UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)
Quick facts
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam level | National |
| How often | Once a year (prelims usually in May–June) |
| Mode | Offline (pen and paper) |
| Qualification | Graduation in any subject |
| Age limit | 21 – 32 years |
| Age relaxation | OBC:3, SC:5, ST:5, PwBD:10 |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
Age counted on 1 August of the exam year. Attempts: General/EWS 6, OBC 9, SC/ST unlimited within the age limit.
Overview
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is India's most prestigious recruitment exam. It selects officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS (Foreign Service), IRS and more than 20 other Group A and Group B central services. Lakhs apply every year for roughly 900–1,100 posts, so it rewards steady, well-planned preparation more than last-minute effort.
Eligibility
- Education: a bachelor's degree in any subject from a recognised university. Final-year students can appear in prelims but must pass before applying for mains.
- Age: 21 to 32 years for General/EWS (as on 1 August of the exam year). Relaxation: OBC 3 years, SC/ST 5 years, PwBD 10 years, plus other categories as notified.
- Attempts: General/EWS 6, OBC and PwBD 9, SC/ST no limit until the upper age.
- Nationality: Indian citizens for IAS, IPS and IFS; some other services allow certain other categories as described in the notification.
Exam pattern & syllabus
Three stages
| Stage | Papers | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary (objective) | General Studies Paper I + CSAT Paper II | 200 + 200 |
| Main (written, descriptive) | Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I & II (+ 2 qualifying language papers) | 1,750 |
| Personality test (interview) | Board interview | 275 |
- Prelims is only a screening test. CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying – you need 33%. Your rank for mains comes from GS Paper I. There is negative marking of one-third.
- Mains has two qualifying language papers (an Indian language and English, 300 marks each) that are not counted in the merit.
- Final merit = Mains (1,750) + Interview (275) = 2,025 marks.
Syllabus in brief
History, geography, Indian polity and governance, economy, environment and ecology, science and technology, international relations, internal security, ethics and current affairs, plus one optional subject chosen from the list in the notification.
How to prepare
- Start with NCERTs (Class 6–12) for history, geography, polity, economy and science to build the base.
- Pick standard books for each subject and revise them many times instead of collecting many books.
- Read one newspaper daily (The Hindu or Indian Express) and make short notes linked to the syllabus.
- Choose the optional wisely – your interest and graduation background matter more than "scoring" reputation.
- Practise answer writing from the start; mains is a writing exam.
- Solve previous years' papers for prelims and mains to understand what UPSC actually asks.
- Plan for 12–18 months of serious preparation, and keep a backup career option.
Latest UPSC CSE updates
No notification posted yet. Get an email alert when the next one comes out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare for UPSC while in college?
Yes. Many toppers start building their base with NCERTs and newspapers during graduation and begin full preparation in the final year.
Is coaching necessary for UPSC?
No. Coaching can help with structure, but many candidates clear it with self-study, standard books, online resources and test series.
Can I write the exam in Hindi?
Yes. Mains answers and the interview can be in Hindi or any language in the Eighth Schedule, subject to conditions in the notification.
Please note: eligibility, age limits and exam pattern change from year to year. This page gives general guidance only; the official notification for each year is final.