The document outlines the structure and process of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), detailing eligibility criteria, exam stages, and important dates. It consists of three stages: prelims, mains, and interview, with specific papers and marks associated with each stage. Candidates must hold a recognized bachelor's degree and meet age limits and attempt restrictions based on their category to sit for the exam.

1. » INTRODUCTION » EXAM PATTERN
» RANK LIST » ELIGIBILITY
» AGE LIMIT » ATTEMPTS
» IMPORTANT DATED » LIST OF SERVICES

2. The IAS (Indian Administrative Service) is considered one of the most
prestigious job profile in the country. There are 23 services like
offered through Civil Services exam. Union Public Service
Commission is a body under the Constitution of India, which
conducts the exams for the Civil Services.
Almost 10 lakhs aspirants enroll each year while almost 5 lakhs
candidates appear for the exam. The Prelims exam is conducted in
June while the Mains exam is conducted in October/November.

3. The Exam is divided into three stages - Prelims, Main and Interview
(Stage 1 – Prelims Exam)
» Prelims is an objective based exam consisting of two papers where each
question has four alternatives.
» Paper 1 comprises of GS while Paper 2 is a CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
» The exam is held in May/June each year. Each paper is of 200 marks each.
» The marks in Prelims is not counted in the final marks but used a qualification
criteria for the Main Exam.
» CSAT Paper is of qualifying nature. Marks of Paper-1 is the sole criteria for
clearing Preliminary Exam.

4. (Stage 2 – Main Exam)
Main is a subjective based exam consisting of 9 papers:
Paper 1 – Essay Paper 2 – GS 1
Paper 3 – GS 2 Paper 4 – GS 3
Paper 5 – GS 4 Paper 6 – Optional Subject
Paper 7 – Optional Subject Paper 8 – English
Paper 9 – Any Language
Each paper is of 250 marks except Paper 8 & 9 which is 300 marks each. The marks for Paper 8
& 9 are not counted in the final score. For the optional subject UPSC has a list of 26 subjects to
choose from. Candidates will have to choose one subject and it has 2 papers (i.e. Paper 6 and
Paper 7)

5. (Stage 3-Interview/Personality Test - 275 Marks)
The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will
be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the
personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and
unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In board terms
this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in
current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of
assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judged, variety and depth of interest, ability for
social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though
directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the
candidate. The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general
knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates
are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study
but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own state or
country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the
curiosity of well-educated youth.

6. Rank List is prepared based on the total marks
obtained in the Seven Papers of Main Exam and the
Marks of the Personality Test.
(i.e. 1750 Marks from Seven Papers + 275 Marks for
Personality Test = 2025 Total Marks)

7. The educational qualification needed to
appear in UPSC Civil Services Exam is a
Graduation Degree in any subject,
recognized by UGC.

8. The minimum age to appear for UPSC
Civil Services Exam is 21 years as on 1st
August of that year. Upper age limit for
General Category is 32 years, for OBC it
is 35 years while for SC/ST it is 37
years.

9. Number of attempts permissible for a General
category candidate in UPSC Civil Services Exam
is 6 (SIX), for OBC candidates the number of
attempts permitted it 9 (NINE), SC/ST category
candidates will have unlimited attempts till
they attain the upper age limit to appear for
UPSC Civil Service Exam.

10. Notification and Form filling Dated for Prelim
Exam (February / March)
» Date of Prelim Exam – May / June
» Declaration of Main Exam Results – January / February
» Result of Prelim Exam – August / September
» Personality Test – March / April
» Commencement of Main Exam – October
» Declaration of Final Merit List – May

11. 1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
2. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
3. Indian Police Service (IPS)
4. Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group 'A'
5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group 'A'
6. Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group 'A'
7. Indian Defense Accounts Service, Group 'A'
8. Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group 'A'
9. Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group 'A' (Assistant Works Manager,
Administration)
10. Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'
11. Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group 'A'
12. Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group 'A'
13. Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'
14. Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group 'A'

12. 1. Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Grp 'A'
2. Indian Defense Estates Service, Group 'A'
3. Indian Information Service ( Junior Grade), Group 'A'
4. Indian Trade Service, Group 'A' (Gr. III)
5. Indian Corporate Law Service, Group “A”
6. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group 'B' (Section Officer's Grade)
7. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil
Service, Group 'B'
8. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Police Service, Group 'B'
9. Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B' Pondicherry Police Service, Group 'B'