The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination which is common for the candidates applying for Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS), and acts as a screening mechanism for selection of candidates for the Civil Services (Main) Examination and Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination.
IMPORTANT DATES :
Date of Notification : 7 Feb, 2024
Last Date to Apply : 6 March, 2024
Date of Exam(Prelims) : 3 June, 2024
Date of Exam(Mains) : 1 Oct, 2024
CSAT (PRELIMS) PATTERN:
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carry maximum of 400 marks. This exam is only a screening test; the marks obtained in the Prelims are only for qualifying for Main Exam and are not counted for determining final order of merit.
| Prelims Paper | Duration | Questions | Marks |
| Paper I – General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 | 200 |
| Paper II – Aptitude | 2 Hours | 80 | 200 |
| Total | 400 |
Civil Services Main EXAM Pattern:
The pattern has changed from 2013 Main Examination. The new pattern is:
| Paper | Duration | Subject | Marks |
| Paper A | 3 Hours | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B | 3 Hours | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper I | 3 Hours | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | 3 Hours | General Studies – I | 250 |
| Paper III | 3 Hours | General Studies – II | 250 |
| Paper IV | 3 Hours | General Studies – III | 250 |
| Paper V | 3 Hours | General Studies – IV | 250 |
| Paper VI | 3 Hours | Optional Subject Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper VII | 3 Hours | Optional Subject Paper 2 | 250 |
| Total | 1750 | ||
| Interview (Personality Test) | 275 | ||
| Grand Total |
2025 |
CSE PRELIMINARY (CSAT) Syllabus
CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) has two papers:
- General Studies
- General Ability Test
CSAT was first time conducted in 2011. There is no sectional cutoff. Marks for both Paper I and Paper II are combined to select candidates for the Mains Exam.
CSAT General Studies Paper I Syllabus:
CSAT Paper I: 200 Marks; Duration: Two Hours; Number of Question: 100
- Current Affairs: Events of National and International importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- India and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Demography, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Interdisciplinary subjects
- General Science & Technology.
CSAT paper I Analysis:
| Topic | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
| History and Culture | 13 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| Economy | 18 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Polity | 17 | 25 | 18 | 14 | 13 |
| Geography | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
| Environment & Biodiversity | 22 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 13 |
| Science & Technology | 19 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 9 |
| Current Events | 8 | 12 | |||
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
CSAT General Ability Test Paper 2 – outline of Syllabus:
CSAT Paper II: 200 Marks; Duration: Two Hours; Number of Question: 80
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision making and problem solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)
- English language, comprehension skills (Class X level)
- Questions relating to English Language.
Comprehension skills of Class X level. (Will be tested through passages from English Language only without providing Hindi translation)
Marking Scheme: Total 80 Questions have 200 marks, thus each question is of 2.5 marks. There is a negative marking of 33% or 0.83 marks for wrong answer. Decision making section doesn’t have any negative marking.
CSAT Paper II Analysis:
| Topic | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
| Basic Numeracy | 13 | 3 | 19 | 14 |
| General Mental Ability | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 |
| Decision Making & Problem Solving | 6 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning | 10 | 14 | 12 | 23 |
| Comprehension (Both English & Hindi) | 27 | 32 | 23 | 25 |
| English Language Comprehension Skills | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
CSAT PAPER II ANALYSIS – 2015:
| Topic | No. of questions |
| Analytical Reasoning | 12 |
| Series | 3 |
| Figures | 2 |
| Percentage | 3 |
| Equitation | 5 |
| Set Theory | 4 |
| TSD % W | 3 |
| Ratio and Mixture | 2 |
| P & C | 4 |
| Graph | 2 |
| Numbers | 1 |
| Clock | 1 |
| Cubes | 1 |
| Geometry | 1 |
| Total | 44 |
Detailed Break-up of Verbal Questions
| Topics | Type | No. of questions |
| Reading Comprehension | Single Question | 19 |
| Two question RC (2 Passages) | 4 | |
| Three question RC (1 Passages) | 3 | |
| Four question RC (1 Passages) | 4 | |
| Critical Reasoning | 5 | |
| Syllogism | 1 | |
| Total | 36 | |
CSE Mains General Studies Syllabus
The syllabus has changed from 2013 onwards. This is new syllabus.
- CSE Mains – Paper – I : Essay : 250 marks – 3 hours
- CSE Mains Paper – II : General Studies – 1 : 250 marks – 3 hours
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) - Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture form ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history form about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
- The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors or contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. their forms and effect on the society.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Effects of globalization on Indian Society.
- Social Empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location – changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
- CSE Mains Paper – III : General Studies – 2 : 250 marks – 3 hours
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
- Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGO’s, SHG’s, various groups and associations donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighbourhood – relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and /or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure mandate.
- CSE Mains Paper – IV : General Studies – 3 : 250 marks – 3 hours
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) - Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Government Budgeting.
- Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
- CSE Mains Paper – V : General Studies – 4 : 250 marks – 3 hours
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Services, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weakersections.
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
- Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
- Case Studies on above issues.
- CSE Mains Paper – VI : Elective Papers – 1 : 250 marks – 3 hours
Paper – VII : Elective Papers – 1 : 250 marks – 3 hours
Elective Papers for Civil Services Main Exam:
This is the complete list of Elective subjects for Civil Services Main Examination. You have to opt for any one subject. Optional paper consists of two papers of 250 marks each. Click on the subject name to view its syllabus.
Group 1
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
Group 2
Note: You can opt for the literatures of a language as an Elective subject, only if you have graduated in the literature of that particular language as the main subject.
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Oriya
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santhali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates are required to apply Online by using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.in detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website. Brief Instructions for filling up the “Online Application Form” given in Appendix-II of the notification.
LAST DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:
The online Applications can be filled within the last date till 11:59pm after which the link will be disabled. The eligible candidates shall be issued an e-Admission Certificate three weeks before the commencement of the examination. The e-Admission Certificate will be made available in the UPSC website [www.upsc.gov.in] for downloading by candidates. No Admission Certificate will be sent by post.
PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS:
Candidates should note that there will be penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the Objective Type Question Papers.
Age Limit:
(a) A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years.
(b) The upper age limit prescribed above will be relaxable:
(i) upto a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other
Backward Classes who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such
candidates.
(ii) upto a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or
a Scheduled Tribe.
Minimum Educational Qualification:
The candidate must hold a degree of any of Universities established by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Central or State Government, University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.
Number of attempts:
Every candidate appearing at the examination, who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted six attempts for the candidates of General Category, nine attempts for OBC, while candidates of SC/ST may have any number of attempts subject to the age limit.
An attempt at a Preliminary Examination shall be deemed to be an attempt at the Civil Services Examination. (ii) If a candidate actually appears in any one paper in the Preliminary Examination, he/shall be deemed to have made an attempt at the Examination.
FEE:
Candidates (excepting Female/SC/ST/PH Candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay fee of Rs. 100/-
If any candidate who took the Civil Services Examination held in 2016 wishes to apply for admission to this examination, he/she must submit his/her application without waiting for the results or an offer of appointment.
Note: Candidates admitted to the Main Examination will be required to pay a further fee of Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred only).
Registration ID:
The applicants are advised to submit only single application; however, if due to any unavoidable situation, if he/she submits another/multiple applications, then he/she must ensure that application with the higher RID is complete in all respects like applicants’ details, examination centre, photograph, signature, fee etc. The applicants who are submitting multiple applications should note that only the applications with higher RID (Registration ID) shall be entertained by the Commission and fee paid against one RID shall not be adjusted against any other RID.
Candidates appearing in Civil Services (Prelims) Examination, will be required to indicate information such as (a) detail of Centers for Civil Services (Main) Examination and Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination (b) Optional subject to be selected for the examination, (c) medium of examination for Civil Services (Main) Examination and (d) compulsory Indian Language for Civil Services (Main) Examination at the time of the filling up online application itself.
NOTE:
- While applying for Preliminary Examination candidates are not required to submit certificate in support of their claims regarding age, educational qualifications and caste. However they have to enclose the relevant certificates at the time of filing application for Mains Examination.
The Preliminary Examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
Interview:
Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Main Examination as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion, shall be summoned by them for an interview for a Personality Test, vide sub-section ‘C’ of Section II. The number of candidates to be summoned for interview will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled. The interview will carry 275 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks).