Apply for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. Check detailed eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualification, syllabus, and vacancies for IAS, IPS, IFS posts and other services.
Conducted by: UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is India's most prestigious and challenging competitive exam, serving as the gateway to the country's elite civil services. It is designed to recruit candidates for various coveted positions such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and numerous other Central Services (Group 'A' and Group 'B'). The examination is renowned for its comprehensive syllabus and rigorous selection process, attracting millions of aspirants each year. The primary purpose of the CSE is to identify individuals with the intellectual capacity, leadership qualities, integrity, and dedication required to serve the nation effectively. These services form the backbone of the Indian administrative machinery, playing crucial roles in policy formulation, implementation, law and order, and public welfare. While the number of vacancies varies annually, typically ranging from 700 to 1200, the competition remains exceptionally high, making success in this exam a significant achievement. Career prospects for successful candidates are exceptionally promising and impactful. Officers recruited through the CSE get the opportunity to contribute directly to nation-building, influence public policy, and manage critical government functions. They hold positions of significant responsibility and authority, working across diverse sectors and geographical regions. The roles offer immense personal growth, continuous learning, and the satisfaction of serving the public. A career in the civil services provides a platform for leadership and societal impact, allowing officers to address pressing national issues, implement developmental projects, and uphold justice. The prestigious nature of these services, coupled with the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of citizens, makes the CSE a highly sought-after examination for aspiring public servants.
Nationality: A candidate must be a citizen of India for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). For other services, candidates may also be citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, or persons of Indian origin who have migrated from certain specified countries. Age Limit (as on August 1st of the exam year): General Category: Minimum 21 years and maximum 32 years. Other Backward Classes (OBC): Minimum 21 years and maximum 35 years (3 years relaxation). Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST): Minimum 21 years and maximum 37 years (5 years relaxation). Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): Up to 42 years (10 years relaxation for General, further relaxation as per category). Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from any recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification. Those in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of passing the degree examination along with their Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the Civil Services (Main) Examination. Number of Attempts: General Category: 6 attempts. Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts. Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST): No restriction on the number of attempts within the prescribed age limit. Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 9 attempts for General/OBC PwBD, and no limit for SC/ST PwBD candidates within their respective age limits.
| Stage | Type | Duration | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | MCQ (Objective) | 2 hours per paper | General Studies Paper I, General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | GS I: 200, GS II (CSAT): 200 (Qualifying with 33%) |
| Mains | Descriptive | 3 hours per paper | Essay (Paper I), General Studies I (Paper II), General Studies II (Paper III), General Studies III (Paper IV), General Studies IV (Paper V), Optional Subject Paper I (Paper VI), Optional Subject Paper II (Paper VII), Indian Language (Paper A - Qualifying), English (Paper B - Qualifying) | Essay: 250, GS I: 250, GS II: 250, GS III: 250, GS IV: 250, Optional I: 250, Optional II: 250 (Total 1750 for merit); Language Paper A: 300 (Qualifying with 25%), English Paper B: 300 (Qualifying with 25%) |
| Interview | Personality Test (Viva-voce) | Approx. 25-30 minutes per candidate | General awareness, intellectual qualities, social traits, interest in current affairs, critical assimilation of diverse knowledge, mental alertness, balance of judgment, clear and logical exposition | 275 |
One-Time Registration (OTR): Candidates must first register themselves on the UPSC's One-Time Registration (OTR) platform available on the official website (upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in). This involves providing basic personal details to create a profile. Login and Application Form Filling: After OTR, candidates can log in using their registered credentials. They then select the Civil Services Examination notification and proceed to fill the detailed application form. This includes academic qualifications, preferred exam centers, optional subject choices (for Mains), and other relevant information. Uploading Documents: Candidates are required to upload scanned images of their recent passport-size photograph and signature, ensuring they meet the prescribed dimensions and file size specifications. Fee Payment: An application fee (usually Rs. 100) is required, which can be paid online through various modes like debit card, credit card, net banking, or Challan. Female candidates, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates are exempted from paying the fee. Review and Submission: Before final submission, candidates must carefully review all the details entered in the application form to ensure accuracy and correctness. Any errors should be rectified at this stage. Print Confirmation: Upon successful submission and fee payment, a confirmation page or acknowledgment is generated. Candidates must download and take a printout of this page for their records, as it serves as proof of application.
Yes, candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, provided they furnish proof of passing the degree examination by the deadline for the Mains exam application.
Yes, there is negative marking of one-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer marked in both General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT) of the Preliminary Examination.
Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) over the general category age limit.
General category candidates get 6 attempts, OBC candidates get 9 attempts, and SC/ST candidates have no limit on attempts until they reach their prescribed age limit. PwBD candidates also receive additional attempts.
No, the General Studies Paper II (CSAT) in the Preliminary Examination is a qualifying paper. Candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks in this paper to be eligible for evaluation of their General Studies Paper I.
The final merit list is prepared out of a total of 2025 marks, which includes 1750 marks from the nine papers of the Main Examination (excluding the two qualifying language papers) and 275 marks from the Personality Test (Interview).
No, once the optional subject is selected and submitted in the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the Main Examination, it generally cannot be changed.
The primary services recruited are the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), along with various other Group 'A' and Group 'B' Central Services like Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), etc.