What is the pattern of the Civil Services Examination?
Civil Services Examination is a 3-stage examination held every year.
Stage 1 » Preliminary Test
Stage 2 » Main Exam
Stage 3 » Personality Test / Interview
What is the pattern of Preliminary Test in civil services examination conducted by UPSC?
Stage 1 » Preliminary Test » consists of objective questions with penalty (negative marking of 0.33%) for wrong answers.
(This is generally held on 2nd or 3rd Sunday in the month of June)
Paper 1 » General Studies (200 marks) 2 hours
Paper 2 » CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) (200 marks) 2 hours.
Paper-2-CSAT is only qualifying in nature and one is required to score one-third of total marks to qualify this exam.
What is the pattern of Main Examination in civil services examination conducted by UPSC?
The Main Exam (Subjective papers of 1750 marks) consists of 7 papers which are usually held from early October. The current pattern of Main examination is as follows:-
General Studies
Paper I » 250 marks (3 hours)
Paper II » 250 marks (3 hours)
Paper III » 250 marks (3 hours)
Paper IV » 250 marks (3 hours)
Optional Subject
Paper 1 » 250 marks (3 hours)
Paper 2 » 250 marks (3 hours)
Essay :- 250 marks (3 hours)
Language Papers marks (qualifying paper; marks not included in Main Exam)
English Language:- 300
Modern Indian Language:- 300
Usually Paper 1 is held from 9 am to 12 pm and Paper 2 is held from 2 pm to 5 pm.
What is the Interview or Personality Test in civil services examination conducted by UPSC?
Students who qualify for Interview are called by the UPSC in February or March. The Interviews usually start 2 weeks after the Main Exam results are announced. The duration of Interviews is around 40 days.
When is the Final result declared?
The final result is declared in the month of April. This is computed on the basis of the total marks scored by candidates in Main Examination (1750) and Personality Test or Interview (275). Final Ranking and Service allocation is based on the combined marks scored in Main Examination (1750) and Interview (275) and on the preferences given by the candidates at the time of filling up of the Main Examination application form.
What is the eligibility criterion for Civil Services?
• Age Limit: To appear in this exam the age limit is
• General category: 21 to 32years
• OBC: 21 to 35 years
• SC/ST: 21 to 37 years
• Physically Handicap: 21 to 42years
• Educational Qualification: Graduation from any stream. The final year appearing student can also appear for the exam.
How many attempts can one give for Civil Services Examination?
• The number of attempts are as under
• General category – 6
• OBC – 9
• SC/ST – No limit till the age of 37 years.
• Physically Handicapped – 9
How much time should one devote for the preparation of Civil Services?
It depends on the quality of study and not quantity. If qualitative studies are done or one year, devoting 6 hours a day for 6 days a week consistently is sufficient .
I have completed my studies from an open school/university. Can I appear for civil services?
Yes you can (degree from any recognized university, any stream makes you eligible).
I have applied for the exam but will not be able to appear due to certain problems. Will my attempt counted?
Your attempt is not counted by mere filling the form. Unless you appear for any paper of Preliminary Exam, your attempt is not counted.
Is a candidate from OBC list of state eligible for age relaxation under UPSC, if he is not from the center’s list of OBC?
NO, under UPSC, he is not eligible for relaxation but under state’s commission exam he will be eligible for relaxation.
What should I keep in mind while choosing an optional subject?
Firstly, it is not mandatory that your optional subject should be from your stream. It may or may not be the subject of your background. If you are too good at your own subject and can easily solve the paper on the same subject asked by UPSC then you should definitely have it as optional subject. But if you are not able to solve then you should switch on to some other subject. For detail answer read How to Prepare section of our website or visit CHAHAL ACADEMY.
While writing answers during Mains, does terminology used matters a lot?
Any answer in simple language with all relevant points in it is good enough to score well.
How can a student be sure about the word count in examination hall?
It is advisable not to count exact number of words for each answer in the examination hall. Only an estimate of words can be taken.
It is true that candidates who answer in English get more marks than the one who answered in Hindi?
This is not true at all. An examiner does not give marks upon the language used to answer the question. Marks are given on the basis of the quality of the answer.
Can a candidate choose an optional subject, which he has not studied at graduate/PG level?
Yes. A candidate can choose any optional subject from the prescribed list by UPSC.
I’ve done graduation from foreign university. Is my degree valid for UPSC IAS/IPS exam or not?
Yes, your degree is valid, but you need to get an equivalent certificate from ASSOCIATION OF INDIAN UNIVERSITIES.
Can a candidate write different papers of Civil Service (Main) Examination in different languages?
No, Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth schedule languages.
Which are the type of courses for IAS exam preparation at Chahal Academy?
One Year Complete Course :
It is for those who are going to appear next year.
2-3 Years complete foundation course :
Those students who passed their 12th and want to prepare this coveted exam at this early stage.
Prelims-cum-Mains courses are suitable for all fresher’s.
Test Series Course
Mains & prelims Test Series are highly beneficial for those who have already appeared for the Examination and want an authentic simulation where discussion adds lot of value to the preparation. which can fine-tune their performance
