The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a countrywide competitive examination in India for recruitment to several Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).
The UPSC Civil Services Examination, also known as the IAS exam because of the enormous visibility and prominence of the Indian Administrative Service as a career option, is widely regarded as India’s most difficult exam. It has achieved this reputation partially as a result of the fierce competition and partly as a result of the extensive UPSC Syllabus.
Aside from that, the UPSC CSE exam structure is fairly intricate, and a normal examination cycle lasts approximately a year from the preliminary exam to the announcement of the final results.
Exam Pattern 2021
The UPSC examination is technically separated into two parts, Preliminary and Main Examination, however, it is a three-stage exam in reality.
Candidates who pass the Prelims are eligible for the Mains, and those who pass the Mains go to the interview stage, according to the IAS test structure.
Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test are the three stages of the IAS exam.
For the prelims, the UPSC test pattern comprises two papers that are administered on the same day. The objective-type questions on both examinations include multiple choice answers. The prelims test is a screening process that selects applicants for the mains exam. The marks earned at this stage do not go toward the final merit list, but candidates should study hard for this exam because cut-offs change year to year and are based on the average score.
Coming to the mains, the test consists of nine papers administered over 5-7 days. Only those candidates who scored at least the specified cut-off in General Studies I and 33 per cent in General Studies II in the Prelims Examination will be allowed to take the Mains Exam. All of the papers of the UPSC Mains test consist of descriptive answer style questions, according to the exam format.
How to apply
The UPSC Civil Services Examination Application Form includes two parts – Part I and Part II.
STEP ONE of the application process:
- Visit the official website of UPSC – upsconline.nic.in.
- Navigate to the Exam Notifications tab.
- To apply online, go to the Apply Online link.
- To register for Civil Services Part I, go to the URL provided.
- Read the instructions on the application form carefully before clicking Yes.
- Fill out the part-I application form with all of your essential information, such as your name, date of birth, category, gender, email address, phone number, permanent address, marital status, parents’ names, community, educational qualification, and so on.
- Click Continue once you’ve completed all of the fields. Check all of the information in the online form before clicking Submit.
STEP TWO of the application process:
- UPSC application fees can be paid online (through SBI Net Banking/ debit card/ credit card) or offline (by SBI bank challan). (Female/SC/ST/PwBD applicants pay no fee; all other candidates pay Rs 100.)
- Upload scanned photos of your photo, signature, and photo ID card in accordance with UPSC guidelines.
- Fill in the data for the fee payment and the examination centre.
- After reading the statement, click the “I Agree” button.
- When you click the button, you’ll be sent to a page displaying a registration number. Take a printout for your reference.
Previous year cut off – 2019 (Pre and Mains)
General | 98 | 751 |
EWS | 90 | 696 |
OBC | 95.34 | 718 |
SC | 82 | 706 |
ST | 77.34 | 699 |
PwBD-1 | 53.34 | 663 |
PwBD-2 | 44.66 | 698 |
PwBD-3 | 40.66 | 374 |
PwBD-4 | 61.34 | 561 |
Make a note:
Excluding the language exams A and B, all of the mains papers are merit-based. Papers A and B are qualifying papers, and candidates must achieve at least 25% in each to have their grades from Paper I through Paper VII weighted.
Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim, as well as candidates with hearing impairment, are free from Paper A if they can show that they have been exempted from such 2nd or 3rd language courses by their respective board or university. The Indian Language paper covers any of the languages included in the Constitution’s 8th Schedule.
For the third and the final round i.e the interview: According to the IAS test format, the UPSC board will interview to examine the candidates’ eligibility for a civil service job and the responsibilities that come with it. The board is made up of competent and neutral observers who are familiar with the candidates’ work history. The board would assess the candidates’ mental and social abilities by asking open-ended questions.
** Keep in mind some of the qualities that a jury looks out for: Psychological attentiveness, critical capacities of absorption, clear and logical exposition, a balanced judgment, range and depth of interest, aptitude for social stability and leadership, intellectual and moral purity.
A Quick Update on UPSC 2021 Covid-19 Guidelines!
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Prelims 2021 additional trial was decided by the Supreme Court recently. Additionally, The supreme court dismissed a petition seeking a second opportunity at the civil service test due to the Covid-19 epidemic and an age bar, saying that UPSC candidates who exhausted their last attempt in October 2020 will not be allowed a second chance.
Prepare with ELITE IIT
Being one of the toughest exams in the country, the UPSC examination is a child’s play, and it necessitates precise planning and preparation. There is no denying that there is no substitute for hard work, and studying for the UPSC exams will require you to work twice as hard as you would for any other exam.
Some students jump right into the preparation process without any forethought or strategy. You may feel befuddled and disoriented at the end of your preparation procedure. As a result, the first step in your preparation should be to create a weekly and monthly timetable that you can follow as closely as possible. Join ELITE IIT to prepare for one of the toughest exams in the country. We also provide personalized Classes by Top Mentors, join us to sharpen your grip on week subjects & pass with flying colours. Book and attend a free demo class now.