Civil services (UPSC & state PSCs)
UPSC CSE 2027: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Eligibility
Civil Services Examination · conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) recruits officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS and other central Group A and Group B services. It has three stages: a Preliminary exam of two objective papers (General Studies Paper I and the qualifying CSAT), a written Main exam of nine descriptive papers, and a personality test (interview). Final ranks are based on 1,750 Mains marks plus 275 interview marks — 2,025 in all.
When is UPSC CSE?
The Preliminary exam is usually held in late May or June; UPSC publishes the notification early in the year.
UPSC CSE at a glance
- Conducted by
- Union Public Service Commission
- Stages
- Prelims → Mains → Interview
- Prelims
- GS Paper I (100 Q, 200 marks) + CSAT (80 Q, 200 marks), 2 hours each
- Prelims negative marking
- One-third of the question’s marks
- CSAT
- Qualifying — 33% needed
- Mains
- Nine descriptive papers; 1,750 marks count for merit
- Interview
- 275 marks
- Age
- 21–32 years for general candidates, with relaxations
UPSC CSE exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Decides the Prelims cut-off |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying — 33% (66 marks) needed |
- Prelims marks only decide who goes to Mains; they are not added to the final total.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | Indian language (qualifying) | 300 |
| B | English (qualifying) | 300 |
| I | Essay | 250 |
| II–V | General Studies I to IV | 250 each |
| VI–VII | Optional subject, papers 1 and 2 | 250 each |
| Written total (counted for merit) | 1,750 | |
| Personality test (interview) | 275 | |
| Grand total | 2,025 |
- Papers A and B are qualifying: you need 25% in each, and their marks are not counted in the merit total.
UPSC CSE syllabus
Prelims — General Studies I
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and the Indian National Movement
- Indian and world geography
- Indian polity and governance
- Economic and social development
- Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change
- General science
Prelims — CSAT
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class 10 level)
Mains — General Studies
- GS I: Indian heritage and culture, history, geography of the world and society
- GS II: governance, Constitution, polity, social justice, international relations
- GS III: technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management
- GS IV: ethics, integrity and aptitude
The optional subject is chosen from UPSC’s list; its syllabus is in the official notification.
UPSC CSE eligibility
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can take Prelims but must pass before applying for Mains.
- Age 21–32 years on 1 August of the exam year for general candidates; up to 3 years’ relaxation for OBC, 5 for SC/ST and 10 for PwBD.
- Attempts: 6 for general and EWS candidates, 9 for OBC and PwBD, and unlimited for SC/ST within the age limit.
- IAS, IPS and IFS require Indian citizenship.
How to prepare for UPSC CSE
- 1Build basics from NCERT books (Classes 6–12) before moving to standard references.
- 2Read a newspaper daily and keep short notes linked to the syllabus — current affairs runs through Prelims and Mains.
- 3Don’t ignore CSAT: candidates are eliminated every year for missing the 33% mark.
- 4Start answer-writing practice early; Mains rewards structured, time-bound answers.
- 5Solve previous years’ Prelims papers to learn how UPSC frames questions.
UPSC CSE FAQs
How many attempts are allowed in UPSC CSE?
Six for general and EWS candidates, nine for OBC and PwBD candidates, and unlimited for SC and ST candidates up to the age limit.
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE?
21 to 32 years on 1 August of the exam year for general candidates, with relaxations of 3 years for OBC, 5 for SC/ST and 10 for PwBD.
Is CSAT qualifying?
Yes. You need at least 33% (66 of 200 marks) in CSAT, but its marks are not used for the Prelims cut-off.
Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer in both Prelims papers.
Can final-year students apply for UPSC?
Yes, they can take Prelims, but must have passed their degree before applying for the Main exam.
Can I write the UPSC Mains in Hindi?
Yes. Mains answers can be written in English or in any language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, as per the notification’s rules.
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Related exams
GyanBook India is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with the body that conducts UPSC CSE. These details were checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Exam dates, eligibility rules and patterns can change — always confirm them on the official website (upsc.gov.in) before you apply.