Indian Civil Services, comprising prestigious roles such as Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), is a dream career for millions of aspirants nationwide. These services form the backbone of the administrative machinery of India, offering a platform to serve the nation at strategic and impactful levels.
Among these, the IAS is the most sought-after, enabling officers to work on high-level policy-making and implementation roles within the Union and State Governments. The significance of these services and their ability to create a meaningful impact make them a preferred choice for ambitious individuals.
About the Examination Process
To secure a position in the Indian Civil Services, candidates must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This competitive exam involves a rigorous three-phase selection process:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
Main Examination (Mains)
Personality Test (Interview)
How to Apply
Candidates can apply for the Civil Services Examination online via the official UPSC website: www.upsconline.nic.in. The application process includes two stages: Part-I and Part-II.
Key Points for Application:
Fee:
Rs. 100/- (exemptions for SC/ST/Female/Persons with Benchmark Disabilities).
Payment options: Cash at SBI branches, SBI Net Banking, or Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Cards.
Documents:
Scanned photograph (3 KB – 40 KB, jpg format).
Scanned signature (1 KB – 40 KB, jpg format).
Email ID:
Ensure a valid and active email ID for communication.
Multiple Applications:
Avoid submitting multiple forms. If submitted, the application with the highest Registration ID will be considered.
Plan of Examination
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in two successive stages:
Preliminary Examination:
Objective type exam for selection to the Main Examination.
Two papers:
General Studies Paper-I (200 marks)
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) (200 marks, qualifying with 33% minimum).
Marks in this stage determine eligibility for the next phase.
Main Examination and Interview:
Written examination consisting of nine papers (essay type).
Marks of seven papers count towards the final merit list. Two papers (Indian Language and English) are qualifying in nature.
The Personality Test (Interview) evaluates personal suitability for a public service career.
Detailed Examination Stages
First Stage: Preliminary Examination
Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions).
Purpose: Screening for the Mains.
Key Papers:
General Studies Paper-I.
CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test).
Second Stage: Main Examination
Type: Written (Conventional essay type).
Papers:
Nine papers in total.
Two qualifying papers:
Paper-A: Indian Language (300 marks).
Paper-B: English (300 marks).
Seven merit-based papers.
Personality Test:
Conducted by a board of members to assess candidates on general interest topics and suitability for public service.
*Final rank of a candidate in merit list is depends upon the marks scored in second stage only i.e. written and Interview.
| Table shows the Marks distribution counted for final merit | ||
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper-1 | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-2 | General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
| Paper-3 | General Studies–II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) | 250 |
| Paper-4 | General Studies–III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Paper-5 | General Studies–IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper-6 | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 | |
| Paper-7 | Sub Total (Written test) | 1750 |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
For IAS and IPS: Must be an Indian citizen.
For other services: Includes citizens of India and certain other conditions.
Age Limit:
Minimum: 21 years.
Maximum: 32 years (as of 1st August of the examination year).
Relaxations:
SC/ST: 5 years.
OBC: 3 years.
Additional relaxations for Ex-Defense personnel and persons with disabilities.
Educational Qualification:
A university degree or equivalent.
Final-year students may apply but must provide proof of qualification before the Mains Examination.
Restrictions:
Candidates already appointed to IAS/IFS are ineligible for the exam.
IPS officers cannot opt for the IPS in subsequent attempts.
Services Under Civil Services Examination
Group A Services:
Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Service
Indian Audit and Accounts Service
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise)
Indian Defence Accounts Service
Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
Indian Ordnance Factories Service
Indian Postal Service
Indian Civil Accounts Service
Indian Railway Services (Traffic, Accounts, Personnel)
Indian Defence Estates Service
Indian Information Service
Indian Trade Service
Indian Corporate Law Service
Group B Services:
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)
Pondicherry Civil Service
Pondicherry Police Service
Optional Subjects for Mains Examination
Candidates can choose one optional subject from the following list:
Agriculture
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce & Accountancy
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science & International Relations
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Literature (Any one of the Eighth Schedule languages or English).
Choosing Civil Services as a career provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the nation’s progress while achieving personal growth. With rigorous preparation and dedication, aspirants can secure their place in these prestigious services.