EThree Stages of UPSC Civil Services Examination
Examination
Stage - I: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- It is an objective-type screening test.
- Consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
- Paper I assesses knowledge in subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and Current Affairs.
- Paper II (CSAT) tests comprehension, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.
- Only marks from Paper I are considered for screening candidates for the Mains, while Paper II is qualifying in nature (33% marks required to pass).
Stage - II Main Examination (Mains)
- It is a written, descriptive examination consisting of 9 papers.
- Out of these, 7 papers are considered for merit, and 2 papers (language papers) are qualifying in nature
- The papers include Essay, General Studies (4 papers), and Optional Subject (2 papers).
Stage - III Personality Test (Interview)
- Candidates who clear the Mains are called for the Personality Test.
- This stage assesses the candidate's personality, leadership skills, communication abilities, and suitability for administrative services.
- The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains and Interview stages.
