UPSC (Union Public Service Commision)
- What is UPSC?
- Who Can Apply for UPSC?
- Exam Structure
- Course Plan & Schedule
What is UPSC and Why is It Important?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts India’s most prestigious Civil Services
Examination (CSE) to recruit officers for:
✔ IAS (Indian Administrative Service) – Responsible for district administration, policy
implementation, and governance.
✔ IPS (Indian Police Service) – Maintains law and order, counter-terrorism, crime prevention, and
public safety.
✔ IFS (Indian Foreign Service) – Represents India in international diplomacy and manages
foreign relations.
✔ Other Central Government Services – Includes Revenue, Railways, Audit, and more.
� What Do Civil Servants Do?
✅ Policy-making & Implementation – Drafting and executing laws and government schemes.
✅ Law & Order Maintenance – Handling law enforcement and judicial matters.
✅ Economic & Infrastructure Development – Managing financial policies, taxation, and national
projects.
✅ Foreign Diplomacy & Trade Relations – Representing India globally and strengthening
international relations.
✅ Welfare & Social Justice – Ensuring education, health, and equality for all citizens.
� Why Choose Civil Services as a Career?
✔ High Job Security
✔ Power & Influence
✔ Challenging & Prestigious Career
✔ Diverse Opportunities Across Sectors
� Clearing UPSC = Becoming a Decision-Maker in India’s Government
1. Nationality Criteria:
- Only Indian citizens can apply for IAS, IPS, and IFS.
- Indian citizens and certain other nationalities (as per UPSC rules) can apply for other central services.
2. Educational Qualification:
- A graduate degree (in any subject) from a recognised university.
- Final-year students can apply but must submit proof of graduation before Mains.
- No minimum percentage requirement in graduation.
3. Age Limit & Attempt Criteria:
| Category | Age limit | Number of Attempt |
|---|---|---|
| General | 21 to 32 years | 6 Attempts |
| OBC | 21 to 35 years | 9 Attempts |
| SC/ST | 21 to 37 years | Unlimited Attempts |
| PwBD | 21 to 42 years | As per category rules |
4. Physical & Medical Standards:
- Required for IPS, IFS, and certain services.
- Candidates must meet vision, hearing, height, and general health standards.
5. Reservation & Relaxation Benefits:
- SC/ST & OBC Candidates – Age relaxation and fee exemption.
- EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Candidates – 10% reservation in vacancies.
Stage 1: Prelims (May-June 2026)
The UPSC Preliminary Examination is a screening test and does not count towards the final ranking. Only candidates who clear Prelims cut-off qualify for Mains.
Prelims Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours | Yes (-0.33 per wrong answer) |
| Paper 2 | CSAT (Aptitude Test) | 200 | 2 Hours | Yes (-0.33 per wrong answer) |
Paper 1: General Studies (GS)
- Number of Questions: 100
Syllabus Coverage:
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- Indian Polity & Governance (Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy)
- Geography (Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & World)
- Indian Economy (Basic concepts, budgeting, planning, growth & development)
- General Science & Technology
- Environmental Ecology, Climate Change, & Biodiversity
- Current Affairs (National & International Importance)
Cut-off Based Selection:
- The cut-off varies yearly based on difficulty level and competition.
- Marks in Paper 1 decide selection for Mains.
Paper 2: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
- Number of Questions: 80
Syllabus Coverage:
- Comprehension & English Language Skills
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Basic Mathematics & Data Interpretation (10th Standard Level)
- Only 33% required to qualify (Marks not counted in ranking).
- Many students struggle due to overconfidence – regular practice is necessary.
Stage 2: Mains (September-October 2026)
Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language | 300 | Qualifying (Min 25%) |
| Paper B | English | 300 | Qualifying (Min 25%) |
| Paper 1 | Essay | 250 | Counted for Merit |
| Paper 2 | General Studies 1 (GS-1) | 250 | Counted for Merit |
| Paper 3 | General Studies 2 (GS-2) | 250 | Counted for Merit |
| Paper 4 | General Studies 3 (GS-3) | 250 | Counted for Merit |
| Paper 5 | General Studies 4 (GS-4 - Ethics) | 250 | Counted for Merit |
| Paper 6 | Optional Subject (Paper 1) | 250 | Counted for Merit |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject (Paper 2) | 250 | Counted for Merit |
✔ Total Marks in Mains: 1750
✔ GS-1 to GS-4 Cover:
- Indian Heritage & Culture, History, and Geography (GS-1)
- Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, & International Relations (GS-2)
- Indian Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, and Security Issues (GS-3)
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (GS-4)
✔ Essay Paper:
- Two essays to be written (250 Marks)
- Topics can be on: Governance, Philosophy, Ethics, Social Issues, etc.
Optional Subject (Paper 1 & 2):
- Candidates choose 1 Optional Subject (like History, Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, etc.)
- Each paper carries 250 Marks (Total 500 Marks)
Total Marks for Mains = 1750 (Excluding Language Papers A & B, which are just qualifying).
Stage 3: Interview (Feb-March 2027)
- Conducted at UPSC Bhavan, Delhi
- Marks: 275
- Total Merit Calculation: Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 Marks
Personality Test Details:
- The Interview Board assesses:
- Mental Alertness & Decision-Making
- Leadership & Communication Skills
- Social Awareness & Ethical Integrity
- Knowledge of Current Affairs
✔ No fixed syllabus – Focus is on personality and judgment.
✔ A well-balanced personality is crucial to score well.
UPSC Final Merit Calculation
- Prelims → Qualifying (Only used for Mains selection)
- Mains → 1750 Marks (Merit-Determining)
- Interview → 275 Marks (Personality Test)
Final Rank = Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 Marks
Cut-offs vary yearly based on difficulty level and competition.
Subject-Wise Course Schedule (2025-26)
| Subject | Duration (Weeks) | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 7-9 weeks | 30 Apr 2025 | 31 June 2025 |
| Economics + Agriculture & Food Security | 6-7 weeks | 1 July 2025 | 15 Aug 2025 |
| Ancient & Medieval History + Art & Culture | 5-6 weeks | 16 Aug 2025 | 20 Sep 2025 |
| Modern History + Post-Independence History | 4-5 weeks | 21 Sep 2025 | 5 Nov 2025 |
| Polity & International Relations | 5-6 weeks | 6 Nov 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 |
| Ethics + Governance Case Studies | 7-9 weeks | 26 Dec 2025 | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Indian Society & Social Justice | 4-5 weeks | 21 Jan 2026 | 28 Feb 2026 |
| Biodiversity & Environment | 3-4 weeks | 29 Feb 2026 | 15 Mar 2026 |
| Internal Security + Cybersecurity & Border Security | 2 weeks | 16 Mar 2026 | 1 Apr 2026 |
| Disaster Management | 2 weeks | 2 Apr 2026 | 14 Apr 2026 |
| World History | 2 weeks | 15 Apr 2026 | 29 Apr 2026 |
| Science & Technology | 3-4 weeks | 30 Apr 2026 | 20 May 2026 |
| Essay Writing | 2 weeks | 21 May 2026 | 4 Jun 2026 |
| CSAT | 5-6 weeks | 5 Jun 2026 | 18 Jul 2026 |
