UPSC CSE Exam Pattern

UPSC CSE EXAm Pattern

UPSC(Union Public Service Commission) is a body who conducts various examination for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ officers.Some famous examination conducted by UPSC is UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF,UPSC NDA and CDS etc. 

Today we talk about our favorite exam which is UPSC Civil Services Examination(CSE).This examination is held to recruit IAS, IPS, IFS(Foreign), IFoS(Forest), IRS, IDAS, etc. More than 20 posts are there in the UPSC CSE examination.

Nature of UPSC CSE Exam

The UPSC CSE exam is considered the toughest exam in India, and why it is so? Due to its comprehensive syllabus and deadly competition.

I am not demoralizing you, Keep in mind not all people are serious about examination who filled the UPSC CSE Form.

UPSC CSE Exam Pattern and syllabus

The Paper pattern of UPSC CSE is divided into two parts that are, Preliminary Examination(pre), and Mains. Technically if you see there are three rounds for selection in UPSC CSE Exam Pre, Mains, and Personality(Interview) round.

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

PaperPaper TypeNo. of Questions.Total MarksExam Duration
General Studies IObjective1002002 hours
 General Studies II – CSATObjective(Qualifying – 33%)802002 hours

Negative Marking of 1/3 of total marks in both papers.

Question Paper will be provided in both English and Hindi Language.

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern

Paper SubjectTotal Marks
Paper ACompulsory Indian language (Qualifying)300
Paper BEnglish Language(Qualifying)300
Paper 1Essay250
Paper 2 General Studies I250
Paper IIIGeneral Studies II250
Paper IVGeneral Studies III250
Paper VGeneral Studies IV250
Paper VI Optional I250
Paper VII Optional II250
Total Marks for Merit1750

Compulsory Indian Language and English Language are Qualifying in nature. Candidates have to score 25% to qualify in these subjects.

Candidate’s Essay, General Studies, and Optionals copies will be checked only if they scored 25% in Compulsory Indian Language and English Language.

Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the Qualifying Language Papers, Paper-A and Paper-B, in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or in English. Notwithstanding this, the Candidate will have the choice to write the Optional Papers in English also if the candidates has chosen other language for the rest of the Papers.

No Negative Marking in the Written examination but there is penalty marks. Marks get deducted if you write unusual thing which is not related to any question or answer like your name, address, or any sign outside the written area in a copy.

UPSC CSE Personality Round

This round is considered the last round of the UPSC CSE Examination. This is an Interview round in which board member access the candidates personality, thinking and it’s exposure to the current situation in National as well as international matters.The board consists of an Unbiased observer who checks the candidate’s mental as well as social health by asking general questions. They also check the candidate’s judgemental capability by throwing some case studies.

Personality Round –  275 Marks

Subjects covered in General studies

General studies I 

  • Indian Heritage and Culture
  • History and Geography of the World
  • Society

General Studies II 

  • Governance
  • Constitution
  • Polity
  • Social Justice
  • International relations

General Studies III

  • Technology
  • Economic Development
  • Bio-diversity
  • Environment
  • Security and Disaster Management

General Studies IV

  • Ethics
  • Integrity
  • Aptitude
List of Optional subjects in Mains Examination
Agriculture
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science and International Relations
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology

Literature of any of the Languages Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.

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