UPSC Exam eligibility educational qualification,
upsc exam eligibility educational qualification percentage-
UPSC Exam Eligibility: Candidates who want to be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Exam must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. At graduation level, there is no minimum percentage requirement; Candidates only need to have completed their graduation। Students in their final year awaiting results can also apply; however, they must show proof of passing the degree exam before the UPSC mains. Also, different categories have different numbers of attempts and age limits. Minimum age is 21, and maximum age varies from 32 to 37, depending on category relaxations.
UPSC Exam Eligibility: All Information
The UPSC Exam refers to the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India. This is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India, aimed at recruiting candidates for various civil services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.
A comprehensive summary of the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is given here:
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Nationality:
- For IAS and IPS, the candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services, the candidate must either be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962.
- Age Limit:
- General Category: 21 to 32 years.
- OBC: 21 to 35 years.
- SC/ST: 21 to 37 years.
- There are also relaxations for ex-servicemen and disabled candidates.
- Educational Qualification: A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
- Number of Attempts:
- General: 6 attempts.
- OBC: 9 attempts.
- SC/ST: Unlimited until the upper age limit.
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Stages of the Exam
The exam consists of three stages:
- a) Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
- It consists of two papers:
- Paper 1: General Studies (GS) – 200 marks
- Paper 2: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – 200 marks
- Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Total Marks: 400 marks (200 each paper)
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper
- Qualifying Marks: CSAT is qualifying in nature (33% marks), while GS marks are considered for cutoff.
- b) Main Exam (Mains)
- It is a written (descriptive) exam, comprising nine papers. However, only seven papers are considered for merit ranking. Two papers are qualifying in nature.
- Paper A (Compulsory Indian Language) – 300 marks
- Paper B (English) – 300 marks
- Paper 1 (Essay) – 250 marks
- Paper 2 (GS 1) – 250 marks
- Paper 3 (GS 2) – 250 marks
- Paper 4 (GS 3) – 250 marks
- Paper 5 (GS 4) – 250 marks
- Paper 6 (Optional Subject Paper 1) – 250 marks
- Paper 7 (Optional Subject Paper 2) – 250 marks
- Total marks for merit ranking: 1750 marks.
- Language: Candidates can choose between English or any one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- c) Personality Test (Interview)
- Conducted by the UPSC Board to assess candidates’ suitability for a career in public service.
- Marks: 275 marks.
- The interview panel evaluates the candidate’s mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, and leadership qualities.
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Syllabus
- a) Prelims Syllabus:
- Paper 1 (GS):
- Current events of national and international importance.
- History of India and the Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography.
- Indian Polity and Governance.
- Economic and Social Development.
- Environment, Ecology, and Biodiversity.
- General Science.
- Paper 2 (CSAT):
- Comprehension.
- Interpersonal skills and communication skills.
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
- Decision-making and problem-solving.
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation.
- b) Mains Syllabus:
- Paper A: Indian Language (based on language chosen).
- Paper B: English (essay, comprehension, grammar).
- Paper 1 (Essay): Topics are generally based on current affairs or abstract ideas.
- Paper 2 (GS 1): Indian heritage and culture, history, geography of the world and society.
- Paper 3 (GS 2): Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
- Paper 4 (GS 3): Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
- Paper 5 (GS 4): Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Optional Subjects: Choose one subject from a list provided by UPSC, which includes subjects like Anthropology, History, Geography, Political Science, Public Administration, etc.
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Application Process
- Notification: The exam notification is usually released in February.
- Application: Apply online on the UPSC official website (www.upsc.gov.in).
- Fee:
- General/OBC: ₹100
- SC/ST/PWD/Female candidates: Exempted from fees.
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Selection and Results
- The final selection is based on the total marks obtained in the Mains (written exam) and Interview.
- A merit list is prepared, and candidates are allotted services based on their ranks and preferences.
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Important Dates for UPSC 2024
- Notification Release: February 2024
- Preliminary Exam: Likely in June 2024
- Main Exam: Likely in September/October 2024
- Interview: Early 2025
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Preparation Tips
- Study Material: Standard textbooks like NCERT for basics, reference books for in-depth studies (e.g., Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History).
- Newspapers: Reading The Hindu or Indian Express is essential for current affairs.
- Mock Tests: Attempting mock tests for Prelims and Mains is crucial.
- Revision: Regular and structured revision is key.
- Coaching: Though not mandatory, some candidates opt for coaching in institutes like Vajiram & Ravi, Vision IAS, etc.
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Useful Websites and Resources
- UPSC Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in
- UPSC Online Application: upsconline.nic.in
- Books: Standard books such as:
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Modern History by Bipin Chandra
This exam requires dedication, hard work, and strategic preparation. All the best!
FAQ’s –Questions Ans. GK PM Modi:
UPSC Civil Services Exam Quiz:
- Question: What does UPSC stand for?
- Answer: Union Public Service Commission.
- Question: What is the minimum educational qualification required to apply for the UPSC Civil Services Exam?
- Answer: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Question: Which two services specifically require the candidate to be a citizen of India?
- Answer: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS).
- Question: How many attempts are allowed for a candidate belonging to the General category?
- Answer: 6 attempts.
- Question: What is the maximum age limit for candidates from the SC/ST category to appear for the UPSC CSE?
- Answer: 37 years.
- Question: What are the two papers in the UPSC Preliminary Exam?
- Answer: General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
- Question: How many marks is the UPSC Mains examination merit list calculated from?
- Answer: 1750 marks.
- Question: Which paper in the Preliminary exam is qualifying in nature?
- Answer: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test).
- Question: How many papers in the UPSC Mains examination are considered for ranking purposes?
- Answer: 7 papers.
- Question: What is the total mark allocation for the Personality Test (Interview) in the UPSC Civil Services Exam?
- Answer: 275 marks.
- Question: Which language options are available for candidates to write their UPSC Mains exam?
- Answer: English or any one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Question: What is the minimum percentage required in the qualifying CSAT paper?
- Answer: 33%.
- Question: How many marks is each paper in the UPSC Preliminary exam?
- Answer: 200 marks for each paper.
- Question: What is the fee for applying for the UPSC Civil Services Exam for General and OBC candidates?
- Answer: ₹100.
- Question: Which book is considered a standard reference for Indian Polity in UPSC preparation?
- Answer: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth.
- Question: In which month is the UPSC Preliminary Exam likely to be conducted for the 2024 cycle?
- Answer: June 2024.
- Question: What subject areas are covered in Paper 1 (General Studies) of the Prelims exam?
- Answer: Current events, history, geography, Indian polity, economy, environment, and general science.
- Question: How many papers are there in the UPSC Mains written exam?
- Answer: 9 papers.
- Question: What type of questions are asked in the Preliminary exam?
- Answer: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions).
- Question: What is the purpose of the Gauchar Airport under the UDAN scheme?
- Answer: To help people living in the hills of Garhwal reach the capital city.
- Question: What is the maximum age limit for OBC category candidates in the UPSC Civil Services Exam?
- Answer: 35 years.
- Question: How many papers in the Mains Exam are qualifying in nature?
- Answer: 2 papers (Paper A – Indian Language, Paper B – English).
- Question: For which exam stage are the marks of CSAT considered qualifying only?
- Answer: Preliminary Exam.
- Question: Which optional subject paper is part of the UPSC Mains Exam?
- Answer: Optional Subject Paper 1 and Optional Subject Paper 2.
- Question: In which month is the notification for the UPSC Civil Services Exam usually released?
- Answer: February.
- Question: How many total marks are allotted for the UPSC Mains Exam?
- Answer: 1750 marks.
- Question: Who conducts the UPSC Personality Test (Interview)?
- Answer: UPSC Board.
- Question: How long is each paper in the UPSC Prelims exam?
- Answer: 2 hours for each paper.
- Question: What is the total mark allocation for the General Studies (GS) Paper 1 in the Preliminary Exam?
- Answer: 200 marks.
- Question: How many marks are required to pass the qualifying language paper in the UPSC Mains exam?
- Answer: 300 marks (passing standard).
- Question: What type of questions are asked in the UPSC Mains examination?
- Answer: Descriptive (Essay-type).
- Question: What is the upper age limit for ex-servicemen with eligibility relaxation?
- Answer: The age relaxation is applicable depending on the category, up to a certain age beyond the general category limit (specifics vary).
- Question: What is the name of the aptitude test in the Preliminary exam of UPSC?
- Answer: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
- Question: How many marks is the Essay paper in the UPSC Mains exam?
- Answer: 250 marks.
- Question: Name one popular reference book used for Indian Economy in UPSC preparation.
- Answer: Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh.
- Question: What is the time duration of the Personality Test (Interview) in UPSC?
- Answer: There is no fixed duration; interviews typically last between 30 to 45 minutes.
- Question: What is the maximum number of attempts for SC/ST candidates in the UPSC Civil Services Exam?
- Answer: Unlimited attempts until they reach the upper age limit.
- Question: What subjects are covered in Paper 4 (GS 3) of the UPSC Mains Exam?
- Answer: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
- Question: What is the fee for applying to the UPSC exam for SC/ST/PWD candidates?
- Answer: Exempted from fees (₹0).
- Question: Name one coaching institute popular for UPSC preparation.
- Answer: Vajiram & Ravi.
