UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies) Previous Year Question Papers and Analysis

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Previous Year Papers

Download Free UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies) Previous Year Papers with Solutions & Analysis

Previous year Papers of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies) always play very important role in your exam preparation. It helps you to understand exam pattern, Level of difficulty of Questions types and weightage assigned to different topics. Clearing this competitive exam requires a well-structured study plan, and practicing with previous year question papers is an essential step towards success.

Here You will Get all previous years Papers with solutions of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies)

 

Free Downloadable PDF: Access a treasure trove of previous year UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies) question papers with detailed solutions.  You can download all Previous year papers for free.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus Breakdown and Important Topic List to Prepare: Gain a clear understanding of the exam format, marking scheme, and crucial topics.

 

Subject Wise Tests for previous year quetsions..
Economic Affairs
(213 + Questions) Indian Economy - Monetary , Financial and Fiscal System, Various Sectors - Trends , Issues , Problems , Planning and Resposes.
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 213
No. of questions
Geography
(193 + Questions) Physical, Human and Economic geography of India and world including Geomorphology, climate , oceans, soil , vegeration , minerals etc
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 193
No. of questions
Environment and Ecology
(161 + Questions) Concepts of Environment and Ecology, Biodiversity, Pollution, Climate Change - Challenges, Issues and Responses
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 161
No. of questions
Indian Polity
(161 + Questions) Understanding the Intricacies of the Constitution of India and Working of the Indian Political System
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 161
No. of questions
Science Affairs
(153 + Questions) General Science including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Botany, Zoology etc and Science & Technology - Space , Biotechnology , nuclear etc
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 153
No. of questions
International Affairs
(73 + Questions) World Events in Various Countries and their Significance and Analysis, Regional groupings, Institutions
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 73
No. of questions
Ancient and Medival History
(70 + Questions) Time lines , Dynasties , Religion ad Philosophy
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 70
No. of questions
Modern Indian History
(67 + Questions) 1857 onwards , Freedom Struggle including events , leaders , Challenges ,actions etc , Post Independence
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 67
No. of questions
Culture of India
(63 + Questions) Historial and contemporary aspects of Indian culture - Architecture, Music and Dance , Paintings, Religion etc
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 63
No. of questions
Miscellaneous GK
(15 + Questions)
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 15
No. of questions
Current Affairs
(2 + Questions)
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 2
No. of questions
Social Issues
(2 + Questions) Indian Society - Features , Social Problems , Various Issues , and Developments like globalisation , regionalism, religion etc .
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 2
No. of questions
Governance Issues
(1 + Questions) Concept of Governanace , Processes , Challenges in Governance system in India
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 1
No. of questions
Security Issues
(1 + Questions)
Qs. used: 0
Qs. left: 1
No. of questions

 

Download Previous Year Paper with solutions PDF

Never Miss the recent Previous Year Paper. The importance of incorporating the latest previous year papers into your study regimen, especially the most recent papers, cannot be overstated when preparing for any competitive exam. It ensures that your preparation is current, comprehensive, and aligned with what is expected in the actual exam. Missing out on this resource might leave gaps in your preparation, especially concerning new formats, question types, and topic emphasis. Hence, integrating this latest resource into your study plan is not just recommended; it’s essential for aiming for success in your forthcoming exams.

 

Previous year Subject-wise Exam Analysis of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies)

Subject202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013
Economic Affairs121416152223191919221319
Geography141915161612171114172022
Environment and Ecology11141311121671315162013
Indian Polity14161116161113236111113
Science Affairs11101718121414912101313
International Affairs61013--347614533
Ancient and Medival History598689336535
Modern Indian History 1126761166966
Culture of India3258437554116
Miscellaneous GK15----------531----
Current Affairs 2----------------------
Social Issues2----------------------
Governance Issues1----------------------
Security Issues1----------------------

Subject20232022202120202019201820172016201520142013
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude1317181717171818151915
Economic Affairs87811989991114
Indian Polity11810101010109788
Geography10108861091161112
Social Issues854656781095
Governance Issues44476646738
Security Issues43444444555
India and the world34433334447
Environment and Ecology46636521332
Modern Indian History 11424153368
Science Affairs42324332326
Culture of India12141312143
Essay----6--7------------
World History----1--1111214
International Affairs1------1--1--------
Ancient and Medival History------------------1--

Why Previous Year Papers are Important for UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies)

Demystifying the Exam: Previous year papers provide a window into the exam's structure, question types, and weightage assigned to different sections. This knowledge allows you to tailor your studies strategically.

Identifying Key Areas: Analyze past papers to pinpoint frequently tested topics and syllabus areas deserving of extra focus. Prioritize your learning to ensure you're well-prepared for the most crucial aspects of the exam.

Mastering Time Management: Exam halls come with time constraints. Practicing with past papers under timed conditions equips you with essential time management skills. You'll learn to allocate time effectively to each section and avoid getting bogged down by challenging questions.

Building Confidence and Spotting Weaknesses: Regularly attempting past papers offers valuable self-assessment. Identify your strengths and weaknesses by analyzing your performance. Focus on solidifying your understanding of less-grasped areas, boosting your confidence for the actual exam.

Developing Effective Techniques: Exposure to diverse questions through past papers helps you sharpen problem-solving skills. You'll learn to identify keywords, strategically eliminate incorrect options, and structure clear and concise answers. This hones your critical thinking and analytical abilities, preparing you for the exam's challenges.

 

Understanding Of  Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

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 .

IAS Exam Pattern

Exam Pattern UPSC Civil service 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.

 

Part A—Preliminary Examination

 

Subject

Marks

Duration

Counted?

Paper 1

General Studies

200

2

counted

Paper2

CSAT

200

2

Qualifying

 


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Part B—Main Examination

 

Subject

Marks

Duration

Counted?

1

Indian Language

300

3 Hours

Qualifying

2

English

300

3 Hours

Qualifying

3.

Essay

250

3 Hours

counted

4

General Studies- I

250

3 Hours

counted

5

General Studies- II

250

3 Hours

counted

6

General Studies- III

250

3 Hours

counted

7

General Studies- IV

250

3 Hours

counted

8

Optional Paper 1

250

3 Hours

counted

9

Optional Paper 2

250

3 Hours

counted

10

Personality Test (Interview)

275

   
 

Total Marks

2025

   

 

Interview / Personality Test

  • 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.

 


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IAS Exam Eligibility Criteria

Educational Background For IAS Exam

  • The candidate must hold a bachelor degree from any of the 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 have appeared or intend to appear for the final examination and are awaiting results are also eligible to apply for the Preliminary Examination.
  • All such candidates who qualify for the Prelims examination must produce proof of Pass Bachelor Degree to appear for the Civil Services Main Examination. This Degree has to be attached with their application for the Main Examinations.
  • The UPSC may in exceptional cases treat a candidate without the foregoing requisite qualification as an eligible candidate if he/she has passed an examination conducted by other institutions, the standard of which justifies his / her admission in the opinion of the Commission. The criteria may apply to candidates having bachelor's degrees from any reputed foreign university for example Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard etc.
  • Candidates with professional and technical bachelor's degrees that are recognized by the Government are also eligible to apply example MBBS, BE etc.
  • Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS but are yet to complete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However, they must submit a certificate from the concerned authority of the University / Institution that they have passed the final professional medical examination along with their Main Examination application. At the Interview stage, they must produce a certificate from a competent authority that they have completed (including internship) and all the requirements for the award of the Medical Degree.

Age limit For IAS Exam

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on 1st August of the year of examination if he is a general category student/aspirant. The upper age limit for IAS as well as all services prescribed above is relaxed for OBC, SC, ST and other categories of aspirants.

Age limit relaxation for OBC SC/ST In IAS Exam

  • Up to a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) or a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
  • Up to a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates.
  • Up to a maximum of five years if a candidate had ordinarily been domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from the 1st January 1980 to the 31st December 1989.
  • Up to a maximum of three years in the case of Defence Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof.
  • Up to a maximum of five years in the case of ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on 1st August and must have been released.
  • On completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from 1st August) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, or on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service, or on invalid.
  • Up to a maximum of five years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years Military Service as on 1st August and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three months notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.
  • Up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopedically handicapped persons.

Cumulative Age-relaxation For IAS Exam

  • Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes who are also covered under any other clauses of para 3(ii) (b) above, viz. those coming under the category of Ex-servicemen, persons domiciled in the State of J & K, blind, deaf-mute and orthopedically handicapped etc. will be eligible for grant of cumulative age relaxation under both the categories.
  • The term ex-servicemen will apply to the persons who are defined as ex-servicemen in the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, as amended from time to time.
  • The age concession under para 3(ii) (b) (v) and (vi) will not be admissible to Ex-Servicemen and Commissioned Officers including ECOs/SSCOs who are released on their own request.
  • Notwithstanding the provision of age-relaxation under para 3 (ii) (b) (vii) above, a physically disabled candidate will be considered to be eligible for appointment only if he/she (after such physical examination as the Government or appointing authority, as the case may be, may prescribe) is found to satisfy the requirements of physical and medical standards for the concerned Services/posts to be allocated to the physically disabled candidates by the Government.

Attempts In IAS Exam

The UPSC has raised the upper age limit and a number of attempts of applicants for the Civil Service Examination with effect from 2015. The upper age limit will be 32 years for the unreserved (general) category with 6 attempts. It will be 35 years for OBC candidates with 9 attempts; and will be 37 years for SC/ST candidates with an unlimited number of attempts. For physically handicapped candidates the age limit is 42, 45, and 47 years for the General, OBC, and SC/ST category respectively while the number of attempts is 9 for General and OBC and unlimited for SC/SC category.

 

 

Category

Maximum Age

No. of Attempts

General

32

6

OBC

32+3=35

9

SC/ST

32+5=37

As many as upto age limt

Physically disabled
(Blind, Deaf-mute, Orthopedic)

32+10=42

if general then 9
OBC then 9
SC/ST- then upto age limt

J&K domicile

if general then 32+5=37
OBC then 32+5+3=40
SC/ST then 32+5+5=42
PH then 32+5+10=50

depending on above categories viz.Gen, OBC, SC/ST, Disabled

Disabled serviceman discharged from duty

if general then 32+3=35
OBC then 32+3+3=38
SC/ST then 32+3+5=40

-do-

Ex-serviceman with five years duty* specific condition on page2 of notification

if general then 32+5=37
OBC then 32+5+3=40
SC/ST then 32+5+5=42

-do-

 

 

Restrictions on applying for IAS exam given by UPSC:

A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) on the results of an earlier examination is NOT eligible to take this examination again. In case such a candidate is appointed to the IAS/IFS after the Preliminary Examination of Civil Services Examination, is over and he/she continues to be a member of that service, he/she shall NOT be eligible to appear in the Civil Services (Mains) Examination, notwithstanding his/her having qualified in the Preliminary Examination. Also provided that if such a candidate is appointed to IAS/IFS after the commencement of the Civil Services (Main) Examination but before the result thereof and continues to be a member of that service, he/she shall NOT be considered for appointment to any service/post on the basis of the result of this examination viz. Civil Services Examination.

Restrictions Relaxed on applying for the IAS exam:

The candidates who are appointed to other services barring the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) on the results of an earlier examination are eligible to take this examination again.

Other Criteria For IAS Exam:

Nationality For IAS Exam:

  • The candidate must be a citizen of India to be eligible for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), for other services, a candidate must be either:
  • a citizen of India,
  • or a subject of Nepal,
  • or a subject of Bhutan,
  • or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India,
  • or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
    Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (c), (d), (e) and (f) shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.
    Provided further that candidates belonging to categories (c), (d) (e) and (f) above will not be eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service

Note: A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary is eligible to take the examination but the offer of appointment may be given to only those candidates who have submitted the necessary eligibility certificate issued to him/her by the Government of India.

Note: The Candidates applying for the Civil Service Examination should ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions and criteria for admission to the examination. Their admission to all the stages of the examination will be purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. The mere issue of the admission certificate to the candidate will not imply that his/her candidature has been finally cleared by the UPSC. UPSC takes up verification of eligibility conditions with reference to original documents only after the candidate has qualified for the Interview/ Personality Test.

Quick Links

Check IAS Exam Pattern IAS Exam Prelims Syllabus

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.  

Vacancies And Selections in IAS Exam

Detailed Statistics of UPSC CSE (IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS) Last 15 Years Comparison of Vacancies & Selections In Different Years
 

Generally the number of vacancies varies every year. The number of candidates that pass the preliminary examination is generally 11 or 12 times the number of vacancies, and the number of candidates selected for the final interview is twice the number of vacancies. As per existing policies, reservation for SC/ST/OBC is applied to each level of the selection process of Civil Services examination.

By analyzing applicant data across various stages of the UPSC CSE, we can gain valuable insights into the competition level and success rates. Here's a breakdown of the key applicant trends over the past 15 years (replace with your actual data):

Trends and analysis of Last 15 Years UPSC CSE Exam

Year No. of candidates applying for Prelims No. of candidates that appeared for No. of candidates
appearing for interviews
No. of candidates selected Final
vacancies
Prelims Mains
2010 5,47,698 2,69,036 11,865 2,589 965 1,043
2011 4,99,120 2,43,236 11,237 2,415 999 1,001
2012 5,50,080 2,71,442 12,190 2,674 998 1,091
2013 7,76,604 3,23,949 14,178 3,003 1,122 1,228
2014 9,47,428 4,51,602 16,286 3,308 1,236 1,364
2015 9,45,908 4,65,882 15,008 2,797 1,078 1,164
2016 11,36,000 5,00,000 15,452 2,961 1,099 1,209
2017 10,00,000 (Approx.) 5,50,000 (Approx.) 13,366 2,568 960 980
2018 1065552 500484 10246 1992 759 782
2019 11.35 Lakh 5.68 Lakh 11474 2302 922 927
2020 10.5 Lakh 4,82,770 10,500 2053 761

796

2021 1,093,948 508619 9214 2100 685 712
2022 11,35,697 5,73,735  13,090  2,529  933  1011
2023 10,16,850   14,624 2916 1016 1105

 

  • Applicant Pool: Witnessing a steady rise/fluctuations (mention the trend) in the number of applicants applying for the UPSC CSE over the past 15 years? This data can help you gauge the overall competition level.
  • Prelims Appearances: Analyze the trend in the number of candidates appearing for the prelims stage. Has there been a significant increase/decrease?
  • Mains Qualifications: Understanding the success rate at the prelims stage can help you set realistic goals for clearing this crucial hurdle.
  • Interview Calls: Track the number of candidates who qualify for the interview round. This data provides insights into the competition at the final stages.
  • Final Selections: The ultimate goal! Analyze the final selection numbers to understand the overall success rate in the UPSC CSE.
IAS Exam centres

Choose an examination center for Civil Services Examination

Candidates should note that the Examination Centres (Preliminary and Mains) and the date of the civil services examination as mentioned are liable to be changed. They should be aware of the fact that there will be a ceiling on the number of candidates allotted to each of the Centres in civil services examination. But allotment is not applicable to centres like Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur. For each Centres, allotments will be on the 'first apply first serve' basis, and once the capacity of a Centre is full, further allotment will be stopped in civil services examination. civil services examination Applicants, who were not eligible to get a seat in the Centre of their choice, will be required to choose a Centre from the remaining ones. So, civil services examination applicants are advised that they may apply early so that they could get a Centre of their choice.

The UPSC has issued a list of exam centres from where candidates can take their Prelims and Mains exams of civil services examination. Most of the state capitals have a centre for taking the Civil Service exam. Candidates can choose a centre that is near them, from the list provided here.

 

Centre Code For Civil Services Examination:

  • The Examination Centres for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as well as Civil Services (Main) Examination are listed below.
  • The Centres and the Date of holding the civil services examination as mentioned above are liable to be changed at the discretion of the Commission.
  • While every effort will be made to allot the candidates to the Centre of their choice for civil services examination, the Commission may, at their discretion allot a different centre to a candidate, when circumstances so warrant.
  • Blind candidates will, however, be required to take the civil services examination at any one of the Seven Centres, viz. Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dispur and Mumbai.
  • Candidates admitted to the civil services examination will be informed of the time table and place or places of examination.
  • The candidates should note that no request for change of the civil services examination centre will normally be granted.

 

Prelims exam centres

The IAS Prelims Examination Centres are mentioned below:

State/UT

Centres

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Port Blair

Andhra Pradesh

Anantapur (Anantpur)

Tirupati

Vijayawada

Vishakhapatnam

Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar

Assam

Dispur

Jorhat

Bihar

Gaya

Patna

Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Chhattisgarh

Bilaspur

Raipur

Delhi

Delhi

Goa

Panaji

Gujarat

Ahmedabad

Rajkot

Haryana

Faridabad

Gurgaon

Himachal Pradesh

Shimla

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu

Srinagar

Jharkhand

Ranchi

Karnataka

Bangalore

Dharwad

Mysore

Kerala

Kochi

Kozhikode (Calicut)

Thiruvananthapuram

Ladakh

Leh

Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal

Gwalior

Indore

Jabalpur

Maharashtra

Aurangabad

Mumbai

Nasik

Nagpur

Navi Mumbai

Pune

Thane

Manipur

Imphal

Meghalaya

Shillong

Mizoram

Aizawl

Nagaland

Kohima

Odisha

Cuttack

Sambalpur

Puducherry

Puducherry

Punjab

Ludhiana

Rajasthan

Ajmer

Jaipur

Jodhpur

Udaipur

Sikkim

Gangtok

Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Coimbatore

Madurai

Tiruchirapalli

Vellore

Telangana

Hyderabad

Warangal

Tripura

Agartala

Uttar Pradesh

Agra

Aligarh

Bareilly

Ghaziabad

Gorakhpur

Lucknow

Gautam Buddh Nagar

Prayagraj (Allahabad)

Varanasi

Uttarakhand

Dehradun

Srinagar

West Bengal

Kolkata

Siliguri (Siligudi)

 

Mains Examination Centres

The IAS Mains Examination Centres are mentioned below:

Ahmedabad

Kolkata

Aizawl

Mumbai

Bengaluru

Lucknow

Bhopal

Patna

Chandigarh

Prayagraj

Chennai

Ranchi

Cuttack

Raipur

Dehradun

Shillong

Delhi

Shimla

Dispur (Guwahati)

Vijayawada

Hyderabad

Thiruvananthapuram

Jaipur

Jammu

 

People With Disability-IAS

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) who qualify the civil services examination has to be cleared by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for suitable services.

In 2012 and 2013, out of 67 such candidates who got selected in civil services examination, few to have to wait for service allocation.

Many selected PWDs are allocated lower services than their ranking in the merit lists on the ground that the nature of their disability prevents them doing the job in most services.

The allocations of services is decided on the basis of the "list of services identified suitable for physically disabled category. This is based on the physical requirements and functional classification" published in the gazette about the service a successful candidate with disability can get.

For instance, under the category of locomotor disability, if the disability affects both hands or arms, you can get into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) but not any of the other 23 services.

Similarly, the Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) is open to those with one leg affected or whose hearing is impaired.

However, they are not eligible for either the Pondicherry Police Service or the Indian Police Service (IPS).

All accounts services, the Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Service, Gr.A, Indian Civil Accounts Service, Gr. A and Indian Railway Accounts Service are open someone with one arm (OA) or one leg (OL) affected or with one arm and one leg affected (OAL) and to those with both legs affected (BL). The Indian Audit & Accounts Service Gr. A alone is not open to persons with both legs affected.

There has been a lot of protests due to these perceived discrepancies. A group dedicated to the cause of PWDs is formed. It is called the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). With much activism they have been able to now get a 3% quota in all services for PWDs mandated by the Disability Act 1995.

UPSC IAS Exam - Prelims Syllabus

Civil Services Examination - Preliminary Examination Syllabus  2024

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.

Aspirants are advised to go through the Syllabus mentioned in this Section for the Preliminary Examination. To conquer the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam, a thorough understanding of the syllabus is crucial. Here's a detailed breakdown of the two Prelims papers:


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Civil Services Examination - Preliminary Examination Syllabus 2024

Paper I - (200 marks) Duration: 2 Hours

  • 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.

UPSC Civil Services  Prelims Paper-II  Complete Syllabus - (200 marks) Duration: 2 Hours  

  • 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).

 

Note 1: Paper II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
Note 2: The questions will be of multiple-choice, objective type.
Note 3: Candidates are advised to go through the Syllabus published in this Section for the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination, as a periodic revision of the syllabus has been done in several subjects.
Note 4
: The candidate must appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination for evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

 

IAS Exam - Mains Syllabus

UPSC 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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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Previous Year Exam of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies) helps to Identifying Frequently Asked Questions and Topics

 

 

1 Topic Trend Analysis

Analysis of past year papers often reveals patterns in the topics tested. Knowing these trends allows candidates to focus on high-yield areas, increasing the effectiveness of their study sessions.

2 Question Format Familiarity

Understanding the formats and variations of questions that have appeared in past exams prepares candidates for the types of challenges they might face, reducing surprises and boosting overall preparedness.

3. Assessing Preparation Gaps

By comparing their answers with the solutions provided in past papers, candidates can identify knowledge gaps and areas needing reinforcement, which is critical for targeted studying.

 

LIST down Free Mock Test Series Subject Wise and Topic wise of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies)

 

Benefits of Previous Year papers with Solutions PDFs of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies)

Previous year papers are even more potent when coupled with detailed solutions. These solutions act as:

  • Learning Tools: Understand the thought process behind the correct answer, not just the answer itself.
  • Alternative Approaches: Discover different ways to solve problems, expanding your analytical skills.
  • Concept Clarity: If you struggled with a question, the solutions help solidify your understanding of the underlying concepts.

 

 

Maximizing Your Learning with Previous Year Papers of UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies):

  1. Schedule Practice Sessions: Integrate past paper practice into your study routine. Aim for at least two sessions per week.
  2. Simulate Exam Conditions: Set a timer and create a distraction-free environment to mimic the real exam experience.
  3. Analyze Thoroughly: Don't just check answers. Understand the solutions, identify alternate approaches, and learn from your mistakes.
  4. Track Progress: Monitor your performance over time. Are you getting faster and more accurate? Celebrate your improvements!

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