The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination to recruit officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Group A/B services. It’s India’s most respected, and arguably toughest, competitive exam—designed to pick generalist administrators who can learn fast and serve anywhere.

         


Why it matters

Civil servants run programs that touch everyday life—law and order, health, education, environment, disaster relief, taxation, diplomacy. The exam looks for judgment, balance, integrity and the ability to learn across subjects, not just raw facts.


Basic eligibility (quick glance)

  • Nationality: Indian for IAS/IPS; specific rules for other services.
  • Age: Generally 21–32 for the general category (upper limits relax for reserved categories).
  • Attempts: Limited and category-dependent.
  • Education: Graduate in any discipline.


Exam structure (three stages)

     Prelims (objective, qualifying):

  • GS Paper I (200 marks): history, polity, geography, economy, environment, science, current affairs.
  • CSAT Paper II (200 marks): comprehension, reasoning, basic numeracy (qualifying at 33%).
  • Focus: breadth and accuracy under time pressure.
          

     Mains (written, merit-ranking):

  • 9 papers: Essay (1), GS I–IV (4), Optional Subject (2 papers), Language (1 qualifying), English (1 qualifying).
  • Focus: depth, analysis, structure, and clarity.


     Personality Test (Interview):

  • A conversation with a board on issues, experiences and viewpoints.
  • Focus: judgment, honesty, temperament, and communication.


Syllabus snapshot

  • GS I: History & culture, Indian society, geography.
  • GS II: Polity, governance, social justice, IR.
  • GS III: Economy, agriculture, science-tech, environment, security, disaster management.
  • GS IV: Ethics, integrity, aptitude—case studies included.
  • Optional: One subject (e.g., Pub Ad, Sociology, Geo, PSIR, Literature etc.).


How to prepare—what actually works

  • Build basics: NCERTs + standard texts (Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History, etc.).
  • Daily current affairs: Newspaper + monthly compilations; link news to syllabus points.
  • Revise in loops: Notes → short notes → one-page sheets.
  • Practice relentlessly: Topic-wise MCQs for Prelims; timed answer writing for Mains.
  • Simulate the exam: Full-length tests to train speed, accuracy, and judgment (when to skip).
  • Track yourself: Simple plan, weekly targets, monthly audits. Sleep and exercise matter.


Common myths (busted)

  • “Only toppers or humanities students clear.” Every background does—engineers, doctors, commerce, arts.
  • “More hours = guaranteed success.” Consistency beats marathon cramming.
  • “Coaching is mandatory.” Useful for structure, but many clear through self-study plus good peers and tests.

Life after selection

You’ll train at prestigious academies, then serve in roles that evolve every few years—district administration, policy design, missions abroad, tax and finance, or specialized ministries. It’s challenging, people-centric work with real impact.


Click to download UPSC Syllabus.