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Civil Services (UPSC & State PSC)

UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)

Conducted by Union Public Service Commission.

Held
Annual (Prelims around May/June, Mains around September)
Mode
Pen-and-paper
Level
National

Recruitment to the IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and B central services.

Eligibility

  1. 1.Bachelor's degree from a recognised university
  2. 2.Age 21–32 for the general category, with category-wise relaxations; attempt limits apply

Stages

  1. 1.Preliminary — GS Paper I (merit) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying), objective
  2. 2.Main — 9 descriptive papers: 2 qualifying language papers, Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I–II
  3. 3.Personality Test (interview)

Notes

The final merit list is based on the Main examination and the Personality Test.

Patterns, dates, age limits and vacancies change with every notification. Use this page to get oriented, then confirm every detail on the official website before you apply. Compiled 2026-10-31.