The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year to recruit candidates for various prestigious services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Central Services. To understand the examination clearly, aspirants must be familiar with the UPSC exam pattern and detailed syllabus.
This article provides a clear, structured, and easy-to-understand explanation of the UPSC exam.
Overview of UPSC Civil Services Examination
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Main Examination (Mains)
- Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next one.
UPSC Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type screening test.
| Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
Duration |
| Paper I |
General Studies |
200 |
2 Hours |
| Paper II |
CSAT (Qualifying) |
200 |
2 Hours |
Important Points
- Both papers are objective (MCQ based)
- CSAT is qualifying in nature
- Minimum 33% marks required in CSAT
- Negative marking is applicable
UPSC Prelims Syllabus
General Studies Paper I
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- General Science
CSAT (Paper II)
- Comprehension
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation
UPSC Main Examination (Mains)
The UPSC Mains examination is descriptive in nature and plays a crucial role in final selection.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
| Paper A |
Indian Language (Qualifying) |
300 |
| Paper B |
English (Qualifying) |
300 |
| Paper I |
Essay |
250 |
| Paper II |
General Studies I |
250 |
| Paper III |
General Studies II |
250 |
| Paper IV |
General Studies III |
250 |
| Paper V |
General Studies IV |
250 |
| Paper VI |
Optional Subject – Paper I |
250 |
| Paper VII |
Optional Subject – Paper II |
250 |
Important Notes
- Paper A & Paper B are qualifying
- Marks of qualifying papers are not counted in the final merit list
UPSC Mains Syllabus Explained
General Studies I
- Indian heritage and culture
- Modern Indian history
- World history
- Geography of India and the world
- Society and social issues
General Studies II
- Indian Constitution
- Governance and public policy
- Social justice
- International relations
General Studies III
- Indian economy
- Agriculture
- Science and technology
- Environment and ecology
- Disaster management
- Internal security
General Studies IV
- Ethics and integrity
- Aptitude
- Case studies on ethical issues
Optional Subject in UPSC Mains
- Candidates must choose one optional subject
- Optional subject consists of two papers
- Each paper carries 250 marks
- Total optional marks: 500
UPSC Personality Test (Interview)
- Total Marks: 275
- Conducted after qualifying Mains
- Tests personality traits, awareness, decision-making ability, and communication skills
Official UPSC Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Candidates should always refer to the official UPSC notification and syllabus for accurate and updated information.
Conclusion
A clear understanding of the UPSC exam pattern and syllabus helps aspirants organize their preparation in a systematic manner. Knowing the structure of Prelims, Mains, and Interview allows candidates to focus on relevant areas and stay aligned with the actual examination requirements. Regular reference to official UPSC sources ensures accuracy and updated information.
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