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UPSC Exam: Eligibility, Application Process, and Examination Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. It recruits candidates for top government positions such as IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), and other civil services. Here’s an in-depth guide to the eligibility criteria, application process, and examination structure.

1. Eligibility Criteria

a. Nationality

    • For IAS and IPS: Candidates must be Indian citizens.

    • For other services: Citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, or individuals of Indian origin from specified countries can apply.

b. Educational Qualification

    • A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required.

    • Final-year students can also apply, but they must present proof of passing the exam at the time of the Main Examination.

c. Age Limit

    • The minimum age is 21 years, and the maximum is 32 years (as of August 1 of the examination year).

    • Age relaxations apply to certain categories:
        • OBC: 3 years of relaxation (up to 35 years)

        • SC/ST: 5 years of relaxation (up to 37 years)

        • Ex-servicemen: 5 years of relaxation

        • PwBD: 10 years of relaxation (varies by category)

d. Number of Attempts

    • General category: 6 attempts

    • OBC: 9 attempts

    • SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the upper age limit

    • PwBD: 9 attempts (General and OBC categories)

2. How to Apply

a. Online Application

    1. Visit the UPSC Official Website: The application form is available on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).

    1. One-Time Registration (OTR): Candidates must complete OTR before filling out the application form. Basic details like name, contact, and educational qualifications are required.

    1. Fill the Application Form: After registration, candidates can log in and complete the form. This includes personal information, educational qualifications, choice of services, and the examination centre.

    1. Upload Documents: Scanned copies of a photograph, signature, and identity proof must be uploaded.

    1. Pay the Fee: The application fee can be paid online or offline.
        • General/OBC/EWS: INR 100

        • SC/ST/PwBD/Female: Exempt from paying the fee

    1. Submit and Print: After successful submission, take a printout of the form for future reference.

b. Application Window

The application process typically opens in February, and the preliminary exam is held in June.

3. Examination Process

The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of three stages:

a. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

    • Objective-Type Test: The prelims consist of two papers, each 200 marks
        • Paper I: General Studies (History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science, Environment, etc.)

        • Paper II: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – Comprehension, logical reasoning, and numerical ability. Qualifying nature, with 33% minimum passing marks required.

    • Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks are deducted for every wrong answer.

    • Purpose: The prelims act as a screening test; marks obtained are not counted for the final merit list.

b. Main Examination (Mains)

    • Descriptive-Type Test: The mains consist of nine papers, of which seven are considered for ranking. Each paper is of 250 marks.
        • Compulsory Papers: English and an Indian language (qualifying in nature)

        • Essay Paper: Candidates write two essays.

        • General Studies Papers (I-IV): Covers diverse topics such as History, Geography, Ethics, Economy, Environment, and more.

        • Optional Subject: Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of subjects (e.g., History, Geography, Public Administration, etc.). There are two papers for the optional subject.

c. Personality Test (Interview)

    • Weightage: 275 marks

    • Purpose: To assess the candidate’s personality, communication skills, leadership qualities, and overall suitability for a career in public service.

    • Duration: 20-30 minutes

    • The final merit list is prepared by combining the marks from the Mains and Interview stages.

4. Final Selection

    • Merit List: Based on the cumulative marks of the Mains (1750 marks) and Interview (275 marks), the UPSC releases a final merit list.

    • Candidates who qualify are appointed to various services based on their rank, preferences, and available vacancies.

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