What is UPSC?
One of the most frequently asked questions among
government job Seekers is “What is UPSC Exam?” Well, UPSC Exam or generally known
as IAS Exam is officially the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The UPSC Civil
Services Examination (CSE) is one of the examinations conducted by the Union
Public Service Commission to hire suitable candidates into civil services of
India including IAS, IPS, IFS, and other allied services. This examination is
conducted in three stages mainly UPSC Prelims, UPSC Main, and the personality
Test or UPSC Interview (PI) .
The
first Stage of the IAS Exam is UPSC Preliminary Examination which is the
screening test and qualifying in nature. The score obtained in the UPSC Prelims
exam is not calculated in the final merit. However, the score in GS Paper-I is
essential to determine the cutoff of the UPSC Prelims Exam. The IAS Prelims
Exam paper consists of two papers that are objective-type MCQ-based as opposed
to UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam. The UPSC Mains Exam is a descriptive exam consisting
of nine papers.
In
this article, you will get to know what is the UPSC exam, eligibility, IAS exam
syllabus, UPSC Exam pattern, and other important particulars related to IAS
Exam.
UPSC Civil Services or IAS Exam
Dates Exam 2022
UPSC had released the official
notification for CSE 2022 on 2nd February 2022. UPSC CSE Prelims Exam is
scheduled to be held on 5th June 2022 and UPSC CSE Mains Exam will be held on
16th September 2022. The date of the interview (PI) of UPSC CSE 2022 is not
announced yet.
Have a
look for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2022’s important date:
|
Event |
Date |
|
Release of Notification - UPSC CSE 2022 |
02.02.2022 |
|
UPSC Online Registration for UPSC CSE 2022 (starts on) |
02.02.2022 |
|
Last date to Apply For UPSC CSE 2022 |
22.02.2022 |
|
UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 Exam |
5th June 2022 |
|
UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 Result |
Will announce after exam. |
|
UPSC CSE Mains 2022 Exam |
16th September 2022 |
UPSC Exam Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in the IAS (UPSC CSE) Exam 2022 should
review the official notice for eligibility requirements. In order to take UPSC
exam candidate should meet all of the commission’s eligibility conditions that includes
educational qualifications, age criteria, nationality and few limited tries. The
following are the eligibility conditions that applicants should check before
applying for the UPSC 2022 Exam :
Age Limit
The age requirements for the IAS test vary depending on
the category. The IAS test requires a minimum age of 21 years and a maximum age
of 32 years to apply.
UPSC will consider the date of birth on the High School/Higher Secondary
certificate (UPSC).
Education Qualification
Candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Exam must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent degree in any
field. Candidates with any percentage can apply for the IAS (UPSC CSE) Exam,
but they must meet all other eligibility conditions.
Nationality
Candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
and Indian Police Service (IPS) must be Indian citizens. Applicants for all
other services must be either Indian citizens or foreign nationals.
1. A Tibetan refugee arrived in India before January 1, 1962, to establish a
permanent residence.
3. A person of Indian heritage who has moved to India permanently from
Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African nations Kenya, Uganda, United Republic
of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.
Amount of
Attempts
The maximum number of tries permitted in the UPSC Exam is
6 for general category candidates. Candidates in the OBC category will get 9
attempts. SC/ST candidates are not limited to a certain number of attempts.
Candidates should be aware that if they have taken the UPSC CSE Prelims as many
times as the number of attempts permitted, they are no longer eligible to take
the UPSC IAS Exam again.
UPSC Exam Syllabus
UPSC Exam follows an extensive syllabus for the papers
included in UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains. Make sure to download the micro list
for the UPSC syllabus for better IAS Exam syllabus coverage.
UPSC Exam Syllabus for Prelims
General Studies Paper-I
The IAS Syllabus for UPSC Prelims Exam includes the
following topics:
1. Current
Events of National and International Importance.
2. History of
India and Indian National Movement.
3. Indian and
World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
4. Indian
Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public
Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
5. Economic and
Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics,
Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
6. General
Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not
require subject specialization General Science
Also Read | How to prepare IAS Syllabus for GS-I inUPSC Prelims
General Studies Paper-II
The GS-II in UPSC Prelims is also known as CSAT or Civil
Services Aptitude Test. The following topics are included in the IAS syllabus
for this paper:
1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal
skills including communication skills
3. Logical
reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision-making
and problem solving
5. General
mental ability
6. Basic
numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc., - Class X
level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc., -
Class X level)
Also Read | How to prepare for CSAT for UPSCPrelims
UPSC Exam Syllabus for Main Examination
PAPER-I Essay:
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple
topics. They will be expected to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and
write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
Read more | Best strategy for essay writing for UPSC
Mains
PAPER-II General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture,
History and Geography of the World and Society.
1. Indian
culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature &
Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern
Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues.
3. The Freedom
Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from
different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence
consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. History of
the World will include events from the 18th century, such as Industrial
Revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, colonization,
decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism,
etc., - their forms and effects on the society.
6. Salient
features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Role of women and women's
organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental
issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Effects of
globalization on Indian society - Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism
& secularism.
7. Salient
features of the world's physical geography.
8. Distribution
of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian
sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and
tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India);
Important Geophysical phenomena, such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic
activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location - changes in
critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in
flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Read more | How to prepare for General Studies-I
PAPER-III General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution,
Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
1. Indian
Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions, and basic structure.
2. Functions
and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges
pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to
local levels and challenges therein.
3. Separation
of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and
institutions.
4. Comparison
of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries, Parliament
and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, the conduct of business,
powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
5. Structure,
organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary, Ministries
and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal
associations and their role in the Polity.
6. Salient
features of the Representation of People's Act.
7. Appointment
to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of
various Constitutional Bodies.
8. Statutory,
regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies, Government policies and
interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of
their design and implementation.
9. Development
processes and the development industry - the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups
and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
10. Welfare
schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Center and States and
the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies
constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
11. Issues
related to development and management of Social Sector/Services in the field of
Health, Education, Human Resources.
12. Issues
related to poverty and hunger.
13. Important
aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability, e-governance -
applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters,
transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
14. Role of
Civil Services in a democracy.
15. India and
its neighborhood - relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and
agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of
policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's
interests, Indian Diaspora.
16. Important
International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Read more | How to prepare for General Studies-II
PAPER-IV General Studies-III: Technology, Economic
Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
1. Indian
Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
2. Government
Budgeting. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country,
different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and
marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints;
3. E-technology
in the aid of farmers Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and
minimum support prices;
4. Public
Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of
buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of
animal-rearing.
5. Food
processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location,
upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
6. Land reforms
in India. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial
policy and their effects on industrial growth.
7. Infrastructure:
Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
8. Investment
models. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects
in everyday life Achievement of Indians in science & technology;
indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
9. Awareness in
the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology
and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
10. Conservation,
environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Disaster and disaster management.
11. Linkages
between development and spread of extremism.
12. Role of
external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal
security.
13. Challenges
to internal security through communication networks, the role of media and
social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber
security; money-laundering and its prevention.
14. Security
challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime
with terrorism Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Read more | How to prepare for General Studies-III
PAPER-V General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity, and
Aptitude
This paper will include questions to test the candidates'
attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life
and his problem-solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him
in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to
determine these aspects.
The following broad areas will be covered. Ethics and
Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human
actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
1. Human Values
- lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
the role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
2. Attitude:
content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
3. Aptitude and
foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and
non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance
and compassion towards the weaker sections.
4. Emotional
intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration
and governance. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and
the world.
5. Public/Civil
service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems;
ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws,
rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance;
accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral
values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding;
corporate governance.
6. Probity in
Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and
probity;
7. Information
sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics,
Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture, Quality of service
delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption. Case Studies
on the above issues.
Read more | How to prepare for General Studies
Paper-IV
Paper-VI and VII: Optional Paper-I and Optional Paper-II
1. Optional
Subject -Paper I and Paper-II (250 Marks Each )
List of
Optional Subject for UPSC Exam (Mains)
Optional Subjects are extremely important for UPSC Exam
because they account for 500 marks out of a total of 1750 marks in UPSC Main
Examination. There are 45+ options for optional subjects including various
Literature subject options in the IAS Exam. Here’s the list of all optional
subjects available for the UPSC Exam.
|
Agriculture |
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
Anthropology |
Botany |
Chemistry |
|
Civil Engineering |
Commerce and Accountancy |
Economics |
Electrical Engineering |
Geography |
|
Geology |
History |
Law |
Management |
Mathematics |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
Medical Science |
Philosophy |
Physics |
Political Science and International Relations |
|
Psychology |
Public Administration |
Sociology |
Statistics |
Zoology |
Literature of the following languages are also a part of
the UPSC optional subjects for UPSC Mains exam from which you can choose your
best suited optional subject for UPSC Exam:
|
Assamese |
Bengali |
Bodo |
Dogri |
Gujarati |
|
Hindi |
Kannada |
Kashmiri |
Konkani |
Maithali |
|
Malayalam |
Manipuri |
Marathi |
Nepali |
Odia |
|
Punjabi |
Sanskrit |
Santhali |
Sindhi |
Tamil |
|
Telugu |
Urdu |
English |
|
|
Also, Read | How to choose optional subjects
for UPSC Exam
Interview/Personality
Test (275 Marks)
1. Candidates
who are selected after the UPSC Mains Exam are eligiable for the next and final
phase of the IAS Exam called Personality Test/Interview. Here, the candidates
are interviewed by a competent and unbiased board. This board will have the
candidate's DAF (Detail Application Form) with them.
2. The
interview round is held to assess the candidate's social traits and his
interest in current affairs. The motive of the board is to analyze the personal
aptness of the candidate for a career in public service
3. Candidates
can give interviews in their preferred language as UPSC will make arrangements
for the translators.
UPSC
Exam Pattern 2022
The Civil Services Examination has three following
phases, namely:
·
Preliminary
Examination
·
Mains Examination
·
Personality Test
(Interview Round)
You can only write the Mains
examination if you clear the Prelims round. That means each level is an
elimination round! Hence, you need to qualify each one to appear for the next
one.
UPSC
Preliminary Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination or Prelims is a screening test to
filter/select candidates for the Civil Services Mains examination. It has two
papers namely General Studies I and CSAT (General Studies Paper-II) of 400
marks comprising objective type questions.
Important Points
·
The marks obtained
in the General Studies Paper I determine your selection for the UPSC Mains.
·
CSAT or General Studies Paper II is qualifying in nature. A candidate has to score
33% to qualify for CSAT.
·
There is a
negative marking for every incorrect answer. 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a
question.
·
The marks obtained
in the Prelims are not counted for the final order of merit.
