The Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE) is conducted in three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Purpose: Screening test (marks are not counted in the final merit).
- Mode: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions).
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS-I) | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 200 | 2 hours |
Important points:
- GS-I determines qualification for the Mains.
- CSAT is qualifying; candidates must score at least 33%.
- Negative marking: 1/3 of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.
2. Main Examination (Mains)
- Purpose: Descriptive written examination.
- Marks counted for merit: 1750.
| 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 (Ethics) | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 |
Key points:
- Papers A and B are qualifying only.
- Marks of the remaining 7 papers (1750 marks) are counted for the final merit.
3. Personality Test (Interview)
- Marks: 275
-
Assesses:
- Personality
- Decision-making ability
- Leadership
- Communication skills
- Mental alertness
- Judgment and suitability for public service
Final Merit
- Mains: 1750 marks
- Interview: 275 marks
Total = 2025 marks (Prelims marks are not included in the final ranking).
Exam Flow:
- Prelims (Objective) → Qualifying stage
- Mains (Descriptive) → Merit stage
- Interview (Personality Test) → Final selection
