UPSC - Civil Services Examination : Priliminary Examination
- Tentative Schedule
- Notification of Examination: November/December of previous year
- Conduct of Examination: May
- Age - limits: 21-30 years as on 1st August of the year of Examination.
Certain categories of persons as specified in the Commission's Notice as published in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar are eligible for age relaxation.
- Educational Qualification: Degree of a Recognised University or equivalent.
Candidates appearing in the requisite Degree qualification are also eligible for appearing in the examination, however, they are supposed to submit proof of passing the requisite qualification along with with Detailed Application Form for Civil Services (Main) Examination.
Scheme of UPSC - Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of objective type (multiple-choice questions) carrying a maximum of 450 marks.
The Question Papers (Test Booklets) are set in English & Hindi
| Paper - I |
General Studies |
150 marks |
| Paper - II |
One of the optional subjects to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects |
300 marks |
List of Optional Subjects CS (Preliminary) (Total 23)
| Agriculture |
Mathematics |
Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science |
| Mechanical Engineering |
Botany |
Medical Science |
| Chemistry |
Philosophy |
Civil Engineering |
| Physics |
Commerce |
Political Science |
| Economics |
Psychology |
Electrical Engineering |
| Public Administration |
Geography |
Sociology |
| Geology |
Statistics |
Indian History |
| Zoology |
Law |
|
Note
- Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions).
- The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.
- The course content of the syllabi for the optional subjects will be of the degree level.
- Each paper will be of two hours duration. Blind candidates will, however, be allowed an extra time of twenty minutes at each paper.
The following are the statistics that indicates that the UPSC examination are a matter of complete preparation and confidence. The preparation and application starts with enthusiasm and glamour of getting selected in the Civil Services. But what matters is the determination, devotion and dedication which goes on to make the perfect Civil servent. The application candidates are reduced to half when it comes to giving the said examination.
| Year of Exam |
No. of Candidates |
| Applied |
Appeared |
| 1997 |
2,65,761 |
1,30,198 |
| 1998 |
2,71,517 |
1,22,363 |
| 1999 |
3,09,501 |
1,35,086 |
| 2000 |
2,25,555 |
1,19,398 |
| 2001 |
2,56,673 |
1,38,240 |
| 2002 |
3,01,585 |
1,57,486 |
Note: For recent and complete details, please refer to the Commission's Notice when it is published in the Employment News and some of the leading newspapers like Times of India and Indian Express.
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