UPSC Civil Services is one of India’s most coveted jobs that Indian citizens look out for. It has been one of the oldest and toughest exams to crack, especially for future aspirants who wish to serve the Nation. UPSC conducts the IAS Civil Services Exam every year, which occurs in three phases. To crack this prestigious examination, an aspirant requires dedication and a proper understanding of the exam pattern. Around 11 lakh candidates apply annually for UPSC Civil Services, and only a few crack it. Years of preparation and knowledge accumulation are required to ace this test. After that, each phase of the Civil Services Examination becomes an elimination round, so a candidate must thoroughly understand the examination. Having a clear understanding of the UPSC exam pattern can assist an aspirant in efficiently planning, managing time, and regulating their learning. It takes a considerable amount of time and dedication to get through an examination of this level.
The UPSC Prelims is like a first hurdle in the Civil Services exam, designed to filter out a large number of candidates. In 2023, over 13 lakh people took the Prelims, but only 14,624 made it to the Mains. This shows how tough and selective the process is at this stage. Passing Prelims shows you have what it takes to become a public service administrator.
The Prelims has two papers: General Studies (GS) I and II.
Both papers are held on the same day. The cut-off for Prelims is based only on GS-I, while GS-II is just a qualifying paper. You need to score at least 33% in GS-II to pass. If you don’t meet this score, your GS-I paper won’t even be checked.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the Prelims papers:
| Paper | Type of Questions | Total Marks | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-I | Objective | 200 | 100 | 2 hours |
| GS-II | Objective | 200 | 80 | 2 hours |
The UPSC Mains 2025 is known for being one of the toughest exams, requiring a deep understanding of a wide range of subjects. In 2023, out of 14,624 candidates who qualified for the Mains, only 2,916 cleared it, which is roughly a 20% success rate.
The Mains consist of 9 papers in total:
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Paper | Type | Marks | Qualifying Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Descriptive | 300 | 25% | 3 hours |
| Paper B | Descriptive | 300 | 25% | 3 hours |
| Paper I | Descriptive | 250 | Merit-based cut-off | 3 hours |
| Papers II-VII | Descriptive | 250 each | Merit-based cut-off | 3 hours each |
The personal interview is the final stage of the UPSC CSE exam. In 2023, UPSC announced 1105 vacancies, and 2916 candidates qualified for the interview round. This means the chances of success in the final round are about 37.89%.
During the interview, candidates face a panel of experts, including subject specialists, academicians, and experienced IAS officers. The interview typically lasts 30 to 40 minutes but can be longer, depending on the situation. However, a longer interview doesn’t necessarily mean better chances of success.
The panel evaluates qualities like mental sharpness, logical thinking, leadership, integrity, and overall personality traits.
Q1: What is the UPSC exam pattern for 2025?
Answer: The UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2025 will follow a three-stage process:
Q2: Is there any negative marking in the UPSC Prelims exam?
Answer: Yes, the UPSC Prelims exam has negative markings. For every incorrect answer in General Studies Paper I and Paper II (CSAT), 1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question are deducted. So, it’s important to answer carefully. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions
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