Understanding Scheme of Examination is essential for making a time plan and prioritizing various aspects of syllabus. Focus on key dates , time gap between papers , gap between various stages , Syllabus given by UPSC. A serious student must not take it lightly .
Examination Scheme Marking Scheme Of IAS Examination
The Indian Civil Services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year. The Civil Services examination schedule is announced from January - to February after which the selection is done in 3 stages. Candidates are filtered at every stage through a process of elimination.
The civil services examination comprises of three successive stages :
1) Prelims - Objective Type (Qualifier)
2) Mains - Written Test
3) Interview.
One can take one step at a time and go on to the next only if you clear the previous. The UPSC conducts the Civil Services examination in the above 3 stages selecting and dropping candidates as they go from stage to stage.
The Civil Services examination's Prelims are held in May-June and the results are announced in July-August. The Main Examination of the IAS Exam is held in October-November and the candidates who qualify at this stage are invited to the interview in March-April next. The final recruitment and posting of candidates depend on their ranking and the available vacancies for different posts to be filled during that particular year.
Students need to first apply for the Prelims of Civil Services examination only. Candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified for admission to the Main Examination will have to apply again, in the Detailed Application Form which would be supplied to them.
Preliminary Examination of Civil Services examination
The Preliminary Examination will consist of two papers of objective type (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400 marks. This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only.
- Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Main Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main Examination.
- The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
- The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination will be about twelve to thirteen times the total an approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year for various Services and Posts.
Main Examination of Civil Services examination
The Main Examination will consist of 9 papers in total comprising of conventional essay-type questions.
- Candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the Main Examination as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion, shall be summoned by them for an interview / for a Personality Test.
- The number of candidates to be summoned for interviews will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled.
Interview of Civil Services examination
- The interview will carry 275 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks).
- Marks thus obtained by the candidates (in the Main Examination as well as interview) would determine their final ranking.
- Candidates will be posted to various services keeping in view their ranks in the examination and the preferences expressed by them for the various Services and Posts.
Officially called the "Personality Test", the objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to evaluate the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only a candidate's intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, the balance of judgment, variety, and depth of interest, the ability for social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity. The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination, but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation that is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. The interview is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidate, which has been already tested through written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own state or country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should arouse the curiosity of all well-educated youth.
The procedure with timetable for Civil Services examination
UPSC usually releases its notification for the IAS exam in February/March. The Prelims exam is held in June/August. Candidates should apply online only on the UPSC official website before the closing date mentioned in the notification. About three weeks before the exam commences, UPSC will send the admit cards which can be downloaded by the candidates from the official website.
Once the prelims are over, results will be announced by the Commission where they mention the roll numbers of the candidates who would have cleared it. After this, the mains exam will be held generally in the month of October/December. For this exam also, candidates who have cleared the prelims will have to apply online for the mains. During this time, candidates should send the duly filled DAF (Detailed Application Form) and send it to the UPSC.
The DAF is an important document since it has a bearing on the third stage, i.e. the UPSC interview. The UPSC panel can ask questions based on what you have filled out such as hobbies, extra-curricular activities, native town, work experience, etc. So fill out this form with adequate care.
If you clear this round, you will get the interview summons from the UPSC. The UPSC would announce the results of the UPSC mains written exam generally a month or two before the personality test is scheduled to begin. And, the e-summons would be downloadable from the website about three weeks before the personality test begins (usually held in March/April/May).
The Interview is the final round in this mammoth process and if you successfully clear it, you will be able to make an entry into the civil services. Along with the interview which is held in Delhi, candidates will have to undergo a medical test as well.
The final results are out generally in June or July. Depending on the rank of the candidate, he/she would be allotted to service and care.
Civil Services examination Process
Step 1: Fill IAS Exam Application Form
Candidates can fill the IAS exam 2019 application form online mode on the official website of the commission. Once the application form is filled, candidates also need to pay Civil Services exam application fee in online or offline mode.
Category
|
Preliminary Exam Fee
|
Mains Exam Fee
|
General/ OBC
|
Rs 100
|
Rs 200
|
Females/ SC/ ST/ Persons with Benchmark Disability
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Step 2: Download IAS Preliminary Exam Admit Card
Candidates can download their Civil Services Exam admit card from the official website of the commission three weeks before the commencement of the exam. It may be noted that admit cards will not be sent by post to any candidates. Also, candidates who fail to carry their admit cards on the day of the exam will not be allowed to take the exam.
Step 3: Appear for IAS Preliminary Exam
Next, candidates need to appear for UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam. The Preliminary exam is conducted in order to shortlist candidates for the next stage of the Civil Services exam.
Step 4: Download IAS Mains Exam Admit Card
All candidates who clear the Preliminary exam can download their admit cards for the Civil Services Mains exam. The admit cards will be available on the official website of UPSC three weeks before the commencement of the Mains exam.
Step 5: Appear for IAS Mains Exam
Candidates need to appear for IAS Mains 2019 Exam as per the details mentioned on the admit card. The mains exam of Civil Services will consist of a total of two qualifying papers, seven merit-based papers and one personality test. Candidates need to take all the papers to clear the exam.
Step 6: Check IAS exam Final Results
After both the stages of the Civil Services Exam (Preliminary and Mains) are conducted successfully, UPSC will release a final merit list on its official website. Candidates whose names/ roll numbers appear in the merit list will then be eligible for recruitment in different services and posts on offer through Civil Services Exam.
IAS Exam - Mains SyllabusUPSC Civil Services Mains Exam Detailed Syllabus 2024
The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination is the second stage of the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Unlike the preliminary stage, the Mains focuses on assessing a candidate's in-depth understanding, analytical skills, and ability to think critically.Here aspirants can get a clear and detailed breakdown of the UPSC Mains Syllabus, covering both the qualifying papers and the General Studies & Optional Subject papers.
Key Points to Note:
- Focus on Understanding, Not Just Information: The Mains doesn't test rote memorization. You'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of various subjects relevant to a career in civil service.
- Analyze and Form Opinions: The Mains challenges you to analyze complex issues, weigh arguments, and form your own well-reasoned opinions.
- Conciseness is Key: Present clear and concise answers that showcase your knowledge effectively.
UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam Structure:
The UPSC Mains Exam comprises two parts:
- Qualifying Papers on Indian Languages and English: These papers assess your ability to comprehend and write effectively in English and your chosen Indian language.
- Focus: Reading comprehension, precis writing, vocabulary, short essays, and translation (for Indian language paper).
- Marking Scheme: Qualifying only, marks not counted for ranking.
- General Studies & Optional Subject Papers: These papers evaluate your understanding of various subjects crucial for a civil service career.
- General Studies Papers (Paper-II to Paper-V):
- Level: Expected knowledge of a well-educated person.
- Focus: General awareness across diverse topics relevant to civil services.
- Skills Tested: Ability to analyze, form views on conflicting issues, and demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of current affairs and socio-economic challenges.
- Optional Subject Papers (Paper-VI and Paper-VII):
- Level: Honours degree level (higher than a bachelor's degree, but lower than a master's degree).
- Focus: In-depth knowledge of your chosen optional subject.
QUALIFYING PAPERS ON INDIAN LANGUAGES AND ENGLISH
Qualifying Papers: 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
The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows :
(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
Indian Languages :—
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.
Note 1 : The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
Download Weekly current Affairs Document
Papers to be counted for merit :
UPSC Mains Exam: Mastering the Essay Paper (Paper-1 ) (250 Marks)
The UPSC Mains Essay paper (Paper-I) is your chance to showcase your writing skills, analytical thinking, and ability to express complex ideas clearly.
UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam: PAPER- 2 Detailed Syllabus 2024 (250 Marks )
General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
(i) Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
(ii) Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
(iii) The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
(iv) Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
(v) History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on society.
(vi) Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
(vii) Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
(viii) Effects of globalization on Indian society.
(ix) Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
(x) Salient features of world’s physical geography.
(xi) Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
(xii) 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.
UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam: PAPER- 3 Detailed Syllabus 2024 (250 Marks)
General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
(i) Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
(ii) 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.
(iii) Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
(iv) Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
(v) Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
(vi) 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.
(vii) Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
(viii) Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
(ix) Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
(x) Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
(xi) Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
(xii) 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.
(xiii) Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
(xiv) Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
(xv)Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models,successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
(xvi) Role of civil services in a democracy.
(xvii) India and its neighborhood- relations.
(xviii) Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
(xix) Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
(xx) Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
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UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam: PAPER- 4 Detailed Syllabus 2024 (250 Marks)
General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
(i) Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
(ii) Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
(iii) Government Budgeting.
(iv) 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.
(v) 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.
(vi) Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
(vii) Land reforms in India.
(viii) Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
(ix) Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
(x) Investment models.
(xi) Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
(xii) Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
(xiii) Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues
relating to intellectual property rights.
(xiv) Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
(xv) Disaster and disaster management.
(xvi) Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
(xvii) Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
(xviii) Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking
sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
(xix) Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
(xx)Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam: PAPER- 5 Detailed Syllabus 2024 (250 Marks)
General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
(i) This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects.
The following broad areas will be covered :
(ii) Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational
institutions in inculcating values.
(iii) Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
(iv) Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
(v) Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
(vi) Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
(vii) Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
(viii) Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
(ix) Case Studies on above issues.
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PAPER-VI & PAPER VII Optional Subject Papers I & II Candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects given in Para
Attempt a Free Weekly current Affairs Quiz
Paper - VI : Optional Subject - Paper 1 -250 Marks : Check other Links
Paper - VII : Optional Subject - Paper II -250 Marks: Check other Links
There is only "ONE" optional subject to choose from the list of subjects. It comprises two papers each of 250 marks. So the optional paper has total of 500 marks. The candidate is allowed to take up literature as an optional subject "without the condition of having the same at graduation level." The scope of the syllabus of optional papers is higher than the bachelor's degree but lower than the master's level.
Check Detailed Syllabus of Optional Here: https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CSP-24-engl-140224.pdf
Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks
- Marks of English and Language will not be counted in the total tally of marks for the written exam. So the total of the Mains exam will be 1750 Marks Only.
Interview/Personality Test - 275 marks
- Candidates can give preference of the language in which they may like to be interviewed. UPSC will make arrangements for the translators.
Grand Total 2025 Marks
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