UPSC Qualification, Age, Attempt, Pattern & Books for Freshers
Academic Qualification
To apply for UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS?/IFS) Examination, a candidate
- Must be a Graduate. No minimum %, grade or CGPA required in graduation. Pass certificate of graduation from a college/university recognized by UGC/AICTE/any law.
- Undergraduate in the final semester of final year can apply.
- American degrees valid but have to get equivalent certificate from AIU.
- Distance education degree valid- IF recognized by UGC/AICTE/any Law
- MBBS must have completed internship before UPSC Interview-stage comes.
Age and Attempt Limit
GENERAL & CREAMY OBC |
NON-CREAMY OBC |
SC | ST |
Age-32 |
-Age-35 |
Age-37 |
Max 6 Attempts |
Max 9 Attempts |
Max 16 Attempts |
- Age is counted as on the 1st of August of the given year.
- Physical Disabled candidates’ age limits:
- PH-Gen: 42,
- PH-OBC (non-Creamy): 45 years;
- PH-SC/ST: 47 years.
- This is cumulative ST ex-serviceman who was disabled: 32 +5 (ST) +5 (Ex serviceman) + PH (10)=52 years. But such cumulative effect will apply till maximum upper age limit 56 years, as per this DoPT Notification.
- PH (GEN | OBC) = 9 attempts while PH (SC | ST) = Attempts, till upper age.
- J&K Domicile OR Ex-serviceman: addl. +5 years| Attempt depend on category.
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STAGES OF EXAMS:
Apply online : 1st week of Feb to 1st week of March. You’ve to indicate optional subject in online Prelim-form. You can’t change it afterwards during Mains form. NO Documents/ Mark sheet and Caste Certificate are not required at this stage.
- Stage 1: Prelims / CSAT: 1st Week of June
- Multiple choice Question (MCQ) Test.
- Two Papers
- 1) General Studies
- 2) Aptitude.
- No optional paper here.
- Question paper is set in English and Hindi. If you apply online but remain absent in prelims, then your attempt is not counted.
- Stage 2: Mains : September or October (five days)
- When you clear UPSC Prelims Exam, You’ll have to fill up a new separate (online) form called “Detailed Application form” (DAF).
- In this online DAF-form, Your optional subject will be pre-selected from prelims form, hence you can’t change.
- Along with DAF-you’ll have to give proof of graduation, caste, PH. Mains contains Seven Descriptive Papers; including one optional subject paper.
- Stage 3: Personality Test, Dates will vary for Each candidate
- Can be given in any language. But advisable to give in Hindi/English otherwise 1) Leaves Poor impression 2) Translator eats up time/ reduces impact of your answer.
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How to start Prelim Preparation?
Step 1: Know the Exam Pattern
Step 2: Know the Exam Syllabus
Step 3: Go Through Previous Year Papers
Step 4: Start with NCERT Textbooks
Step 5: Devise Subject Wise Preparation Strategy
Paper-I: GS- Syllabus, Structure
- 100 MCQs x 2 marks = 200 Marks
- -0.66 Marks penalty for wrong answers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks Counted for Mains selection, but not in final selection
|
Paper-II: Aptitude- Syllabus, Structure
- 80 MCQs x 2.5 marks = 200 Marks
- -0.83 Marks penalty for wrong answers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks Not countedin Mains-Selection. Only 33% passing marks have to be scored.
|
UPSC Prelims (ENGLISH MEDIUM) Books
UPSC Prelims (HINDI MEDIUM) Books
Books Recommended by CSE-2016 and CSE-2017 UPSC Toppers
Book List for UPSC Prelims – Subject Wise
UPSC PRELIMS SYLLABUS
The Following table is about UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern & What are the UPSC Prelims Exam papers and subjects for and we are providing UPSC Syllabus below this table.
UPSC Prelims Exam Papers |
Duration
|
Questions |
Marks
|
Paper I – General Studies: Only Marks of this paper is counted for making merit |
2 Hours
|
100 |
200
|
Paper II – Aptitude: This paper is of qualifying nature, but candidate must score at least 33% marks in this paper and marks of this paper are not counted for writing the Mains examination. |
2 Hours
|
80 |
200
|
TOTAL |
|
|
400
|
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian national movement
- Indian 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, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc.
- General issues on environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate change-that donot require subject specialization
- General science