Civil Services Examination

{{Short description|Civil services examination in India}} {{About|the examination in India|civil service examinations in general|civil service entrance examination}} {{Use Indian English|date = February 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox examination | name = Civil Services Examination | image_name = Emblem of India.svg | image_size = 150 px | image_alt = | caption = Emblem of India | acronym = CSE UPSC CSE | type = Paper-based test | test_admin = Union Public Service Commission | skills_tested = General knowledge, writing, comprehension, analytical skills, etc. | purpose = Measuring the eligibility of candidates for recommending as civil servants | year_started = {{Start date and age|df=yes|paren=yes|1855}}<ref>{{cite web |title=UPSC {{!}} History |url=https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/History%20of%20the%20Commission%20final%20%281%29_0.pdf |website=upsc.gov.in |publisher=UPSC |access-date=26 February 2022}}</ref> | year_terminated =  | duration = 240 minutes (preliminary) 1620 minutes (main) 20 – 40 minutes (personality test) | score_range = 0 – 2025 | offered = Once a year | attempt_restriction = 6 (General & EWS) 9 (OBC/PwBD) Unlimited (SC/ST) | regions = India | language = {{hlist|English|Hindi|22 Scheduled languages}} | test_takers = 11,35,697 (registrations for preliminary, 2022) 5,73,735 (appeared for preliminary, 2022)<ref>{{cite web |author1=PIB |title=The final result of Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2022 has been declared today, the 23rd May, 2023. Highlights of the result are given below |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1926637 |publisher=Public Information Bureau |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=23 May 2023}}</ref> | prerequisite = Graduate | fee = ₹100 All the candidates (Except Female/SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disability Candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) are required to pay fee of Rs. 100/- | score_users = Government of India | qualification_rate = 0.078% (2023)<ref>{{cite news |author1=India Today Education Desk |title=UPSC aspirant's '12 attempts, no selection' post strikes a chord, goes viral |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/upsc-aspirants-12-attempts-no-selection-post-strikes-a-chord-goes-viral-2529292-2024-04-19 |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=India Today |date=19 April 2024}}</ref> | website = {{URL|upsc.gov.in}} {{URL|upsconline.nic.in}} }}

The '''Civil Services Examination''' (abbr. '''CSE''' or '''UPSC CSE''') is a standardised test in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to higher civil services in the Government of India, such as the All India Services, Diplomats and Central Civil Services (Group A and a few Group B posts).<ref name=note/> It is considered to be one of the toughest examination in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=India: BBC News article |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64316112 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sareen |first=Lakshima |title=From Gaokao to UPSC: 9 toughest exams around the world in 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/web-stories/from-gaokao-to-upsc-9-toughest-exams-around-the-world-in-2025/photostory/121848000.cms |work=The Times of India |date=14 June 2025 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UPSC Face Card Queen: LSR pass out cracked one of the world's toughest exams, but it's her sibling's viral video that's breaking the internet |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/upsc-face-card-queen-lsr-pass-out-cracked-one-of-the-worlds-toughest-exams-but-its-her-siblings-viral-video-thats-breaking-the-internet/articleshow/120541159.cms |work=The Economic Times |publisher=The Times Group |date=23 April 2025 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref>

It is conducted in three phases: a preliminary examination (abbr. Prelims) consisting of two objective-type papers (Paper I consisting of General Studies and Paper II consisting of Mathematics, Logical Reasoning and Comprehension, referred to as the Civil Service Aptitude Test or CSAT). The candidates qualify the Prelims will appear in the main examination (abbr. Mains) consisting of nine papers of conventional descriptive type, in which two papers are qualifying and rest of the seven papers are accountable to qualify the Mains. Finally, after qualifying the Mains, a personality test (abbr. Interview) is conducted in the UPSC headquarters in New Delhi.<ref name=note/><ref>{{cite news |title=Change in the UPSC exam pattern over the years |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/jobs/change-in-the-upsc-exam-pattern-over-the-years-5102011/ |access-date=13 March 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref> A successful candidate sits for 32 hours of examination during the complete process spanning around one year.

==List of services== {{see also|Civil Services of India|Central Civil Services}}

Those who pass the Civil Service Examination may be selected to join the following services:

;All India Services * Indian Administrative Service (IAS) * Indian Police Service (IPS)

;Central Civil Services (Group A) * Indian Foreign Service (IFS)  * Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) * Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) * Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) * Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) * Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) * Indian Information Service (IIS) * Indian Postal Service (IPoS) * Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) * Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) * Indian Revenue Service (IRS) ** Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) (IRS-IT) ** Indian Revenue Service (Custom & Indirect Taxes) (IRS-C&IT) * Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) ** IRMS Traffic ** IRMS Accounts ** IRMS Personnel * Indian Trade Service (ITrS) ;Central Civil Services (Group B) * Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (AFHQCS) * Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) * Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) * Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS) * Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS)

Previously, passing the Civil Services Examination also allowed candidates to join the Central Secretariat Service (CSS),{{efn|From 1946 until 2003, 50 percent of direct recruitment into CSS cadre was through the UPSC CSE. In 2003, the direct recruitment through CSE has been permanently stopped and now happens through UPSC Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.}}<ref name="CSS History">{{cite web|title=Mode of Recruitment into CSS cadre|url=http://persmin.gov.in/DOPT/CSWing/CSDivision/CSS/History.htm|publisher=Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions|access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="CSS cadre downsize">{{cite web|title=Federal Government takes first step in downsizing CSS officers|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-takes-first-step-in-downsizing-103111101096_1.html|publisher=Business Standard|access-date=16 May 2015}}</ref> Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS){{efn|The service has been removed from the list of services that are offered by UPSC through Civil Services Examination, since 2022.}} and the engineering services of Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) cadre i.e. IRSEE, IRSME, IRSE, IRSSE for the period of 4 years (2021–2025). Later the IRMS Engineering services remerged into the UPSC ESE examination since 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Railway merges eight service cadres into one newly created cadre|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/feb/13/indian-railway-merges-eight-service-cadres-into-one-newly-created-cadre-2418907.html|access-date=2022-02-17|website=The New Indian Express|date=13 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Addendum to the Notice of Civil Services Examination- 2022|url=https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/AddendumNotice-CSPE-2022-engl-170222.pdf|access-date=17 February 2022|website=Union Public Service Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Recruitment to Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) to be done through a specially designed examination (IRMS Examination) |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1880524 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>

==Process== Every year, the UPSC releases the notification for the Civil Services Examination between January and February. The application process for the Preliminary examination also occurs during this period. Admit cards for the Prelims are typically issued 1–2 weeks prior to the examination. The Preliminary examination is generally conducted on the last Sunday of May, with results being declared within 2–3 weeks, usually in June or July.<ref>{{cite web |title=Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025 |url=https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/Civil%20Services%20%28Preliminary%29%20Examination%2C%2025 |website=Union Public Service Commission |publisher=Government of India |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref>

Since 2025, the schedule for the Mains examination has been shifted from September to August. The Mains examination is conducted over a span of five days, spread across two weeks. Results for the Mains are generally announced within 2–3 months; in 2025, the results were declared in November. Candidates who qualify are then allowed to make corrections and update information in the Common Application Form, CAF (formerly known as the Detailed Application Form, DAF), including service preferences, interests, hobbies, and achievements.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2025 Time Table (PDF) |url=https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/TT-CSM-25-Engl-140725.pdf |website=Union Public Service Commission |publisher=Government of India |date=14 July 2025 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref>

The Personality Test (Interview) is usually conducted between December and February, and the final results are typically released in March or April.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPSC Civil Services 2025 Personality Test (Interview) Schedule (PDF) |url=https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Intv-CSM-2025-Engl-021225R.pdf |website=Union Public Service Commission |publisher=Government of India |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UPSC Civil Services 2025 Personality Test Phase‑II Schedule (PDF) |url=https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/PT-CSME-2025-IIndPhase-Engl-161225.pdf |website=Union Public Service Commission |publisher=Government of India |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref>

After the final result of the successful candidates and other necessary formalities, the training program i.e. the Foundation Course for the selected candidates usually commences the following July–August or sometimes September in Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/over-4-5-lakh-students-appear-for-upsc-preliminary-exam/|title=Over 4.5 lakh students appear for UPSC preliminary exam|date=2014-08-24|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref>

==Eligibility== Eligibility for the examination is as follows:<ref name=note>{{cite web|title=Union Public Service Commission Central Civil Services Examination, 2011 Notice |url=http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2011/CS2011/cs2011_eng.pdf |website=upsc.gov.in |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719064526/http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2011/CS2011/cs2011_eng.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Nationality=== * For the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS); the candidate must be a citizen of India. * For other services, the candidate must be one of the following:

# A citizen of India. # A citizen of Nepal or a subject of Bhutan. # A Tibetan refugee who settled permanently in India before 1 January 1962. # A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

===Educational qualification=== All candidates must have as a minimum one of the following educational qualifications:<ref name="note" /> * A degree from a Central, State or a Deemed university * A degree received through correspondence or distance education * A degree from an open university<ref name=faq/> * A qualification recognized by the Government of India as being equivalent to one of the above

The following candidates are also eligible, but must submit proof of their eligibility from a competent authority at their institute/university at the time of the main examination, failing which they will not be allowed to attend the exam.<ref name=note/> * Candidates who have appeared in an examination the passing of which would render them educationally qualified enough to satisfy one of the above points.<ref name=over>{{cite web|title=Civil Services Examination - Overview |url=http://www.upsc.gov.in/general/civil.htm |website=upsc.gov.in |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711153116/http://www.upsc.gov.in/general/civil.htm |archive-date=11 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Candidates who have passed the final exam of the MBBS degree but have not yet completed an internship. * Candidates who have passed the final exam of ICAI, ICSI and ICWAI. * A degree from a private university. * A degree from any foreign university recognized by the Association of Indian Universities.

=== Age === The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years (for the General category candidate) on 1 August of the year of examination. Prescribed age limits vary with respect to caste reservations.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=8 February 2023 |title=Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2023 |website=UPSC |url=https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CSP-23-engl-010223.pdf}}</ref> * For Other Backward Castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35 years. * For Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the limit is 37 years. * For Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations during hostilities, the limit is 40 years. * For Candidates belonging to ex-servicemen including Commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered military services for at least five years as of 1 August, of the year and have been released * For PWD candidates, the limit is 37 years. * For Domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1989, the limit is 32 years. * For the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, the standard age limits apply.

===Number of attempts=== The number of times a candidate can appear for the exam are given below.<ref name=faq>{{cite web|title=FAQs |url=http://www.upsc.gov.in/general/faq.htm |website=upsc.gov.in |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703013517/http://www.upsc.gov.in/general/faq.htm |archive-date=3 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * General category candidates – 6<ref name=":0" /> * OBC category candidates – 9 * SC/ST candidates – unlimited attempts till 37 years of age.

Appearing to attempt one of the papers in the preliminary examination is counted as an attempt, including disqualification/ cancellation of candidature. However, applying to sit the exam but failing to attend is not counted as an attempt.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/centre-to-lower-age-limit-for-civil-service-aspirants/article6609797.ece|title=Centre to lower age limit for civil service aspirants|last=Kumar|first=S. Vijay|date=2014-11-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-04-19|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

=== Restrictions on Applying for the Civil Services Examination (since CSE-2026) ===

*'''IAS/IFS from previous exams''' ** A candidate who is already appointed to the IAS or IFS from an earlier exam and continues to be a member of that service, is not eligible to appear for CSE-2026.<ref name="UPSCAttemptRules2026">{{cite news |title=UPSC announces limits, number of attempts for candidates qualifying Civil Services; IAS, IPS, IFS eligibility rules explained |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/upsc-announces-limits-number-of-attempts-candidates-qualifying-civil-services-ias-ips-ifs-cse-whats-new-10513773/ |work=The Indian Express |date=6 February 2026 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref> ** If such a candidate is appointed to IAS or IFS after the Preliminary Examination-2026 but continues in service, they shall not be eligible for the Main Examination-2026 even if qualified in Prelims.<ref name="UPSCAttemptRules2026"/> ** If such a candidate joins IAS or IFS after the commencement of Mains-2026 but before results are declared, they shall not be considered for any service based on CSE-2026 results.<ref name="UPSCAttemptRules2026"/> *'''IPS from previous exams''' ** A candidate who has been selected or appointed to the IPS based on an earlier examination shall not be eligible to choose or be allocated IPS in CSE-2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=UPSC CSE 2026: Rules for serving civil servants revised, clarifies eligibility |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/upsc-cse-2026-news-rules-for-serving-civil-servants-what-changed/article70595368.ece |work=The Hindu |date=5 February 2026 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref> *'''Candidates allocated IPS or Central Group 'A' through CSE-2026''' : These candidates can appear in CSE-2027, if otherwise eligible, subject to the following: ** They must obtain one-time exemption from joining training for the service allocated through CSE-2026 to appear in CSE-2027.<ref name="NDTV_CSE2026">{{cite news |title=UPSC CSE 2026: Category‑Wise Number Of Attempts, Rules For IAS, IPS, IFS Officers |url=https://www.ndtv.com/education/upsc-cse-2026-category-wise-number-of-attempts-rules-for-appointed-ias-ips-ifs-officers-10953323 |work=NDTV |date=5 February 2026 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref> ** They shall join only the Foundation Course (FC) training.<ref name="NDTV_CSE2026"/> ** If they neither join training nor take exemption, their service allocation from CSE-2026 is cancelled.<ref name="NDTV_CSE2026"/> ** If they are recommended in CSE-2027, they may choose the service from either CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 and join training for CSE-2027. The other allocation is cancelled.<ref name="NDTV_CSE2026"/><ref name="TheHinduCSEReattempts">{{cite news |title=UPSC expands conditions for attempting CSEs after being allotted for IPS, Group A services |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/upsc-expands-conditions-for-attempting-cses-after-being-allotted-for-ips-group-a-services/article70596250.ece |work=The Hindu |date=6 February 2026 |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref> ** If they are not allocated any service in CSE-2027, they can join the service allocated through CSE-2026.<ref name="TheHinduCSEReattempts"/> ** If they do not join training for either CSE-2026 or CSE-2027, both allocations are cancelled.<ref name="TheHinduCSEReattempts"/> ** Their seniority will be decided according to joining the service from CSE-2026 or CSE-2027; seniority shall not be lowered. ** They are not allowed to appear for CSE-2028 or later unless they resign from the allocated service.<ref name="TheHinduCSEReattempts"/><ref name="ETVB_CSE_Rules">{{cite web |title='Not Eligible': UPSC new rules now limit attempts for candidates clearing Civil Services Exam |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/bharat/not-eligible-upsc-new-rules-now-limits-attempts-for-candidates-clearing-civil-services-exam-enn26020500884 |website=ETV Bharat |access-date=5 March 2026}}</ref> ** If they want to use remaining attempts after the one-time exemption, they must not join any service allocated from CSE-2026 or CSE-2027; such allocation shall be automatically cancelled.<ref name="ETVB_CSE_Rules"/> ** Candidates allocated service in CSE-2025 or earlier are given one-time opportunity to appear in CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 to utilize remaining attempts without resigning. To appear in CSE-2028 or later, they must resign from the allocated service.<ref name="ETVB_CSE_Rules"/>

==Preliminary== The pattern of the Preliminary examination, also known as the Prelims exam up to 2010 was based on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission (1979). It included two examinations, one on general studies worth 150 marks, and the second on one of 23 optional subjects worth 300 marks. Until 2011, when it was revamped,<ref name=pio>{{cite news|title=Change of pattern in UPSC |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/345874/Change-of-pattern-in-UPSC.html |access-date=10 July 2011 |newspaper=The Pioneer |date=22 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719021206/http://www.dailypioneer.com/345874/Change-of-pattern-in-UPSC.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the preliminary pattern was sustained with only minor changes once every ten to fifteen years.<ref name=pio/>

From 2011 onwards, the preliminary examination intends to focus on analytical abilities and understanding rather than the ability to memorize. The new pattern includes two papers of two hours duration and 200 marks each.<ref name=ht>{{cite news|title=Changes in the civil service examination |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Changes-in-the-civil-service-examination/Article1-711918.aspx |access-date=10 July 2011 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=21 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726101028/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Changes-in-the-civil-service-examination/Article1-711918.aspx |archive-date=26 July 2011 |location=New Delhi |url-status=dead }}</ref> Both papers have multiple-choice objective type questions only.<ref name=ht/> They are as follows:

=== General Studies Paper I === Tests the candidate's knowledge of current events, the history of India and the Indian national movement, Indian and world geography, Indian polity Panchayati Raj system, and governance, economic and social development, environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and general science, Art and culture.<ref name="ht" />

=== General Studies Paper II (CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test) === Tests the candidate's skills in comprehension, interpersonal skills, communication, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, basic numeracy, data interpretation, English language comprehension skills, and mental ability.<ref name="ht" /> It is qualifying, and the marks obtained in this paper are not counted for merit. However, the candidate must score a minimum of 33 percent in this paper to qualify for the Prelims exam.<ref name="josh" />

==== Changes ==== In August 2014, the centre announced that English marks in CSAT will not be included for gradation or merit and 2011 candidates may get a second chance to appear for the test next year.<ref>{{cite news|title=CSAT Row: Marks of English paper will not be included for merit|url=http://www.patrika.com/news/csat-row-marks-of-english-paper-will-not-be-included-for-merit/1021728|access-date=4 August 2014|work=Patrika Group|issue=4 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808022108/http://www.patrika.com/news/csat-row-marks-of-english-paper-will-not-be-included-for-merit/1021728|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 2015, the Government of India announced that Paper II of the preliminary examination would be qualifying in nature i.e. it will not be graded for eligibility in the Mains Examination and a candidate will need to score at least 33% to be eligible for grading based on marks of Paper I of the Preliminary Examination.<ref name=note/> Those who qualify in the Prelims become eligible for the Mains.

==Mains== The Civil Services Mains Examination consists of a written examination and an interview.<ref name=note/>

===Mains Examination=== The Civil Services Main written examination consists of nine papers, two qualifying and seven ranking in nature. The range of questions may vary from just one mark to sixty marks, twenty words to 600 words answers. Each paper is of a duration of 3 hours. Candidates who pass qualifying papers are ranked according to marks and a selected number of candidates are called for an interview or a personality test at the commission's discretion.

According to the new marks allocations in Civil Service Examination 2013, there are some changes made in the examination according to the suggestion of Prof. Arun. S. Nigavekar Committee.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=LiveMint|title=PM approves changes in civil services exam pattern|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/XiGXMdPHO44qm8728pHIBO/PM-approves-changes-in-civil-services-exam-pattern.html|access-date=25 March 2013 |date=27 February 2013 }}</ref> However, after some controversy, the qualifying papers for Indian languages and English were restored.<ref>{{cite news|title=Govt rolls back changes to UPSC mains exam|newspaper=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-rolls-back-changes-to-upsc-mains-exam/article4533535.ece?ref=relatedNews|date=2 September 2016|access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+Civil Services New Mains Format<ref name="josh">{{cite web|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/upsc-civil-services-ias-exam-pattern-1594890041-1|title=Civil Services Examination (updated pattern) 2021|website=Jagranjosh|accessdate=27 April 2021}}</ref> |- ! Paper !! Subject!! Marks |- |Paper A{{Ref label|exemption|A|A}}||(One of the Indian languages listed below, to be selected by the candidate (from the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India) (Qualifying) ||300 |- |Paper B||English (Qualifying) ||300 |- |Paper I||Essay ||250 |- |Paper II||General Studies I (Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society) ||250 |- |Paper III||General Studies II (Governance, constitution, policy, social justice and international relations) ||250 |- |Paper IV||General Studies III (Technology, economic development, bio-diversity, environment, security and disaster management) ||250 |- |Paper V||General Studies IV (ethics, integrity and aptitude) ||250 |- |Paper VI|| rowspan="2" |Two papers on one subject to be selected by the candidate from the list of optional subjects below (250 marks for each paper) ||250 |- |Paper VII |250 |- |colspan="2"| '''Sub Total (Written Test)''' || '''1750''' |- |colspan="2"| Personality Test (Interview) ||275 |- |colspan="2"| '''Total Marks''' || '''2025''' |} 1.{{Note label|exemption|A|A}}The paper A on Indian Language will not, however, be compulsory for candidates hailing from the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

==== List of languages ==== The examination is available in the following languages, with the name of the script in parentheses:<ref name=2015notice>{{cite web |url= http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2015/CSP_2015/CSP_2015_eng.pdf |title= Civil Services Examination, 2015 |publisher=Union Public Services Commission |date= 23 May 2015 |access-date=23 June 2016 |page=5}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Assamese (Assamese) * Bengali (Bengali) * Bodo (Devanagari) * Dogri (Devanagari) * English (English) * Gujarati (Gujarati) * Hindi (Devanagari) * Kannada (Kannada) * Kashmiri (Persian) * Konkani (Devanagari) * Maithili (Devanagari) * Malayalam (Malayalam) * Manipuri (Bengali) * Marathi (Devanagari) * Nepali (Devanagari) * Odia (Odia) * Punjabi (Gurumukhi) * Sanskrit (Devanagari) * Santhali (Devanagri or Ol Chiki) * Sindhi (Devanagari or Arabic) * Tamil (Tamil) * Telugu (Telugu) * Urdu (Persian) {{div col end}}

==== Optional subjects ==== The subjects available for Papers VI and VII are:<ref>{{Cite web|title=(IAS Planner) Optional Subjects Syllabus: (Paper VI, VII, VIII, IX) {{!}} IAS EXAM PORTAL - India's Largest Community for UPSC Exam Aspirants.|url=https://iasexamportal.com/ias-planner/optional-subjects-paper-vi-vii-viii-ix|access-date=2021-07-10|website=iasexamportal.com}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Agriculture * Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science * Anthropology * Botany * Chemistry * Civil Engineering * Commerce and Accountancy * Economics * Electrical Engineering * Geography * Geology * History * Law * Literature of any one of the languages listed above * Management * Mathematics * Mechanical Engineering * Medical Science * Philosophy * Physics * Political Science and International Relations * Psychology * Public Administration * Sociology * Statistics * Zoology {{div col end}}

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.upsc.gov.in Union Public Service Commission official website] * [https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/Civil%20Services%20%28Preliminary%29%20Examination%2C%202020 Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020 official website] * [https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers archive of previous exams]

Category:Standardised tests in India Category:Union Public Service Commission Category:Civil service tests in India Category:1922 establishments in British India