The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruiting agency responsible for appointments to All India Services and group A & B of Central services. It was established in 1926 on the recommendation of the Lee Commission and was given constitutional status in 1950. The UPSC administers the annual Civil Services Examination, considered the most difficult exam in India, to recruit officers of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and other Central Services. Candidates must be Indian citizens, hold at least a bachelor's degree, meet age requirements of 21-32 years and attempt limits that vary by social group, and pass a multi-stage exam process including prelims, mains, and interview.

1. UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISION (UPSC)
NAME-SUNIL KUMAR MEENA
14-07-2021 1

2. INTRODUCTION
The Union Public Service Commission , commonly abbreviated
as UPSC, is India's premier central recruiting agency. It is
responsible for appointments to and examinations for All India
Services and group A & group B of Central services.
14-07-2021 654/17 2

3. HISTORY
The Royal Commission on the superior Civil Services in India
was set up under the chairmanship of Lord Lee of Fareham by
the British Government in 1923.With equal numbers of Indian
and British members, the commission submitted its report in
1924, recommending setting up of a Public Service
Commission.The Lee Commission proposed that 40% of future
entrants should be British, 40% Indians directly recruited, and
20% Indians promoted from the provincial services.
14-07-2021 654/17 3

4. CONTD…..
This led to the establishment of the first Public Service
Commission on 1 October 1926 under the chairmanship of Sir
Ross Barker.A mere limited advisory function was granted to
the Public Service Commission and the leaders of the freedom
movement continually stressed on this aspect, which then
resulted in the setting up of a Federal Public Service
Commission under the Government of India Act 1935.
The Federal Public Service Commission became the Union
Public Service Commission after independence. It was given a
constitutional status with under of Constitution of India on 26
January 1950.
14-07-2021 654/17 4

5. PROCESS
The Civil Services Examination is based on the British
era Imperial Civil Service tests, as well as the civil service
tests conducted by old Indian empires such as the Mauryan
Empire and Mughal Empire. It is considered to be the most
difficult competitive examination in India.
A single attempt takes two complete years of preparation
one year before the prelims and one year from prelims to
interview.
In total, one sits in actual exam for 32 hours from prelims till
interview.
14-07-2021 654/17 5

6. CONTD…..
On average, 900,000 to 1,000,000 candidates apply
every year and the number of candidates sitting in the
preliminary examination is approximately 550,000.
Results for the Prelims are published in mid-August,
while the final result is published in May of the next
year.
14-07-2021 654/17 6

7. CONTD….
Stage I: Preliminary Examination - Held in June every
year. Results are announced in August.
Stage II: Mains
Examination - Held in October every year. Results are
announced in January.
Personality Test (interview) - Held in March. Final
results are usually announced in May.
The training program for the selected candidates
usually commences the following September.
14-07-2021 654/17 7

8. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Nationality:
Candidate must be a citizen of India
Candidate must be a citizen of Nepal or a subject of Bhutan
Candidate must be a Tibetan Refugee who came to India before
January 1, 1962, to be settled permanently in India.
Candidate must be person of Indian Origin who has migrated
from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, or Zambia with an intention
of permanently settling in India
14-07-2021 654/17 8

9. CONTD…..
Educational Qualification:
Candidate applying for the Civil Services 2020 exam is required to fulfil
the following criteria:
Candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree from any of the recognized
universities
Candidates who have appeared for the qualifying examination and are
awaiting results or those who are yet to appear for the qualifying
examination are also eligible for the Preliminary Examination. Such
candidates have to produce proof of passing the said examination along with
the application for the Main Examination
Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the
Government or its equivalent are also eligible to apply
Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical
Examination but are yet to complete the internship can also appear for the
Main Examination. However, they must submit a certificate from the
concerned University that they have passed the final professional medical
examination
14-07-2021 654/17 9

10. CONTD…..
Age Limit :
 A candidate should be a minimum of 21 years and maximum 32 years old
as on August 01, 2020. But he/she must have been born not earlier than
August 02, 1988 and not later than August 01, 1999. Necessary action will
take to make corresponding changes in respective Rules/Regulations
pertaining to various services.
 The upper age limit prescribed above is relaxable for the following
candidates:
5 Years - Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST)
3 Years - Other Backward Classes (OBC)
3 Years - Defence Services personnel
5 Years - ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and
ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years Military Service as on
August 01, 2020.
14-07-2021 654/17 10

11. CONTD…..
5 Years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs
10 Years - Blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons
5 Years - In the case of ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial
period of assignment of five years of Military Service as on 1st
August, 2019 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five
years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate
that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be
released on three months’ notice on selection from the date of receipt
of offer of appointment.
14-07-2021 654/17 11

12. CONTD…..
Number of attempts:
Restriction on the maximum number of attempts is effective
since 1984:
For General Candidates: 6 attempts (Up to 32 Years)
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Candidates (SC/ST): No
Limits (Up to 37 Years)
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts (Up to 35 Years)
 Physically handicapped- 9 attempts for general and OBC,
while unlimited for SC/ST
14-07-2021 654/17 12

13. LAST YEAR QUES. PAPER LINKS
General Studies – 1 Ques. Paper (Prelim.)
https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/csp-p1.pdf
Answer Key : https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnsKeyCSP-19-GS_I.pdf
General Studies – 2 Ques. Paper (Prelim.)
https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/csp-p2.pdf
Answer Key : https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnsKeyCSP-19-GS_II.pdf
Link for exams under UPSC and their answer keys-
https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers
Answer keys : https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/answer-keys
14-07-2021 654/17 13