Civil Services Examination

This article is about the examination in India. For a 2.1 Nationality

worldwide view, see Civil service entrance examination.
For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service, a can-
competitive examination in India conducted by the Union didate must be a citizen of India.
Public Service Commission for recruitment to various A citizen of India
Civil Services of the Government of India, including the
Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Ser- A person of Indian origin who has migrated
vice (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.[1] It from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya,
is conducted in two phases - a preliminary examination Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire,
consisting of two objective-type papers (general studies Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of per-
and aptitude test), and a main examination consisting of manently settling in India
nine papers of conventional (essay) type followed by a
personality test (interview).[1] For other services, a candidate must be one of the
following:

A citizen of India
1 Process A citizen of Nepal or a subject of Bhutan

The Civil Services Examination is based on the British

Raj - era Imperial Civil Service tests, as well as the civil 2.2 Education
service tests conducted by old Indian empires such as in
the Mauryan Empire and Mughal Empire. The Civil Ser- All candidates must have as a minimum one of the fol-
vices Examination is considered to be one of the most lowing educational qualications:
dicult and competitive examinations in India. On av-
erage, 900,000 to 1,000,000 candidates apply every year A degree from a Central, State or Deemed
and the number of candidates appearing to sit the pre- university[1]
liminary examination is approximately 450,000.[2] The
examination consists of the following three stages: A degree received through correspondence or dis-
tance education
Stage I: Preliminary examination - A qualifying test
advertisied in May and held in August each year. A degree from an open university[3]
Results are published in mid-October. A qualication recognized by the Government of In-
dia as being equivalent to one of the above[1]
Stage II: Main examination - Held in December ev-
ery year. Results are usually published in the second
week of March. The following candidates are also eligible, but must sub-
mit proof of their eligibility from a competent authority
Stage III: Personality Test (interview) - held in at their institute/university at the time of the main exam-
April/May each year. Final results are usually an- ination, failing which they will not be allowed to attend
nounced in May . the exam.[1]

The training program for the selected candidates usually
commences the following September.
2 Eligibility
Eligibility for the examination is as follows:[1]
Candidates who have appeared in an examination,
the passing of which would render them education-
ally qualied enough to satisfy one of the above
points[4]
Candidates who have passed the nal exam of the
MBBS degree but have not yet completed an intern-
ship

1
2 4 LIST OF SERVICES

Candidates who have passed the nal exam of Insti- 4 List of Services
tute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), ICSI
and ICWAI Following are the services which one gets on qualifying
the Civil Service Examination.[9]
A degree from a private university
All India Services
A degree from any foreign university recognized by
the Association of Indian Universities
Indian Administrative Service

2.3 Age Indian Police Service

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and Group A Services
must not have attained the age of 32 years on August 1
of the year of examination. Prescribed age limits vary
Indian Audit and Accounts Service
with respect to caste reservations. For other backwards
castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35, and for scheduled Indian Civil Accounts Service
castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) the limit is 37 years.
The upper age limit is relaxed for certain candidates who Indian Corporate Law Service
are backward with respect to other factors and physically
handicapped people.[5] Indian Defence Accounts Service

Indian Defence Estates Service

2.4 Numbers of attempts
Indian Foreign Service
The number of times a candidate may attempt the exam
is limited as follows:[3] Indian Information Service

Indian Ordnance Factories Service

General category candidates = 6
Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Fi-
[6] nance Service

Indian Postal Service

OBC category candidates = 9

SC/ST candidates = unlimited attempts till 37 years Indian Railway Accounts Service
of age
Indian Railway Personnel Service

Appearing to attempt one of the papers in the preliminary Indian Railway Trac Service
examination is counted as an attempt, including disquali-
cation/ cancellation of candidature. However, applying Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
to sit the exam but failing to attend is not counted as an
attempt.[7] Indian Revenue Service (CBEC)

Indian Trade Service

3 Vacancies and Selection Railway Protection Force

Generally the number of vacancies varies every year. The

Group B Services
number of candidates that pass the preliminary examina-
tion is generally 11 or 12 times the number of vacancies,
and the number of candidates selected for the nal inter- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
view is twice the number of vacancies. As per existing
policies, reservation for SC/ST/OBC is applied to each Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service
level of the selection process.
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service
In 2006, around 400,000 candidates applied for fewer
than 500 vacancies. Of those candidates, 7,500 passed Pondicherry Civil Service
the preliminary exam. In 2010, 547,698 candidates ap-
peared for the preliminary exam.[8] Pondicherry Police Service
6.2 List of Languages 3

5 Preliminary qualifying papers are ranked according to marks and a se-

lected number of candidates are called for interview or a
The pattern of the Preliminary examination up to 2010 personality test at the Commissions discretion
was based on the recommendations of the Kothari Com- According to the new marks allocations in Civil Ser-
mission (1979). It included two examinations, one on vice Examination 2013 there are some changes made in
general studies worth 150 marks, and the second on the examination according to the suggestion of the Prof.
one of 23 optional subjects worth 300 marks.[4][10] Until Arun. S. Nigavekar Committee.[13] However, after some
2011, when it was revamped,[10] the preliminary pattern controversy, the qualifying papers for Indian languages
was sustained with only minor changes once every ten to and English were restored to the examination.[14]
fteen years.[10]
From 2011 onwards, the preliminary examination, now
popularly known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test 6.2 List of Languages
(CSAT)(ocially it is still called General Studies Paper-1
and Paper-2), intends to focus on analytical abilities and The examination is oered in the following languages,
[15]
understanding rather than the ability to memorize. The with the name of the script in brackets:
new pattern includes two papers of two hours duration
and 200 marks each.[8] Both papers have multiple choice Assamese (Assamese)
objective type questions only.[8] They are as under:
Bengali (Bengali)
Paper I tests the candidates knowledge on current
events, history of India and Indian national move- Bodo (Devanagari)
ment, Indian and world geography, Indian polity and
Dogri (Devanagari)
governance, economic and social development, en-
vironmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change English (English)
and general science.[8]
Gujarati (Gujarati)
Paper II tests the candidates skills in comprehen-
sion, interpersonal skills, communication, logical Hindi (Devanagari)
reasoning, analytical ability, decision making, prob-
lem solving, basic numeracy, data interpretation, Kannada (Kannada)
English language comprehension skills and mental
ability.[8] Kashmiri (Persian)

In August 2014, the Centre announced that English marks Konkani (Devanagari)
in CSAT-II will not be included for gradation or merit
Maithili (Devanagari)
and 2011 candidates may get a second chance to appear
for the test next year.[11] Malayalam (Malayalam)
In May 2015, the Government of India announced that
Paper II of the preliminary examination will be qualifying Manipuri (Bengali)
in nature i.e. it wouldn't be graded for eligibility in Mains
Examination & a candidate needs to secure at least 33% Marathi (Devanagari)
marks in order to be eligible for graded on basis of Marks
Nepali (Devanagari)
of Paper I of Preliminary Examination.
Oriya (Oriya)

6 Mains Punjabi (Gurumukhi)

Sanskrit (Devanagari)
The Civil Services Mains Examination consists of a writ-
ten examination and an interview.[1][12] Santhali (Devanagri or Ol Chiki)

Sindhi (Devanagari or Arabic)

6.1 Examination
Tamil (Tamil)
The written examination consists of nine papers, two
qualifying and seven ranking in nature.[1] The range of Telugu (Telugu)
questions may vary from just one mark to sixty marks,
twenty words to 600 words answers. Candidates who pass Urdu (Persian)
4 7 REFERENCES

6.3 Optional subjects 6.4 Interview

The subjects available for Papers VI and VII are:[15] Pub- Ocially called the Personality Test, the objective of
lic administration is one of the most sought after op- the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the
tional subjects in Mains examination as it has overlap- candidate for a career in public service by a board of
ping content with other subjects like Current Aairs, His- competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended
tory, Polity. The standards of Optional papers is of Post to evaluate the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad
Graduate level. Paper I is theoretical but Paper II is of- terms, this is really an assessment of not only a candi-
ten dominated by Current Aairs and Application based dates intellectual qualities, but also social traits and inter-
questions. est in current aairs. Some of the qualities to be judged
are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear
Agriculture and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and
depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leader-
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science ship, and intellectual and moral integrity.
The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-
Anthropology examination, but of a natural, though directed and pur-
Botany posive conversation that is intended to reveal the mental
qualities of the candidate.
Chemistry The interview is not intended to be a test either of the spe-
cialised or general knowledge of the candidate, which has
Civil Engineering been already tested through written papers. Candidates
Commerce and Accountancy are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only
in their special subjects of academic study, but also in the
Economics events which are happening around them both within and
outside their own state or country as well as in modern
Electrical Engineering currents of thought and in new discoveries which should
rouse the curiosity of all well-educated youth.
Geography

Geology
7 References
History
[1] Union Public Service Commission Central Civil Services
Law Examination, 2011 Notice (PDF). upsc.gov.in. Archived
from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July
Literature of any one of the non-English languages 2011.
listed above
[2] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/
Management over-4-5-lakh-students-appear-for-upsc-preliminary-exam/

[3] FAQs. upsc.gov.in. Archived from the original on 10

Mathematics July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
Mechanical Engineering [4] Civil Services Examination - Overview. upsc.gov.in.
Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved
Medical Science 9 July 2011.

Philosophy [5] http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2015/CSP_

2015/CSP_2015_eng.pdf
Physics
[6] http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2016/CSP_
Political Science and International Relations IFS/CSP/CSP_2016_Engl_Notice.pdf

[7] http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/
Psychology
centre-to-lower-age-limit-for-civil-service-aspirants/
article6609797.ece
Public Administration
[8] Changes in the civil service examination. Hindustan
Sociology Times. New Delhi. 21 June 2011. Archived from the
original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
Statistics
[9] http://www.civilserviceindia.com/civil-services-list.
Zoology html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
 5

[10] Change of pattern in UPSC. The Pioneer. 22 June

2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Re-
trieved 10 July 2011.

[11] CSAT Row : Marks of English paper will not be included

for merit. Patrika Group (4 August 2014). Retrieved 4
August 2014.

[12] http://www.upsc.gov.in/general/civil.htm#List of
Optional Subjects - CS (Main)

[13] PM approves changes in civil services exam pattern.

February 27, 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. |rst1=
missing |last1= in Authors list (help)

[14] Govt rolls back changes to UPSC mains exam

[15] CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2015 (PDF).

Union Public Services Commission. 23 May 2015. p. 5.
Retrieved 23 June 2016.

8 External links
Union Public Service Commission ocial website
6 9 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

9 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1 Text
Civil Services Examination Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Services_Examination?oldid=758741602 Contributors: Lisiate,
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DumbBOT, Alaibot, Wikid77, Qwyrxian, Rajat Bhargav, Dawnseeker2000, IndianGeneralist, MikeLynch, Ekabhishek, MER-C, Magio-
laditis, Gopalan evr, Keith D, Csgsindia, KylieTastic, Ninnishipra, Thomas.W, Geethasamy, Oshwah, Csgsindiaorg, Gprince007, Shivara-
makrishnad, Smsarmad, Flyer22 Reborn, Lightmouse, Alokprasad84, Mild Bill Hiccup, Excirial, Rhododendrites, Acabashi, XLinkBot,
Gerhardvalentin, Fgnievinski, Glane23, Apteva, Legobot, Yobot, Pandanayan, THEN WHO WAS PHONE?, AnomieBOT, Mannymanny1,
Materialscientist, Abhi.culguy, Melmann, Srich32977, J04n, Er.BHASKAR, FrescoBot, SpacemanSpi, I dream of horses, Siddhartha
Ghai, Professorsnapeiitm, Mean as custard, John of Reading, GoingBatty, RA0808, Solarra, Akash110011, Vdeshwal, Netha Hussain,
Bill william compton, ClueBot NG, Roboture, Iamsumayyru, Professorraj, Nitins92, Vbhvsharma, Murali1889, Frietjes, Widr, Ab-
hisheksinghWIKI, Astute neophyte, DBigXray, Nirmal95, Vijhilante, BG19bot, MKar, Nitinkaif, Mark Arsten, Dr muntode, Insidiae,
Mastram.iitbhu, Brijeshsingh1018, Anbu121, BattyBot, David.moreno72, Pratyya Ghosh, Jazzy Prinker, Unishamid, Maloyaich, Panka-
jadv1, Athomeinkobe, Writereditor009, Utkarshsingh.1992, Hemant.bpl, FenixFeather, Padampatil, Uncletomwood, Aditya.johari, Aakash
Singh India, Jianhui67, Mitthumini, Sanjeev987, Mahaveermawaliyahhweb, Skr15081997, Parag1947, Eklavyus, MARUTiSRAVAN,
Leelakrishna86, Jayakumar RG, Abhishek0831996, Invinsi, Ghatus, Rohit0601, Vedantabharadwaj, Mahesh Gounikadi, Shilpasuri25,
KH-1, Avinashgujju, Prashanthsagarperumalla, Nptanksale143, Shiva dattu, Ekata1, Parimala Rapol, Juneymb, Resultpanther, Incydk,
BU Rob13, Tusharoureducation, ProgrammingGeek, Juganum, InternetArchiveBot, Girish K Shetty, Akshaythewonder, Sachintarke,
Mr02june, Sandyhell1n2, Vocialb, Soumyapanda, Karansingh47, Civilserviceindia, SSS888 and Anonymous: 333

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