Selection process
Three stages, one merit list
Stage 01
Preliminary Examination
An objective screening round — its marks are not counted in the final merit list, but you have to clear it to reach Mains.
- GS Paper I — 100 questions, 200 marks, decides the cut-off
- CSAT (GS Paper II) — 80 questions, qualifying only, 33% needed
- Both papers objective (MCQ), 2 hours each, same day
- 1/3rd negative marking on wrong answers
Stage 02
Main Examination
The descriptive stage that carries the real weight — 1750 marks that go directly into your final rank.
- 9 papers total: Essay, GS I–IV, 2 Optional papers, 2 language papers
- 2 language papers (English + Indian language) are qualifying only
- 7 remaining papers count for merit — 250 marks each
- 3 hours per paper, held over several days
Stage 03
Personality Test (Interview)
A 275-mark interview before a UPSC panel, added to your Mains score for the final rank.
- Around twice the number of vacancies are called
- Assesses judgement, awareness and communication — not rote knowledge
- Usually 20–30 minutes, conducted in Delhi
- Final rank = Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 marks
| Stage | Nature | Marks | Counted for merit? |
|---|
| Prelims — GS Paper I | Objective | 200 | No (screening only) |
| Prelims — CSAT (Paper II) | Objective, qualifying | 200 | No |
| Mains — 7 merit papers | Descriptive | 1750 | Yes |
| Mains — 2 language papers | Descriptive, qualifying | 600 | No |
| Interview | Personality test | 275 | Yes |
Exam dates, vacancy numbers and minor pattern details are notified fresh by UPSC each year — always cross-check against the current official notification at upsconline.nic.in before finalising your strategy.
