UPSC Civil Services Preliminary exam pattern click here

Civil Services Exam Pattern

The Civil Services Examination will consist of two successive stages (vide Appendix I Section-I) (i) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective type) for the selection of candidates for the Main Examination; and (ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts noted above. Applications are now invited for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination only. Candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination will have to apply online again, in the Detailed Application Form which would be made available to them.

The Civil Services Examination will consist of two successive stages :

(i) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective type) for the selection of candidates for the Main Exam;

(ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts noted above.

Applications are now invited for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination only.

Candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination will have to apply online again, in the Detailed Application Form which would be made available to them.

The Preliminary Examination will consist of twopapers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carrya maximum of 400 marks in the subjects set out in sub-section(A) of Section II. This examination is meant to serve as ascreening test only; the marks obtained in the PreliminaryExamination by the candidates who are declared qualified foradmission to the Main Examination will not be counted fordetermining their final order of merit.

The number of candidatesto be admitted to the Main Examination will be about twelve tothirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies to befilled in the year through this examination. Only thosecandidates who are declared by the Commission to havequalified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will beeligible for admission to the Main Examination of that yearprovided they are otherwise eligible for admission, to the Main Examination.

Note I : The Commission will draw a list of candidates to bequalified for Civil Services (Main) Examination based on thecriterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General StudiesPaper-II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and totalqualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services(Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by theCommission.

Note II : There will be negative marking for incorrect answers(as detailed below) for all questions except some of thequestions where the negative marking will be inbuilt in theform of different marks being awarded to the most appropriateand not so appropriate answer for such questions.

(i) There are four alternatives for the answers to everyquestion. For each question for which a wrong answer hasbeen given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marksassigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will betreated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answershappen to be correct and there will be same penalty as abovefor that question.

(iii) If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given bythe candidate, there will be no penalty for that question 1/3.

The Main Examination will consist of written examination and an interview test.

The written examinationwill consist of 9 papers of conventional essay type in thesubjects set out in sub-section (B) of Section II out of which two papers will be of qualifying in nature.

Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifyingmarks in the written part of the Main Examination as may befixed by the Commission at their discretion, shall be summonedby them for an interview for a Personality Test.

The number of candidates to besummouned for interview will be about twice of the number ofvacancies to be filled.

The interview will carry 275 marks (withno minimum qualifying marks).

Marks thus obtained by the candidates in the Main Examination (written part as well as interview) would determine their final ranking. Candidates will be allotted to the various Services keeping in view their ranks in the examination andthe preferences expressed by them for the various Servicesand posts.

Preliminary Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Topics of Paper I - (200 marks) Duration : Two hours : Total Questions (100)

1. Current events of national and international importance

2. History of India and Indian National Movement

3. Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World

4. Indian Polity & Governance -Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

5. Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.

6. General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.

7. General Science

Topics for Paper II - (200 marks) Duration : Two hours : Total Questions (80)

1. Comprehension

2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills

3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability

4. Decision making and problem solving

5. General mental ability

6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, Data Sufficiency etc. - Class X level)

7. English Language & Comprehension Skills

NOTE :

1 : Paper­II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.

2 : The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.

3 : It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in both the Papers of Civil Services (Prelims) Examination for the purpose of evaluation. Therefore a candidate will be disqualified in case he/she does not appear in both the papers of Civil Services (Prelim) Examination.

IAS Prelims Exam 2017 Section wise Analysis

Indian History, Art and Culture: History was more on the usual lines. There were six questions from Modern History and six from ancient history, art and culture. History portion (ancient and modern) was largely factual and less of conceptual. In comparison to modern history the ancient portion was not so difficult in general since they were mostly factual, however, art and culture was covered largely which has always been very diverse. Also, UPSC has a penchant for picking anything from anywhere in art and culture and that makes this section very difficult to prepare.

Indian Polity : In total twenty questions were asked from Polity. And this as the most scoring section because most of the questions were direct. Some of the questions which were conceptual were not that difficult if one understands the basics of polity well.

Geography : In Geography, around 70 per cent of the questions revolve around maps. Hence, it is pretty easy for anyone who is well-cognisant with the world and India map. However, some of these questions are tricky and can fool aspirants if not thought out properly. The other miniscule number of questions from this section are from predictable and traditional geography topics like monsoon and irrigation in agriculture. Very little of physical geography was asked this time.

Economy & social development : The questions on economy were mostly factual and related to current affairs. In all there were around 7 to 8 questions from Economy. Also, the weightage has not changed from last year. Economics questions were not easy. Unlike previous years questions, this year's questions were not conceptual but factual too. As expected, UPSC asked current affairs of 2012-2016 in economics. 

Science and Technology : There were only four questions from General Science and they were application based. The questions from technology were mostly current affairs based and overlapped with Environment and Biodiversity. Overall this section has lost its favour with UPSC and we believe that there is no need to prepare for General Science separately anymore. 

Environmental ecology : The focus on Environment was seen in the paper as fifteen questions were asked. Most of the questions revolved around current affairs especially those which have potential public health and environmental impact. So, environmental news becomes an important source of reference for aspirants.

Current Affairs: Government schemes, laws and policies have become a section in themselves, carrying at least fourteen questions. But this paper was a lot more balanced than last year in which CA dominated the whole paper. With this focus on government schemes, PIB becomes an important source of preparation. The question on National Nutrition Mission was lifted straight from a press release of PIB.

Question asking pattern in IAS Prelims Exam 2016 (Series – A)

International Affairs 20 Q. : 2, 11, 13, 14, 15, 20, 27, 30, 37, 41, 42, 56, 67, 68, 70, 75, 77, 81, 82, 97

Science & Technology and Current related questions 13 Q. : 5, 24, 31, 35, 36, 46, 47, 59, 66, 78, 79, 87, 91

Environment  Ecology 12 Questions : 6, 22, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 86, 90, 98

Govt. Schemes with current update 11 Questions : 7, 16, 21, 23, 26, 32, 33, 48, 63, 76, 84

Economy & Social development 10 Questions : 3, 4, 8, 12, 18, 29, 43, 60, 61, 71

Ancient and Medieval History 10 Questions : 9, 10, 17, 38, 39, 50, 65, 80, 88, 89

Indian Polity and Governance 9 Questions : 1, 25, 34, 40, 62, 72, 73, 95, 100

Modern Indian History 6 Questions : 49, 58, 64, 69, 92, 93

India and World Geography 6 Questions : 28, 74, 83, 85, 94, 96

Others 3 Questions : 19, 51, 99

Mains Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The written examination will consist of the following papers:

Paper A - Modern Indian language 300 Marks - Qualifying nature - Marks not counted - Passing mandatory-

(i) Comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essay

(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of High School level and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for final ranking.

Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).

Paper B - English - 300 marks - Qualifying nature - Marks not counted- Passing mandatory

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian Language concerned.

The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:-

(i) Comprehension of given passages

(ii) Precis Writing

(iii) Usage and Vocabulary

(iv) Short Essay 

Paper-I

Essay - 250 Marks - To be written in the medium or language of the candidate's choice. Candidate is required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They are expected to keep their thoughts closely to the subject and arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and be concise. Credit will be given to effective and coherent expression.

Paper-II

General Studies-I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues

The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.

Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Effects of globalization on Indian society

Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Salient features of world's physical geography.

Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)

Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Paper-III

General Studies -II: 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.

Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections

Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

Role of civil services in a democracy.

India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.

Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.

Paper-IV

General Studies -III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

Government Budgeting.

Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

Land reforms in India.

Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Investment models.

Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Disaster and disaster management.

Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention

Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Paper-V

General Studies -IV : 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.

Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.

Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.

Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's

Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

Case Studies on above issues.

Paper-VI

Optional Subject - Paper I -250 Marks

Paper-VII

Optional Subject - Paper II -250 Marks

Candidates may choose any ONE optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given below.

Interview/Personality Test - 275 Marks

 Candidate can give preference of the language in which they may like to be interviewed. UPSC will make arrangement for the translators.