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SELECTED Civil Services Examination (CSE)

Civil Services Examination (CSE) MOCK TEST

Civil Services Examination (CSE) Notes

Civil Services Examination (CSE) Syllabus

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a prestigious and competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. It is the gateway to various posts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. The CSE is known for its rigorous selection process, which is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

This is the first stage of the CSE and serves as a screening test. It consists of two objective-type papers:

• Paper I: General Studies (GS)

  • Marks: 200

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Syllabus: Includes current events, Indian history, geography, polity, economy, environmental ecology, general science, and more.

• Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

  • Marks: 200

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Syllabus: Includes comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, basic numeracy, and data interpretation.

Note: CSAT is a qualifying paper; candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks to qualify. The marks obtained in Paper I are considered for ranking in the Prelims.

2. Main Examination (Mains)

Candidates who clear the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains, which is more comprehensive and subjective in nature. It consists of nine papers, out of which seven are counted for ranking. The papers are:

• Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying)

  • Marks: 300

  • Candidates can choose one of the Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

• Paper B: English (Qualifying)

  • Marks: 300

• Paper I: Essay

  • Marks: 250

  • Candidates are required to write essays on specific topics.

• Paper II: General Studies I

  • Marks: 250

  • Topics include Indian heritage and culture, history, geography, and society.

• Paper III: General Studies II

  • Marks: 250

  • Topics include governance, constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations.

• Paper IV: General Studies III

  • Marks: 250

  • Topics include technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security, and disaster management.

• Paper V: General Studies IV

  • Marks: 250

  • Topics include ethics, integrity, and aptitude.

• Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II

  • Marks: 250 each

  • Candidates can choose any one optional subject from a list provided by the UPSC, and the subject will have two papers.

The qualifying papers are not counted towards the final ranking but are necessary to clear. The marks obtained in the Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subject papers are considered for the final ranking.

3. Personality Test (Interview)

Candidates who qualify for the Mains are called for the Personality Test, commonly known as the Interview. The interview panel assesses the candidate's personality traits, communication skills, mental alertness, critical thinking, and overall suitability for a career in the civil services.

• Marks: 275

Final Ranking and Selection

The final ranking of candidates is based on the marks obtained in the Mains (written examination) and the Personality Test. Candidates are allocated to various services based on their ranks, preferences, and the number of vacancies available.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India for IAS, IPS, and IFS. For other services, certain conditions apply.

• Age Limit: Generally, the candidate must be between 21 and 32 years of age. Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories.

• Educational Qualification: A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.

Attempt Limit

There are limits on the number of attempts a candidate can make, which vary according to the category:

• General category: 6 attempts

• OBC: 9 attempts

• SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (up to the age limit)

The Civil Services Examination is highly competitive, with lakhs of candidates appearing every year. It demands comprehensive preparation, strong analytical skills, and a deep understanding of various subjects.