The assessment administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC Civil Service Question Paper), known as the Civil Service Examination, stands as one of India’s most esteemed and formidable tests. Annually, UPSC orchestrates this examination to enlist individuals for a variety of All India Services and Central Civil Services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. Succeeding in this evaluation unveils pathways to a rewarding profession dedicated to serving the nation and fostering a constructive influence on society.
- UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: Format
- Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Stage 2: Main Examination (Mains)
- Stage 3: Interview (Personality Test)
- UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: Syllabus
- Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Civil Service Exam
- UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: Download Question Paper
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: FAQs
UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: Format
The UPSC Civil Service Examination constitutes a thorough three-phase selection mechanism, each stage characterized by unique question UPSC Civil Service Question Paper. Below is an extensive elucidation of the format for each stage:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
Objective: This phase aims to sieve candidates for the Mains examination through an objective-type screening test.
Question Paper Structure:
There are two UPSC Civil Service Question Paper:
1. GS Paper I have the following subjects: historical evolution of India and the Indian subcontinent; geographical landscapes of India and the world; and Indian heritage and culture.
2.The General Studies Paper II of the Civil Services Aptitude Test checks a candidate’s analytical ability, logical reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities also.
No of Questions : 100 questions.
Points allotted to each question are 2.
Points totaled: 200 points for each paper, or 400 points for the two.
For every paper, 2 hours are allocated.
Question Type:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
The GS Paper II of the Civil Services Aptitude Test evaluate a candidate’s comprehension, analytical ability, logical reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
Questions Composed: Each paper consists of 100 questions.
Points allotted to each question are two.
Points totaled: 200 points for each paper, or 400 points for the two.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Mains)
Objective: This examination checks a candidate’s profound understanding, analytical aptitude, writing proficiency, and comprehension of various subjects pertinent to governance and administration.
There are total 7 papers:
- Essay: Assessing a candidate’s capacity to think and right on a particular topic.
- General Studies I: Topic like: Indian Heritage and Culture, the History of India ,the Indian Subcontinent, and the Geography of India and the world.
- General Studies II: Covering Governance, Constitution, Social Justice, and International Relations.
- General Studies III: Embracing Technology, Economic Development, Security, and Disaster Management.
- General Studies IV: Delving into Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Two Optional Subjects: Candidates select two subjects from a comprehensive list of 25 diverse options including Anthropology, Public Administration, Physics, among others.
- Question Count: Varies depending on the paper, with most papers featuring essay-type questions with internal alternatives.
Marking Allocation: Varies according to the paper, with most questions valued at 250 marks, excluding the Essay paper which is assigned 200 marks.
Total Marks: Aggregating to 1750 marks (excluding the Interview).
Time Limit: 3 hours per paper.
Stage 3: Interview (Personality Test)
Objective: This face-to-face interaction evaluates a candidate’s persona, leadership attributes, mental acuity, and suitability for a civil services career.
Question Paper Format:
No Predetermined Structure: The interview unfolds as a dialogue between the candidate and the UPSC board members.
Marking: Assigned 275 marks.
Duration: Spanning 20-30 minutes.
UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: Syllabus
The UPSC Civil Service Question Paper covers a wide range of topics at different levels. Here’s a breakdown of the syllabus for each question paper:
Stage 1: Pre-test (pre-test)
General Research Paper I (GS Paper I):
- History of India and the Indian National Movement: Covers the ancient, medieval and modern history of India, including important events, people and contributions to the development of the Indian race. The relationship between nature, society and business. Indian culture and heritage.
- Geography of India and the World – Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and the World: Classification of Physical and Economic Geography of the World. The importance of geographic features in the context of their impact on global politics and economics.
- Indian Law and Administration – Constitution, Civil Law, Panchayati Raj, Public Law, Civil Law, etc. Structure of Indian Constitution – Federal Structure, Parliamentary System, Separation of Powers, Legislative, Executive and Judicial. Panchayati Raj and local government – structure, function, finances.
- Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, population, economic development, etc. : economic development and development. Arrangements and roles of the different actors in the Indian economy. Inclusive and related development. Issues related to poverty, hunger, public health, education, unemployment and their relief. Government initiatives in the social sector. General questions in environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change – without major exceptions. These are important issues of environmental protection, pollution control and water conservation. Environmental impact assessment. Biodiversity and its conservation. Climate change – supply impacts and mitigation.
- General Studies Workbook II (CSAT – Civil Service Aptitude Test): This test does not have a specific subject. Candidates’ comprehension, analysis, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills are assessed.
Stage 2: Critical (Main) Appraisal
- Essay: There are no specific guidelines for the essay. However, candidates must be aware of many current affairs, social, political, economic and cultural aspects. Research Papers (I-IV): The topic of this paper is similar to the topics covered in the GS I preliminary exam paper, but the research is the most in-depth and difficult.
- Electives: The most popular electives include:
- anthropology
- public administration
- Physics
- history
- sociology
Note- As the syllabus is subject to change, it is recommended to refer to the latest UPSC notification for updated information.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Civil Service Question Paper Exam
Indian nationals that fulfill the following requirements are eligible to take the UPSC civil exam:
- Nationality:
- India
Migrates from the East African nations of Kenya-Uganda- - Tanzania (mainland only)-Zambia-Malawi-Zaire,and Ethiopia to Nepal-Bhutan.
- Aging Criteria:
- Min age: 21 years old on August
- Max age: 32 years old on August 1.
- Age Relief:
- SC/ST: The lower age limit will be reduced by 5 years.
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): The minimum age will be reduced by three years.
- Former military personnel: If certain conditions are met, the minimum age will be reduced to 5 years.
- People with Disabilities (PwD): The minimum age will decrease by 10 years.
- Education and Number of Attempts:
- A BS degree is needed and Applicants in their last year of graduation can also apply, but must submit proof of graduation to the authorities after passing the primary examination.
- General category: 6 attempts
- OBC and PwD: 9 attempts.
- SC/ST: No restrictions
UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: Download Question Paper
| UPSC Civil Service Question Paper PDF Download | ||
| Paper Title | Year of Exam | Question Paper |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 | 2022 | Click Here |
| UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 | 2022 | Click Here |
| UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 | 2022 | Click Here |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The UPSC Preliminary Examination, an arena of fierce competition, demands meticulous attention to detail. Even minuscule errors can incur significant consequences. Below, we explore prevalent pitfalls, elucidating strategies to circumvent them:
- Overlooking the Syllabus: Treat the syllabus as your beacon, illuminating the path to success. Grasp its intricacies and harmonize your preparation accordingly. Avoid diverting time towards inconsequential subjects.
- Inadequate Time Governance: Craft a pragmatic and methodically organized study timetable. Allocate time judiciously for each subject, ensuring periodic revisions to fortify your grasp.
- Neglecting Current Affairs: Cultivate awareness of global and national occurrences, governmental mandates, and economic oscillations. Current affairs permeate subjects like Economy, Polity, and Science & Technology.
- Over-dependence on Coaching Establishments: While coaching proves beneficial, it should not monopolize your learning journey. Cultivate personal insights through independent study, complemented by coaching counsel if required.
- Disregarding NCERT Books: The NCERT books, often underestimated, lay a robust groundwork for various subjects. Acknowledge their significance, especially in the realms of History, Geography, Polity, and Economy.
- Abandoning Answer Writing Practice: Despite the Prelims being objective, honing answer writing skills elevates analytical and critical thinking acumen. This proves pivotal in comprehending concepts and tackling application-based questions.
- Overlooking Revision: Consistent revision stands as the linchpin for information retention and effective recall during examinations. Develop a revision stratagem, revisiting critical topics with frequency.
- Resorting to Guesswork: Shun arbitrary conjectures, recognizing that negative marking can substantively impact your score. Tackle questions with confidence, eschewing random guesses.
- Undermining Mock Tests and Past Papers: Engaging in mock tests and replicating previous year’s examinations under exam conditions acclimates you to the examination format. This practice identifies your strengths and weaknesses, refining time management.
- Succumbing to Panic and Stress: The UPSC Prelims, demanding by nature, necessitates a calm and focused demeanor. Effectively manage stress through relaxation methodologies and affirmative self-dialogue.
UPSC Civil Service Question Paper: FAQs
As per the UPSC exam pattern, the preliminary exam will have two papers – GS Paper 1 and CSAT, while the main exam will have 9 papers. that’s to say. must speak Indian, English, one test, GS 1, GS 2, GS 3, GS 4, select test 1 and 2.
The basic salary at entry-level is 56,000 INR per month, and it varies with promotions. The take-home salary per month would be 56100+DA+House rent Allowance+ Transport Allowance. The maximum take-home salary is INR 2,50,000, and it is for the cabinet secretary.
Arts Stream subjects can be considered the best graduation course for UPSC IAS Preparation after the 12th.
The success rate of UPSC Prelims is only 25%, so it is tough. However, it is not tough as the UPSC Mains or interview.
