Union Public Service Commission
Civil Services
Examination
India's most prestigious competitive examination — a three-stage gateway to 22 civil services including IAS & IPS.
Recruitment To
22 Civil Services
All India Services
Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS)
Group A Services
IFS, IRS, IAAS, ICAS, IRTS, IDAS, IPoS, IIS & more central services
Group B Services
DANICS, DANIPS, Pondicherry Civil & Police Services
Who Can Apply
Eligibility
Age Limit
21 – 32 Years
Education
Any Graduate Degree
Attempts Allowed
Gen: 6
OBC: 9
SC/ST: Unlimited
OBC: 9
SC/ST: Unlimited
Examination Journey
1
June
Prelims
Objective MCQs
200 Marks
2
August
Mains
Descriptive Papers
1750 Marks
3
Jan – April
Interview
Personality Test
275 Marks
✓
April
Final List
Merit-Based Selection
2025 Total
Examination Stages
01
Stage 1
Preliminary Examination
Paper I — General Studies
100 Questions
🏛️ History & Culture
🌍 Geography
⚖️ Polity & Governance
📈 Economy
🌿 Environment
🌍 General Science
📰 Current Affairs
Paper II — CSAT
80 Questions · Min 33% Required to Qualify
📖 Reading Comprehension
🧠 Logical & Analytical Reasoning
🔢 Quantitative Aptitude
💬 Decision Making
💬 Communication Skill
200
Total Marks
02
Stage 2
Mains Examination
| # | Paper | Topic | Total Marks | Note | Min % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper A | Any Indian Language | 300 | 25% | |
| 2 | Paper B | English | 300 | 25% | |
| 3 | Essay | — | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
| 4 | GS 1 | History & Culture · Geography · Society | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
| 5 | GS 2 | Polity · Governance · Social Justice · IR | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
| 6 | GS 3 | Economy · Security · Environment · S&T | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
| 7 | GS 4 | Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
| 8 | Optional Subject | Paper 1 | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
| Paper 2 | 250 | Counted for Merit | 10% |
1750Merit Marks
Choose Any One
Optional Subjects
Agriculture
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engg.
Commerce
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mech. Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Political Science
Physics
Psychology
Public Admin.
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Literature
03
275
Total Marks
Stage 3
Personality Test (Interview)
Conducted by a UPSC Board, the interview assesses a candidate's intellectual qualities, social traits, and overall suitability for a civil service career — beyond bookish knowledge.
947
Final Cutoff(2025)