Civil service, which is the backbone of Indian governance constitutes all ministries and their departments. The Civil service and Forest service exams are conducted by the UPSC. The prestige, power, charm and responsibility that come along with the top jobs such as the IAS, IFS, IPS, etc., are a definite reason for anyone to choose Civil service and Forest service a career option.
* Must have attained the age of 21 on 1st August of year of examination.
* Must not have attained 32 years(35|37 years) on 1st August of year of examination.
Education
* Any Degree (Recognized by UGC/AICTE)
Age Criteria
General
Minimum Age
21
Maximum Age
32
No of attempts
6
OBC
Minimum Age
21
Maximum Age
35
No of attempts
9
SC & ST
Minimum Age
21
Maximum Age
37
No of attempts
No limits
Notification
February / March
Preliminary Examination
May / June
Preliminary Exam Results
July / August
Mains Examinations
September / October
Mains Exam Results
February 1st week / 2nd week
Interview
March - April
Final Results
May
* Must have attained the age of 21 before 1st on of year of examination.
* Must not have attained 32 years(35|37 years) on 1st August of year of examination.
Education
* Bachelor’s Degree with atleast one of the subjects namely Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Mathematics and Statistics (or)Bachelor Degree in Agriculture, Forestry (or) Engineering (Recognized by UGC/AICTE)
Age Criteria
General
Minimum Age
21
Maximum Age
32
No of attempts
6
OBC
Minimum Age
21
Maximum Age
35
No of attempts
9
SC & ST
Minimum Age
21
Maximum Age
37
No of attempts
No limits
Notification
February / March
Preliminary Examination
May / June
Preliminary Exam Results
July / August
Mains Examinations
November / December
Mains Exam Results
January 1st Week / 2nd Week
Interview
January / February
Final Results
February / March
Civil Service Examination consists of 3 stages as mentioned below:
Stage 1
Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
Stage 2
Mains Exam (Descriptive Type)
Stage 3
Interview (Oral)
The Preliminary Examination which is common for both Civil services and Forest service is conducted during May or June every year. It consists of two papers - one is held in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon of the same day and both papers consist of a set of multiple choice questions. The forenoon session is General Studies Paper–I where questions are based on general awareness and other topics as mentioned in the syllabus. In afternoon session is CSAT – Paper II where questions based on Quantitative aptitude, Reasoning and Verbal ability as mentioned in syllabus. Candidates should note that there will be a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers
Information given below are based on UPSC Civil Services Examinations 2018.
General Studies Paper–I
No. of Questions
100
Total Marks
200
Marks for Correct Answer
2
Marks for Incorrect Answer
-0.66
CSAT – Paper II
No. of Questions
80
Total Marks
200
Marks for Correct Answer
2.5
Marks for Incorrect Answer
-0.83
* For Wrong answers one - third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
Result
Paper I marks is used for the selection of candidates to the mains examination.
Paper II marks is qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33% (i.e 66 marks).
Two set of results are published - one list is for those who qualified for Civil Service Mains Examinations and other list is for those who qualified for Forest Service Mains Examination.
This is only a screening test, marks will not be added in calculating final results.
Mains Examination syllabus, pattern and schedule is different for Civil Service and Forest Service Examination.
The candidates who qualify for Civil Service Mains Examination have to choose one optional subject which has two papers.
The mains examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory. The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in the Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, ability to analyze and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.
The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors degree and lower than the masters degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and Law, the level corresponds to the bachelors degree.
In all, the aspirants are to appear in nine papers, details of which are given below:
Subjects
Papers
Marks
Indian Language*
Paper-A
300
English*
Paper-B
300
Essay
Paper-I
250
General Studies 1
Paper-I
250
General Studies 2
Paper-II
250
General Studies 3
Paper-III
250
General Studies 4
Paper-IV
250
Optional Subject
Paper-VI
250
Optional Subject
Paper-VII
250
* Qualifying Papers - For qualifying, candidates have to secure a minimum of 25% in these papers.
Interview for Personality test will be conducted in Delhi for candidates who clear the Mains examination. (Maximum mark : 275)
Final Result of both Civil Services and Forest Service exam will be based on Mains examination and Interview marks.
The respective NCERT Textbooks have to be mandatory studied.
The Corresponding Ministry websites should also be referred to for latest policy updates.
For current events read a Daily Newspaper (preferably The Hindu).
Paper I
HISTORY AND CULTURE
Ancient India / Medieval India / Art and Culture
Old NCERT, Introduction to Fine Art NCERT Ancient & Medieval India book by Shankar IAS Academy
India’s Struggle for Independence
NCERT
Spectrum’s A brief history of Modern India
India Since Independence or India After Gandhi
Bipin Chandra or
Ramchandra Guha
History of the World Contemporary World
World History book by Shankar IAS Academy
Old NCERT (by Arjun Dev)
Art and Culture Fine arts
Standard 12th NCERT
SOCIETY IN INDIA
Indian Society
Standard 12th NCERT
Social Change and Development in India
Standard 12th NCERT
Indian Society
S.C.Dube / Relevant GOI Website
GEOGRAPHY
Standard 11th & 12th NCERT
NCERT
Class Notes
Paper II
INDIAN POLITY
Indian Constitution at Work
Indian Polity by Shankar IAS Academy
Indian Polity
IAS Parliament Material
GOVERNANCE
From Government to Governance
Kuldeep Mathur
2nd ARC Report
Published by Government of India
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SIA Material
Newspaper
The Hindu
Paper III
ECONOMY
Economic Survey
Government of India
Business Line - Newspaper (Editorial)
The Hindu group.
Indian Economy Since Independence
Uma Kapila
INDIAN AGRICULTURE
Agriculture Topics
Agriculture Book by Shankar IAS Academy
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Newspaper
The Hindu
Science and Technology
Science and Technology Book by IAS academy
Class Notes
ENVIRONMENT
Newspaper
The Hindu
Environment Book by Shankar IAS Academy
INTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES
Internal Security
Internal Security Book by Shankar IAS Academy
News Paper Notes
Paper IV
2nd ARC Reports
Government of India
From Government to Governance
Kuldeep Mathur
Shankar IAS Academy Book and Class Notes
FOR REFERENCE PURPOSE ONLY
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