Age Limit - 32
Yes, provided it is recognized University and she/he possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam and is otherwise eligible.
Yes.He /She Can
No. An attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one of the papers in the CS(P) Examination.
As per revised guidelines, Candidates have the option to choose languages for optional exam and GS papers. A student can keep same or different language for both.
Yes, a candidate can choose different language for mains and interview.
We assist bright and talented aspirants to prepare for civil services examination conducted by UPSC and State PSC.
You should have completed your graduation and should belong to age group of 21 to 28 years Only then you can apply. However, if you are a Final year undergraduate student, you can apply, but final year marksheet submission is compulsory before the Interview date of CET.
There is no restriction in CET attempts.
Can I simultaneously study some other course too?No, simultaneous enrollment in other courses or employment is not permitted while studying at JATF. The focus is expected to be solely on the Civil Services preparation. Therefore, pursuing any other course or parallel job alongside JATF studies is prohibited.
Admission to JATF is based on:
The CET paper level aligns with the 12th class NCERT standard.
There will be 150 Questions
GS – 100
CSAT – 50
Timing 3hr
One third negative marking for wrong answer.
After this paper, half an hour essay paper will be held.
We do not support any student who is in service / job so we provide training and coaching to full time students only.
You may face expulsion from JATF for various reasons, including but not limited to:
JATF provides the best coaching facilities to each of its aspirants. Depending on the subject, you are given the appropriate coaching either in-house or from a leading professional class.
We have hostels at four cities viz, Delhi, Jaipur, Indore and Pune. Facilities are distinctly provided for boys and girls separately but in the same building and it is under strict surveillance.
No, You cannot stay with relatives or siblings.
Syllabus is same as UPSC prelims exam. More over basic questions will be asked.
Syllabus for CET| Paper | Part | Subjects | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Qualifying Marks | Total Duration | Negative Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Part 1 | General Studies(GS) | 100 | 100 | Not Applicable | 150 Minutes | 1/3 of Assigned Marks |
| Part 2 | Aptitude Test(CSAT) | 50 | 50 | 33% i.e. 16.5 marks | |||
| Paper 2 | Based on General Studies and common sense | 5 | 50 | Not Applicable | 30 Minutes | Not Applicable | |
Only one optional paper has to be taken.
In the prelims exam, there is a negative marking of one-third for incorrect answers. Unattempted questions are not considered for evaluation. However, there is no negative marking in the mains exam, as it is subjective in nature.
The cutoff for the preliminary exam varies each year and is not fixed. It is determined by factors such as the number of vacancies and the difficulty level of the paper.
The preliminary exams are typically held at the end of May, while the mains exams are conducted towards the end of September.
No, the marks obtained in the preliminary exams are not added to the final marking. The preliminary exams serve as a qualifying examination for candidates to proceed to the mains examination.
The prelims exam consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies (GS) Paper-1 and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper-2. Both papers are of equal weightage (200 marks each) and are conducted within a duration of 2 hours each. GS Paper-1 tests your knowledge on various subjects like current events, history, geography, polity, economics, and social issues. On the other hand, CSAT Paper-2 focuses on assessing your reasoning, analytical abilities, decision-making skills, and basic numeracy.
While newspapers are a valuable resource for the Civil Services Exam (CSE), what kind of information should you prioritize and what can you skim or skip altogether?
National and International News with Analysis:
Look for in-depth articles that analyze current
events, government policies, social issues, and their implications.
Economic News with Context:
Understand the impact of economic policies, major developments in key sectors, and global economic trends.
Science & Technology News with Applications:
on scientific breakthroughs relevant to India's growth and challenges (e.g., agriculture, healthcare, environment).
Government Schemes and Initiatives:
Read about new government programs, their goals, and potential impact on various sections of
society.
Political Party Press Conferences:
on party manifestos and major policy pronouncements rather than everyday press briefings.
Detailed Crime Reports:
Skim headlines for major incidents.
Specific Accident Details:
It's enough to know the location, type (train, flood, etc.), and approximate casualties.
Sports News:
Headlines are sufficient unless a specific event has wider social or international significance.
Daily Stock Market Fluctuations:
Focus on major trends and policy changes impacting the market.
Develop a Selective Reading Habit:
Prioritize sections relevant to the CSE syllabus.
Don't Get Bogged Down in Details:
Focus on understanding the bigger picture and analyzing issues.
Supplement Newspapers with Reliable Online Sources:
Use trusted websites for specific topics or in-depth analysis.
Sports News:
Headlines are sufficient unless a specific event has wider social or international significance.
By following these guidelines, you can optimize your newspaper reading for the Civil Services Exam and gain valuable insights for your preparation.
Press conferences of political parties, Railway accidents, how many killed, How many killed in floods, landslides or tsunamis on which date ,When and How many men did leopards kill in Maharashtra, Daily Ups and downs of share market.
You might not necessarily need to follow more than one competitive magazine for the Civil Services Exam (CSE) preparation, but it depends on your learning style and needs. Here's a breakdown of both sides:
Focus and Depth: You can achieve a deeper understanding of the material covered in a single magazine.
Time Efficiency: Reduces time spent comparing information from multiple sources.
Develops Familiarity: become familiar with the magazine's writing style and approach.
Diverse Perspectives: Gain exposure to different viewpoints and analysis on current affairs.
Complementary Coverage: Magazines might have strengths in specific areas, filling coverage gaps.
Identifying Trends: Helps identify recurring themes and important topics across sources.
Here are some suggestions to consider:
Start with One Reputable Magazine: Pick a well-regarded magazine like Yojana, Kurukshetra.
Evaluate Your Needs:As your preparation progresses, assess if you need additional perspectives or in-depth coverage in specific areas.
Consider Online Sources: Supplement your magazine reading with credible online platforms for current affairs analysis and specific topics.
Ultimately, the best approach depends on your learning style and time constraints. Experiment and find what works best for you. Remember, consistency and quality of information are key factors, not necessarily the number of magazines.
Compile information from various sources like newspapers, reference books, magazines, and reliable websites.
Organize notes by topic or theme for better coherence.
Encourages active learning and deepens understanding.
Provide inspiration and insights into effective note-making strategies.
May contain valuable facts and additional details.
Use them as a supplement, not a replacement for your own notes.
Can be categorized into:
Static Notes:Cover theoretical aspects of General Studies or optional subjects (History, Geography, Literature).
Current Affairs Notes: summaries of important current events.
Evaluate the quality and accuracy of coaching materials before relying solely on them.
Tailored to Your Needs: Cater your notes to your learning style and understanding.
Improves Retention: The process of creating notes reinforces knowledge and aids in memorization.
Structured Organization: Encourages active recall and easier revision during preparation.
Use diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps for visual learners.
Maintain a consistent format for easy reference.
Regularly revise your notes to solidify your understanding.
Remember, the key is to find a note-taking method that works best for you. By creating your own comprehensive and well-organized notes, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the UPSC exam and achieve success.
Syllabus of UPSC exam is extremely large so you have to make your own notes for each subject. It is the best way of learning and revising.
Readymade Coaching class notes and Material: It can be of two types
No, joining a coaching institute is not mandatory for cracking the UPSC exam. Many toppers have achieved success through self-study and dedication. However, coaching institutes can offer valuable tools and support that can significantly enhance your preparation. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide:
Structured Learning: Coaching institutes provide a well-defined study plan, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the vast UPSC syllabus.
Expert Guidance: Experienced faculty can clarify complex concepts, offer effective study techniques, and answer your questions.
Study Materials: Many institutes provide comprehensive study materials, mock tests, and answer writing practice, saving you time and effort in compiling resources.
Motivational Environment: discussions and classroom sessions can create a competitive and focused atmosphere, keeping you motivated.
Flexibility: You can tailor your study schedule and learning pace to your individual needs and preferences.
Cost-Effectiveness: Self-study eliminates the significant financial investment associated with coaching fees.
Independence: develop valuable skills like time management, self-directed research, and critical thinking.
New Aspirants: Coaching can provide a strong foundation and guidance for navigating the complex UPSC syllabus.
Students Who Need Structure: Coaching institutes offer a structured study plan and deadlines to help maintain discipline.
Those Who Want to Improve Answer Writing: Coaching can provide valuable feedback on effective answer structuring and argument presentation.
Online Resources: Utilize online platforms for study materials, mock tests, and video lectures from qualified educators.
Mentorship: guidance from a retired civil servant or experienced educator who can offer personalized advice and support.
Study Groups: Forming a study group with other UPSC aspirants can foster peer learning, motivation, and accountability.
The decision to join coaching ultimately depends on your individual learning style, needs, and resources. If you are a self-disciplined learner who thrives on independent study, coaching may not be essential. However, if you require structure, expert guidance, and a competitive environment, coaching institutes can be a valuable asset in your UPSC preparation journey.
Here's a breakdown of each stage with some additional details about the current pattern:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective)
Objective: Screens out a large number of candidates. Scores from this stage are not considered for the final merit list.
Structure: Two objective-type papers of 200 marks each, with a total duration of 2 hours each. General Studies Paper 1 (GS Paper 1): Covers a wide range of topics like history, geography, polity, economics, social issues, and current affairs (100 questions). Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper 2: Assesses reasoning, analytical abilities, decision-making, and basic numeracy (80 questions). Both papers have negative marking.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive)
Objective: In-depth evaluation of a candidate's knowledge, analytical abilities, and writing skills. Scores from this stage contribute to the final merit list.
Structure: Nine papers of 250 marks each, with a total duration of 3 hours each.
Stage 3: Personality Test/Interview
Objective: Assesses a candidate's personality, suitability for the services, and potential as a leader. Scores from this stage contribute to the final merit list
Structure: An in-depth interview by a board of experts, typically lasting 20-30 minutes.
Stage 1 – Preliminary Test – consists of objective questions with penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers.
Paper 1 – General Studies (200 marks) 2 hours
Paper 2 – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) (200 marks) 2 hours.
There is a cut-off in the Preliminary Test which varies every year and is decided by the UPSC.
The Main Exam (Subjective papers of 1750 marks) consists of 9 papers which are usually held from early in Oct or Nov for around 5 days.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is known for its intense competition. Here's a breakdown of what contributes to the high competition level:
Large Number of Applicants:
On average, 900,000 to 1,000,000 candidates apply for the prelims exam every year. While not all
appear, it signifies a vast pool of aspirants.
Limited Number of Seats:
There are only a limited number of vacancies available each year, typically around 1000-1200 for various
central services like IAS, IPS, etc.
Multi-Stage Selection Process:
The three-stage exam (prelims, mains, and interview) acts as a filter, eliminating a significant number of
candidates at each stage.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
Increasing Trend:
There's a trend of increasing competition year after year. This can be attributed to factors like
growing awareness about the civil services, job security, and prestige associated with these services.
Success Rate:The success rate of the UPSC CSE is very low, around 0.1% to 0.3%. This highlights the highly competitive nature of the exam.
Coaching can be important for UPSC preparation for several reasons:
Guidance and Direction:
UPSC syllabus is vast and candidates may feel overwhelmed with where to
start and how to proceed. Coaching institutes provide structured guidance and direction, helping
aspirants understand the exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategy.
Expert Faculty:
Coaching institutes often have experienced faculty members who are well-versed in the UPSC exam pattern
and have expertise in various subjects. They can provide valuable insights, tips, and techniques to
tackle different sections of the exam effectively.>
Study Material:
Coaching institutes usually provide comprehensive study material covering all aspects of the UPSC
syllabus. This saves candidates time and effort in searching for relevant study material and ensures
that they have access to quality resources.
Regular Mock Tests:
Mock tests are an essential part of UPSC preparation as they help candidates assess their strengths
and weaknesses, improve time management skills, and get acquainted with the exam pattern. Coaching
institutes conduct regular mock tests to simulate exam-like conditions and provide feedback for improvement.
Motivation and Support:
UPSC preparation can be a long and challenging journey. Coaching institutes provide a supportive environment where
candidates can interact with peers, share experiences, and stay motivated throughout the preparation process.
While coaching can be beneficial, it is not mandatory for UPSC preparation. With self-discipline, dedication, and the right resources, candidates can also prepare effectively on their own.
The idea behind those students not clearing the exam from past 3 to 4 years is their weakness in a particular field like they may be weak in their optional subject or they might be weak in scoring in mains Or unable to clear the prelims itself, so the thumb rule for this exam is do not compare your studies with others.
Lack of Strategy: Without a clear roadmap and structured approach, preparation can become scattered and ineffective.
Focus on Quantity over Quality:
Spending countless hours studying without focusing on quality learning materials and effective revision can be counterproductive.
Weakness in Specific Areas:
a strong foundation in all aspects of the exam (GS, Optional, Answer Writing) is crucial. Weaknesses
in any area can hinder success.
Ignoring Self-Assessment:
Failing to identify and address weaknesses through regular mock tests and self-evaluation can lead to persistent issues.
Develop a Strategic Plan: Create a well-defined study plan that covers the entire syllabus, allocates sufficient time for each topic, and incorporates revision schedules.
Focus on Quality Learning:Prioritize quality study materials from reputed sources, clear your fundamental concepts, and actively engage with the material.
Maintain Consistency:
for consistent study efforts throughout your preparation. A disciplined approach will keep you focused and on track.
Identify and Address Weaknesses:
Regularly assess your performance through mock tests and self-analysis. Identify areas needing improvement and invest time in focused practice.
Learn from Others, But Don't Compare:
Seek guidance from successful aspirants or mentors, but avoid comparing your study pace or progress with others. Focus on your individual
strengths and weaknesses.
Here's an elaboration on the standard way of preparing for the UPSC exam:
These are the first two steps in the standard way of UPSC preparation. Subsequent steps typically include the use of magazines, internet resources, making your own notes, and extensive revision. Let me know if you'd like me to continue elaborating on the remaining steps.
Reading newspapers is crucial for UPSC preparation for several reasons:
The Hindu, Indian Express, Business Standard, Economic Times, are some of the most important papers that should be referred to.
The amount of time required for reading newspapers can vary depending on individual reading speed and comprehension level. However, it's generally recommended to spend 1-2 hours daily on reading newspapers for UPSC preparation. This allows sufficient time to go through important news articles, editorials, and opinion pieces, ensuring a thorough understanding of current affairs and issues relevant to the exam. Ultimately, the goal is to allocate enough time to cover the necessary content without feeling rushed, ensuring effective preparation for the UPSC examination.
Yes, you can use Vision IAS, Insights IAS, IAS Baba, or any other coaching institute's monthly magazine as part of your UPSC preparation. However, it's important to note that these magazines should be considered supplements rather than substitutes for newspapers. This is because newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express provide comprehensive coverage of current affairs and issues, offering a broader perspective on various topics. While magazines from coaching institutes offer valuable insights and analysis, they may have limitations due to page constraints. Therefore, relying solely on these magazines may result in missing out on important current affairs or nuanced perspectives covered in newspapers. To ensure a well-rounded preparation, it's recommended to complement magazine readings with regular newspaper coverage. This approach will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of current events and issues, which is essential for the UPSC examination.
First go through the old question papers of UPSC (at least last three years), that will give you a rough idea about what questions are asked directly or indirectly from newspaper. And then read the newspaper keeping that in mind.
Press conference of government, Various bills, minutes of Cabinet meetings. The big full-page advertisements given by govt, about their achievements, Election related items..
Yes, it is indeed possible to clear the Civil Services Examination in the first attempt. With dedicated and focused preparation, candidates can achieve success in their first attempt. There are numerous examples of candidates who have cleared the exam on their first try, such as Tina Dabi, who secured the top rank in 2016. However, it requires consistent effort and a serious approach to preparation.
Candidates can apply online for UPSC conducted Examinations by accessing the online portal hosted on the UPSC’s website https://upsconline.nic.in.
UPSC conducts Preliminary Examination of the Civil Services Examination for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other Central Services and posts in accordance with the Rules published by the Government (Department of Personnel & Training) in the Gazette of India Extraordinary. This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will be eligible to appear in the Main Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main Examination.
Yes, there is negative marking in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. Here are the details:
The minimum educational qualification required is a degree from any university recognized by the Central or State Legislature in India. This includes universities established by an Act of Parliament or declared deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. Alternatively, candidates must possess an equivalent qualification.
The eligibility criteria for physically disabled candidates in terms of physical requirements and functional classification are determined by the Cadre Controlling Authorities of the identified Service/Post. These criteria are outlined in the Rules of Examination and must be consistent with the requirements of the specific Service/Post. Candidates should refer to the Rules of Examination for details regarding physical requirements and functional classification.
The question papers for the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination, with the exception of the qualifying language papers (Papers A and B), are provided in both Hindi and English
A candidate has limited choices regarding the language used in the Civil Services (Main) Examination. Here's a breakdown of the language rules:
The candidates, opting for Indian Language medium for the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination may choose either the same Indian Language or English or Hindi as the medium for the interview. The candidates, opting to write the Civil Services (Main) Examination in English, may choose either English or Hindi or any other Indian Language opted by them for the compulsory Indian Language Paper in the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, as the medium for interview. The candidate has to indicate the language medium of their interview at the time of filling up of the Detailed Application Form (DAF) However, the candidates, who are exempted from the compulsory Indian Language Paper, will have to choose either English or Hindi as medium of Interview of Personality Test.
The minimum qualifying standards in each of the two Qualifying Papers i.e. English and Indian Languages is indicated in the examination Rules, is at present 25%.
Here's a breakdown of the marking scheme:
Papers Considered for Merit Ranking:
Papers I to VII of the Main Examination contribute to your
final rank. These papers include the Essay Paper, four General Studies papers (GS Papers 2-5), and two
Optional Subject papers.
Qualifying Papers:
Papers A and B (Any Indian Language and English) are qualifying in nature.
You need to secure a minimum qualifying mark (usually around 25%) in each paper to be eligible for
the merit ranking based on Papers I to VII.
Discretion of UPSC:
The UPSC has the authority to set qualifying marks for any or all papers, including
Papers I to VII. However, this is rarely exercised for Papers I to VII.
| Paper | Nature | Marks | Considered for Merit Ranking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A (Any Indian Language) | Qualifying | 300 | No (Qualifying minimum required) |
| Paper B (English) | Qualifying | 300 | No (Qualifying minimum required) |
| Essay Paper | Main | 250 | Yes |
| GS Paper 2 | Main | 250 | Yes |
| GS Paper 3 | Main | 250 | Yes |
| GS Paper 4 | Main | 250 | Yes |
| GS Paper 5 | Main | 250 | Yes |
| Optional Subject Paper 1 | Main | 250 | Yes |
| Optional Subject Paper 2 | Main | 250 | Yes |
The UPSC publishes an Annual Programme (Calendar) of all the Structured Examinations/RTs conducted by it at least 6 months in advance (i.e. in June) for the Examinations/RTs to be conducted during the next calendar year. The Programme is uploaded on the UPSC's website as also published in the leading news papers of the country. The date of issue of Examination Notice for each Examination is also mentioned in this Annual Programme.
Candidates can apply online for the UPSC Examinations by accessing the online portal hosted on the UPSC's website (https://upsconline.nic.in).
The cutoff for the preliminary exam varies each year and is not fixed. It is determined by factors such as the number of vacancies and the difficulty level of the paper.
Time for applying online is clearly mentioned in the Examination Notice. A candidate gets about 3 weeks time to apply online and can fill up the online application by following the instructions provided on the website.
While a candidate should avoid submitting more than one online application, in case of doing so, the data provided in the last application (highest RID Number), that is successfully submitted online, is accepted by the Commission. All previous applications are ignored as these are amalgamated with the last completed & finally submitted application. If an applicant (who has already submitted an application successfully) wants to make amendments in the application, then he has to submit a fresh application on or before the last date of submission of application of the Examination. Therefore, it must be ensured that fee is submitted against the last online application only, which should also be complete in all respects including its final submission. Fee paid against one RID shall not be adjusted against any other RID number.
The closing date of submission of online application is clearly mentioned in the Examination Notice. Candidates, who make payments through Bank Challan, are required to submit online application at least a day before the notified closing date so that they can generate the Bank Challan to be submitted in any Branch of SBI within Bank working hours throughout India. Facility of Challan generation is deactivated on the last day of online application automatically by the system. However, Candidates can submit Bank Challan on the last day in any Branch of the SBI. Bank Challan generation is in Part-II of Online Application.
For all the Examinations conducted by the Commission, Female candidates, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories are exempted from payment of Examination Fee.
Those payments mentioned by the candidates in their online application, which are not authenticated by the State Bank of India, i.e. the designated bank managing the entire payment module (including managing the payment gateway), are called Fictitious Payments or No Fee.
The applicants, whose payments are marked fictitious, are intimated through e-mail to submit physical proof of payment to the Commission. These applicants are required to submit the proof within the timeframe given in the email either by hand or by speed post to the Commission. In case, no response is received from the applicants, their applications are summarily rejected and no further correspondence is entertained in this regard
Candidates seeking reservation/ relaxation benefits available for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Classes/Economically Weaker Sections/Persons with Benchmark Disabilities/Exservicemen must ensure that they are entitled to such reservation/ relaxation in accordance with the eligibility prescribed in the Examination Rules/Notice. They should also be in possession of all the requisite certificates in the prescribed format in support of their claims for availing reservation before applying for the examination, and in any case, not later than the closing date for receipt of applications for the examination.
A candidate is eligible to get the benefit of community reservation if his/her caste/tribe is included in the reserved community as may be determined by the Central Government and he/she has claimed for the same. The Commission does not entertain a request for change of community from unreserved to reserved category once the examination process is initiated. However, in some exceptional cases where a particular caste/tribe is included in the list of reserved community within 3 months from the date of submission of application, the Commission may consider a request of change of community as a special case. In case of a candidate unfortunately becoming physically disabled during the course of the examination process, the candidate should produce valid document showing him/her acquiring a disability to the extent of 40% or more as mentioned in the relevant rules to enable him/her to get the benefits of PwBD reservation.
The Commission does not allow change of Date of Birth that has been furnished by a candidate and recorded by the Commission on any ground whatsoever.
A candidate found to be furnishing false information to the Commission or suppressing information, adopting various unfair means in the Examination like impersonation, cheating, etc., is liable to be disqualified and/or debarred from writing UPSC Examinations as decided by the Commission. A detailed stipulation in this regard is incorporated in the Rules of Examination/ Examination Notices. e-ADMIT CARD:
The eligible candidates are issued e-Admit Cards around three weeks before the commencement of the Examination. The e-Admit Cards are made available on the UPSC website [https://upsconline.nic.in] for downloading by the candidates. The Admit Card is not sent by post. If a candidate is not issued his/her e-Admit Card or does not receive any other communication regarding his/her candidature for the Examination around three weeks before the commencement of the examination, he/she should immediately contact the Commission at the concerned email ID. Information in this regard can also be obtained from the Facilitation Counter located in the Commission's Office either in the person or over phone Nos. 011- 23381125/011- 23385271/011-23098543
Allotment of Roll Numbers and Venues to the eligible candidates is carried out though computer in a random manner without manual intervention. The Commission makes all efforts to allot the candidate the center of his /her choice, which is done on the "first-apply-first allot" basis. Once the capacity of a particular Centre is exhausted, the same shall not be available to the applicants as an option. The applicants shall, therefore, be required to choose one of the available Centres. It is, thus, advised to apply early for getting the choice Centre. However, it may be noted that the Commission may change the Centres of the candidates as per its discretion to address the special situations arising at that point of time.
The candidates should note that no request for change of Centre / Venue is accepted
No candidate is allowed to appear at a Centre/Venue other than the Centre/Venue mentioned by the Commission in his/her e-Admit Card. If a candidate appears at such a Centre/Venue (except by a court order), the papers of that candidate shall not be evaluated and his/her candidature will be liable for cancellation.
Before filling up the Online Application, a candidate must have his/her photograph and signature dully scanned in the "JPG" format in such a manner that each file should not exceed 300 KB and must not be less than 20 KB. The photograph and signature must be clearly discernible. Samples of acceptable photograph and signature are displayed in the application module. Candidates should take due care while uploading their photograph since no changes are allowed once the photograph is uploaded and online application is submitted. Uploading of photograph/signature is the sole responsibility of the candidate and in case a wrong photograph/signature is uploaded, his/her candidature is liable to be cancelled for false identity. Candidates should check the e-Admit Card carefully and discrepancies/ errors, if any, should be brought to the notice of the UPSC immediately.
The amount of time required for reading newspapers can vary depending on individual reading speed and comprehension level. However, it's generally recommended to spend 1-2 hours daily on reading newspapers for UPSC preparation. This allows sufficient time to go through important news articles, editorials, and opinion pieces, ensuring a thorough understanding of current affairs and issues relevant to the exam. Ultimately, the goal is to allocate enough time to cover the necessary content without feeling rushed, ensuring effective preparation for the UPSC examination.
Please read the instructions carefully before filling up the Online Application Form.
RID is Registration ID, which is generated by the system when the applicant completes PART-I registration of his/her application
TID is Transaction ID, which is given by the State Bank India when the applicant deposits his/her fee in cash. It is automatically generated when Internet Banking or credit/debit card mode is used for making the fee payment.
Online Application Form consists of two parts i.e. Part I and Part II
Candidate has to complete both Part I and Part II and submit finally to be a candidate of the said Examination.
If only PART-I of the application is submitted without submitting PART-II, the application remains incomplete and candidature cannot be registered. The application is incomplete even in cases where the applicant has submitted PART-I and paid fee as well, but has not completed PART-II (i.e. failed to submit Centre, photograph, signature and photo ID card).
The online system will not allow the candidate to submit the form if he/she has left the choice of Centre blank in Part II and status of the application will remain "not submitted". Thus, he/she will not be the candidate of that particular Examination. Therefore, candidates are advised to click on the "submit" button after selecting the Examination Center.
Non-payment of Fee (if not exempted from Fee payment) will lead to cancellation of the candidature.
It is seen that some candidates who submit their fee through Bank Challan either enter the wrong TID or submit an old TID. It has also been observed that submission of multiple applications is followed by either non- payment of fee OR fee particulars (TID) of one application (RID) being mentioned against another application with a different RID. This leads to rejection of the online application.
Poor quality of uploaded photograph and signature or swapping of the same will lead to complications in future. Therefore, candidates are advised to peruse the relevant instructions carefully regarding acceptable photograph/ signature in the application module at the time of application.
CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION:
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) comprises of two successive stages: the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (CSP) and the Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview).
CIVIL SERVICES (PRELIMINARY) EXAMINATION:
No, the Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth Schedule languages except the Qualifying Language papers Paper-A and Paper-B, which they have indicated at the time of filling up of their online application form for the Civil Service (Preliminary) Examination.
The question papers for the examination are of conventional (essay) type. Each paper is of three hours duration.
The candidates, opting for Indian Language medium for the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination may choose either the same Indian Language or English or Hindi as the medium for the interview. The candidates, opting to write the Civil Services (Main) Examination in English, may choose either English or Hindi or any other Indian Language opted by them for the compulsory Indian Language Paper in the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, as the medium for interview. The candidate has to indicate the language medium of interview at the time of filling up of the Detailed Application Form (DAF) However, the candidates, who are exempted from the compulsory Indian Language Paper, will have to choose either English or Hindi as medium of Interview or Personality Test.
The minimum qualifying standards in each of the two Qualifying Papers i.e. English and Indian Languages is indicated in the Examination Rules, is at present 25%
The Paper A on Indian Language is not compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. In the Online Application, if a candidate hails from these North-Eastern States, the option for Indian Language will automatically be disabled in the Online Application.
Yes, Paper A on Indian Language is compulsory for candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities category. However, it will not be compulsory for the candidates suffering from Hearing Impairment provided they have been granted such exemption from 2nd or 3rd language courses by the concerned education Board/University. The candidate needs to provide an undertaking/self declaration in this regard in order to claim such an exemption to the Commission.
Marks obtained by the candidates for the Papers I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking (of those candidates who obtain the specified minimum marks in the qualifying papers). However, the Commission has the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.
This Scheme for disclosing the scores and other details of the non- recommended candidates was implemented with the Combined Medical Services Examination-2017. The Scheme covers non-recommended willing candidates, who appeared at the Interview/SSB Stage of Commission's Examination. Details of such candidates which are disclosed at the Commission's Website (further linked to the NCS Portal of the M/o Labour & Employment) are - Name of the candidate, Father's Husband's/Name , Date of Birth, Category Gender, Educational Qualifications, total marks etc., arranged in Roll Number order. The objective of the Scheme is to provide a useful database to other employers to enable them to identify good employable candidates. This information of an Examination remains available for one year from the date of disclosure.
(a) For each Examination, a time frame of 7 days (a week) i.e. from the next day of the Examination Date to 6.00 p.m. of the 7th day is fixed for the candidates to make representations to the Commission on the questions asked in the Papers of that Examination. No representation shall be accepted under any circumstances after this window of 7 days is over.
(b) In case of Single Day Examinations, for example, if the Examination is held on 1st March, then the representations can be submitted from 2nd March to 8th March (till 6:00 p.m.).
(c) For Multi-Days Examinations, the date on which the last Paper of that Examination is held, will be the crucial reckoning date for making representations on the questions asked in all the Papers of that Examination. For example: if last Paper of a Multi-Days Examination is conducted on 1st July whereas the first Paper of that Examination is held on 29th June, then the candidates can submit representations from 2nd July to 8th July (till 6:00 p.m.) for all the Papers of that Examination.
(d) Such representation must be submitted through the "Online Question Paper Representation Portal(QPRep)" only by accessing the URL: http://upsconline.nic.in/miscellaneous/QPRep/ This Portal will be available for submitting representations from the next day after the Examination is concluded. No representation by email/post/hand or by any other mode shall be accepted.
(a) Mobile phones (even in switched off mode), any electronic equipment or programmable device or storage media like pen drive, smart watches etc. or camera or bluetooth devices or any other equipment or related accessories either in working or switched off mode capable of being used as a communication device or any other communication devices and IT gadgets, are banned items and are, therefore, not allowed inside the premises of the Venue where the Examination is being conducted as also in the UPSC premises during conduct of the Personality Tests (Interview). Any infringement of these instructions shall entail disciplinary action including cancellation of candidature for that Examination and debarment from all future Examinations/Selections of the Commission.
(b) Candidates are advised in their own interest not to bring any of the banned items including mobile phones/Bluetooth devices etc. (as detailed above) to the Venue of the Examination and the UPSC premises when the examination process is underway.
(c) Candidates are also advised not to bring any valuable/expensive items to the Examination Halls/UPSC premises, as safety of such items cannot be assured. The Commission will not be responsible for any loss in this regard.
The applicant is required to fill in the number of the Photo ID Card (viz. Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the Central/State/UT Government) and to upload the same while filling up the online application form of an Examination of the Commission. The above number of the Photo ID Card is printed on the e-Admit Card of the Examination issued to the candidate. The candidate is then required to carry the same Photo ID Card along with the e- Admit Card/e-Summon Letter for appearing at the Examination/Interview. This Photo ID Card will be used for all future referencing. In case he/she is unable to produce the same during Examination/Interview, he/she will have to submit an Undertaking alongwith any other Photo ID Card issued by the Central/State/UT Government.
The candidates are advised to reach the Venue well in time so that their entry inside the Examination Venue could be ensured smoothly after observing necessary protocol. As regard time for closure of entry, the candidate may note that the entry into the Examination Venue is closed 10 minutes before commencement of the Examination Session e.g. if Session starts at 10:00 a.m., the entry inside the Examination Venue shall be closed sharp at 09:50 a.m. REASONS FOR REJECTION OF ONLINE APPLICATIONS:
UPSC conducts Preliminary Examination of the Civil Services Examination for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other Central Services and posts in accordance with the Rules published by the Government (Department of Personnel & Training) in the Gazette of India Extraordinary. This Examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates, who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination, are not counted for determining their final order of merit. Only those candidates, who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year, will be eligible to appear at the Main Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main Examination.
(i) An attempt at a Preliminary Examination shall be taken as an attempt at the Civil Services Examination.
(ii) If a candidate actually appears in any one paper in the Preliminary Examination, it shall be taken as an attempt at the Examination.
(iii) Notwithstanding the disqualification/ cancellation of candidature, the fact of appearance of the candidate at the Examination will count as an attempt.
No, an attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one paper in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
The Examination is comprised of two compulsory papers of 200 marks each. (i) Both the question papers are of objective type (multiple choice questions). (ii) The question papers are set in Hindi and English. (iii) Details of the syllabi are provided in the Examination Notice and Gazette Notification published by the Government. (iv) Each paper is of two hours duration.
Yes, the General Studies Paper-II is of qualifying nature. The minimum qualifying standards in this Paper is indicated in the Examination Rules and at present, it is 33%.
Candidates should note that there is penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. There are four alternatives for the answers to every question.
(i) For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted as penalty.
(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it is treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question.
(iii) If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is given by the candidate; there will be no penalty for that question
The candidate must hold a degree of any of Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or any other educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.
The Persons with Benchmark Disabilities candidates shall also be required to meet eligibility criteria in terms of physical requirements/functional classifications (abilities/disabilities) consistent with the requirements of the identified Service/Post as may be prescribed by its Cadre Controlling Authorities. The details of physical requirements and functional classifications are given in the Rules/Notice of the Examination.
Persons already in Government Service, whether in a permanent or temporary capacity or as work charged employees other than casual or daily rated employees or those serving under the Public Sector Enterprises, are required to submit an undertaking that they have informed their Head of Office/Department, in writing, that they have applied for the Examination. Candidates should note that in case a communication is received from their employer, by the Commission, withholding permission to the candidates applying for/appearing at the Examination, their applications will be liable to be rejected/candidature will be liable to be cancelled.
A candidate will be eligible to get the benefit of community reservation only in case the particular community/ caste / tribe to which the candidate belongs is included in the list of reserved communities issued by the Central Government. If a candidate indicates in his/her application form for Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination that he/she belongs to General category but subsequently writes to the Commission to change his/her category to a reserved one, such request shall not be entertained by the Commission. Similar principle will also be followed for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities candidates. However, in some exceptional cases where a particular caste/tribe is included in the list of reserved community within 3 months from the date of submission of application, the Commission may consider a request of change of community as a special case. In case of a candidate unfortunately becoming physically disabled during the course of the examination process, the candidate should produce valid document showing him/her acquiring a disability to the extent of 40% or more as mentioned in the relevant rules to enable him/her to get the benefits of PwBD reservation.
Reservation will be made for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes. Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities candidates in respect of vacancies as may be fixed by the Government.
CIVIL SERVICES (MAIN) EXAMINATION:
Yes
The question papers (other than the literature of language papers) are set in Hindi and English.
Mixing of the answer books received from different venues is done before sending them for evaluation. Computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given to each answer-book before evaluation.
This is not done at any stage of the evaluation process.
This is not done at any stage of the evaluation process.
To achieve uniformity in valuation, where more than one Examiner is involved, the Commission arranges a meeting of the Head Examiner with the Additional Examiners after the Examination is over. At this stage, they discuss thoroughly the question paper, the appropriate answers and decide the standard of evaluation. To further bring about uniformity of assessment inter se the Examiners, the following procedure is undertaken:The Head Examiner conducts a sample survey of answer books of each Additional Examiner to verify whether the uniform standards of evaluation evolved in the meeting of Examiners have actually been followed. Depending on the standard adopted by the Additional Examiner, the Head Examiner may confirm the awards without any change if the Examiner has correctly followed the standard decided upon, or may carry out upward/ downward moderation as considered necessary to ensure maximum possible degree of uniformity in the evaluation process. Therefore, the aspect of inter-examiner variation in standards of evaluation in paper affecting candidates performance is taken care of adequately.
The evaluation process does not end after initial evaluation by an Examiner. Moderation, wherever applied, is on the total award initially given (the so-called 'raw marks') and not on question-wise basis. Therefore ,once the evaluation process is complete , neither 'raw marks' nor 'question-wise marks' subsist. What subsists is the candidate's total score in a paper awarded at the end of the evaluation process and this award is normally made available to the candidate in due course on the Commission's website through a query-based application software. Further, in a competitive examination, what is relevant is not the absolute performance of a candidate, but his/ her relative performance that in fact determines whether the candidate qualifies and, if so, his/ her position in the merit list.
No. The evaluation standards/ moderation for a Paper are not medium specific. In other words, if the Rules of the Exam provide that a Paper can be written in any of, say, English/ Hindi/ a recognized Indian language, then the medium in which a candidate writes the Paper will not be a factor in determining evaluation standards or the moderation to be applied.
No. Before evaluation, the Roll No. written on every answer book is detached and computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given. At no stage of the evaluation process (including the moderation stage) is the actual Roll No./ identity of the candidate known to any of the Examiners/ officials associated in the process.
No. Before evaluation, the Roll No. written on every answer book is detached and computer-based randomized fictitious code no. is given. At no stage of the evaluation process (including the moderation stage) is the actual Roll No./ identity of the candidate known to any of the Examiners/ officials associated in the process.
Reservation is made for the candidates belonging to the EWS in respect of vacancies as may be fixed by the Government.
Yes, provided they otherwise fulfill other eligibility criteria. Reservation is, however, not available in respect of examinations conducted for recruitment to Defence Services viz., NDA &NA Examination and Combined Defence Services Examination.
No. An EWS candidate is considered against EWS vacancies only if he/she possesses a valid I&AC.
No age relaxation is admissible for EWS category
Six (6) as admissible to Unreserved/General category candidates.
The candidates of EWS category are required to make payment towards application fee.
A candidate of EWS category, selected on his/her own merit, without availing of any of the concessions or relaxations to which such candidates are entitled to, is recommended against unreserved vacancies. If any concessions or relaxed standards of selection is applied at any stage of selection process, such candidates will be considered against vacancy reserved for the EWS category only.
The candidates of EWS category are entitled to relaxed standards of selection vis-a-vis the standards of selection adopted for General Category.
If the category indicated by a candidate in the application form for any Examination of the Commission is Unreserved/General category but the candidate subsequently writes to the Commission to change the category to a reserved one i.e. EWS, such request is not entertained by the Commission. Further, once a candidate has chosen a reserved category (EWS), no request is entertained for change to other reserved category.
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