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| UPSC: (Union Public Service Commission) - Comprehensive Guide |
UPSC: (Union Public Service Commission) - Comprehensive Guide
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier recruitment agency responsible for conducting various national-level examinations for civil services, defense, engineering, medical services, and other central government posts.
UPSC is best known for conducting the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which selects candidates for prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
1. UPSC Examinations List
UPSC conducts multiple examinations throughout the year. Here are some of the major ones:
A) Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Purpose: Recruitment for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Central Services.
- Phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
- Exam Cycle: Conducted annually.
B) Other Major UPSC Exams
| Exam | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CDS (Combined Defence Services) | Entry into Army, Navy, and Air Force academies |
| NDA (National Defence Academy) & NA (Naval Academy) | Recruitment for officer training at NDA and NA |
| IES (Indian Engineering Services) | Recruitment for government engineering positions |
| CMS (Combined Medical Services) | Recruitment for medical officers in central government hospitals |
| CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces - Assistant Commandant Exam) | Recruitment for forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB |
| IFS (Indian Forest Service Exam) | Recruitment for forest officers under the Environment Ministry |
| ESE (Engineering Services Exam) | Recruitment of engineers for central government departments |
| SO/Steno (Section Officer/Stenographers Exam) | Recruitment for specific SO and stenographer roles |
For the detailed UPSC exam calendar, visit www.upsc.gov.in.
2. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) - Detailed Overview
The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is UPSC’s most sought-after exam, with lakhs of aspirants appearing every year.
A) Civil Services Posts Through CSE
-
All India Services:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
-
Group A Central Services:
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS-IT & IRS-C&CE)
- Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), etc.
-
Group B Services:
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu Civil Service (DANICS)
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu Police Service (DANIPS)
3. UPSC CSE - Exam Pattern
The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is conducted in three phases:
| Stage | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Prelims | Screening Test - Objective type, 2 Papers (General Studies & CSAT) |
| Phase 2 | Mains | Written Examination - 9 Papers (Descriptive) |
| Phase 3 | Interview (Personality Test) | Final selection round |
4. UPSC CSE - Prelims Exam
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude Test) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Key Points:
- Negative marking: 1/3rd of marks deducted for wrong answers.
- CSAT paper is qualifying (needs 33% marks to pass).
- Marks in Prelims are not counted for final ranking.
5. UPSC CSE - Mains Exam
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory 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 & VII | Optional Subject (2 Papers) | 500 |
6. UPSC CSE - Interview (Personality Test)
- Conducted at UPSC Headquarters in New Delhi.
- Marks Allocated: 275 Marks.
- Final Rank Calculation: Based on Mains + Interview marks.
7. UPSC CSE - Eligibility Criteria
A) Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Attempt Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 21 | 32 | 6 |
| OBC | 21 | 35 | 9 |
| SC/ST | 21 | 37 | Unlimited |
B) Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- Final-year students can apply for Prelims.
8. UPSC CSE - Syllabus Highlights
A) Prelims Syllabus
- General Studies: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, Current Affairs.
- CSAT: Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension.
B) Mains Syllabus
- General Studies I: History, Society, Culture, Geography.
- General Studies II: Polity, Governance, International Relations.
- General Studies III: Economy, Science, Security, Disaster Management.
- General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude.
- Optional Subject: Based on candidate’s choice.
9. UPSC CSE - Salary & Perks
IAS Officer Salary (7th Pay Commission)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 |
| DA (Dearness Allowance) | ₹16,000+ |
| HRA (House Rent Allowance) | ₹13,400+ |
| Other Perks | ₹5,000+ |
| Total Salary | ₹75,000 – ₹1,50,000 per month |
Additional Perks:
- Official Residence
- Government Vehicles
- Medical Benefits
- Pension & Post-Retirement Benefits
- Domestic Staff & Security
10. UPSC Preparation Strategy
- Start with NCERT Books: Read History, Geography, Polity, and Economy from Class 6-12 NCERTs.
- Follow Standard Books: Like Laxmikant (Polity), Spectrum (History), Ramesh Singh (Economy).
- Read Newspapers: The Hindu, Indian Express, and monthly magazines like Yojana.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Analyze 10+ years of past papers.
- Join Mock Tests: Helps in time management and self-evaluation.
- Optional Subject Selection: Choose a subject that aligns with your graduation or interest.
Conclusion
The UPSC exam is one of the toughest exams in India, but with proper strategy, dedication, and perseverance, it can be cleared successfully. Start your preparation at least a year in advance, stay consistent, and keep revising.
For latest notifications, visit UPSC Official Website.
Best of Luck!
