step 3: The screen will display a new window. The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, the 2024 notification PDF link, and the UPSC IAS application 2024 link will all appear on the screen after clicking the link.
  • Step 4: Click on the link “Get the UPSC notification 2024” under the Documents section to download the UPSC IAS notification 2024. Before filling up the IAS application form 2024, candidates must carefully read the UPSC circular.
  • Step 5: Candidates will be brought to the UPSC Civil Services application 2024 registration page.
  • Step 6: Select the "Part 1 registration" link. - After you click the link for the UPSC IAS 2024 Part 1 Registration, a new window providing instructions on how to complete the online UPSC IAS application form 2024 will open. After carefully reading each instruction, click the "Yes" button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Step 7: Complete the Part 1 Registration Form with the required information. The first part of the UPSC application form will show up on the screen. Candidates must complete the form with all the necessary information. Thereafter, press the "Continue" button.
  • Step 8: A new screen will appear requesting you to request an age relaxation. To claim the UPSC IAS age relaxation, applicants must select "Yes" or "No" in this field before pressing the "Continue" button.
  • Step 9: Complete the UPSC CSE 2024 data and ID card information. Enter the sort of ID card that they want to use for the exam. Along with the optional topics and language preferences, they must also fill up the UPSC IAS 2024 main exam center information. Thereafter, press the "Continue" button.
  • Step 10: Review the information entered in Part 1 of the UPSC IAS 2024 form. A review of the information entered by candidates will be shown. Candidates can double-check their entries to see if they are accurate. then press the Submit button. There will be a registration slip produced. For reference in the future, applicants must download the UPSC IAS 2024 registration slip.
  • Step 11: After you've selected the Part 2 registration link, a new pop-up window will appear. Fill it out with your information (Registration ID, birthdate, and captcha) and hit the Submit button.
  • Step 12: Pay the UPSC IAS application fee 2024 - Candidates can choose their payment methods to suit their needs. Click "Continue" after paying the UPSC IAS application form 2024 fee.
  • Step 13: Upload the necessary files, including your signature and a photo in jpg or jpeg format, as instructed by the UPSC. Get a PDF version of a photo ID card. The documents must be uploaded in the shape and size the Commission has prescribed. After uploading, select "Upload Image" and then click "Continue."
  • Step 14: Decide where to take the UPSC IAS 2024 preliminary test. Choose the city of the preliminary examination from the drop-down box after verifying the photo ID card number provided in Step 9. In order to submit the UPSC IAS application form 2024, read the UPSC CSE 2024 declaration, then press the "I have read the declaration and agree" button.

Application Fee structure

Catagory Application Fees
General 100/-
OBC 0/-
SC/ST/PH 0/-

For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Application.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Syllabus

The UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) syllabus is divided into three parts:

  • The Preliminary Examination
  • The Main Examination
  • The Interview.

For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Syllabus.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Exam Preparation

The UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) provides a separate exam pattern for each stage. The preliminary examination, or first stage, consists of two objective-type papers: the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) and General Studies. Only those who pass the screening test that is the preliminary examination are allowed to move on to the next round. The Main test, which is the second step, consists of nine written examinations on subjects including essay writing, general studies, and optional subjects that the applicants can choose from. The candidate's complete knowledge and critical thinking skills are tested in the main exam. In the Personality Test, also referred to as the interview, candidates are evaluated by a group of professionals.

For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Exam Preparation.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Exam Pattern

The Prelims is the first level of the UPSC CSE and consists of multiple choice questions. It includes two papers:

  • Paper-I: General Studies (GS) - 200 marks
  • Paper-II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) - 200 marks

Both papers are held on the same day and duration of 2 hours each. The GS paper consists of topics including History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, and Current Affairs. The CSAT paper examines the candidate's comprehension, analytical ability, and basic aptitude skills.

For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Exam Pattern.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Exam Preparation

  • Understand the syllabus: Carefully read and understand the syllabus for both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. This will help you focus your studies on the most important topics.
  • Create a study schedule: Make a schedule that includes time for studying, taking mock tests, and revising important topics. Stick to your schedule as much as possible.
  • Read newspapers and magazines: Keep yourself updated with current affairs, as it is an important part of the General Studies papers. The Hindu, Indian Express, and Business Standard are good newspapers to read.
  • Practice writing essays: The essay paper is an important part of the Main Examination. Practice writing essays on various topics to improve your writing skills.
  • For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Exam Preparation.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Ranking

The Civil Services Examination is administered by the Union Public Service Commission each year. The exam is conducted to recruit candidates for different posts including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc. The individuals who clear the civil services exam will be allocated to different civil services posts depending on various factors. However, the candidates will be allotted civil service posts based on their UPSC rank. The rank-wise post is announced by the UPSC once the results for that particular year are declared. The results for the UPSC civil services examination will be declared once the mains and interview rounds are completed.

For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Ranking

UPSC Civil Services Examination Results

The results of the UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) are announced on the official UPSC website. The results of the preliminary examination are announced first, followed by the results of the main examination and the final results. Candidates who qualify for the preliminary examination are eligible to take the main examination which is usually held in October/November. The final round will be the interview round where the candidates have to score good marks to obtain a good rank. The final results, which include the names of candidates who have been selected for various posts, are usually announced in April/May of the following year. The candidates will be given guidance and assistance in choosing their desired services based on their ranks. Then the selected candidates will be allotted cadres depending on the vacancy available.

For more details visit the UPSC Civil Services Examination Results

The organizing body of the civil services examination is Union Public Service Commission(UPSC).
The female candidates and the candidates from OBC, SC/ST/PH categories are exempted from paying the registration fees.
The candidates will be disqualified or debarred from taking up the examination if they are found to fabricated the documentation and provided falses documentation.
The minimum qualification required to apply for UPSC civil services examination is the candidate should have completed graduation.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of three rounds in which the candidates have to qualify for all three rounds.

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