IAS : Exam pattern

Examination
All India Combined Competitive Examination for the Civil Services conducted by the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) comprises of two successive stages:
Preliminary Examination: It is of objective type, which is a qualifying examination.
Main Examination: It consists of written examination and interview.
The Preliminary Examination is held in May/June and the Main Examination in October/November. One must begin
preparations of the main exam along with preliminary exam. This is because there is little time for the Main exam if
one waits for the results of the Preliminaries.
A candidate is permitted 4 attempts at the examination. If a person appears in the Preliminary Exam or even appears
in one paper, it is counted as an attempt.
Selection to the Indian Forest Service, on the other hand, is on the basis of a written test held in the month of
July/August every year. The test comprises: two compulsory papers (General English and General Knowledge); and
additional papers in any two subjects chosen from the following options: agriculture / botany / chemistry / physics /
geology / zoology / mathematics / agricultural engineering / chemical engineering / civil engineering / mechanical
engineering , excepting combinations of agriculture and agricultural engineering , chemistry and chemical
engineering.
Examination Papers:
Preliminary Examination The preliminary examination consists of two papers:
Paper I -- General Studies 150 marks
Paper II -- An Optional subject 300 marks
Subjects for Paper II (one subject to be selected): Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Botany,
Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, Indian History,
Law, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology,
Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology.
Both the papers will be of objective type questions (multiple choice). The question papers are set in Hindi as well as
in English. The course content for the optional subjects will be of the degree level. Each paper is of two hours
duration. Blind candidates are allowed an extra time of 20 minutes for each paper.
Main Examination It Consists of the following papers:
Paper I - One Indian language (selected by the candidate) 300 marks
Paper II - English 300 marks
Paper III - Essay 200 marks
Paper IV&V - General Studies 300 marks each
Paper VI-IX - Any two subjects (optional papers to be selected by the candidate) with two papers each 300
marks for each.
Each paper is of 3 hours duration.
Optional Papers: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering,
Commerce, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, Indian History, Law, Mathematics, Mechanical
Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology,
Statistics, Zoology. The following combinations not allowed are:
Political Science & International Relations and Public Administration
Commerce and Management
Anthropology and Sociology
Maths and Statistics
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
Management and Public Administration
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science and Medical Science
Any two branches of engineering.
Interview
The final stage of selection is the interview which is conducted in April/May every year. Candidate will be asked
questions on matters of general interest. The object is to assess the personal suitability and judge the mental caliber
of the candidate. The candidate must exhibit an intelligent interest in events happening around him so that he
appears to be a complete personality.
There is also a medical test, especially rigid for IPS. Out of the final candidates selected top rankers are appointed as
IAS officers.
Once appointed, all probationary officers of the All India and Central Services undergo a compulsory foundation
training.