The UPSC Exam pattern is set by the Union Public Service Examination. UPSC is a constitutional body that conducts Civil Service Examination (CSE). UPSC CSE is divided into three stages,i.e.,Prelims, Mains and Interview. A person has to clear all the three stages to get into IAS, IPS, IFS or the other services.
The UPSC releases notification in February each year. As per UPSC 2023 calendar, Prelims examination was held on May 28, 2023, and Mains examination was held on 16 September, 2023. The Interview is going to start from January, 2024 for UPSC CSE 2023 Mains-qualified candidates. It takes almost a year to complete the entire cycle of UPSC.
1. UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern:
The UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination consists of two papers of objective type, each of 200 marks (hence totaling 400 marks) and of two hours duration. The first paper is of General Studies paper and the second paper is known as Civil Service Aptitude Test or CSAT. Prelims examination is just qualifying in nature and its mark is not counted in the final merit list.
| UPSC Prelims Examination Pattern | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Total Marks | Total no. of questions | Marks for each question | Negative marking | Subjects | Duration |
| General Studies (GS) | 200 | 100 | 2 | -0.67 |
|
2 hours (9:30 am to 11:30 am) |
| Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 200 | 80 | 2.5 | - 0.83 |
|
2 hours (2:30 pm to 4:30 pm) |
Note: CSAT paper is qualifying in nature. Candidate needs to score 33.33% of total marks to qualify this paper.
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2. UPSC Mains Exam Pattern:
UPSC Mains examination continues for 5 to 7 days. There are 9 papers in mains examination and 2 papers are qualifying in nature. These 2 papers are two language papers. A candidate needs to score 25% of total marks or 75 out of 300 in both the language papers. The paper distribution of mains examination is given below table
| NO. | SUBJECT | MARKS | DURATION | PAPER PATTERN | ATTENTION ASPIRATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAPER I – INDIAN LANGUAGE (QUALIFYING) | 300 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 25% |
| 2 | PAPER II – ENGLISH (QUALIFYING) | 300 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 25% |
| 3 | PAPER I – ESSAY | 250 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
| 4 | PAPER II – GENERAL STUDIES I | 250 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
| 5 | PAPER III – GENERAL STUDIES II | 250 | 3 Hours | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
| 6 | PAPER IV – GENERAL STUDIES III | 250 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
| 7 | PAPER V – GENERAL STUDIES IV | 250 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
| 8 | PAPER VI – OPTIONAL PAPER I | 250 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
| 9 | PAPER VII – OPTIONAL PAPER II | 250 | 3 HOURS | DESCRIPTIVE | MINIMUM 10% |
UPSC interview is the most important as well as an uncertain phase for an aspirant. A candidate who has cleared the mains examination gets to appear for an IAS interview. IAS interview takes place in Dholpur House, also known as UPSC Bhavan in Delhi. A candidate enters from the main gate after showing his hall ticket to the concerned person.
They are made to sit in a hall room around some round tables. The candidates from the same round table are assigned to a particular board. However, the name of the board remains undisclosed until the candidate reaches the interview room.
A CISF jawan checks the candidates thoroughly before taking them to the interview room. Once they enter the room, they meet the panel. Usually there are 5 member panels who take the interview. The chairperson of the panel is a member from UPSC, remaining members are chosen from diverse backgrounds based on various parameters.
The interview continues for 30 minutes on average. Various questions are asked to check the candidate’s personality as a Civil Servant. Mostly, questions are asked from a candidate’s Detailed Application Form (DAF), current affairs, work experience(if any), hobby etc. That is why it is important to fill up the DAF  knowingly.
Once you get released from the interview room, you come out and usually take a picture before UPSC Bhavan.
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam in India is a competitive examination for recruitment to various government services. The key components of the UPSC exam include:
1. Civil Services Examination (CSE): This is the primary examination conducted by UPSC for recruitment to various civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
2. Preliminary Examination (Prelims): The first stage of the UPSC exam consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test). It serves as a screening test, and candidates must qualify to proceed to the next stage.
3. Main Examination (Mains): The Mains exam is a written examination consisting of nine papers. These include two qualifying papers (English and Indian languages) and seven merit-based papers (Essay, General Studies I, II, III, and IV, and Optional Paper I and II).
4. Interview/Personality Test: Candidates who qualify the Mains exam are called for the interview, also known as the Personality Test. The total mark for the interview is 275. It is conducted to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in public service. The interview panel evaluates the candidate’s intellectual qualities, social traits, and interest in current affairs.
5. Syllabus: The UPSC exam has a vast and comprehensive syllabus covering various subjects, including History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology, and Current Affairs. Candidates must thoroughly prepare for each section to perform well in both Prelims and Mains.
6. Optional Subject: In the Mains exam, candidates are required to choose one optional subject from a list provided by UPSC. This subject can be related to the candidate’s educational background or an area of interest.
7. Current Affairs: A strong emphasis is placed on current affairs in both Prelims and Mains exams. Candidates must stay updated on national and international events, government policies, and other relevant issues.
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8. Negative Marking: There is a penalty for incorrect answers in the Prelims exam. Candidates lose a fraction of marks for each wrong answer, so careful answering is essential.
9. Language Papers: The Mains exam includes papers on English and an Indian language (selected by the candidate). These papers are qualifying in nature, and candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks.
10. Medical Examination: Candidates who are recommended for appointment undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the prescribed medical standards.
Preparing for the UPSC exam requires a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus, regular study, and a focused approach to current affairs. It is one of the most challenging and prestigious examinations in India, attracting candidates from diverse educational backgrounds.
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