UPSC FAQ

Updated Fri, 10 Jul 2020 06:03 PM IST

UPSC, Union Public Service Commission is a central government body that looks after the admissions into All India Services. It conducts exam ranging from civil services to defence services. For those willing to serve the public, UPSC is the best option.

UPSC is definitely the toughest exam as it includes every area related to nation, public, government and environment. But for those whose aspirations are high nothing is impossible. UPSC offers prestigious posts like IAS,IPS and many other. One needs to have a proper plan of action before entering into this exam as it requires every bit of dedication.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2020

What is UPSC?

UPSC, Union Public Service Commission is a central recruiting agency of India. It offers best and most reputable jobs. UPSC conducts exams like Civil Services Examination for number of government jobs like IAS,IPS and IFS.

What are the eligibility requirements for UPSC?

  • Should be a citizen of India
  • Should be a graduate from designated University.
  • Anyone appearing for final exam of his/her Graduation
  • Minimum age limit for all candidates is 21 years whereas maximum age depends on the category of different candidates. A general category candidate can apply for 32 years, an OBC candidate can apply for 35 years, for SC/ST it is 37 years and for PWD candidates 42 years of maximum age.

Where can one apply for UPSC exam?

Registration for UPSC is done online. Candidates can visit the official website of UPSC for registration form and other important guidelines.

How many attempts are allowed in UPSC Exam?

Number of attempts vary from candidate to candidate depending on his/her category.

  • General – 6 attempts
  • OBC – 9 attempts
  • SC/ST – unlimited attempts till the age criteria is fulfilled
  • PWD – unlimited attempts till the age criteria is fulfilled

In what language is the Exam and Interview taken?

Exam paper is available in both Hindi and English Language, candidate can choose any one of them. Same goes for the interview. Candidate can speak in which ever language he/she is comfortable from the options provided.

Is there negative marking in UPSC?

Yes, UPSC exam include negative marking for every wrong answer.

Does one needs to have studied a subject in Graduation if he/she wants to select that subject as a optional for UPSC?

No, it is not necessary to have studied the subject in Graduation to opt it as a optional. A candidate can choose any subject for optional section from the provided list of subjects.

What is the paper pattern for UPSC?

UPSC Civil Services Examination is held in three stages:

  • Preliminary

Paper I – It is for 200 marks. Time duration is 2 hours for 100 questions.

Paper II – It is for 200 marks. Time duration is 2 hours for 80 questions.

  • Mains

Paper A & Paper B – They both are for 300 marks each. Time duration for each is 3 hours.

Paper I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII – They all are for 250 marks each with a time duration of 3 hours respectively.

  • Interview

This round is for 275 marks

What is the reservation system in UPSC?

There is around 16% to 25% of vacancy reservations for categories like OBC, SC/ST and PWD. Reservation system can also be observed in criteria like age and number of attempts.

What all does UPSC exam include in it’s syllabus?

Preliminary

Paper I

  • Current Events of National and International importance, history, geography, polity, economics, environmental studies and general science.

Paper II

  • Comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical skills, decision making and problem solving, general mental ability and basic numeracy.

Mains

Paper A & B

  • Indian language, Comprehension, precis writing, usage and vocabulary, short essays and translations.

Paper I

  • Essays

Paper II

  • Indian heritage and culture, world history, Indian society and geography.

Paper III

  • Indian Constitution, Indian Polity, Social Justice, Indian governance and International relations.

Paper IV

  • Indian Economy, science and technology, environment and biodiversity, disaster management and security.

Paper V

  • Ethics and human interface, attitude, aptitude, emotional intelligence, ethics in public administration, probity in governance.

Paper VI &VII

  • Optional subject

What all services are included under UPSC?

Various government services exam conducted by UPSC are:

  • Civil Services
  • Engineering Service
  • Indian forestry services
  • Central Armed Police Forces
  • Indian Economic Services and Indian Statistical services
  • Combined Medical Services
  • Railway services

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