IAS FAQ
FAQs on UPSC Civil Services Examination
These FAQs cover the essential details for preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, offering guidance to manage preparation and stay focused on the journey to becoming a civil servant.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is an annual national-level exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for various prestigious roles, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Central Government services.
- Nationality: For IAS and IPS, candidates must be Indian citizens. For other services, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or individuals of Indian origin who have migrated to India may also apply.
- Age: 21 to 32 years (with age relaxation for reserved categories).
- Education: A graduate degree from a recognized university is required.
- Attempts:
- General: 6 attempts (up to age 32).
- OBC: 9 attempts (up to age 35).
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (up to age 37).
The UPSC CSE consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Exam (Prelims): A qualifying exam with two objective papers: General Studies (GS) and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
- Main Exam (Mains): A descriptive written exam with nine papers, including four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, one essay, and two language papers (qualifying only).
- Personality Test (Interview): Candidates who clear Mains are called for the interview round, where they are evaluated on their personality, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
- The General Studies Paper-I includes topics like Current Affairs, History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, Environmental Science, and General Science.
- The CSAT (Paper-II) assesses comprehension, logical reasoning, basic numeracy, data interpretation, and decision-making skills.
- Essay: 250 marks.
- General Studies (GS) Papers:
- GS-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography of the World and Society.
- GS-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
- GS-III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
- GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Optional Subject: Two papers (250 marks each) on one optional subject chosen by the candidate.
- Language Papers: English and a regional language paper (qualifying only).
- Begin with understanding the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
- Read NCERTs for basic clarity on subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Science.
- Stay updated on current affairs by reading daily newspapers and following monthly magazines or news apps.
- Gradually progress to standard books and make concise notes for revision.
- General Studies: NCERT books, Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum, and Geography of India by Majid Husain.
- Current Affairs: Newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express, along with monthly magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, and government publications.
- CSAT: CSAT Paper-II by Arihant or RS Aggarwal for practicing comprehension and reasoning.
- Optional Subject: Depends on the subject chosen, but focus on standard books and previous years’ papers.
Current affairs are crucial and directly impact both Prelims and Mains. Topics include national and international events, government policies, economic developments, and scientific advancements. A daily newspaper and monthly current affairs compilations are recommended.
Choose a subject based on your interest, academic background, and availability of resources. Popular options include Geography, Sociology, Public Administration, and History. The right optional subject can boost your Mains score significantly.
- Practice answer-writing regularly, focusing on structure, clarity, and conciseness.
- Start with writing 100–150-word answers and then expand to 200–250 words.
- Include relevant data, examples, and analysis to enrich your answers, and use mock tests to practice within time limits.
Mock tests are essential, especially for Prelims, to practice time management and assess your understanding. Regular practice with mock tests helps in identifying strengths and weaknesses and reduces exam stress.
The UPSC interview assesses the candidate's personality, communication, and analytical abilities. It carries 275 marks and can be crucial in determining the final rank. The interview panel evaluates attributes like confidence, problem-solving skills, and ethical values.
- Keep up with current events, government policies, and socio-economic issues.
- Practice answering common interview questions, including personal background and hobbies.
- Focus on building a confident, calm, and honest approach while answering questions.
Coaching is optional. Many candidates clear UPSC with self-study, discipline, and the right resources. However, coaching can provide structure, guidance, and access to mock tests and peer discussions.
For beginners, start with 4–5 hours daily and gradually increase it to 6–8 hours as the exam approaches. Consistency and quality study hours are more important than sheer duration.
- Divide study hours among subjects and include time for current affairs, optional subject preparation, and revision.
- Allocate at least an hour for newspaper reading and note-making for current affairs.
- Practice answer-writing and revise regularly.
- Set small, achievable goals, and track your progress.
- Take breaks, stay physically active, and connect with fellow aspirants.
- Remind yourself of the purpose behind becoming a civil servant and the impact you can make.
- Take regular breaks, follow a balanced study plan, and ensure physical and mental wellness.
- Avoid overloading with too many resources; stick to a few reliable sources and revise them thoroughly.
- Stay in touch with family, friends, and peers for emotional support.
- Focus on factual details and quick recall. Practice MCQs and revise frequently.
- Attempt mock tests under timed conditions to improve accuracy and time management.
- For CSAT, practice comprehension and reasoning regularly to build confidence.
- Avoid relying on too many sources; focus on quality over quantity.
- Do not ignore revision; regularly go over your notes and practice papers.
- Don’t neglect answer-writing practice or mock tests, especially for Mains.
- Lastly, avoid procrastination; keep up with a consistent study plan.
