The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body responsible for conducting a range of examinations to recruit eligible candidates for various civil services and positions in the Indian government. These exams include the Civil Services Examination, Indian Forest Service Examination, National Defence Academy Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, among others. Among these, the Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious exams conducted by UPSC, through which candidates are recruited for various positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. Headquartered in New Delhi, UPSC is led by a chairman and a group of members appointed by the President of India.
UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of topics. It is designed to test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding of various subjects, as well as their analytical and problem-solving skills.
The syllabus for the Civil Services Examination is divided into two stages: the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination.
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test). The General Studies paper covers topics such as Indian Polity, Economy, History, Geography, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology, and Current Affairs. The Civil Services Aptitude Test assesses the candidates’ comprehension, interpersonal, communication, logical reasoning, and analytical skills.
The Main Examination consists of nine papers, out of which seven papers are compulsory and two papers are optional. The compulsory papers include Essay, General Studies I, General Studies II, General Studies III, General Studies IV, Indian Language, and English Language. The optional papers include a list of subjects, from which the candidates can choose one or two subjects.
The syllabus for the Main Examination is designed to test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding of various subjects, as well as their analytical, problem-solving, and writing skills. The Essay paper requires the candidates to write an essay on a given topic, while the General Studies papers cover topics such as Indian Heritage and Culture, Governance, International Relations, Social Justice, Technology, Economic Development, and Environment and Ecology. The Indian Language and English Language papers test the candidates’ language skills.
The optional papers are chosen by the candidates based on their educational background and interest. The list of optional subjects includes a wide range of subjects such as Agriculture, Anthropology, Commerce and Accountancy, Geography, History, Law, Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and others.
In summary, the UPSC syllabus is designed to test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding of various subjects, as well as their analytical, problem-solving, and writing skills. It covers a wide range of topics, from Indian Polity and Economy to Environment and Ecology, and offers candidates the opportunity to choose from a list of optional subjects based on their educational background and interest.
UPSC Preparation Tips
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: It is important to have a clear understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus to start the preparation. Check the UPSC website for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.
- Make a Study Plan: After understanding the syllabus and exam pattern, make a study plan. Divide the syllabus into smaller sections and allocate time for each section accordingly. Make sure to include time for revision and mock tests in your study plan.
- Read NCERTs: NCERT books are the best resource for building a strong foundation in all subjects. Read the NCERTs of all relevant subjects to get a basic understanding of the topics.
- Read Newspapers: Reading newspapers regularly is important to stay updated on current affairs. Make it a habit to read at least one national and one regional newspaper every day.
- Refer to Standard Books: Apart from NCERTs, refer to standard books recommended by toppers and experts in the respective subjects. Make sure to cover all the topics in the syllabus from these books.
- Take Mock Tests: Taking mock tests regularly is important to evaluate your preparation and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze your performance and work on improving your weak areas.
- Revision: Revision is important to retain what you have studied. Allocate time for revision in your study plan and revise regularly.
- Develop Writing Skills: The UPSC exam requires good writing skills. Practice writing essays, answers to previous year question papers, and current affairs articles to improve your writing skills.
- Join a Test Series: Joining a test series is a great way to evaluate your preparation and get feedback on your performance. It also helps in improving your time management skills.
- Stay Motivated: The UPSC exam is tough and requires consistent hard work and dedication. Stay motivated and focused on your goals. Surround yourself with like-minded people and seek guidance from mentors and experts.
UPSC Application Form
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts various examinations for the recruitment of eligible candidates for different civil services and posts in the government of India. To apply for the UPSC exams, candidates need to fill out the UPSC application form, which is available online on the official website of the UPSC.
Here is a step-by-step guide to filling out the UPSC application form:
- Visit the official website of UPSC – upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the link for the application form for the desired exam.
- Read the instructions carefully before filling out the form.
- Fill in the required details in the form, such as personal details, educational qualifications, contact details, etc.
- Upload the scanned copy of your photograph and signature as per the instructions provided in the form.
- Pay the application fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. The application fee for the general category is Rs. 100, while it is exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.
- Review the application form and make any necessary changes before submitting it.
- Submit the application form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Points to remember while filling out the UPSC application form:
- The application form should be filled out carefully, as any errors or discrepancies can lead to the rejection of the application.
- The scanned copy of the photograph and signature should be uploaded in the prescribed format and size.
- The application fee should be paid within the specified time and in the prescribed mode.
- Candidates should keep a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
- Candidates should keep a copy of the filled-out application form and other relevant documents for future reference.
It is essential to fill out the UPSC application form carefully, as any mistakes or errors can lead to the rejection of the application. Candidates should read the instructions and guidelines provided on the official website carefully before filling out the form. The application fee should be paid within the specified time and in the prescribed mode. Candidates should keep a printout of the confirmation page for future reference. By following these steps and guidelines, candidates can successfully fill out the UPSC application form and appear for the exam.
UPSC Application Fee
The UPSC application fee varies depending on the category of the candidate. The application fee for General and OBC category candidates is Rs. 100/-, while candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwBD/Women categories are exempted from paying any application fee. It is important to note that the application fee is non-refundable and can only be paid through online mode. Candidates can pay the application fee through various payment modes such as debit card, credit card, net banking, or through the SBI Bank Challan. Candidates are advised to keep a copy of the fee payment receipt for future reference. It is also important to check the payment status after the payment is made to ensure that the application process is complete.
Here is the table with UPSC application fee for different categories:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | Rs. 100 |
| SC/ST/PH/Female | No Fee |
