UPSC CSE

UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT).

General Studies Paper-I

Marks: 200
Duration: 2 Hours
Type: Objective
Nature: Merit-based for Prelims qualification
Previous Year Question Papers

General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)

Marks: 200
Duration: 2 Hours
Type: Objective
Nature: Qualifying — Minimum 33%
Previous Year Question Papers
2 Objective Papers
400 Total Marks
33% CSAT Qualifying

UPSC Civil Services Main Examination

The Main Examination consists of nine descriptive papers. Two papers are qualifying and seven papers are counted for merit.

Qualifying Papers

Paper-A: Indian Language

Marks: 300
Duration: 3 Hours
Nature: Qualifying
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-B: English

Marks: 300
Duration: 3 Hours
Nature: Qualifying
Previous Year Question Papers

Papers Counted for Merit

Paper-I: Essay

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-II: General Studies-I

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-III: General Studies-II

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-IV: General Studies-III

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-V: General Studies-IV

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-VI: Optional Subject Paper-I

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers

Paper-VII: Optional Subject Paper-II

Marks: 250
Duration: 3 Hours
Previous Year Question Papers
9 Mains Papers
7 Papers Counted for Merit
1750 Mains Merit Marks

Interview / Personality Test

Candidates who qualify the Civil Services Main Examination are called for the Personality Test.

UPSC Personality Test

Eligibility: After qualifying the Main Written Examination

Marks: 275

Final Merit

Main Examination: 1750 Marks
Personality Test: 275 Marks

Total: 2025 Marks