UPSC Selection Process

The UPSC Civil Services selection is a three-stage funnel. Each stage shortlists candidates for the next, and only the last two count for the final merit.

Stage 1: Prelims

A screening test of two objective papers. Only candidates above the GS-I cut-off (with CSAT qualified) advance to Mains.

Stage 2: Mains

Nine descriptive papers; the seven merit papers total 1750 marks and decide who is called for the interview.

Stage 3: Interview

The 275-mark Personality Test. Final merit = Mains + Interview. Services are then allocated based on rank and preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stages are in the UPSC exam?

Three — Prelims, Mains and the Personality Test (interview).

UPSC Eligibility CriteriaUPSC Age Limit & RelaxationUPSC Syllabus (Prelims + Mains)UPSC Exam PatternUPSC Prelims (Preliminary Exam)UPSC Mains (Main Examination)

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