UPSC Civil Services

What you need to know

1. 1
   The Civil Services Examination (CSE) by UPSC picks the officers who run districts (IAS), lead police (IPS), represent India abroad (IFS) and run tax, audit, railways and more.
2. 2
   One exam, three stages: Prelims (objective) → Mains (written) → Interview. The whole cycle takes about a year.
3. 3
   Any graduate aged 21–32 can apply (more for reserved categories). The fee is ₹100, and women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates pay nothing.
4. 4
   It is very tough: only about 1 in 1,000 applicants is finally selected. Go in with a plan, free resources and a backup.

Official sources

• upsc.gov.inUPSC official website↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• What you can become3 more
• Can I apply?2 more
• The exam, stage by stage3 more
• Start early, the smart way1 more
• Prepare for free2 more
• Free coaching2 more
• Hindi medium1 more
• For girls1 more
• After selection1 more
• The honest picture2 more
• Avoid UPSC scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Notification: in January–February. You get about 3 weeks to apply online.
2. 2
   Prelims: a Sunday in late May; result in June.
3. 3
   Mains: from late August, spread over about a week; result around November–December.
4. 4
   Interviews: roughly January to March; the final result comes around March–April.
5. 5
   UPSC publishes the next year's exam calendar around May. Exact dates change every year: always check the official website before you apply.

Official sources

• upsc.gov.inUPSC exam calendar↗
• upsc.gov.inUPSC official website↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 6

• Official
  UPSC official websiteThe only place for real notices, results and admit-card news.
  Free
• Official
  UPSC active examinationsThe current notice with eligibility, syllabus and fee rules.
  Free
• Official
  UPSC exam calendarNext year's dates are posted here, usually around May.
  Free
• Official
  UPSC online portal (apply here)One Time Registration, online forms, admit cards.
  Free
• Practice
  UPSC previous question papersFree official Prelims and Mains papers.
  Free
• App
  UPSC official app (Android)Notices and results from NIC; you cannot apply through it.
  Free

Inside this branch

• IAS, IPS, IFS
• Other Group A and B services
• Other UPSC exams

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   IAS: District Collector, then senior posts in state and central government. IPS: police leadership. IFS (Foreign Service): diplomat in Indian embassies.
2. 2
   Your rank, your preference list and the number of vacancies decide which service and which state (cadre) you get.

Official sources

• gconnect.inDoPT Civil Services Examination Rules (summary)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   There are 21 services in all, including IRS (Income Tax, and Customs & Indirect Taxes), Audit & Accounts, Postal, Railway Management (IRMS), Railway Protection Force, Trade Service and Delhi/Puducherry civil and police services.
2. 2
   Usually about 900 to 1,100 posts a year across all services.

Official sources

• gconnect.inDoPT Civil Services Examination Rules (summary)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Indian Forest Service uses the same Prelims, then its own Mains. Engineering Services (ESE) for engineers, Combined Medical Services for MBBS doctors, CAPF for Assistant Commandants, NDA and CDS for the armed forces.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapJoin the Defence Forces→
• Vaidaani roadmapGovernment Jobs→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Inside this branch

• Who can apply
• How many attempts

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Any graduate degree, from any stream, regular or distance. Final-year students can apply but must show the degree before the interview.
2. 2
   Age 21 to 32 on 1 August of the exam year. Extra years: OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10.

Official sources

• upsc.gov.inUPSC official website↗

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What you need to know

1. 1
   General and EWS: 6 attempts. OBC and PwBD: 9. SC/ST: unlimited until the age limit.
2. 2
   Sitting for Prelims counts as an attempt. Just applying does not. So don't waste attempts by appearing unprepared.
3. 3
   For IPS there are physical standards (for example a minimum height), checked in a medical test after the interview.

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Inside this branch

• Prelims (screening)
• Mains (written)
• Interview

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Two objective papers of 200 marks each: General Studies and CSAT (reasoning, maths, comprehension).
2. 2
   CSAT only needs 33%; your GS score decides if you reach Mains. Wrong answers cost one-third of the marks.
3. 3
   Prelims marks are not added to the final total. Roughly 1 in 40 who sit Prelims reaches Mains.

Official sources

• upsc.gov.inUPSC: previous question papers↗

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Nine papers. Two are qualifying: an Indian language and English (300 marks each, need 25%).
2. 2
   Seven count for rank: Essay, General Studies I–IV and two Optional papers, 250 marks each, total 1,750.
3. 3
   You choose one optional subject from 48 (history, geography, sociology, public administration, literature of a language, and more). Pick what you enjoy and can study well.

Official sources

• upsc.gov.inUPSC: previous question papers↗

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What you need to know

1. 1
   A personality test of 275 marks. The final rank is out of 2,025 (Mains + Interview).
2. 2
   They look for honesty, balance and clear thinking, not fancy English. You can take the interview in the language you chose for Mains.

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Inside this branch

• In school and college

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   There is no "UPSC stream": any degree works. Choose a subject you like, because it can become your optional.
2. 2
   Read a newspaper daily, read NCERT books for Class 6–12, and practise writing short answers. Your graduation marks don't matter for UPSC, but your degree does.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapAfter Class 12: all choices→
• Vaidaani roadmapArts and Humanities careers→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Book
  NCERT textbooks (free PDFs)Class 6–12 books, whole book or chapter by chapter.
  Free
• Book
  NCERT textbooks in HindiThe same library with a Hindi interface.
  Free
• App
  ePathshala (NCERT)NCERT books offline in Hindi, English and Urdu.
  Free
• Book
  NIOS study materialSimple free notes in economics, political science and more; open 'Online Course Material'.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Build the base
• Current affairs

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   NCERT textbooks (Class 6–12 history, geography, polity, economics, science) are free and are the foundation everyone starts with.
2. 2
   Then one standard book per subject, and previous years' UPSC papers to see what is actually asked.

Official sources

• ncert.nic.inNCERT textbooks (free, Hindi and English)↗
• upsc.gov.inUPSC: previous question papers↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   One good newspaper daily, plus free government sources: PIB (official news), Sansad TV (Parliament debates and explainers), All India Radio news and PRS (simple bill summaries).
2. 2
   Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines (Hindi and English) are useful for Mains; they are reported free on Prasar Bharati's WAVES app.

Learn from these 5

• Official
  PIB: all press releasesThe government's own word on every scheme and policy.
  Free
• Video
  Sansad TVParliament debates and explainers in Hindi and English.
  Free
• Article
  PRS Legislative ResearchNeutral, simple summaries of bills and budgets.
  Free
• App
  WAVES (Prasar Bharati)Yojana, Kurukshetra and Employment News reported free here.
  Free
• App
  NewsOnAir (All India Radio)AIR news bulletins in Hindi, English and regional languages.
  Free

Official sources

• pib.gov.inPress Information Bureau (PIB)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapStudy on your own, for free→

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Learn from these 5

• Official
  Free Coaching for SC and OBC studentsFees paid plus a monthly stipend; guidelines in Hindi and English.
  Free
• Course
  Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (example centre)Free coaching at about 30 central universities; each runs its own test.
  Free
• Course
  Jamia Millia Islamia: Residential Coaching AcademyFree coaching with hostel for minority, SC, ST and women candidates.
  Free
• Official
  Rajasthan: Social Justice Department (Anuprati)State coaching help for UPSC and RPSC aspirants.
  Free
• Course
  SIAC Mumbai (Maharashtra)Free full-time UPSC coaching for Maharashtra graduates, by entrance test.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Central schemes
• Residential and state schemes

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Free Coaching for SC and OBC students (family income up to ₹8 lakh): coaching fees paid, plus ₹4,000 a month stipend (current rate); 30% of seats for girls.
2. 2
   Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence: free UPSC coaching in about 30 central universities, through an entrance test.

Official sources

• socialjustice.gov.inMinistry of Social Justice: Free Coaching for SC and OBC students↗
• cutn.ac.inDr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (example: CU Tamil Nadu)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Jamia Millia Islamia RCA, Delhi: free coaching with hostel for minority, SC, ST and women candidates, through an entrance test.
2. 2
   Many states run their own: for example UP Abhyudaya (free classes), Rajasthan Anuprati (coaching money) and Bihar (cash help for clearing Prelims). Check your state's welfare department.

Official sources

• jmi.ac.inJamia Millia Islamia: Residential Coaching Academy↗
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Book
  NCERT textbooks in HindiOfficial Hindi-medium books, free.
  Free
• Official
  PIB Hindi releasesOfficial Hindi text of every government release.
  Free
• Video
  Sansad TVMost discussions are in Hindi; ignore look-alike channels.
  Free
• App
  NewsOnAir: Hindi bulletinsAIR Hindi news, light on data.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Writing in Hindi

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   You can write Mains in Hindi or any Indian language listed in the Constitution, and give the interview in it.
2. 2
   The honest truth: very few selected candidates now write in Hindi (only a handful in recent years, reported). Hindi-medium candidates do still reach the final list.
3. 3
   What helps: NCERT in Hindi, lots of answer-writing practice, and reading government sources (PIB Hindi, Sansad TV) instead of badly translated notes.

Official sources

• indianmasterminds.comIndian Masterminds: Hindi-medium results in CSE (Parliament data)↗
• ncert.nic.inNCERT textbooks (free, Hindi and English)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Official
  UPSC active exams (no fee for women)The notice here exempts women from the exam fee.
  Free
• Course
  Jamia RCA: free residential coachingWomen of any category can apply.
  Free
• Official
  National Commission for WomenHelp and complaints; women helpline 14490.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report online harassment or fake profiles.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Support for women

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   No exam fee for women. Recent final lists have been about 3 in 10 women, and women have topped the exam (AIR 1 and 2 in CSE 2024).
2. 2
   Safe options: Jamia RCA (residential), Ambedkar Centres and the SC/OBC scheme (seats kept for women). You don't need to move to a big city: self-study with free sources works.

Official sources

• newsonair.gov.inAll India Radio: CSE 2025 final result↗
• jmi.ac.inJamia Millia Islamia: Residential Coaching Academy↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 5

• Official
  LBSNAA, MussoorieFoundation Course and IAS training.
  Free
• Official
  SVPNPA, HyderabadIPS training academy.
  Free
• Official
  Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign ServiceTrains Indian Foreign Service officers in New Delhi.
  Free
• Official
  DoPTService and cadre allocation rules.
  Free
• Official
  UPSC Pratibha SetuFor candidates who cleared every stage but missed the final list.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Training and pay

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Training starts with a Foundation Course at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, then service academies (IPS at Hyderabad, IFS in New Delhi).
2. 2
   Starting pay: Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 basic under the 7th Pay Commission) plus allowances, housing and job security, rising with promotions.

Official sources

• lbsnaa.gov.inLBSNAA, Mussoorie↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Inside this branch

• The odds
• Plan B

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   About 8–9 lakh apply each year, about 5–6 lakh sit Prelims, about 13,000–15,000 reach Mains, and about 1,000 are selected.
2. 2
   Many who succeed need more than one attempt. Set a time limit (for example 2–3 years) and talk it over with your family.

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What you need to know

1. 1
   The same study helps for state PSC, SSC CGL, banking and teaching exams. Keep building skills or a degree side by side.
2. 2
   Cleared every stage but missed the list? UPSC's Pratibha Setu shares your profile (with your consent) with employers looking to hire.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapGovernment Jobs→
• upsconline.gov.inUPSC Pratibha Setu↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Official
  UPSC: What's NewA notice is real only if it is here, never just a WhatsApp PDF.
  Free
• Official
  PIB Fact CheckChecks fake notices and paper-leak rumours.
  Free
• Official
  National Consumer Helpline (1915)Complain about misleading coaching ads or refunds.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fee or fake job fraud at once.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   "Guaranteed selection" and topper photo ads: the consumer authority (CCPA) has fined coaching institutes for misleading UPSC result claims.
2. 2
   "Leaked paper" messages are fake. Apply only through the link on upsc.gov.in; UPSC never asks for money on calls or WhatsApp.
3. 3
   Lost money? Call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Official sources

• deccanherald.comDeccan Herald: CCPA fines coaching institutes over topper ads↗
• pib.gov.inPIB Fact Check↗

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