UPSC Civil Services Examination
UPSC Civil Services Exam
What is UPSC – CSE???
It is evidenced from ancient times that any society has three critical structures. They are Social, Political and Economic structures. Further the evolution and stability of the society is dependent on their knowledge of geography of their region and neighbourhood, history of the past, spirit of enquiry of the people along with the ability to invent and innovate. Their response to natural and anthropogenic disasters, inherent ability to protect themselves from external attacks, identify the internal troublemakers determine their survival and stamp their prowess to the rest of the world. Above all is the ethical fundamentals, value orientation, attitudes developed and developing, aptitude of the larger society, morals and value system of the class that governs the society which gives a shape and determine the character of the society.
UPSC is Union Public Services Commission a constitutional body which conducts the Civil Services Exam every year as per a calendar that UPSC itself prescribes. For any aspiring Civil Servant, it is important to have a clear know how about the stages and pattern of the exam.Â
To build a career that offers stability, challenging and diverse tasks, remunerative incentives and topping it all opportunity to serve the nation from the top echelons is every young Indian’s aspiration. Civil Services is one such unique career that has all bundled up. The dynamic nature of the exam and service one become spart of after going through the grind makes it an inimitable choice. The fact that every year more than half a million people attempt the exam proves the very fact.Â
Union Public Service Commission is the seminal recruiting body of the nation. It is constitutionally empowered to ensure that nation gets the most deserving individuals to serve at different capacities. Hence it has aptly designed the syllabus for the Civil Service Exam keeping all the above understood elements in mind.
Stages of the Civil Services Exam
The exam has three clearly defines stages i.e. Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam and the Personality test.
Timeline of the exam
The exam process starts with a notification issued by the UPSC which is beginning of a nearly 12-month process. The timeline of the exam generally is fixed. However due to unforeseen circumstances there can be changes as observed in 2020 and 2021. The advantage with UPSC is that it announces the calendar well in advance. You can refer to the calendar of exam of UPSC in the link attached – https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/exam-calendar
So let us understand the Timeline of the Exam as such.
What adds to the challenge of the exam is the timeline and an aspirant has to pass each stage each time. Further each stage tests the aspirants’ ability, aptitude and attitude at different levels and dimensions. This is the singular reason that makes the exam mother of all competitive exams as it is referred to.
 Now let us understand each stage of the exam in detail: As we delve deep, we try answer few questions in each section.
- What is the stage? Pattern, Changes, Application etc.
- Relevance of the stage from Civil Services perspective.
- Significance of the stage from exam’s viewpoint
- How to ace the stage? Skill set, books, preparation etc.
- Cut-offs
UPSC CSE – Preliminary Exam
Preliminary exam or prelims as referred to in common parlance is the first and significant stage of the exam. It is in simple an elimination phase. The ratio of number of aspirants who appear to those who qualify this stage is evidence in itself. Â Every year more than 5 lakh aspirants appear to prelims exams and approximately 10,000 -15,000 qualify for the mains.
What is the stage? Pattern, Changes, Application etc.
Prelims being the first stage of the exam has multiple dimensions associated and tested. UPSC has been continuously evolving the nature and aspect of this stage to keep it relevant and match the demand of the contemporary times.
As the entry point the exam tests understanding of any aspirant in General Studies ranging over subjects like history, economics, geography, constitution & polity, environment & ecology, general science and contemporary affairs. The pattern has been evolving for the second paper since prelims was made part of the scheme for civil services exam.
Before 2010 the prelims exam had one optional paper along with General Studies. So, there would be objective questions of an optional subject that aspirants would be preparing. From 2011 UPSC introduced Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) as the second paper titling it as General Studies – II. Adapting to the need to test the metal ability, comprehension and reasoning skills of aspirants CSAT was a new ball in the game. Till 2015 marks of both GS-I and GS-II (CSAT) were adding up to qualify for mains. However since 2015 CSAT remains a qualifying paper where the aspirant has to score a minimum of 68 out of 200 marks.
Relevance of the stage from Civil Services perspective.
The idea of having prelims exam in the civil services scheme is to assess the aspirants for
- Objective thinking
- Attention to details
- Precision and clarity in understanding
- Application of knowledge & memory
As a civil servant one should have all the above traits and this UPSC tries to inculcate and assess through the preliminary exam. The way questions are framed, and options are carved out is evidence of the applied understanding that is demanded from the aspirants.
GS-I through subjects of common understanding like history, geography polity, economics etc. takes the knowledge at 10th standard level. But the application of the knowledge is far higher and from a matured mind to the demand of the exam. It completely disproves the idea that cramming of facts and figures suffices.
GS-II in form of CSAT is a much-needed value addition that assesses the aspirants’ logical reasoning, mental ability, comprehension and communication skills in a very scientifically designed and globally approved manner. Having only 80 questions and creating a rush of time, it tests the aspirants for calm and balanced application. While knowledge sets the foundation, it is the approach and aptitude that holds the key.
Prelims though perceived as an objective natured exam and as a test of knowledge, understanding the nuances reveals that it has a deep inherence with respect to the broad scheme of civil services exam.
Significance of the stage from exam’s viewpoint
If we understand prelims purely from the exam’s viewpoint, it is crucial for qualifying to write the mains which counts for the final rank also. Prelim’s study is never in isolation as prelims and mains both should mandatorily carry an integrated approach. Hence understanding of the subject aspect in clarity becomes necessary while the application makes the difference. Every aspect of subject study for prelims will have due relevance for mains exam and thus is seminal.
How to ace the stage? Skill set, books, preparation etc.
Civil Services demands interest in the first place. Coming from different academic backgrounds understanding the nuances of civil services journey is in itself a primary requisite. Some traits that hold key to entire scheme of civil services journey are
Acing Civil Services exam is never a part-by-part affair. It is always an integrated, holistic and planned effort. Hence one needs to see the entire scheme of civil service and devise a wholesome strategy. However, it is important to apply what is studied from the perspective of objective questions. Active study and thorough revision is the mantra for success.
Specific to prelims in consideration it requires undetermined focus, inimitable will power and attention to detail. Some viewpoints are –
- Applying the subject knowledge from prelims perspective
- Need to be master the Skill of Precision,
- Integrate the Art of Elimination
- Time Management
- Confidence
- Self-belief
So, what are the books to be read??? Refer the booklist given below. Solving at least 15 years of old CSE-Prelims question papers is a must. However, it is important to orient the study to exclusive prelims perspective at least 3-4 months before the exam date. Good reading, active study and effective revision should be ideal threesome combination.
Cut-offs
As we understand prelims is a qualifying exam that qualifies aspirants to mains based on their marks in GS-I from 2015. UPSC announces cut-off’s category wise only after entire exam process is completed i.e., the rank list for that year is announced. So take a look at the cut-offs of the past years.
Given below is the UPSC prelims cut off 2019 according to category:
Category-wise UPSC Prelims Cut off Last 5 Years
A careful reading of the figures above help us understand that cut-offs are in and around 50% of the total. This is evidence of the fact that prelims is challenging and demands synchronised effort.
Prelims is hence a stepping stone into the diaspora of civil services exam. Qualifying prelims each time is a must to write mains. Even if an aspirant has aced prelims more than once the next prelims cannot be taken lightly. However experience does help to set the right strategy and revise effectively. Â
While preparation remains integrated, prelims orientation and study is crucial with a right plan, orientation and guidance. Â
UPSC CSE – Mains Exam
Mains exam is the second stage of the scheme of civil services exam. It is broader in nature and assesses the aspirants on wider dimensions. Aspirants shortlisted from the prelims exam get to write the mains. All papers are subjective in nature. Every year approximately 10,000 to 12,000 appear for the mains exam. More important is only 2000 to 2500 aspirants qualify for the final stage of personality test. Let us unravel the details of this very crucial stage
What is the stage? Pattern, Changes, Application etc.
The real grind of civil services exam is the mains. For students from all backgrounds and study disciplines, mains exam offers unique challenges and differentiated counters. Writing subjective papers for 250 marks in 3 hours and such 7 papers is no walk in the park. Mains exam becomes more prominent as the marks secured adds up to the final rank calculation along with personality test unlike prelims exam.
UPSC has been evolving the pattern of the mains exam also to keep it relevant and updated to the entire scheme of civil services. Like prelims the emphasis was more on Optional till 2012. Further with changes in prelims the emphasis shifted to general studies post 2012. The changes were much in tune to the demand of the nature of work civil servants encounter each day. It raised the bar for all aspirants and addition of exclusive paper of Ethics and Integrity was substantiation of the forward thinking of UPSC.Â
The changes introduced in 2013 brought overarching reform to the mindset and approach to preparation. With emphasis on general studies rising the nature of questions also changed to application, view based and analysis. The idea of knowing some facts and stats that can be reproduced by cramming was sought to be defied.Â
Changes appeared in the questions also with 10 marks, 12.5 marks, 15 marks making way for long answers or 20, 30 and even 60-mark questions. The mandate was to assess the analytical ability with writing skill that can balance time and content. Quality of content took front foot than quantity.
Relevance of the stage from Civil Services perspective.
Keeping true to the aspect of building civil servants who can serve the nation as it evolves into the 21st century the UPSC has been doing a terrific job. Mains as a stage in the scheme of civil services exam has the idea of assessing the subjective thinking, ideation, opinion building, balance in thought process and the attitude to hold one’s ground in spite of divisive and acrimonious atmosphere.
Indian Civil Services is a generalist service (not domain specialization as in the west) and hence the emphasis on General Studies is well understood. The first three papers of general studies assess the subject knowledge applied from contemporary perspective. The mains exclusive subjects make the game much intensive and thought provoking. Current affairs as it is regarded in civil services study is of seminal significance as the subject knowledge always need an application from contemporary perspective. The exclusive paper of Ethics and Integrity as GS-IV is a clear indication of importance of the same in civil servants and in the larger sphere of civil services.
The reforms in mains exam have a clear direction towards building civil servants for the next generation and a foundation to civil services as a desired go to machinery for the holistic development of the country. Â
Significance of the stage from exam’s viewpoint
If UPSC CSE – Preliminary exam only qualifies an aspirant to the next stage, UPSC CSE – Mains holds the key for an aspirant to secure the rank he dreams to. 1750 marks of mains in more than 85% of the total marks i.e., 2025 (1750 + 275 (personality test) = 2025) for the final rank list. The changed pattern and the change in the nature of question papers make the stage challenging and dynamic. Hence acing mains with the maximum marks is critical for success in the scheme of civil services exam.
How to ace the stage? Skill set, books, preparation etc.
Mains being the crucial and penultimate stage of the civil services exam needs a clear plan, right strategy and balance in preparation. Aspirants have to give due importance to all parts of mains. There are cases where aspirants have struggled through the one of the part while excelling in another. This will dampen the overall score and hence affect the qualification to the personality test.
An aspirant need to plan well with balanced preparation for essay, general studies and also due emphasis on optional. The integrated preparation done for prelims combined will give an edge as most of the subjects are similar in terms of prelims. However, mains exclusive topics like social issues, governance, international relations, internal security and especially Ethics and Integrity as a full paper of 250 marks demand the aspirant to have a good hold over subject knowledge and ace the skill of answer writing.
In the larger scheme UPSC CSE – Mains will also entail undetermined focus, inimitable will power and attention to detail. Some viewpoints are –
- Comprehensive understanding of the syllabus topics
- Applying the subject knowledge to Question’s demand
- Need to be master the Skill of Answer Writing
- Integration of current affairs with subject knowledge
- Time Management to attempt all questions
- Confidence
- Self-belief
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We will in brief touch upon all parts of UPSC CSE – Mains below. We will have detailed strategy document on each of them in separate articles.
Compulsory papers have an idea to test the language understanding and basic grammar. Fundamental skills of essay writing, letter writing, precis writing, grammar is put to test. So, what should be done???
• Regular reading of newspapers in both English and the Indian language chosen
• Practice of at least past 4 years question papers
• Taking a mock test twice in the last month before Mains
While one doesn’t need exclusive time to dedicate for these two papers we also caution against complacency. It is observed many deserving aspirants fail to clear one of these papers and wouldn’t qualify mains. Worst is as aspirant doesn’t get know his/her mains marks of GS or Optional if a compulsory paper isn’t qualified.
Essay is effectively a low handing fruit. One should comprehensively use the subject knowledge specific to the topic chosen. The edge that essay marks can give is a boost to the overall mains score. 150+ is a competitive score any aspirant should target for.
Develop a good structure, build a flow and apply to the topic in a simple but effective writing should be the way forward. Practicing regularly of at least one essay week and two essays as comfort develops is quintessential. Mock test practice with time limits will help diagnose the state of affair and necessitate preparation timeline.
General Studies Paper – I is a combination of topics from history, social issues and geography. An understanding past 5 years questions show that they are application oriented, test of fundamental understanding and classic textbook based.
Good reading of NCERTs, thorough understanding of current affairs, relating syllabus content and corelating other GS papers to these topics adds value to the answers. Relevant application of current affairs with crisp answer writing developed by regular practice is necessary. Practice of mock tests and analysis of issues from syllabus viewpoint holds the key.
General Studies Paper – II is a heartthrob of contemporary affairs from constitution, polity, governance, social justice, international relations etc. Questions have a innate current affairs relation and applied to the fundamentals of the syllabus. This is one among the most dynamic paper along with GS-III.
GS-II preparation needs continuous coverage of current affairs, analysis of constitutional and governance aspects and correlation of national and state related aspects w.r.t. syllabus perspective. NCERTs do form a necessary foundation but current affairs applied from a syllabus orientation do make the much-needed impact for effective answer writing. Tracking international relations of India as oriented in the syllabus from newspapers and other medium and applying to demand of questions is suggested to aspirants.
General Studies Paper – III is an amalgamation of economics, development, ecology, science and technology, disaster management and internal security issues. Like GS-II this paper has high relevance of developments in national and international sphere applied to the prescribed syllabus.
GS-III is a unique mix of 4-5 diverse issues or relevance in international, national and domestic sphere. Hence study of fundamentals from prescribed NCERTs and textbooks is as relevant as tracking current developments and applying them to the syllabus. Good notes making, regular revision will hold the key along with regular practice in answer writing and mock test practice.
General Studies Paper – IV is one of the most innovative paper in the scheme of civil services and thus requires attention and differentiated strategy. The syllabus prescribed for Ethics Integrity and Attitude paper is one of its kind and so is the way question paper designed which unlike the above three. This paper has 2 sections one theoretical and other case studies.
From knowledge orientation it is important to refer to standard books to get a clear understanding of all the aspects in the syllabus prescribed. But it doesn’t stop there and demands real life application of learning, values, morals and behavioral aspects from an exam viewpoint. Case studies are situation-based questions where one’s real time application of mind and deliberative skill is assessed. The paper demands a holistic application of knowledge along with real life experiential learning.
As seen above it is clear there are some common points for an aspirant. These would be
Cut-offs
Let us understand the cut-offs of Mains) of Last Recommended Candidate in UPSC Civil Services Examination
Again a careful reading of the above is evident that less than 50% is a norm for qualifying from mains to the interview. It also talks volumes of the challenge that mains exam offers to aspirants.
Personality Test (Interview)
Personality test is the last and final stage of the exam. It is the ultimate test of character, intent and ability of the aspirants. While prelims exam test the objective understanding and mains exam puts to test the subjective orientation and application, it is the personality test that decides the final selection of the aspirants to his/her desired and deserving service.
Mains + Interview Marks’ (Total Marks) of Last Recommended Candidate in UPSC Civil Services Examination
Refer to our detailed strategies on
- Prelims
- CSAT
- ESSAY
- GS – I
- GS – II
- GS – III
- GS – IV
Table of Contents
