Union Public Service Commission Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination Details
- Union Public Service Commission Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination Details
- How many services are there in the UPSC Prelims Exam 2020?
- What is the Eligibility For UPSC Prelims Exam 2020?
- What is the Minimum Educational Qualification For UPSC Prelims Exam
- What is the Age Limit For UPSC Prelims Exam 2020
- How many attempts are there for clearing the UPSC Exams?
- Application Fee for UPSC Exams?
- How to Apply For UPSC Prelims Exam 2020
- Civil Service Examination Pattern
- Download UPSC Prelims & Mains Syllabus Pdf
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is a Central Government Organization. It is authorized to conduct the Civil Services Examination, Indian Forest Sevices, Indian Engineering Services Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, Naval Academy Examination, National Defence Academy Examination, Indian Economic Service examination, Indian Statistical Service Examination, Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination, and Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandant) examination. For every Exam, the UPSC releases recruitment Notifications on its official site and also allows candidates to apply online at its official website www.upsc.gov.in/ upsconline.nic.in.
How many services are there in the UPSC Prelims Exam 2020?
- Indian Administrative Service.
- Indian Foreign Service.
- Indian Police Service.
- Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’.
- Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’.
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration).
- Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’.
- Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’
- Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’.
- Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’.
- Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’.
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade).
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
- Pondicherry Civil Service, Group ‘B’.
- Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’
What is the Eligibility For UPSC Prelims Exam 2020?
The Candidates applying for the examination should ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions for admission to examination. Their admission to all the stages of the examination will be purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. Mere issue of e-Admit Card to the candidate will not imply that his/her candidature has been finally cleared by the Commission. The Commission takes up verification of eligibility conditions with reference to original documents only after the candidate has qualified for Interview/Personality Test
What is the Minimum Educational Qualification For UPSC Prelims Exam
The candidate must hold a degree of any of Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University Under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification. Candidates who are in the last year of the graduation and awaiting results are also eligible to apply for IAS preliminary exam. However, such candidates need to submit the proof of passing the requisite exam at the time of applying for the Main exam
What is the Age Limit For UPSC Prelims Exam 2020
A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August, 2020 i.e., he must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1988 and not later than 1st August, 1999. Necessary action to make corresponding changes in respective Rules/Regulations pertaining to various services is being taken separately.
There is also age relaxation of some years for reserved category candidates:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| Defence Services Personnel, disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof | 3 Years |
| Ex-servicemen including commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years of military service as on August 1, 2020 and have been released | 5 Years |
| PwD [(a) blindness and low vision; (b) deaf and hard of hearing; (c) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; (d) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness; and (e) multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) including deaf-blindness] | 10 Years |
How many attempts are there for clearing the UPSC Exams?
Every candidate appearing at the examination, who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted six attempts at the examination:
Provided that this restriction on the number of attempts will not apply in the case of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates who are otherwise eligible :
Provided further that the number of attempts permissible to candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes, who are otherwise eligible, shall be nine. The relaxation will be available to the candidates who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates:
Provided further that candidates of Persons with Benchmark Disability will get as many attempts as are available to other candidates who do not belong to Persons with Benchmark Disability of his or her community, subject to the condition that a candidate of Persons with Benchmark Disability belonging to the General and EWS Category shall be eligible for nine attempts.
| Category | Number of Attempts(Allowed) |
|---|---|
| General/Economically Weaker Section(EWS) | 6 |
| Other Backward Classes | 9 |
| SC/ST | Till the age limit |
| Person with Disabilities | Till the age limit |
Application Fee for UPSC Exams?
Candidates (excepting Female/SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disability Candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay fee of Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred only) either by remitting the money in any Branch of State Bank of India or by using Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card or by using Internet Banking of SBI
| Category | Preliminary Exam Fee | Mains Exam Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General/ EWS/OBC | Rs 100 | Rs 200 |
| Females/ SC/ ST/ Persons with Benchmark Disability | Nil | Nil |
How to Apply For UPSC Prelims Exam 2020
Candidates are required to apply online using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.in Detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website. The applicants are advised to submit only single application; however, if due to any unavoidable situation, if he/she submits another/multiple applications, then he/she must ensure that application with the higher RID is complete in all respects like applicants’ details, examination centre, photograph, signature, photo ID, fee etc. The applicants who are submitting multiple applications should note that only the applications with higher RID (Registration ID) shall be entertained by the Commission and fee paid against one RID shall not be adjusted against any
other RID.
Civil Service Examination Pattern
The pattern of Civil services examination has been designed to test the academic expertise of a candidate and that candidate’s ability to present himself/herself in a systematic and coherent manner. The examination pattern intends to assess the overall intellectual traits and understanding level of the candidates.
The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2020 is conducted in two stages namely, Prelims and Mains, which are then followed by an interview.
Scheme and subjects for the Preliminary and Main Examinations 2020 are as follows:
- Preliminary Examination (400 Marks)
(This is also called Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) and is a common test for all applicants)
- The Prelims consists of two papers of 200 marks each
- Both the question papers are of the objective type (multiple choice questions) of two hours each
- The question papers will be set in both Hindi and English. However, questions related to English Language Comprehension skills would be provided only in English.
- Blind candidates would be allowed an extra 20 minutes of time for each paper
- Main Examination (2025 Marks)
- Candidates who qualify Preliminary exam are called for the Main exam and on the basis of marks secured in the Main exam, they will be called for Interview
- The total marks of the Main exam and Interview sum up to produce the final result
- The written examination consists of the following papers:
| Paper | Subject | Total Marks |
| Paper A | One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution | 300 Marks |
| Paper B | English | 300 Marks |
| Papers to be counted for Merit (Ranking) | ||
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 Marks |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 Marks |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 Marks |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 Marks |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 Marks |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject-Paper 1 | 250 Marks |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject-Paper 2 | 250 Marks |
| Sub Total (Written Test) | 1750 Marks | |
| Personality Test | 275 Marks | |
| Grand Total | 2025 Marks |
Candidates may choose any one of the optional subjects from amongst the list of subjects mentioned below:
| Language | Script |
| Assamese | Assamese |
| Bengali | Bengali |
| Gujarati | Gujarati |
| Hindi | Devanagari |
| Kannada | Kannada |
| Kashmiri | Persian |
| Konkani | Devanagari |
| Malayalam | Malayalam |
| Manipuri | Bengali |
| Marathi | Devanagari |
| Nepali | Devanagari |
| Odia | Odia |
| Punjabi | Gurumukhi |
| Sanskrit | Devanagari |
| Sindhi | Devanagari or Arabic |
| Tamil | Tamil |
| Telugu | Telugu |
| Urdu | Persian |
| Bodo | Devanagari |
| Dogri | Devanagari |
| Maithili | Devanagari |
| Santhali | Devanagari or Olchiki |
List of optional subjects for UPSC Main 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 one of the following 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. |
Download UPSC Prelims & Mains Syllabus Pdf
To help candidates in preparation for the Exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for various UPSC jobs here we have provided the complete Syllabus of all UPSC Exams. Check the Complete UPSC Syllabus and prepare well to get the Central Government Job in UPSC.
UPSC IAS Exam Syllabus
Candidates are advised to go through the Syllabus published in this Section for the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination, as periodic revision of syllabus has been done in several subjects.
Part A—Preliminary Examination
Paper I – (200 marks)
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion,
- Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Paper I – (200 marks)
- Comprehension;
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability;
- Decision making and problem-solving;
- General mental ability;
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class X level);
IAS Main Exam Syllabus
IAS Main Syllabus General Studies Paper-I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
- Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, re-drawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
IAS Main Syllabus General Studies Paper-II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Issues relating to poverty and hunger. - Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
IAS Main Syllabus General Studies Paper III
Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cybersecurity; money laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.