What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is the entry route to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service and a range of Group A and Group B central services. The same Preliminary exam also works as a screening test for the Indian Forest Service.
The exam is known for its length: from the notification to the final list takes most of a year, and only the final stage counts towards rank along with the Main exam.
Eligibility basics
- Education: a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply but must show proof of passing before the Main exam.
- Age: 21 to 32 years for general candidates, counted on 1 August of the exam year, with relaxations for reserved categories.
- Attempts: six for general candidates, nine for OBC and PwBD candidates, and no cap for SC and ST candidates within the age limit.
The notification of each year has the exact rules, including the services open to each nationality category. Check it before you apply.
The three stages
| Stage | Papers | Marks | Counts for rank? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | General Studies Paper I and Paper II (CSAT), objective | 200 + 200 | No, screening only; Paper II needs 33 percent |
| Main | 2 qualifying language papers (300 each) and 7 merit papers: Essay, GS I to IV, Optional I and II | 1750 (merit papers) | Yes |
| Personality Test | Interview by a UPSC board | 275 | Yes |
The final merit list is drawn from the Main exam merit papers and the interview, a total of 2025 marks. Prelims marks only decide who moves forward.
How to apply
- Create an account and complete the universal registration on upsconline.nic.in. UPSC moved to this portal in 2025, and the older one-time registration no longer applies.
- Fill the exam-specific application during the window given in the notification and pay the fee.
- Choose your Prelims centre early; centres can fill up.
- Download the e-admit card for each stage when UPSC announces it.
Services you can join
The final rank, your service preferences and the vacancies reported by the government decide which service you get. The services filled through CSE include:
- All India Services: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), whose officers work under state cadres
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Central Group A services such as the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and others listed in the notification
- Some Group B services
The list of participating services and the number of vacancies change every year, so read the notification of your year before filling preferences.
A realistic timeline
Most candidates plan for a full year of preparation before their first attempt. The calendar on upsc.gov.in shows the dates for notification, Prelims and Mains in advance, and the interviews usually run in the months after Mains. Plan your study around that calendar rather than around rumours.
UPSC CSE guides on HindiScope
- UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains - every paper, its topics and how to get the official PDF.
- UPSC e-admit card guide - download steps for each stage and rules printed on the card.
Related exams
Many civil services aspirants also prepare for the SSC CGL exam, which shares much of the general studies and reasoning base. For a defence career after Class 12, the NDA syllabus page is the place to start, and graduates with academic interests can look at the UGC NET syllabus.
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm every detail on upsc.gov.in.