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Ultimate guide to UPSC Civil Services
Exam : Your Roadmap to Success
1.Introduction: Navigating the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2
2.Various Posts: 2
3.Eligibility Criteria: 3
4.Exam Pattern: 4
4.1 Preliminary Exam: 5
4.2 Main Exam: 5
4.3 Personality Test: 6
5.Exam Syllabus: 6
5.1 PART A—Preliminary Examination : 7
5.2 PART B–Main Examination : 7
5.2.1 PAPER-I 7
5.2.2 PAPER-II 8
5.2.3 PAPER-III 8
5.2.4 PAPER IV 10
5.2.5 PAPER V 11
5.2.6 OPTIONAL SUBJECT 12
5.3 PART C–Personal Interview 13
6.Application process: 14
7.Preparation Tips: 15
7.1 For Prelims: 15
7.2 For Mains: 15
7.3 For Personality Test: 15
8.Conclusion: 16
9.Frequently Asked Question: 16
1.Introduction: Navigating the UPSC Civil Services
Exam
This ultimate guide will be your trusted companion on your journey from an aspirant to a
successful civil servant. We will cover from the basics to offering valuable insights on exam
preparation tips and strategies.
So, whether you're a fresh ...
... graduate, a working professional, or someone who's been
contemplating this challenge for a while, this article is your treasure trove to conquer the realm of
UPSC civil services exam preparation and emerge victorious!
The UPSC Civil Services Exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission is
your gateway to an illustrious career in the civil services. Being a civil servant comes with the
possibility of shaping governance structure and creating changes for the betterment of people
and the nation.
2.Various Posts:
When you attempt civil services exams conducted by UPSC, you have the possibilities of
choosing any of the following fields of services.
Civil Service Job
1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS) – All India Services
2. Indian Forest Service (IFoS) – All India Services
3. Indian Police Service (IPS) – All India Services
4. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service
6. Indian Civil Accounts Service
7. Indian Corporate Law Service
8. Indian Defence Accounts Service
9. Indian Defence Estates Service
10. Indian Customs & Central Excise Service
11. Indian Defence Accounts Service
12. Indian Information Service
13. Indian Postal Service
14. Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Assistant Works Manager, Administration)
15. Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service
16. Indian Railway Protection Force Service
3.Eligibility Criteria:
To be qualified for these jobs there are some basic conditions that must be met by the
applicants. The eligibility criteria for various posts given below can be relaxed based on various
criteria.
PwBD refers to Persons with Benchmark Disability.
Age limits
General OBC SC/ST
PwBD
General
PwBD
OBC
PwBD
SC/ST
Minimum
age
21 21 21 21 21 21
Maximum
age
32 35 37 42 45 47
Minimum Educational Qualification:
Requirement:
Graduate degree from recognized universities or
institutions in India
Universities or Institutions
recognized by:
Central or State Legislature, or Act of Parliament,
or UGC Act 1956
17. Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
18. Indian Trade Service (Grade III)
19. Indian Railway Management Service
20. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (Section Officer’s Grade)
21. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar
Haveli Civil Service (DANICS)
22. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar
Haveli Police Service (DANIPS)
23. Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS)
24. Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS)
Number of Attempts:
- General Category: 6 attempts within age limit
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 6 attempts within age limit
- Scheduled Castes (SC): Unlimited attempts within age limit
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): Unlimited attempts within age limit
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts within age limit
- Persons with Benchmark Disability
(PwBD):
9 attempts for General, EWS, OBC
within age limit
Nationality for different services:
- For IAS, IFS, IPS Candidate must be a citizen of India
- For other services: a) Citizen of India
b) Subject of Nepal
c) Subject of Bhutan
d) Tibetan refugee in India before 01-01-1962
e) Person of Indian origin, migrated from specified countries
4.Exam Pattern:
Understanding the pattern of each stage will help you build your preparation strategy.
Familiarize yourself with the question patterns by solving previous years' papers. This will help
reduce the nerves while attending the exam.
When you understand your exam pattern you will know which topic to focus on and the
mark distribution for different topics. You can build your study plan according to your necessity,
utilize the time effectively on topics that will score you a good amount of marks.
The exam will be happening in 3 stages,
1. Preliminary exam
2. Main exam
3. Personality test / personal interview
4.1 Preliminary Exam:
This exam is qualifying in nature and won’t be counted towards final marks. These are
multiple choice questions where penalties exist for wrong answers.
Sl
No.
Paper No. of
question
Marks
per
question
Penalty for
wrong
answer
Total
Marks
Durati
on
1 General Studies
Paper I
(General Studies)
100 2 ⅓ of allocated
mark /
-0.66 marks for
every incorrect
answer.
200 2
hours
2 Paper II (Civil
Services Aptitude
Test (CSAT)
80 2.5 ⅓ of allocated
mark /
-0.83 marks for
every incorrect
answer.
200 2
hours
NOTES:
1. The marks you obtain in prelims is qualifying in nature and will not be counted for the
final ranking after Mains and Interview..
2. It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim)
Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore, a candidate will be disqualified if
he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.
3. You have to qualify with a minimum of 33% in CSAT for your general studies paper to be
considered for correction
4.2 Main Exam:
When you clear the Prelims, you can advance to the Mains. It comprises of nine papers,
including Essay, General Studies, and an Optional subject. The marks obtained are counted to
your final ranking.
Paper Subject Marks
Paper-I Essay 250
Paper-II General Studies – I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History
and Geography of the World and Society)
250
Paper-III General Studies – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity,
Social Justice and International Relations)
250
Paper–IV General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development,
Biodiversity, Security and Disaster Management)
250
Paper–V General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) 250
Paper–VI Optional Subject – Paper I 250
Paper–VII Optional Subject – Paper II 250
Sub Total 1750
Personality Test 275
Total Merit 2025
NOTES:
1. For the two qualifying papers you need to score 25% marks to qualify i.e. 75/300.
● Qualifying Paper A – Indian Language – 300.
● Qualifying Paper B – English Language – 300.
4.3 Personality Test:
The personality test is conducted by the panel of judges or the interview panel and they
will be assessing your personality traits and qualities and whether they match with requirements
for a civil servant.
Emphasize traits like integrity, honesty, and a sense of duty when discussing your
motivations for civil services. This carries a total 275 marks.
5.Exam Syllabus:
Now that we know the exam pattern let's take a look at the syllabus. The syllabus for
each stage of the exam is given below.
5.1 PART A—Preliminary Examination :
The first stage of the civil exam is the preliminary exam. It includes two papers - General
Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). The tentative syllabus for preliminary exam,
Paper I - (200 marks) – General Studies.
1. Current events of national and
international importance.
4. Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution,
Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy,
Rights Issues, etc.
2. History of India and Indian National
Movement.
5. Economic and Social Development - Sustainable
Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics,
Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
3. Indian and World Geography -
Physical, Social, Economic Geography
of India and the World.
6. General issues on Environmental ecology,
Biodiversity, and Climate Change - that do not
require subject specialization.
7. General Science.
Paper II-(200 marks) – CSAT.
1. Comprehension;
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability;
4. Decision making and problem solving;
5. General mental ability;
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level),
Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class X level);
5.2 PART B–Main Examination :
The second stage of the civil exam is the main examination. Only when you pass the
preliminary exam will you be qualified to appear in the main exams.
5.2.1 PAPER-I
Essay – Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. There is no official
syllabus provided for the essay.
● The aim is to write essays on various topics.
● Candidates must stick closely to the subject, arrange their ideas orderly, and write
concisely.
● Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
5.2.2 PAPER-II
General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
Topics
Indian culture covering Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present, significant
events, personalities, issues.
The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors from different parts of
the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
History of the world from the 18th century, including industrial revolution, world wars,
colonization, political philosophies, their forms, and effects on society.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and
developmental issues, urbanization, their problems, and remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society, Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism,
and secularism.
Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
Distribution of key natural resources across the world, factors responsible for the location of
industries.
Important Geophysical phenomena, geographical features, and their effects.
5.2.3 PAPER-III
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations.
Topics
Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant
provisions, and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining
to the federal structure.
Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and
institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State legislatures, structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers, and
privileges.
Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary, Ministries, and
Departments of the Government, pressure groups, and associations.
Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies.
Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising
out of their design and implementation.
Development processes and the development industry, the role of NGOs, SHGs, various
groups, and associations.
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population, mechanisms, laws, institutions,
and Bodies for their protection and betterment.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services, including Health,
Education, and Human Resources.
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Aspects of governance, transparency, accountability, e-governance, citizens charters,
transparency, and accountability measures.
Role of civil services in a democracy.
India and its neighborhood relations.
Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India.
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
Important International institutions, agencies, and fora, their structure, and mandate.
5.2.4 PAPER IV
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security
and Disaster Management.
Topics
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster
Management
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development, and employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and
irrigation systems, storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce, and issues and
related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public
Distribution System - objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks
and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India - scope and significance, location, upstream
and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on
industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology - developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and
developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology,
and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
35. Government strives to have a workforce that reflects gender balance, and women
candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social
networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cybersecurity; money laundering
and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime
with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
5.2.5 PAPER V
General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.
Topics
- This paper assesses the candidates' attitude, integrity, and problem-solving skills in various
societal issues. It utilizes a case study approach to evaluate these aspects.
- The following broad areas will be covered:
- Ethics and Human Interface
- Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions
- Dimensions of ethics, including its role in private and public relationships
- Human values, drawing lessons from great leaders, reformers, and administrators
- The role of family, society, and educational institutions in instilling values
- Attitude
- Content, structure, function, and its influence on thought and behavior
- Moral and political attitudes
- Social influence and persuasion
- Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service
- Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service
- Empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards weaker sections
- Emotional Intelligence
- Concepts, utilities, and application in administration and governance
- Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
- From India and the world
- Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
- Status and problems
- Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
- Laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
- Accountability and ethical governance
- Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
- Ethical issues in international relations, funding, and corporate governance
- Probity in Governance
- Concept of public service and philosophical basis of governance and probity
- Information sharing and transparency in government
- Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, work culture
- Quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption
- Case Studies
- Real-world scenarios to analyze and apply ethical principles
5.2.6 OPTIONAL SUBJECT
The choice of your optional subject in the Mains is important. Opt for a subject that aligns
with your strengths and interests. Apart from the mains exam, your interview topics might
revolve around your optional subject. So choose subjects that you're passionate about and have
a good understanding of, as this will make your preparation more effective and easy.
You have to choose one optional subject from which there will be two papers. Below are
the available optional subjects from which you can choose one.
Agriculture Economics Medical Science Public Administration
Animal Husbandry Electrical Engineering Philosophy Sociology
Anthropology Geography Physics Statistics
Botany Geology Political Science Zoology
Chemistry History Psychology Management
Civil Engineering Law
Public
Administration
Mathematics
Literature of any one
of the following
languages :
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,
Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi,
Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Santhali, Urdu, and English.
You can download your optional syllabus here.
5.3 PART C–Personal Interview
The final stage involves a personality test, commonly known as the interview. Your
performance in the interview, combined with your Mains exam scores, will determine your rank
in the final list.
Your performance in the Interview is as important as the written papers. Your personality
is assessed in this interview and whether you are suitable for the services.
● Be well-versed in your Detailed Application Form (DAF) and any relevant current
affairs. Understand the implications of significant events and policies and express
your insights intelligently.
● Practice mock interviews to refine your communication skills and enhance your
confidence. Be confident, composed, and courteous. Express your opinions and
views clearly, but also be open to discussion and debate.
● Be ready to explain your choice of subject and its relevance to your career. While
the interview focuses more on assessing your personality and suitability, you may
still be asked questions related to your optional subject.
● Pay attention to your attire and body language. Dress in a formal and professional
manner.
The Personality Test is not just about your knowledge but also about your attitude,
integrity, and your ability to adapt and handle real-life situations. Practice speaking clearly and
confidently. Be concise and avoid lengthy monologues. Highlight your commitment to public
service and your passion for making a positive impact on society.
6.Application process:
Now that we know all the things that entail when preparing for the exam, it's time to take
a look at the application process. This is probably the easiest and the most important step in
becoming a civil servant. You can't take part in an exam when you didn’t even apply for it. Let's
get to it.
Eligibility Check: You must be able to enter the exam. So ensure you meet the eligibility
criteria, which includes having a bachelor's degree and being of a certain age and your
nationality. You can refer to the eligibility criteria for more details.
Online Registration: Visit the UPSC official website and click on one time registration if you
have not registered before and fill out the necessary details. Once that is done you can apply for
the exam from your dashboard or from active examinations.
Choose the Exam: Select the exam you're aiming for. Whether it's the Civil Services (IAS, IPS,
IFS) or other prestigious services, you have options to choose from. You can check for various
posts that you can apply for here.
Fill in the Details: Whenever you are asked to fill in your personal and academic details while
applying for an exam, be honest and accurate, just like you'll be in your future role as a civil
servant. Don’t give out personal information to unverified sources.
Select Exam Centers: Pick your preferred exam centers. Choose locations where you feel
most comfortable or most accessible.
Upload Documents: Scan and upload your photograph and signature. They are needed for
when you appear in exams. Make sure it is recent(within 3 months), looks professional and no
selfies.
Application Fee: You can pay your application fee online when applying for the exam. Don't
share bank details to unverified sources. No fee for female candidates.
Review & Submit: Take a moment to review your application. Check for any errors or
omissions. Then, hit the submit button with confidence.
Download Confirmation: After submitting, download the confirmation page. It's for your
reference and can be used for motivating yourself.
Stay Positive: Once you have done applying, the nerves might kick in. Remember, many
successful civil servants started right where you are and nerves are normal. While waiting for
the exam, stay positive and keep preparing.
Exam Day: When the day arrives, go to your selected exam center with your admit card and ID
proof. Remember no digital products are allowed in the exam hall.
7.Preparation Tips:
7.1 For Prelims:
1. Cover all topics mentioned in syllabus. Focus on current events, particularly those related
to national and international importance. This will help you narrow down your preparation
and avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics
2. Utilize reliable study material such as NCERT textbooks and standard reference books.
Stay updated with newspapers and magazines for current affairs.
3. To get a feel for the exam and improve time management, take as many mock tests as
you can. You can apply for the test series here.
4. Prioritize questions based on your strengths. Don't get stuck on a single question for too
long. If you're unsure about a question, move on and come back to it later.
5. Don’t forget to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for the
purpose of evaluation
7.2 For Mains:
1. The essay paper is your opportunity to showcase your writing skills and analytical
thinking. Develop a structured approach with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
2. Prepare well for the General Studies papers as they carry substantial weight in your final
ranking. Stay updated and develop a comprehensive understanding of current events,
government policies, and international affairs.
3. Practice answering questions related to your optional subject extensively. Your chosen
field of interest is not only important in mains but will also be questioned in an interview.
4. Don't underestimate the importance of the English and Indian language papers. Focus
on grammar, vocabulary, and fluency in your chosen language.
5. Allocate time wisely among different sections to ensure you have ample time to attempt
all the questions.
6. Regularly revise the topics you've studied. This helps in retaining information and
improves your long-term memory. Online study groups and coaching institutes can help
with that, you can book a session here.
7.3 For Personality Test:
1. Showcase qualities like leadership, empathy, and integrity during the interview. Be
confident, composed, and courteous.
2. Be prepared to discuss current affairs during the interview. Understand the implications
of significant events and policies and express your insights intelligently.
3. Brush up on your knowledge of the optional subject you've chosen. Be ready to explain
your choice of subject and its relevance to your career.
4. Consider participating in mock interview sessions. These can help you practice and refine
your responses, body language, and overall presentation. You can book your counseling
session here.
5. Pay attention to your attire and body language. Dress in a formal and professional
manner.
6. You can prepare for common questions such as your background, hobbies, and reasons
for choosing civil services. Be clear and concise.
For any queries, doubts or concerns regarding the exam you can contact or book a
session here.
8.Conclusion:
Preparing for civil services is not just about passing the exam; it's about becoming a
responsible and capable officer who can bring positive change to society. It's an opportunity to
serve your nation with honor and distinction. Now, take the knowledge shared here and let it
guide towards a brighter future and a distinct civil role.
9.Frequently Asked Question:
1. How Do I Choose My Optional Subjects?
In the Main Exam, you need to select optional subjects. Choose subjects that you're passionate
about and have a good understanding of, as this will make your preparation more effective.
2. How Many Hours Should I Study Daily?
There's no magic number here. Quality over quantity is the key. Aim for around 6-8 hours a day
of focused, efficient studying.
3. How Many Mock Tests Should I Take?
Aim for at least one mock test every week. As the exam approaches, increase the frequency to
two or three per week.
4. Should I Use Digital or Physical Notes?
It's a matter of personal preference. Some find digital notes more convenient, while others
prefer the tangible feel of paper. Use what works best for you!
5. How Do I Stay Motivated?
Your source of motivation varies depending on which aspect keeps you going. It could be your
passion for public service, your desire to bring change, or simply the pride of service position.
Remind yourself of it every day.
6. How Do I Find a Study Group?
Social media platforms, coaching centers, and online forums are excellent places to find study
groups. You can learn from your peers, clarify doubts, and stay motivated.
7. How Should I Dress for the Interview?
Dress professionally. A well-fitted suit or a formal saree with minimal accessories is a safe
choice.
8. What about study materials?
Consult standard textbooks like NCERTs, Laxmikanth, and Ramesh Singh. Supplement your
reading with newspapers, magazines, and online resources. You can join a good coaching
institute or consider online courses for guidance. You can book a counseling session here.