Answer: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's central agency responsible for conducting various prestigious exams, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which recruits candidates for top administrative positions in the Indian government, such as IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.
Answer: The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination conducted by UPSC for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Answer: To be eligible for the UPSC CSE, a candidate must be a citizen of India, hold a graduate degree from a recognized university, and be between 21 to 32 years of age, with certain age relaxations for reserved categories.
Answer: General category candidates can attempt the UPSC CSE up to 6 times, OBC candidates up to 9 times, and there is no limit for SC/ST candidates, subject to their age eligibility.
Answer: The UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective type), Main Examination (Descriptive type), and Personality Test (Interview).
Answer: The syllabus for UPSC CSE covers a wide range of subjects including History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, and Current Affairs, among others. Detailed syllabus information is available on the UPSC official website.
Answer: Candidates can apply for the UPSC examination through the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in) by filling out the online application form during the application period.
Answer: The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the UPSC CSE, consisting of two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). It is a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.
Answer: The Main Examination is the second stage of the UPSC CSE, consisting of nine descriptive papers, including Essay, General Studies, and optional subjects. It assesses candidates' in-depth knowledge and analytical abilities.
Answer: The Personality Test, also known as the Interview, is the final stage of the UPSC CSE. It evaluates the candidate's personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in public service.
Answer: Yes, final year students can apply for the UPSC CSE, provided they submit proof of passing the degree examination along with the application for the Main Examination.
Answer: The UPSC CSE follows the reservation policies of the Government of India, providing reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates as per the prescribed norms.
Answer: Coaching is not mandatory for UPSC preparation. Many candidates clear the exam through self-study and by utilizing online resources, standard reference books, and guidance from previous successful candidates.
Answer: Current affairs knowledge is crucial for UPSC CSE, as many questions in both Preliminary and Main examinations are based on recent events and issues. Regular reading of newspapers, magazines, and online sources is essential.
Answer: Previous years' question papers for UPSC CSE are available on the official UPSC website and various educational portals. These papers are valuable resources for understanding the exam pattern and level of difficulty.