The civil services examination consists of three stages: a preliminary objective test (400 marks), a mains written exam with compulsory and optional subjects (1750 marks), and a personality test (275 marks). Candidates must have a graduate degree and be between 21 to 30 years old, with specific age and attempt relaxations for SC/ST and OBC candidates. The preliminary exam is qualifying, while merit is determined based on mains and personality test scores.

1. Civil Services Examination
Civil Services Exam is held in three stages as:
S.No Exam Pattern Marks
Stage 1 Preliminary
Exam
(Objective Test)
This exam consists of two papers of
objective type i.e. CSAT and General Studies
Two papers of 200 marks each with
negative marking for wrong answers
( Total: 400 Marks)
Stage 2 Mains Exam
(Written Exam)
Every candidate has to select 1 optional
subject of his choice. Apart from this there
are four compulsory papers of General
Studies and one compulsory paper for Essay
Optional Subject; 2 papers of 250
marks each
General Studies 4 papers of 250
Marks each
Essay- 250 marks
(Total: 1750 Marks)
Stage 3 Personality Test
(Interview)
The candidate has to appear in front of an
interview board who evaluates the
candidate
275 Marks
(Merit is based on the total marks
scored in Mains and Personality Test.
Preliminary Exam is just qualifying in
nature)

2. How to be a Civil Servant?
• One need to qualify Civil Services Exam which is
conducted by U.P.S.C to be a Civil Servant
Eligibility Criteria
Education
• Graduate degree or its equivalent in any stream for the Indian Universities
• The candidates in the final year of graduation can also apply
Age/Attempt Limit
• The age of the candidate of General Category should be between 21 to 30
years
• The candidates of General Category have maximum four attempts
• There is relaxation in age and number of attempts for candidates who belong
to SC/ST and OBC