The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. It is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in the country, with a very low selection rate. Successful candidates are recruited to various All India Civil Services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).
The UPSC Civil Services Exam selection process is a multi-stage and comprehensive process that aims to identify and select candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian civil services. The selection process consists of three main stages:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims):
This is an objective type examination with two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test). However, CSAT is qualifying in nature, and only marks of General Studies Paper I are considered for the merit list. The Preliminary Exam serves as a screening test, and candidates who qualify are eligible to appear for the Main Examination.
Main Examination (Mains):
The Main Examination is a written examination consisting of nine papers, out of which seven papers are counted for merit. The papers include Essay, General Studies (GS) Papers I to IV, Optional Subject Paper I and II, and two qualifying papers of Indian Language papaer and English paper. The Main Examination is designed to assess the candidate’s in-depth knowledge and understanding of a diverse range of subjects.
Personality Test (Interview):
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test, also known as the Interview. This phase assesses the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for a career in civil services. This is an oral interview that is conducted by a panel of UPSC members. It is held in New Delhi and carries 275 marks.
The final selection is based on the cumulative performance of candidates in the Main Examination and the Personality Test. The Preliminary Examination is a screening stage, and its marks are not considered for the final merit list.