The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted in three stages:
1. **Preliminary Examination (Prelims)**
2. **Main Examination (Mains)**
3. **Personality Test (Interview)**
### 1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
The Prelims is the first stage and is designed to screen candidates for the Mains. It consists of two objective-type papers:
- **Paper I: General Studies (GS)**
- **Marks:** 200
- **Duration:** 2 hours
- **Content:** Current events, history of India, Indian and world geography, Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and general science.
- **Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)**
- **Marks:** 200
- **Duration:** 2 hours
- **Content:** Comprehension, interpersonal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills (Class X level).
**Note:** Paper II is qualifying in nature and requires a minimum of 33% to pass. The marks obtained in Paper I are considered for the cut-off for Mains qualification.
### 2. Main Examination (Mains)
The Mains examination is descriptive in nature and consists of nine papers. Only the marks of seven papers are counted for final ranking, while two papers are qualifying in nature.
- **Qualifying Papers:**
- **Paper A:** (One of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution)
- **Marks:** 300
- **Paper B:** English
- **Marks:** 300
- **Papers Counted for Merit:**
- **Paper I:** Essay
- **Marks:** 250
- **Paper II:** General Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)
- **Marks:** 250
- **Paper III:** General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations)
- **Marks:** 250
- **Paper IV:** General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
- **Marks:** 250
- **Paper V:** General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
- **Marks:** 250
- **Papers VI and VII:** Optional Subject Papers I & II (Candidates may choose any one subject from the list of optional subjects)
- **Marks:** 250 each (Total 500)
**Total Marks for Mains:** 1750
### 3. Personality Test (Interview)
The final stage is the Personality Test, also known as the Interview. It assesses the candidate's personality, intellectual capabilities, and suitability for a career in public service.
- **Marks:** 275
### Final Ranking
The final ranking is based on the combined scores of the Mains examination (1750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks), giving a total of 2025 marks.
Candidates are recommended for appointment to various services based on their ranks and preferences.
This detailed structure helps aspirants understand the comprehensive nature of the examination and prepare accordingly.
