UPSC Civil Services Examination
Everything you need to know about India’s most prestigious examination — eligibility, structure, marking, schedule, and the path to becoming an IAS, IPS or IFS officer.
What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of India’s most prestigious and competitive examinations. Conducted annually by the UPSC, it serves as the gateway to top positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and over 20 other Group A and Group B Central Services.
Civil servants form the backbone of Indian governance — administering ministries, enforcing policies, maintaining law and order, and driving socio-economic development across the country. A career in civil services offers unmatched prestige, influence, stability, and most importantly, an opportunity to serve the nation.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from any university recognized by the UGC/AICTE.
- Final-year degree students are also eligible to appear in the Preliminary Examination.
Age Limit & Number of Attempts
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Attempts | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 21 | 32 | 6 | — |
| OBC | 21 | 35 | 9 | +3 years |
| SC / ST | 21 | 37 | Unlimited | +5 years |
| PwBD (General) | 21 | 42 | 9 | +10 years |
* Age is calculated as on 1st August of the examination year.
Exam Structure — Three Stages
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in three progressive stages. Each stage filters candidates further. Only those who clear one stage proceed to the next. The final merit list is based on Mains + Interview marks only.
Preliminary Examination
Objective Type · MCQ
Two papers (GS & CSAT) — qualifying gateway to Mains.
Details ↓Mains Examination
Descriptive (Written)
Nine papers including Essay, GS-I to IV, Optional & Language.
Details ↓Personality Test
Interview · UPSC HQ
275 marks — assesses suitability for public service.
Details ↓Annual Exam Schedule
| Stage / Event | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | February / March |
| Preliminary Examination | May / June |
| Preliminary Exam Results | June |
| Mains Examination | August / September |
| Mains Exam Results | February (1st–2nd Week) |
| Personality Test / Interview | March – April |
| Final Results Declared | May |
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is held once a year (May/June) and is common for both the Civil Services Examination and the Indian Forest Service. It consists of two papers conducted on the same day — forenoon and afternoon sessions. Both papers are objective (MCQ) type.
Marking Scheme
| Paper | Questions | Total Marks | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I (General Studies) | 100 | 200 | +2 | −0.66 |
| GS Paper II (CSAT – Qualifying) | 80 | 200 | +2.5 | −0.83 |
- Paper I (GS) marks are used for shortlisting candidates to the Mains Examination.
- Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature — candidates must score a minimum of 33% (66 marks).
- Negative marking applies: ⅓ of marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Preliminary exam marks are NOT counted in the final merit list.
Mains Examination
Candidates who clear Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains Examination — a descriptive (written) test that evaluates intellectual depth, analytical thinking, and communication skills. Candidates must choose ONE optional subject (with two papers) from a list of approved subjects.
Mains Paper Structure
| Subject | Paper | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Language * | Paper A | 300 (Qualifying) |
| English * | Paper B | 300 (Qualifying) |
| Essay | Paper I | 250 |
| General Studies I | Paper II | 250 |
| General Studies II | Paper III | 250 |
| General Studies III | Paper IV | 250 |
| General Studies IV (Ethics) | Paper V | 250 |
| Optional Subject – I | Paper VI | 250 |
| Optional Subject – II | Paper VII | 250 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | — | 275 |
Optional Subjects
Every candidate must choose one optional subject (made up of two papers — Paper VI & Paper VII) from the list of subjects approved by the UPSC:
* Literature optional — a candidate may opt for the literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.
- Paper A (Indian Language) and Paper B (English) are qualifying papers — minimum 25% required.
- Total Merit Marks (Mains) = 1750 (excluding qualifying papers).
- Total Marks including Interview = 2025 marks.
Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who qualify the Mains Examination are called for the Personality Test conducted at the UPSC Headquarters in New Delhi. The interview carries 275 marks and is conducted by a board of senior officials.
The board assesses the candidate’s mental alertness, critical thinking, clarity of expression, judgment, social values, and overall suitability for a career in public service. It is not a test of knowledge but of personality and character.
Final Result & Service Allocation
The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of the Mains Examination and Personality Test. Based on rank and preference, candidates are allocated to various services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and others.
Service allocation is based on rank, category, and preference filled in the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Each year, UPSC publishes the final merit list and announces the list of selected candidates along with their service allocation.
Why Choose P.L. Raj IAS & IPS Academy?
At P.L. Raj IAS & IPS Academy — Tamil Nadu’s first woman-founded civil services institution — we are committed to guiding every aspirant through each stage of the UPSC journey with expert mentorship, structured preparation, and unwavering support.
Three-Stage Coverage
Comprehensive coverage of Prelims, Mains & Interview with structured timelines.
Experienced Faculty
Proven track record across India — IAS, IPS & subject specialists.
Complete Curriculum
Current Affairs, GS, Essay, Ethics & Optional subject coaching.
Mock Tests & Test Series
Regular mocks, answer writing practice and All-India test series.
Personalised Mentoring
One-on-one mentoring and dedicated doubt-clearing sessions.
Pan-India Reach
Students trained from Tamil Nadu and across India for 20+ years.
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