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IAS PLANNER for Freshers
CONTENTS
1. About the Civil Services Examination
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Nature of The Exam
All India Services
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
Indian Railway Services (IRaS)
The Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
Training
Civil Servants: Pay Scales
2. Civil Services as a Career
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21-40
Exam Process
A. Preliminary Examination
B. Mains Examination
Personality Test (Interview)
6. General Strategy of Civil Services Exam
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19-20
Preliminary Examination
Main Examination
Interview Test
5. Anatomy of the Civil Services Exam
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14-19
Procedure of Examination
Academic Eligibility
Other Eligibility Conditions
4. Scheme of Civil Services Examination
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12-14
What are the Prospects for Engineering & Science Stream Students?
IAS Salary
Perks, Benefits & Facilities Enjoyed by IAS Officers
Nature of Works
3. Notification & Eligibility Criteria
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4-12
Choosing Civil Services as a Career Goal
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40-43
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Selection of Optional Subjects
Selection of Medium of Exam
Importance of General Studies
Taking Your First Attempt
Taking Your Further Attempts
7. The Mantra to Crack Civil Services Exam
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43-48
Hard Work
Dedication
Patience
Self-Confidence
Faith in God/Luck
Time Management
Writing Skills
Examination Tacties
Examination Tacties
Use of Internet
Strategy for Freshers
Role of Coaching Institute
General Trend of Marks
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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48-49
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About the Civil Services Examination
NATURE OF THE EXAM
Before taking any exam aspirants should understand the very nature of exam, it will give them a clear
understanding about the exam process, it exam structure and the other aspects of the exam, in all at the first
stance we should understand the exam and set our target and strategy accordingly. It is common trend that
UPSC issues notification in the first week of December, (for the next exam year) in The Employment News
but we have seen last year and this year also that it has published the notification in FEB. For the clear
understanding and the whole exam one should studied complete notification carefully. The notification can
also be downloaded from UPSC official website www.upsc.gov.in
Every aspirants has its dream to become an IAS officer, it is one of the coveted service in the country, yes
there are private sector which are offering high perks and benefits but still Civil Service has its own charm.
Over the number of aspirants are very high and accordingly the vacancies are very low, in any year of
notification the vacancies is only about 800-1000. So here to understand the nature of the exam is
significant. Aspirants before get into the preparation should be very sure about the pre-requisites and the
very requirements of the examination. As the nature of the exam suggests that whole full time preparation is
required. The exam has its competitiveness that comes with hard work. Aspirants needs to start there
preparation at least one year before for the first attempt, as the whole exam process takes one year thus two
year of completely rigorous and devoted preparation are very much required for the exam.
Every competitive exam has its own nature, understanding the nature of the exam is half way towards the
success. Our preparation should be focused on what exactly examination expects from the aspirants rather
what aspirants expects from the exam. The nature of exam suggests that your preparation should be relative
instead of absolute. Aspirants are required to be better than the other aspirants. So before preparation I
would suggest the aspirants to have clear idea and understanding of the exam and contemplate thoroughly.
First of look yourself at evaluate that are you fit for the job or not, if yes then go ahead. Read as much as you
can for the understanding of the exam, there are several articles, blogs are available. Make a realistic
assessment of the effort that is required for the exam and put yourself accordingly. Rational self assessment
always helps. Remember do not set you target which is based on your past laurels and achievements as this
exam is not testing intelligence as defined in the conventional sense. The exam is looking for broad-based
individuals with opinions. It is important to know the exam, what is the nature of exam. For instance it is an
All India Exam; it has three tier, prelims, mains and Interview. What is the exam process is also required to
know before opting to get into the preparation.
Thus think twice before taking the plunge. But make sure that if once you have made the choice to become
an IAS, there should be no looking back. During the whole process you might face failure, sometimes you
will doubt your ability, may have to start from square one after reaching up to the last stage. Here is the real
test of your mental strengths rather than your intellectual abilities. In one way or another the whole process
of exam is a life changing one, whether you come out successful or unsuccessful. It matters a lot for the life
of yours and your loved ones. You have to sail through each and every aspects of all these events.
At the same time it becomes essential to make a realistic assessment of your potential otherwise the
optimum years of your career are lost in chasing a subtle target. It is advisable to prepare yourself for the
civil service in the graduation years by identifying the weak and strong points and familiarizing yourself
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with the syllabus and pattern of examination. It is seen that those who have taken the exam as soon as they
become eligible are better than then the others so it is best to take the exam as soon as you are eligible.
However here keep your other options open for your career as a safety net.
What is UPSC?
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Indianisation of the superior Civil Services became one of the major
demands of the political movement compelling the British Indian Government to consider setting up of a
Public Service Commission for recruitment to its services in the territory. The first Public Service
Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926. The Constituent Assembly, after independence, with the
promulgation of the new Constitution for independent India on 26th January, 1950, this Public Service
Commission was accorded a constitutional status as an autonomous entity and given the title - Union Public
Service Commission.
Constitutional Provisions: the UPSC is an constitutional body in the sense that it is directly created by the
Constitution of India. It has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. Usually, the
Commission constitutes 9 to 11 members including the Chairman.
The UPSC is the central recruiting agency in India. The major role played by the Commission is to select
persons to man the various Central Civil Services and Posts and the Services common to the Union and
States (viz. All-India Services). Under the Constitution one of the functions of the Commission is to conduct
examinations for appointment to Civil Services/Posts of the Union. The Commission usually conducts over
a dozen examinations every year on an all India basis. These include Examinations for recruitment to
services/posts in various fields, such as Civil Services, Engineering, Medical and Forest Service, etc.
1. Civil Services Examination
2. Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
3. Engineering Service Examination (IES)
4. Indian Economic & Stastical Service (IES/ISS)
5. Geologist Examination
6. Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination (SCRA)
7. Combined Medical Services (CMS)
8. Central Police Forces (CPF)
9. Combined Defence Service (CDS)
10. National Defence & Naval Academy (NDA/NA)
At present the Union Public Service Commission conduct their examinations at numerous venues spread
over 42 regularcenters throughout the country. There are several other Public Service Commission i.e. Uttar
Pradesh(UPPSC), Bihar(BPSC), Jharkhand(JPSC), Madhya Pradesh(MPSC), Rajasthan(RPSC), etc. public
service commission.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission
Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission
Assam Public Service Commission
Bihar Public Service Commission
Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission
Goa Public Service Commission
Gujarat Public Service Commission
Haryana Public Service Commission
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9. Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission
10. Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission
11. Jharkhand Public Service Commission
12. Karnataka Public Service Commission
13. Kerala Public Service Commission
14. Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission
15. Manipur Public Service Commission
16. Maharashtra Public Service Commission
17. Meghalaya Public Service Commission
18. Mizoram Public Service Commission
19. Nagaland Public Service Commission
20. Orissa Public Service Commission
21. Punjab Public Service Commission
22. Rajasthan Public Service Commission
23. Sikkim Public Service Commission
24. Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
25. Tripura Public Service Commission
26. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission
27. Uttaranchal Public Service Commission
28. West Bengal Public Service Commission
The civil service has always attracted the best in the country. This is a three stage recruiting process. The
Civil Services Examination (CSE) offers the widest range of jobs in our country and is conducted by the
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). There are about twenty-six (24) services offered through this
single examination.But, most popular among them are Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police
Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) , Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Customs & Central
Excise Services, etc. along with the other central services. Recruitment is made in the following services
through Civil Services Exam
1
Indian Administrative Service ( IAS )
2
Indian Foreign Service ( IFS )
3
Indian Police Service ( IPS )
GROUP–A SERVICES
4
Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service
5
Indian Audit & Accounts Service
6
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise)
7
Indian Defence Accounts Service
8
Indian Revenue Service (I.T)
9
Indian Ordnance Factories Service Group –A (Asst. manager, Non-technical)
10 Indian Postal Service
11 Indian Civil Accounts Service
12 Indian Railway Traffic Service
13 Indian Railway Account Service
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14 Indian Railway Personnel Service
15 Posts of Assistant Security Officer, Group-A in Railway Protection Force
16 Indian Defence Estates Service
17 Indian Information Service(Junior Grade)
18 Indian Trade Service
19 Indian Corporate Law Service
GROUP – B SERVICES
20 Armed Forces, Headquarters Civil Service,(Section Officer’s Grade)
21 Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service, Group B
22 Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Service
23 Pondicherry Civil Service
24 Pondicherry Civil Service
Courtesy: upsc.gov.in
All India Services
The recruitment to these services is made through the UPSC on the basis of the annual civil service exam, a
competitive exam. IAS, IPS, IFS is considered as All India Services while others services recruited through
this civil services exam is known as Central Services. The officers of the All India Services are recruited and
trained by the federal Union Government ("the Centre") and serve in the various State Government("the
States") as well as Centre (which is why the IRSis a "central service" instead of an All India Service as they
work only in the Central Government). Officers are organized into cadres, derived from the states they are
allotted to work in for as long as they continue to be a member of the respective Service. Twenty-four states
have their own cadre, but there are also three joint cadres: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram
and Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Union Territories.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
IAS is topmost service in the civil services exam. Among 1000 vacancies only those who secure their
position under could make into the IAS service. IAS officers holds several key positions in the government.
During the normal course of an IAS career, they are posted at the Sub-Division, and District, and serve in
the State Secretariat or as Head of Departments. They might be posted in the Centre.
The work definition of an IAS officer would encompass framing, modifying, interpreting and
Implementation of policy matters in the Government of India (i.e. in the ministries). Implementation entails
disbursement of funds, which calls for personal supervision. In each Ministry you will supervise the
allotment and utilization of funds by the field officers in your Ministry.
Half of an IAS career has spent in the State where they have allocated. During the initial year of two years
probation you will be attached to various training schools, to the Secretariat and field offices and to a district
collector's office. After the completion probation an IAS be appointed as a Sub Divisional Magistrate
(SDM). Here you will look after law and order, general administration, revenue work and such
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developmental work as may be assigned to you. In the next three scales i.e.. Senior Scale, Junior
Administrative Grade and Selection Grade an IAS have to serve as District Magistrate, Director of any
government department, Chief Managing Director of a Public Sector Unit. In the super time scale they
appointed as Secretaries or Divisional Commissioners. The highest post in the State is that of the Chief
Secretary. At the top of the hierarchy of IAS officers is the Cabinet Secretary followed by Secretary/
Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Under Secretary and then the Junior Scale Officers.
The Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
India has a vast natural resource for the balanced and all round development of these resources vast
machinery are also required. India has an area of 635,400 km2 designated as forests, about 19.32 percent of
the country. India forest is one of them. The Indian Forest Service( IFS) is the Forestry service of India. It is
one of the three All India Services of the Government of India. Service was created in 1966 for protection,
conservation, and regeneration of forest resources. Selected candidates are sent for foundation training at the
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussourie. This is followed by Forest Servicespecific orientation at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy at Dehradun, with training on forest and
wildlife management, soil conservation,surveying, Scheduled Tribes, and handling weapons.
After completing the academies, candidates go through a year of on-the-job field training in the state to
which he or she is assigned. There is a probationary period three years during which they are posted as
Assistant Conservators of Forests. On completion of this,and after a total period of four years of service in
the junior scale, officers are appointed to the Senior Time Scale and are entitled to be posted as the Deputy
Conservators of Forests or Divisional Forest Officers in charge of districts/forest divisions.
Ranks of the Indian Forest Service are as follows:
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Probationary Officer / Assistant Conservator of Forests
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Conservator of Forests (CFs)
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCFs)
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Addl. PCCFs)
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) - highest post in a State
Director General of Forests - highest post at Centre, selected from amongst the senior-most PCCFs
of states.
Indian Police Service (IPS)
The Indian Police Service simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the
Government of India. The IPS is not a law enforcement agency; rather it is a civil service in which officers
are selected on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations, and to which all
police officers are professionally identified. Indian Police officers are employed by the police departments
of respective states of India. During the probation period an IPS has to undergo two year of the job training
in the office of a Superintendent of Police of a district in the State you have been allocated .On completing
your two year probation, you will be confirmed as a three star Assistant Superintendent of Police (A.S.P.).
As Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police of a District and as Deputy Inspector General
of a Range you will be exclusively responsible for the prevention and detection of crime. In cities like Delhi,
Mumbai and Bangalore, the law and order duties are the exclusive responsibility of the police force. In these
cities the ASP, SP, and the DIG are called Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACPO), Deputy
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Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Commissioner of Police (CP). The Director General of Police (DG) is
the head of the entire Police force of a state.
With the passage of time Indian Police Service's objectives were updated and redefined, the rules and
functions of an Indian Police Service Officer are as follows:
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To fulfill duties based on border responsibilities, in the areas of maintenance of public peace and
order, crime prevention, investigation, and detection, collection of intelligence, VIP security,
counter-terrorism, border policing, railway policing, tackling smuggling, drug trafficking, economic
offences, corruption in public life, disaster management, enforcement of socio-economic legislation,
bio-diversity and protection of environmental laws etc.
Leading and commanding the Indian Intelligence Agencies like Research and Analysis Wing
(R&AW), Intelligence Bureau(IB), Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI), Crime Investigation
Department (CID) etc., Indian Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil and Armed Police Forces
in all the states and union territories.
Leading and commanding the Para-Military Forces of India (PMF) which include the Central Police
Organisations (CPO) and Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) such as Border Security Force (BSF),
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard
(NSG), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Vigilance Organisations, Indian Federal Law
Enforcement Agencies.
Serve at head of the departments in policy making in the Ministries and Departments of Central and
State Governments and public sector undertakings both at centre and states, Government of India.
To interact and coordinate closely with the members of other All India Services and Central Civil
Services and also with the Indian Armed Forces primarily with the elite Indian Army.
Endeavour to inculcate in the police forces under their command such values and norms as would
help them serve the people better.
Inculcate integrity of the highest order, sensitivity to aspirations of people in a fast-changing social
and economic milieu, respect for human rights, broad liberal perspective of law and justice and high
standard of professionalism.
Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service of the Government of India. It is one of the Central
Civil Services (Group A). The Service functions under the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of
Finance and is concerned with the collection and administration of the various direct and indirect taxes
accruing to the Union Government.IRS comprises two branches - IRS (Customs and Central Excise) and
IRS (Income Tax), which are controlled by two separate statutory bodies, viz., Central Board of Excise and
Customs (CBEC) and Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT) respectively.
Under the service of Indian Revenue Service your major work is to earn money for the exchequer. The
nature job is “officer oriented” as you are involved in all the processes from investigation to decisions and
policy planning. Starting with Assistant Commissioner (AC), members of the IRS usually rise up to the
designation of Chief Commissioner (CC). Some senior-most members serve as Chairpersons or Members of
Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT), Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Customs, Excise and
Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) and Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). IRSs training
conducted in the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur. Being Central Government Servants, The
members of the service are liable to be posted anywhere in the country and are thus truly national in
character. The respective Boards are authorized by the statute to regulate the transfer and promotion policies
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governing the members of the service. This helps in keeping the services highly apolitical and their technical
nature keeps them more professional and skill oriented.
Indian Railway Services (IRaS)
Indian railway is Asia’s largest and second largest railway in the world it is life line of the country. It caters
movement of traffic of both freight and passenger and also supporting economic growth and promoting
national intregration.The recruitment of Group 'A' gazetted employees is carried out by the Union Public
Service Commission through exams conducted by it. These are following list of Group A services which are
recruited by the UPSC of India.
UPSC Civil Services Exam
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Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’.
Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'.
Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’.
Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’
UPSC Engineering Services Exam
Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Group ‘A’
Indian Railway Stores Service, Group ‘A’
Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers, Group ‘A’
Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers, Group ‘A’
Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers, Group ‘A’
Indian Foreign Services
Indian Foreign Services comes second in the civil services exam there are a few who get this coveted service
as the number of vacancies is about 10-20 every year. IFS has been trained at Mussoorie, and after training
the I.F.S. probationers are attached to the Ministry of External Affairs and have to become conversant in a
major foreign language. After this in the second year they are appointed in Indian Embassy/High
Commission where that language is spoken and they spend another two years in the same Embassy. After
two postings abroad, the I.F.S. Officers are posted in India in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Here
major work to be done is to look after India's political, economic and commercial work. In the Selection
Grade I.F.S. Officers serve as Counsellors. In very small countries the Indian Ambassador would be in that
grade.
In the supertime scale, many I.F.S. Officers become Ambassadors of medium sized countries. In the
Additional Secretaries Grade, I.F.S. Officers are made ambassadors in relatively big embassies of Deputy
High Commissioner in London. The biggest Indian Embassies / High Commissions like Moscow,
Washington and London are headed by Ambassadors of the rank of Secretary.
Training
In the present form, the identified institutions offer training programmes designed in consultation with the
Department of Personnel and Training. The civil service system at the Centre provides for induction training
to probationers. All new entrants called probationers (IAS,IPS,IRS etc.) first undergo a 4-month Foundation
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What candidate will get:
1. All the relevant and required materials of subjects mention in the GS syllabus like:
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100% IAS Exam Syllabus Covered with MCQs.
History of India and Indian National Movement.
Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights
Issues, etc.
Economic and Social Development -Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics,
Social Sector initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require
subject specialisation
General Science.
Current Affairs.
2. Home assignment: where Multiple Choice Questions of the learned chapters will be
given for self evaluation.
3. Important current affairs materials for civil services preliminary examination will be
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4. Online Tests will be conducted after the end of each subject.
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Course(common to all officers recruited through CSE) at Lal Bhadur Shastri National Academy of
Administration, Mussoorie. After the completion of the foundation course, the probationers are sent to their
respective institutes for professional training, while the IAS probationers continue to stay at the Academy
for their professional training. The probationers of the Indian Foreign Service are trained at Delhi. After
completing the foundation the probationers of the Police Service are trained at Sardar Vallavbhai Patel
National Police Academy, Hyderabad. The probationers of the Indian Revenue Service are trained at
National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpurfor the officers of IRS (IT) and at National Academy of
Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), Faridabad for the officers of IRS (C&CE).
Civil Servants: Pay Scales
Approximately the range of salaries drawn at various levels is as
follows:
Promotional Grades For Civil Servants:
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Scale Position/Job (Pre-Revised)
Junior Officer Scale Work in their allotted States
(Pay Band/ PB-3 15600 - 39100 + Grade Pay/GP 5400)
Senior Scale Officer (Under Secretary GOI level)
(PB-3 15600 - 39100 + GP 6600)
Junior Administrative Grade (after 9 years Deputy Secretary GOI level)
(PB-3 15600 - 39100 + GP 7600)
Selection Grade (after 14th year) (Directors/Deputy Secretary)
(PB-4 37400 - 67000 + 8700)
Super time Scale B (DIG grade(IPS)/Conservator of Forest(IFS) etc)
(between 14 to 16th year of service)
(PB-4 37400 - 67000 + 8900)
Super Time Scale or Senior Administrative Grade (Joint Secretary GOI Level)
(between 17th to 18th year)
(PB-4 37400 - 67000 + 10000)
Above Super Time Scale or Higher Administrative Grade/Additional Secretary GOI Level (after at
least 25 years of service) (67000 - annual increment @3% -79000)
Apex Time Scale (75000 - annual increment @3% -80000) (This scale exist for certain services like
IPS/IFS/IA & AS/IRS etc.)
Apex Scale 80000 (fixed) (Secretary GOI Level) (after 30 years of service)
Consolidated 90000 (fixed) Cabinet Secretary ( Only for IAS one post at the Centre)
In addition to the salary civil servants receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, City
compensatory Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical and subsidized housing.
Hierarchy: The members of the All-India civil service start as Deputy Secretaries and normally go up to the
level of Joint Secretaries. There is no lateral entry in the All-India services. Only at the level of Secretary to
the Government of India, specialists are taken as Secretaries. Only 5% of the members of the All-India
services reach the top position of Secretary to Government. The post of Cabinet Secretary to the
Government of India, the highest in the Indian civil service, has remained the privilege only of the officers
of the IAS.
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Equivalent Ranks:
S Indian Administrative Service
No
(IAS)
1 Assistant Collector
Indian Police
Service (IPS)
Assistant
Superintendent of
Police
Indian Forest
Service (IFoS)
Assistant
Conservator of
Forests
Indian Revenue
Service (IRS)
Assistant Commissioner
of Income Tax
Additional
Collector/Deputy
Deputy
Superintendent of
Conservator of
2 Commissioner/Deputy Secretary
Police/ Superintendent
/ Deputy Directors
Forests
of Police
Deputy Commissioner
of Income Tax
Collector/ Deputy
Commissioner / Additional
3
Secretary / Joint Secretary /
Directors
Deputy
Senior Superintendent
Conservator of
of Police
Forests
Joint Commissioner of
Income Tax
4
Deputy Inspector
General of Police
Conservator of
Forests
Additional
Commissioner of
Income Tax
Inspector General of
Police
Chief Conservator Commissioner of
of Forests
Income Tax
Additional Director
General of Police
Additional
Principal Chief
Conservator of
Forests
Chief Commissioner of
Income tax
7
Director General of
Police
Principal Chief
Conservator of
Forests
Director General of
Customs &
Excise/Board &
Tribunal Members
8
Principal Chief
Director General of
Conservator of
Police (Head of State) Forests (Head of
State)
5
6
Secretary/ Commissioner &
Secretary
Principal Secretary/Financial
Commissioners
Chief Secretary/Chairman
Administrative Tribunal etc
CBDT Chairman/Board
Chairman etc
Civil Services as a Career
What are the Prospects for Engineering & Science Stream
Students?
Civil services is the premier job in the country, every second students wants to become a civil servant. But
as compare to the private sector this job offers less at some instances their perks and salary are three times
high. Even though private sector offers best of salaries a majority of students as well as parents wants their
children to be an IAS officer. Here it is true that it doesn’t offer perks and benefits as other sectors (private
etc.) are offering but it offers an opportunity to lead and to work with the common people and at the
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grassroots level. It always gives you opportunity and chance to impact people's lives across a variety of
domains such as health, education, water, sanitation, roads and electricity. In the private sector job you
won’t get such privilege. However, the debate is still on whether the civil services should be a best career
option for young people or not will remain unanswered. The very nature of work of civil servant is not only
to maintain law and order but also implementing programmes of the popularly elected governments as heads
of district administration to jobs at the United Nations and the World Bank, formulating policies which
touch the lives of millions of people across the globe. It is always being asked that is civil service as a career
suits Engineering graduate, at some extend it doesn’t suit because it couldn’t offer what they are offering but
it offers above all Salary of IAS Officer.
IAS Salary
IAS salary structure consists of four Pay Scales: Junior Scale, Senior Scales, Super Time Scale, and Above
Super Time Scale. Each of the pay scale further consists of different pay bands.
Junior Scale
Pay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 5400
This would be the salary of new recruits. Along with this basic pay a civil servant is also entitled to HRA,
DA and other allowances.
Senior Scales
(i) Senior Time Scale: An IAS Officer is promoted to the Senior Time Scale usually after 7-9 years of
service.
Pay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 6600
(ii) Junior Administrative Grade
Pay Band: Rs 15600-39100 Grade Pay Rs 7600
At this level an IAS is generally a Deputy Secretary in the State Secretariat or the Municipal Commissioner
in the field.
(iii) Selection Grade
Pay Band: Rs 37400-67000 Grade Pay Rs 8700
In this Selection Grade an IAS Officer will be the Joint Secretary in the State Government or a Deputy
Secretary in the Central Government.
Super Time Scale
Pay Band: Rs 37400-67000 Grade Pay Rs 10000
At this level of the IAS hierarchy an IAS has most probably be the Secretary of some state government
department or could be posted at the Centre in the position of Joint Secretary. It takes about 20 years to
reach the
Super Time Scale.
Above Super Time Scale
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There are three Pay Bands in this scale.
Rs 37400-67000. Grade Pay of Rs 12000.
The Apex Pay Scale of Rs 80000 (fixed). No Grade Pay.
Cabinet Secretary Grade of Rs 90000 (fixed). No Grade Pay.
The IAS officers in the Super Time Scale includes Senior Secretaries, Chief Secretaries, Secretaries in the
Central Government and the Cabinet Secretary, the highest position an IAS officer can aspire for in life.to
work with the people whom we belongs to. Apart from all the to become an engineer certain qualities are
required such as honesty, objectivity, creativity, diligence, independence of thought, and respect for time. In
the developing country like India these same qualities is required administrators. They have good knowledge
of science and engineering, such skills are considered as a best suited for an administrative career. If we see
the results of past years a significant number of engineering graduates have passed - indeed topped - the
Civil Services examinations.
Perks, Benefits & Facilities Enjoyed by IAS Officers
IAS officers get rent free accommodation or accommodation at very low rent, official vehicle, house help,
free electricity and other such facilities. At the posting at the PSUs an IAS officer enjoys all the benefits that
regular PSU employees are entitled to in addition to benefits meant for IAS officers only. This is an added
bonus of the IAS. All these facilities are extended to the retired Civil Servants also, they also entitled to
subsidized accommodation, telephone and transport facilities etc.
Nature of Works
The nature of work attached to a Civil servant officer is administration in nature. It involves interaction with
people at each and every levels of the society. The work and decision taken by an IAS has been affected to
many lives, thus responsible decision-making is another important aspect of this work. Civil servant are also
required to travel extensively as their nature of job demands all these, both during inspection tours of the
areas under their jurisdiction in the country, or as in the IFS, the world. In general rule, the initial years of an
officer’s career are spent in the districts and small towns. Over year they have promoted to the senior grades,
where the area of responsibility is wider, posting are usually to bigger cities, state capitals or at the center.
Other important tasks of Civil Servants are Policy Formulation and implementation, supervision and its
assessment, Planning etc.
Notification & Eligibility Criteria
Procedure of Examination
The whole examination procedure is being conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Usually
notification of the examination is made in December/January/Feburary. The examination consists of three
tier: Preliminary, Mains and Personality Test. Preliminary exams held in the month of May/ June. This is
followed by the Main Written Examination and a personal Interview. Final result and ranking has been made
by the performance in the Mains exam. The candidates are then allotted to various services on the basis of
their ranks and the preferences expressed by them.
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Academic Eligibility
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A degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in
India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a
Deemed University under the UGC Act, 1956, or an equivalent qualification.
Candidates who have appeared or intend to appear for the qualifying examination and are awaiting
results are also eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination. All such candidates who qualify
to appear for the Civil Services Main Examination must produce proof of having passed the said
examination along with their application for the Main Examination.
The UPSC may in exceptional cases treat a candidate without the requisite qualification as an
eligible candidate if he / she has passed an examination conducted by other standard institutions that
justifies his / her admission in the opinion of the Commission.
Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as
equivalent to professional and technical degrees.
Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination but are yet to
complete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However they must submit along
with their Main Examination application, a certificate from the concerned authority of the University
/ Institution that they have passed the final professional medical examination. At the Interview stage
they must then produce a certificate from a competent authority that they have completed (including
internship) all the requirements for the award of the Medical Degree
Other Eligibility Conditions
Nationality
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Only Indian nationals are eligible for IAS and IPS.
For other services a candidate can be either of the following:
a. a citizen of India,
b. a subject of Nepal,
c. a subject of Bhutan,
d. a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently
settling in India, or
e. a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam, Zaire or Zambia with the intention of permanently settling
in India.
Candidates belonging to either categories of b., c., d. or e. must produce an eligibility certificate issued by
the Government of India. Those who belong to either of b., c. or d. categories are not eligible for
appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Age Limit
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A candidate must have attained 21 years and not be over 30 years on August 1 of the year of
examination.
The upper age limit for the post of Assistant Commandant - Group A in CISF is 28 years only.
The upper age limit is relaxed in specific cases as mentioned below:
a. upto a maximum of 5 years if the candidate belongs to SC/ST.
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b. upto a maximum of 3 years if the candidate belongs to Other Backward Classes.
c. upto a maximum of 5 years if the candidate had been domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir during the period
between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1989.
d. upto a maximum of 3 years in the case of Defence Services personnel disabled during hostilities with
foreign countries or in a disturbed area and consequently released.
e. upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs /
SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on August 1 of the year of examination and
have been released:
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on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one
year from August 1 of the year of examination) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on
account of misconduct or inefficiency, or
on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service, or
on invalidment.
f. upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ECOs / SSCOs who have completed an initial period of
assignment (5 years Military Service) as on August 1 of the year of examination and whose assignment has
been extended beyond 5 years. Such candidates will have to provide a certificate from the Ministry of
Defence stating that they can apply for civil employment and they will be released on a notice of 3 months,
upon selection, from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.
g. upto a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped candidates.
The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School
Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in
an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, which extract must be certified by the
proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate. These
certificates are required to be submitted only at the time of applying for the Civil Services (Main)
Examination.
No other document relating to age like horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts from Municipal Corporation,
service records and the like will be accepted.
The expression Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate in this part of the instruction includes the
alternative certificates mentioned above.
Number of attempts :
Every candidate appearing at the examination who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted four attempts at
the examination. Provided that this restriction on the number of attempts will not apply in the case of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates who are otherwise eligible. Provided further that the
number of attempts permissible to candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes, who are otherwise
eligible shall be seven. The relaxation will be available to the candidates who are eligible to avail of
reservation applicable to such candidates.
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Provided further that a physically handicapped will get as many attempts as are available to other nonphysically handicapped candidates of his or her community, subject to the condition that a physically
handicapped candidate belonging to the General Category shall be eligible for seven attempts. The
relaxation will be available to the physically handicapped candidates who are eligible to avail of reservation
applicable to such candidates.
NOTE :
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An attempt at a Preliminary Examination shall be deemed to be an attempt at the Examination.
If a candidate actually appears in any one paper in the Preliminary Examination, he/she shall be
deemed to have made an attempt at the Examination.
Notwithstanding the disqualification cancellation of candidature, the fact of appearance of the
candidate at the examination will count as an attempt.
Number of Attempts and Age Limit
Category Age Limits No. of Attempts
Minimum Maximum
General 21 30 (by AUG of Exam Year) 4
OBC 21 33(by AUG of Exam Year) 7
SC/ST 21 35(by AUG of Exam Year) Not Applicable
Blind, deaf-mute and Orthopaedically handicapped persons 10 years i.e. 40 10
Restrictions on applying for the examination:
A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Foreign Service on the
results of an earlier examination and continues to be a member of that service will not be eligible to compete
at this examination.
How to Apply:
There is two ways to apply: Offline and Online.
OFFLINE
The UPSC have developed an application form common for all their examinations, which will be processed
on computerised machines. This application form alongwith an Information Brochure containing general
instructions for filling up the form, an acknowledgement card and an envelope for sending the application is
obtainable from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices throughout the country as against cash
payment of Rs. 30/- (Rupees twenty only). Form should be purchased from the designated Post Offices only
and not from any other agency. This form can be used only once and for only one examination. Candidates
must use the form supplied with the Information Brochure only and they should in no case use photocopy /
reproduction / unauthorisedly printed copy of the Form. Since this form is electronically scannable, due care
should be taken to fill up the application form, correctly. While filling up the application form, please refer
to detailed instructions given in the Notice. The duly filled in Application Form with the acknowledgement
card should be sent to - Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi - 110011.
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ONLINE
Candidates may apply online using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.in Detailed instructions for filling
up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.
Salient features of the system of Online Application Form are given hereunder :
• Detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.
• Candidates will be required to complete the Online Application Form containing two stages viz. Part-I and
Part-II as per the instructions available in the above mentioned site through drop down menus.
• The candidates applying Online are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees Fifty only)
(excepting Female/SC/ST/PH candidates who are exempted from payment of fee) either by remitting the
money in any branch of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI or by using any Visa/ Master
Credit/Debit Card.
• Before starting filling up of online application, a candidate must have his photograph and signature duly
scanned in the .png or .jpg format in such a manner that each file size should not exceed 40KB each.
FEE :
(a) Candidates applying Online (exempting Female/SC/ST/PH Candidates who are exempted from payment
of fee) are required to pay a reduced fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees Fifty only) either by remitting the money in any
Branch of SBI by Cash, or by using net banking facility of SBI or by using Visa/Master Credit/Debit Card.
(b) Candidates applying Offline (through Common Application Form) are required to pay a fee of Rs. 100/(Rupees One Hundred only) through a single Central Recruitment Stamp. Central Recruitment Fee Stamp
(NOT Postage Stamp) of the requisite denomination may be obtained from the Post Office and affixed on
the application form in the space provided therein. The stamp must be got cancelled from the issuing Post
Office with the date stamp of the Post Office in such a manner that the impression of the cancellation mark
partially overflows on the application form itself but within the space provided on the Application form
itself. The impression of the cancellation mark should be clear and distinct to facilitate the identification of
date and the Post Office of issue.
Candidates residing abroad should deposit the prescribed fee in the office of India's High Commissioner,
Ambassador or representative abroad as the case may be for credit to account head "051-Public Service
Commission-Examination Fees" and attach the receipt with the application.
All female candidates and candidates belonging Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Physically Handicapped
categories are exempted from payment of fee. No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates
and they are required to pay the prescribed fee in full.
Physically disabled persons are exempted from the payment of fee provided they are otherwise eligible for
appointment to the Services/Posts to be filled on the results of this examination on the basis of the standards
of medical fitness for these Services/Posts (including any concessions specifically extended to the physically
disabled). A physically disabled candidate claiming fee concession will be required by the Commission to
submit along with their Detailed Application Form, a certified copy of the certificate from a Government
Hospital/
Medical Board in support of his/her claim for being physically disabled.
Center of Examination:
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AGARTALA CHANDIGARH IMPHAL LUCKNOW RANCHI
AHMEDABAD CHENNAI ITANAGAR MADURAI SAMBALPUR
AIZAWL CUTTACK JAIPUR MUMBAI SHILLONG
ALIGARH DEHRADUN JAMMU NAGPUR SHIMLA
ALLAHABAD DELHI JODHPUR PANAJI (GOA) SRINAGAR
AURANGABAD DHARWAD JORHAT PATNA THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
BANGALORE DISPUR KOCHI PUDUCHERY TIRUPATI
BAREILLY GANGTOK KOHIMA PORT BLAIR UDAIPUR
BHOPAL HYDERABAD KOLKATA RAIPUR VISHAKHAPATNAM
The centres and the date of holding the examination as mentioned above are liable to be changed at the
discretion of the Commission. While every effort will be made to allot the candidates to the centre of their
choice for examination, the Commission may, at their discretion allot a different centre to a candidate, when
circumstances so warrant. Blind candidates will, however, be required to take the examination at any one of
the seven centres viz. Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dispur and Mumbai. Candidates
admitted to the examination will be informed of the time table and place or places of examination.
Scheme of Civil Services Examination
Preliminary Examination
(A) Preliminary Examination | Objective Type/Multiple Choice
Questions
The preliminary exam is the first stage of the whole examination process. The very nature of the exam is to
screen to select to the next level of exam that is mains. It is seen over the approximately five lakh candidates
appear for the Prelims but only less than fifteen thousand made it to the Mains. The introduction of the
Preliminary Examination was introduced to weed out non-serious candidates and select those who are
deserving.
Preliminary Examination is an objective type (four alternatives for every question) exercise meant to serve
as a screening test/qualifying paper only. The exam is usually held in the month of May every year and it
consists of two objective type papers which carry a maximum of 400 marks. Previously, it carried a total of
450 marks and the total number of questions that were asked used to be 270. These included:
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150 questions based on General Knowledge, each carrying one mark, and
120 questions based on the Optional Subject chosen by the candidate, each carriying 2.5 marks.
Now, in the changed pattern, CSAT 2011 or Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2011 onward only
carried 400 marks. Only 180 questions were asked this year. Out of this:
Paper 1. 100 questions based on General Knowledge were asked, each carrying two marks and,
Paper 2. 80 questions based on Aptitude Test were asked.
Except for Question Nos. 73 to 80 in the General Studies Paper II, all the questions both papers had negative
marking. For each wrong answer, 1/3 mark were deducted from the total scores of the candidate. Trend
nowadays has shifted more towards current issues, hence a thorough awareness of recent events/happenings
is mandatory.
Earlier,
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G.S. FOUNDATION COURSE (PRELIMINARY+ MAINS)
Dear Aspirants,
The Indian Civil Services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every
year.
The competitive examination comprises of three stages :
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Preliminary Examination – (Objective Test)
Main Examination (Written )
Interview Test
The examination schedule is announced during January - February.
The Preliminary held in May-June and the results are announced in July-August.
The Main examination held in October-November and the candidates those who qualify at this stage are
invited to the interview in March-April next year.
We will provide you:
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BOOKS
STUDY KITS
MAGAZINES
Mock Test Papers
Monthly Magazine- Civil Services Mentor
Gist of Important Newspapers
Free Access to Online Coaching at IASEXAMPORTAL
Previous Year paper’s with solution
Previous Year question’s trend analysis
Free Login Access worth Rs 1999 for IAS PRE 2015
Free Gist Subscription worth Rs 449
Free Weekly Subscription worth rs 399
TELEPHONIC/EMAIL GUIDANCE WITH COURSE CO-ORDINATOR
For More Information Click Given below link:
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/study-kit/ias-pre/general-studies-foundation-course
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Papers
No. of Questions Marks Duration
I. General Studies
150
150
2 Hours
II. Optional Subjects 120
300
2 Hours
Total
450
270
Now,
Papers
No. of Questions Marks Duration
I. Paper 1 100
200
2 Hours
II. Paper 2 80
200
2 Hours
Total
400
180
Those who passed the Preliminary examination are only eligible for the next stage of the examination. The
Preliminary exam consists 400 marks but the marks obtained in this level examination by the candidates will
not be counted for determining their place in the final order of merit.
Main Examination
(B) Main Examination | Descriptive/Essay Type
The written examination will consist of the following papers:
Paper‐I
Section 1
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Essay 250 Marks
Section 1
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English Comprehension & English Précis (Xth Standard) 100 Marks
Paper‐II
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General Studies - I 250Marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper‐III
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General Studies –II 250 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
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Paper‐IV
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General Studies –III 250 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management)
Paper‐V
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General Studies –IV 250Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Paper‐VI
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Optional Subject – Paper 1 250Marks
Paper‐VII
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Optional Subject – Paper 2 250 Marks
Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks
Personality Test 275 Marks
Grand Total 2025 Marks
Optional Papers:
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Agriculture
Anthropology
Assamese
Chemistry
Chinese
Commerce and Accountancy
Electrical Engineering
French
Geology
Gujarati
Kannada
Konkani
Law
Manipuri
Mathematics
Medical Science
Nepali
Pali
Physics
Psychology
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Punjabi
Sanskrit
Sociology
Tamil
Urdu
Zoology
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
Arabic
Bengali
Botany
Civil Engineering
Economics
English
Geography
German
Hindi
History
Kashmiri
Malayalam
Management
Marathi
Mechanical Engineering
Oriya
Persian
Philosophy
Political Science and International Relations
Public Administration
Russian
Sindhi
Statistics
Telugu
Interview Test
Personality Test or Interview Test is the last level of the Civil Services selection process. It carries 300
marks, though it doesn’t carry much marks but it plays decisive role for the final ranking. One can get more
marks than the other candidates, here it makes difference. Aspirants cannot afford it lightly. The number of
candidates to be summoned for interview will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled. The
interview test is sometimes called and also known as the personality test because of its nature of the Exam.
Anatomy of the Civil Services Exam
Exam Process
Civil servants are the backbone of Indian administration. They plays prominent and central role in the
development of the country, due to the such importance and nature of civil servants, Union public Service
Commission that recruits civil servants takes utmost care in selecting the right candidate for the premier
post. There are several measures are being used to measure their administrative potential. These measures
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are tested through the process of three tier exam i.e. Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and
Interview Test. Thus, aspiring candidates must complete a three-phase process to crack the civil services
exam:
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Phase I: Preliminary Examination – A qualifying test held in May every year
Phase II: Main Examination – Main test, held in October/November every year
Phase III: Interview Test – Held in April/May of the following year
Purpose of the exam The Preliminary Examination tests the numerical ability, awareness of current events,
and the state of mind of the candidate to grapple with administrative issues. The Main Examination tests
his/her grip on the language, general knowledge, and expertise on subjects which he/she takes as options.
The candidates also have to write an essay. The personal interview is final stage of the exam it is considered
as a deciding stage. The Interview is conducted by various boards constituted by the Union Public Service
Commission composed of board chairmen, subject experts, psychologists, and reputed civil servants.
A. Preliminary Examination
This is the first stage of the exam and should never be taken lightly. Candidate should clear it to keep
himself in the race. But it’s never been easy; it is a hard nut to crack. The preparation should be such that
you should not have any doubt about clearing the exam. The prelims should only be a passing phase. If you
prepare well for the mains exam and be clear about the basics, then prelims should not be problem. Now, we
have a brand new syllabus for PRELIMS with two papers, the nature of syllabus requires a candidate more
to concentrate on the General Studies section. Though we have Paper 2 which is more or less an extension of
Paper 1. The new Recruitment Process of Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC is called the CSAT
or the Civil Services Aptitute Test. The CSAT has in effect from the Civil Services Examination, 2011.
CSAT will not only enable us to choose civil servants with right aptitudes but also end the use of scaling
system for varying subjects that has been a matter of concern for many. Earlier it used to be one paper of
General Studies and other is one of the 23 optional subjects offered by the UPSC now the paper 2 has
changed to a new Paper called CSAT. There are no optional subjects as both the subject is common to all
candidates. In one way we can say that preliminary exam is a test of recognition. You have to recognize the
correct answer from given options. So if you are strong in basics this should not be problem. Do not spend
too much time in memorizing facts. It’s fine if you can recognize it. Prepare some mnemonics, which will
help you in recognizing the right answer. One should do as many previous year papers as possible. It will
help you in time management and also in identifying the weak areas. Please remember that this practice
should be right from the beginning and not in the final stages. As the new pattern suggests that aspirants
should focus more on the language skills along with other disciplines.
NEGATIVE MARKING/PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS
Negative marking in the Prelims examination was introduced in 2007 with the idea to select eligible
candidate for the further stages. Also to filter out candidates who get selected on the basis of smart guesses
and luck. Negative marking make paper more complex but its good and suits for the genuine and meritorious
candidates. In the Negative marking there is Penalty for wrong answers marked by the candidate in the
Objective type Question Papers. Except some of the questions where the Negative Marking will be built in
the form of different marks being awarded to most appropriate and not so appropriate answer for such
questions. The underlined sentence must be read carefully as in the PRELIMS 2011 Paper 2 there were
questions which didn’t had any penalty. It was free from negative marking. Candidate should keep in mind.
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There are four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wrong
answer has been given by the candidate, one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will
be deducted as penalty.
If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the
given answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question.
If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that
question.
PAPER I : GENERAL STUDIES
As in the new pattern of the examination General Studies is playing most crucial and decisive role for the
selection, it has its role not only in prelims but also in mains. It suggests not to undermine the General
Studies in any way. General Studies always been a nightmare for both fresheres and experienced candidates.
As the nature of the exam is objective which makes it important to go through every minutest details of the
syllabus and to reproduce it examination. you need to have in depth knowledge of various.
The preparation strategy for Paper I involves various things among good knowledge base, extensive reading,
thorough practice, regular test are important one. The prelims is going to be relatively easier to those
candidate who is adopting integrated. Isolated study approach is no more useful to crack the exam. Isolate
study will land you in isolation. Prelims 2011 confirms this trend. Interdisciplinary learning is the best way
to go forward instead of insolation approach.
We should understand that main objective of Prelims is to test candidates’ range of information. So this
needs to read extensively. And it’s time to give up traditional way of studying and take up fresh challenges
that has emerged and emerging day by day. The nature of question of Prelims exam is factual as well as
analytical, we must keep this aspect in mind. Preliminary examination intends to focus on analytical abilities
and understanding rather than the ability to memorize.
General Studies (GS) has to be prepared with great ease. Because the very nature of this paper any issue
both major and minor can be asked. This means that studying NCERT is good but not sufficient as the
candidate has to cultivate the concepts beyond the conventional perspective. Therefore the preparation of GS
Prelims requires to identify the he most important aspect for the preparation of GS Prelims, therefore, is to
identify the ambiguities of the subject and and plug always them as soon as possible. The books available in
the market is good but the skill which requires nowadays is lacking there are which is incorporated with
each other.
Quick Recap of Syllabus of Paper I
Marks : 200
Duration : Two hours
1. Current events of national and international importance.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement.
3. Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
4.
Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights
Issues, etc.
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5.
Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics,
Social Sector initiatives, etc.
6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and ClimateChange
7. General Science.
Note 1: Total Marks 200
Note 2: The duration of the paper will be of two hours.
Note 3: The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Though UPSC has given the syllabus of both the papers but we cannot measured merely by it. We have to
understand that anything that exists in the Universe can be a part of UPSC Prelims syllabus, as nothing is
very mention in syllabus. Sticking to the syllabus is good, you feel that the preparation is good, but certain
new trends have been emerging in the examination. So we should go beyond the given syllabus. It is
challenging but not impossible.
It always helps to understand the trend in this changing scenario. Go through previous years' questions
again-and-again and identify the areas from where most of the questions are being asked. To tackle the
menace of the General Studies you have to give up the traditional way of studying and follow the new way.
More time should be devoted to GS. General Studies is as vast as an ocean. It cannot be measured merely on
the basis of topics or sections.
Union Public Service Commission is not following any sort of standard pattern of allotment of questions in
the examination. Hence, it is wise to stress on those subjects, which are common for Main Examination. The
areas to be taken care are Modern India, Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, Current Events and General
Science. We can bifurcate whole General Studies into :
·
·
Conventional topics.
General knowledge and current affairs.
Traditional topics comes under the traditional parts of General Studies, for instance history of India and
Indian national movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and governance, Economic and
social development, environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change and general science are the
traditional areas of the General Studies. Whereas another part of General Studies is composed of General
Knowledge and Current Affairs. Recent trend of the examination suggests that latter part is more
comprehensive and important than earlier one. As the whole scenario has change with the introduction of
new syllabus, the new syllabus requires a candidate more focused and up-to-mark study.
We will discuss this Paper with the help and important takeaways of 2011 PRELIMS Question, it will help
us to find out what the new trends are adding in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Conventional Topics:
It is composed of:
1. Indian History : History has always been a important component of each and every competitive
examination being conducted in India by different recruiting agency. It is also a vital component for the
Civil services exam. It is considered that a good and successful administrator must have knowledge of
history because it is history which gives us culture and makes us civilized. Just as we should know our
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family history to know our family better it is Indian History to know the India better as well. History is
important in developing a larger understanding of our country and its culture. The subject is like a story and
there could be linkages between two questions. Students thus need to ensure that the entire syllabus is
covered in detail while revising history. We all, whenever think studying history is all about mugging up
events and dates, but we should take history beyond this perception. They can, however, do without
preparing portions which appeared last year in the main stage of the examination. The general trend is that
there are no repetitions from last year's papers, but once in a while students could be in for a surprise. The
part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects from ancient to modern times. One need to have a good
understanding of the National movement (1800s-1947). The areas to be covered are the history from ancient
to modern period. The basic understanding can be obtained from below 10th NCERT books. The focus
should be on modern Indian history, which is covered in the mains. The basic knowledge in Ancient India
and Medieval India is sufficient.
Topic wise Trend Analysis of previous 6 years:
Years
Topics
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Ancient History
7
1
0
3
2
3
Medieval History
6
1
1
1
2
0
Modern History
9
14
12
13
11
10
Total
22
16
13
17
15
13
The Analysis clearly shows that our focus should be on Modern India. Especially Indian’s Struggle for
Independence part is important for prelims point of view. Now take some examples:
1. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942?
(PRELIMS 2011)
a. It was a violent movement
b. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi
c. It was a spontaneous movement
d. It did not attract the labour class in general
Ans: The Wardha Propsal of Quit India Movement was passed in historical Tank Ground in Bombay on
August 8, 1942. Mahatma Gandhi gave the sologan for the Movement “Do or Die”. The Quit India
Movement attracts all classes from the society despite one or two, the labour class was also part of the
movement. Though, many contemporary labour organizations didn’t actively participated in the movement.
2. With reference to Indian Freedom Struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for-(PRELIMS 2011)
a. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
b. Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
c. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
d. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Ans: Usha Mehta along with Ram Manohar Lohia and B.M.Khakar had gone underground and had been
running the Secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India movement of 1942.
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The questions requires a candidate in-depth study of any topic and interconnects it to another topic, if any
interconnection. The interdisciplinary approach of study will always helpful to crack it.
The NCERT books (Class XI and XII) are good enough for the purpose.
You can refer following books
·
·
·
·
·
·
Ancient India , NCERT Class XI
Medieval India , NCERT Class XI
Modern India , NCERT Class XII
A book comes with the publication of NBT(National Book Trust) it cover certain parts on India’s
Struggle for Independence.
History Study Kit provided by UPSC Portal.
India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra is a good book. Read it cover to cover.
2. Geography:
There is significant change in the Geography syllabus, several new areas has been added. Major inclusion is
the Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate. As we are in the era of Global Warming and Climate
Change, we can expect most of the questions on this topics. A significant number of questions are being
asked from these topics every year. Students should concentrate on human and economic geography. Human
section includes issues related to population. There will be questions based on the Human Development
Report prepared by United Nations Development Programme. The World Development Report of World
Bank deals in different aspects of economic geography like safe drinking water. Students should emphasise
less on classical geography like types of soil and rocks. The stress should be on preparing cultural and
economic geography and issues related to it. But do not invest too much in the pure Geography rather focus
should be on issues like ecology, sustainable development, green living, environmental impact assessment
etc.
Year wise question analysis of Geography.
Topic
Geography
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
World Geography
2
5
3
4
5
6
Indian Geography
1
2
3
3
7
4
Census Based Questions
2
1
4
1
0
0
Power Projects, Irrigations Projects, Dams
0
0
4
1
1
1
Minerals and Natural Resources of India
0
2
1
1
2
2
Indian River Systems and Water falls
3
2
2
3
2
3
Map Based Questions
8
11
6
5
2
0
Current Affairs Based Questions
0
5
2
4
1
1
16
28
25
22
20
17
Total
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Suggested Reading:
For Indian Geography
·
·
Physical Geography of India, NCERT Class XI
Land and People, NCERT Class XI
For World Geography
·
·
·
·
General Studies Manual by TMH or Spectrum Publications.
Google and make notes onunfamiliar terms you may come across in the newspapers.
Physical and Human Geography by G. C. Leong
Atlas (Oxford and Orient Longmon)
For Both Indian and World Geography, follow Study Kit of UPSC Portal, it has covered those sections
which is useful for exam and covers the topic comprehensively. Chronicle Magazine or Competition Wizard
Magazine is also good. Candidate must go thorough suggested reading thoroughly. Map based questions and
questions on locations, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges etc. are being increasingly asked. Map of India
(particularly physical) should be properly studied. Same is true about world map albeit with lesser
intensity.Geography must be studied with the help of ATLAS, it will help you to understand the Geography
better. There are no. of Atlas available in the market I would suggest OXFORD School Atlas, along with
ORIENT LONGMAN. Internet resources could help in your study make it as a tool for your preparation.
Whenever you find any new term i.e. any new country, capital, river, strait, mountain, places etc Google it
right away. And make note of your finding. While reading newspaper always keep a Atlas with you as more
and more questions are getting location oriented e.g. instead of asking the venue of APEC meet they might
ask you to locate the place on world map.
Some examples of previous year questions:
1.A state in India has the following characteristics-(PRELIMS 2011)
a. Its northern part is arid and semiarid.
b. Its central part produces cotton.
c. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops.
Which one of the following states has all the above characteristics?
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Gujarat
c. Karnataka
d. Tamil Nadu
Ans: Gujarat state is located on western coast. Its northern part is dry and semidry.
2.La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El
Nino?
i. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino
is characterised by usually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
ii. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon
climate.
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Online Coaching for IAS Mains General Studies
I, II, III & IV (Combo)
What you will Get (?)
·
General Studies (Paper – I, II, III & IV) Online 100 % Reading Material of the
Syllabus (Which can be saved easily)
·
Slides (For Giving Summary of Each Topics)
·
Categorized Unit and Sub-Unit Wise Question Papers of General Studies
·
Current General Studies Magazine (Indispensable Magazine for General Studies)
·
Daily Answer Writing Challenge for IAS Mains Contemporary Issues
·
It is full of tips on areas of emphasis, caution while reading and writing , how to
write the answer (?) .
·
Model Test Question Paper for General Studies - I, II, III and IV for Mains Exam
2015
·
Online and Telephonic interaction with the course director, and continuous
evaluation through a regular online writing session in every chapter and topic.
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Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
3. Indian Polity and Constitution:
This is another major area where candidates could done well. The syllabus and question paper suggests the
Indian Constitution and various related aspects are important for this section. Though Constitution is a book
of articles but some articles should be memorised. Other than these different aspects of the Constitution like
Supreme Court judgment during the past one year are important. At macro level, students need to know in
detail issues like judicial activism. It is better to prepare this area well since it will be helpful in mains and
interview. Now a days the pattern of questions are being asked on Indian Polity is completely different from
what it used to be asked till couples of years back. Earlier we used to have more questions directly from the
Constitution of India which has now fallen to around 2-3 questions, even the nature of question which were
being asked on Constitution is more or less conceptual explanation which is now changing fast now
whatever question are being asked from the Constitution are complex in nature, to solve the question one
have good grasp over concepts and with their application as well. Further these constitutional issues are
related to what is happening currently in the country. Like if a question is on the clemency power of
President of India. The question and answer should be better understand in the light of recent happening and
issues related to mercy petitions pending with the President. Issues related to mercy plea of Afzal Guru and
killers of former PM Rajiv Gandhi have been on the news for the several and it’s been in the front pages of
Newspapers in the recent times. Therefore candidates keep yourself abreast of burning political and
constitutional issues. To tackle these questions we need to incorporate a lot of additional study material in
our preparation apart from the traditional ways of studying. For instance we need to add newspaper in our
study material and collect information on the contemporary issues and take a note on various opinions of
eminent scholars on those contemporary issues. Newspaper also keep us up-to-date.
Year wise last 6 year question analysis:
Topic
Polity
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Indian Constitution and its various Concepts
6
4
5
6
3
8
Indian Political History
2
4
4
4
1
1
Current Constitutional News
2
1
1
2
1
1
10
9
10
12
5
10
Total
Any good book on the constitution is fine. The Indian Polity by Lakshmikanth and NCERT books are
sufficient. Also refer, DD Basu. Read it also cover to cover.
4. Indian Economy:
First of all, the heading of Economy in the prelims level has been changed to “Economic and Social
Development Sustainable development”. It shows growing importance of Indian Economy of General
Studies of civil services exam. It is one of the most important constituents of General Studies as well. If we
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analyze the last 5-6 years question pattern of UPSC we will discover number of questions from economics is
increasing every year. It has increased from 5-6 to 25-30. Moreover, the nature of the questions have
become more contempory, analytical and interdisciplinary. The candidate should have a grip over the basic
economic concepts. The important current topics should be studied extensively. We are in the global
financial crisis and at the domestic level the changes is very structure of Indian Economy that is leading to a
paradigmatic shift in the policy focus. These all developments within and outside has not gone unnoticed by
the UPSC and hence a frequent change in the syllabus, questions nature and the pattern of the Civil services
exam. Along with, Budget and Economic Survey the two most important documents of India. These two
documents should be read in details every minute details is important. The role and functions of World
Bank, IMF,WTO, WIPO, etc. which influences India’s economic interaction and have effect on Indian
Economy. It should be understand clearly.
For instance the questions in the prelims as:
Why is the “teaser loan” by commercial banks a cause of economic concern? In the terms of economy, the
visit of foreign nationals to witness the 19th Commonwealth Games in India amounted to….
There were questions which is mixed of current economy and basic of economy for example
Economic Growth is usually coupled with------? It is called Inflation. We all are suffering from Inflation.
Candidate are expected to know the facts and facets of Inflation or such topics.
Year wise previous 6 year question analysis:
Years
Topic
Economy
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Pure Economy - Conceptual
3
3
0
2
7
10
Pure Economy - Conceptual
3
3
0
2
7
10
Indian Economy - History
1
0
0
4
6
0
Current Economic News and their Conceptual parts
7
4
1
10
23
5
Total
11
7
1
16
36
15
Candidates are required to know about some basic terminology of economics like repo rate, reverse repo,
CRR, SLR etc. Indain Economy by Dutt & Sundaram is good book for the Indian Economy it can be read.
The book by Uma kapilais also a good one. Economic Survey and Budget should be followed with
comprehensively. Read some business newspapers at that time and also read the summary of the budget
which will be posted in the net.
5. Government policies and programmes:
Make notes on the policies that you come across in the newspapers. But this will not be exhaustive. Use
India yearbook published by the Publications division for an exhaustive approach. It’s a huge book with a lot
of unnecessary facts and details which should be skipped. Just make short notes on the various programmes
ministry-wise. For example the NREGA, a programme launched by the GOI, study every aspect of it i.e.
when it was launched, what are the various provisions under it, who are the target audience for this
programme etc.
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UPSC Portal has come up with a comprehensive study on Govt. Policies and Programmes. In this Study Kit
they have incorporated all the major Progammes and policies into one booklet and have given gist for the
same. It is must for an Civil Services aspirant, go through it.
6. Science, Science and Technology:
Over the year this section has emerged as an important element of the General Studies Paper. It has as many
as 7-8 questions in all. Questions which come under this General Science section of general appreciation and
understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a
well-educated person who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline may
understand and know. It is not expected that candidates should have knowledge base in the science like an
expect of science. A good administers should know the latest development in the field of Science and
Technology i.e. development in the field of Defence, Space Technology, Biotechnology. It has also been
constitutes important role in selection. Here we should understand that this section is wrongly
comprehended that if candidates has certain degree of technical aspects and concepts then only he has to
solve the questions in this. But it a myth one cannot have the background of Science could do well. The very
aim of the question paper is to test the candidates awareness of the development in this field though
questions were on the traditional areas science as well. If you look into the trend of previous year’s
questions you will find that candidate should give special emphasis on of biotechnology, space technology,
information technology and electronics.
Percentage of questions has increased in recent years. In prelims 2011 there were 25 questions on this
section out of a total 100 questions. This undoubtedly shows the importance of this subject. General Science
basically include-Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Among these Biology contains more weightage. The
syllabus broadly covers Human Anatomy and Physiography. In Physics and Chemistry, basic concepts
related to combustion, optics, energy, nuclear physics, basic chemicals etc. are asked.
In Physics, almost all the questions might be application oriented. Thus, understanding of basic principles is
very important. Ares like Newton’s laws, heat, sound, optics etc. are important. One must know the practical
application of subject.
For example, in 2010 questions asked on the principle by which a cooling system in a motor car works.
In 2011 the questions in this topic was : the surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but the water at the
bottom
level
is
still
liquid.
What
is
the
reason?
In Chemistry, important minerals and their ores, etc. are important from prelims point of view. Maximum
questions will be pertaining to chemicals which are of economic significance. Thus characteristic of
different compound like plaster of paris, bleaching powder, etc are also important.
The question that came in 2010 was: Chlorination is a process used for water purification, is mainly due to?
In 2011 it was Microbial fuel are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why?
Biology, in general, has important section in science. In Botany, plant physiology, plant tissues, etc. In
Zoology, human physiology,, genetics, various disease, and their control measures occupy the most
important place.
Pervious questions: At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes or
DNA sequence on a chromose. How does this knowledge benefit us? (PRE 2011).
Previous year questions analysis :
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Topic
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Physics - Pure Conceptual
1
8
6
1
0
-
Physics – Applied
2
0
0
2
4
1
Solar System
2
0
1
1
0
-
Chemistry - Pure Conceptual
1
2
3
0
0
-
Chemistry – Applied
2
0
1
1
2
-
Biology
6
7
3
1
1
-
Botany
0
1
2
3
2
1
Animal World
0
1
5
4
3
1
14
19
21
13
12
3
Total
Science and Technology are another major area. This generally include the application parts of the science
as space technologies, IT, electronics, biotechnology, nuclear science, defence etc. recent trends showed that
this part is growing significance.
The questions in this sections in 2011 are related to Bluetooth, wi-fi, CFL, LED lamp?
Topic
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Defence Technology
0
2
3
2
1
-
Space Technology
2
4
5
1
1
4
Nuclear Technology
-
-
-
-
-
1
Other Technologies in News
1
2
3
1
4
4
Biotechnology
1
0
0
0
3
1
Health
1
0
0
0
5
4
5
8
11
4
14
14
Total
Use wikipedia extensively for the section of Science and Technology section. Daily newspaper The Hindu
also published supplement on Science and Technology. Also, keep an eye on emerging technologies and
recent Nobel winning technologies
General knowledge and current affairs:
General Knowledge:
It is not so important area as quite a few questions are being asked from this section. For this section India
Year Book is one of the encyclopedia. This is important for the prelims and for mains as well. Manorama
Year book and othe such year book is also helpful.
Current Affairs:
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Current affairs of india and the world is an important section of the general studies paper, both in the mains
and the prelims. And at the interview current affairs also plays important role sometimes it decides the future
of the candidates. It all makes coverage of current affair imperative and should make as of the important
ingredient of your preparations. Currrent affairs of one calendar year is sufficient.
This is perhaps the most important part because if you see the trends of questions that has been asked over
the years it will show you how important it is. I recommend The Hindu and Frontilne. The Hindu has less
unwanted news and has a balanced perspective on issues and is pro people. You shouldn’t be an ultra leftist
or a right-wing hawk. The editorials and Op-eds present a very balanced picture on issues. Newspaper could
become guide and to broaden your General Knowledge. Every day we find lots of new things in the
newspaper just whenever you come across something these new in the newspaper google it up and make a
note on it. Newspaper reading should be done on a daily basis without any gap until the interview is over.
Suggested Reading:
·
·
·
·
The Hindu News paper
Frontline Magazine
Yojana Magazine
Competition Wizard or Pratiyogita Darpan or UPSC Portal Monthly Magazine. This is just to make
sure that you have covered all the current affairs issues in News Paper.
Newspaper is best to prepare for Current Affairs and General knowledge. One has to follow at least one
newspaper to keep abreast of National and International developments. It will keep your current affairs upto-date.
PAPER II : APTITUDE TEST
As we all know that a new syllabus of UPSC PRELIMS has revamped the entire Prelims exam pattern. Now
we have a brand new Paper two and we have named it CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). In the new
pattern of exam there is no optional subject for Prelims though we have Optionals in Mains. Earlier the
Paper two used to be one of the 23 optional subjects offered by the UPSC. With the new Syllabus both the
Papers are common to all candidates. Both these papers will have equal weightage. The emphasis will be on
testing the aptitude of the candidate for the demanding life in the civil service and on the ethical and moral
dimensions of decision-making. In the new format the traditional way of studying and the rote learning of
concepts would no longer help to crack the exam.
CSAT has came into effect from Civil Services Exam, 2011. As of now, the change is effective only for the
Preliminary Test, i.e., the first stage of the Civil Services Exam from 2011 onwards. The second- Civil
Services Main Exam and third stages- Interview will remain the same.
The syllabus of second Paper is to test the candidates' skills in comprehension, interpersonal skills,
communication, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision making, problem solving, basic numeracy,
data interpretation, English language comprehension skills and mental ability. With the new pattern, more
stress is on language skills and analysis and decision making capacities, so work on these on a consistent
basis as these are skills that are developed over years and not just in a few months. It would be advisable to
start focusing on your problem solving and language skills as soon as you decide to take these exams.
QUICK REVIEW OF PRELIMS PAPER II
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1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision-making and problem solving
5. General mental ability
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level),
7. Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - Class X level)
8. English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level).
Total Marks
200
Note:
·
·
·
A Hindi equivalent / translation will be available for the initial six tested areas, while the seventh
area , English Language Comprehension skills, will be available exclusively in English language,
indicating a need of understanding of English language in prospective IAS officers as English is the
Lingua Franca of our country.
The duration of the paper will be of two hours.
The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type.
Moreover, there are sections in the paper 2 which a candidate thinks that it is more or less like on the lines of
banking or MBA but this is a mistake we should understand that the very purpose of this examination is to
select Civil Servants, that’s why the syllabus adds decision making and problem solving.
IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS OF PRELIMS 2011
Paper second contained only 80 questions but indeed it was a lengthy paper as it was fully loaded with
comprehension passages. Comprehensions (bilingual) had 28 questions and English comprehension had 9
questions which most almost half the paper. Quantitive Aptitude section had 13 questions, Logical reasoning
contributed 13 questions including 3 questions of syllogism and 9 questions were from data interpretation.
Decision making and problem solving had 8 questions which was purely application based. Comprehension,
quantitive aptitude and reasoning were the dominant section of the question paper. For better understanding
we can use following table:
Comprehension
28
English Comprehension
9
Quantitative Aptitude
13
Logical Reasoning
13
Data Interpretation
9
Decision Making and Problem Solving 8
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1. Comprehension
In terms of Comprehension Candidate needs to improve their comprehend power as comprehension consists
half of the paper. It is bilingual, hindi and English both, daily newspaper reading could keep you in safe. The
paper also gave importance to testing English language skills. A comprehension exercise consists of a
passage upon which questions are set to test to candidate’s ability to understand the content of the given text
and infer information and meaning from it. English Language Comprehension skills. Questions relating to
English Language Comprehension skills of Class X level (last item in the Syllabus of Paper-II) will be tested
through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question
paper.
For doing best in comprehension one should keep few points in mind while attempting this. Firstly, read the
passage thoroughly and carefully, if the meaning of the passage is not clear in very first reading then quickly
go through the passage again. The meaning of the passage should be very clear and one should understand
what the writer is trying to convey. Understanding of vocabulary, rhetorical tools, hunting for the required
information while keeping the holistic picture in mind, etc are essential comprehension skills at play in this
area. Here we can find that paper one is helpful to solve, for instance in the the Passage section questions
like “inclusive growth”, ”creative society” ”ecosystems” are the part of 2011 paper second, which is very
much part of paper one. English Language Comprehension is a major concern for hindi medium candidates
they should take it seriously, a basic english grammar such as High School English Grammar &
Composition by Wren and Martin could be useful.
This section tests a candidate’s understanding of the language that a candidate uses.
2. Interpersonnel Skills
Inter-personal skills is basically a skill of communication that entails face-to-face communication which is
best tested in a Personal Interview or a Group Discussion format. It is people skills the ability to work with
and get on with other people. Questions reflecting the ability to understand and manage the dynamics of
social interaction can be tested such as Fill in the Blanks, Analogy, Synonyms, Antonyms, Jumbled
Paragraphs, Single word substitutions, Meaning Equivalence of sentences, etc.
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Every aptitude test has Reasoning as its one of a major component of the exam syllabus. UPSC has also
included it in the syllabus. Analytical ability questions measures a candidate’s ability to analyze a given
structure of arbitrary relationships and deduce new information from that structure.
Logical reasoning and analytical ability has as many as 13 questions, there were 4 questions on Syllogism
which were slightly difficult than the usual syllogism and did require a good concentration to solve them.
There were 2 questions on counting where in the first question candidate were supposed to count the number
of triangles and in the second they were asked to find the missing number. There were one question on
direction, three on family tree which was not as easy as it used to come. There were 3 questions on
tabulation. These questions were decently easy and requires a candidate a good amount of practice. One
think should be cleared very clearly if we look at the question paper it is clear that the questions are not like
other CAT, MAT, Bank PO. Rather than the reasoning is innovative in itself. This shold keep in mind while
preparing for this section. You are required to solve problems related to blood relation, syllogism, sitting
arrangement, series completion, coding decoding, puzzle test, logical sequence etc. Verbal and nonverbal
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Reasoning by R S Agarwal and General Mental Ability Section of Tata McGraw Hill Guide have good parts
in this section. Solve the Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning questions that come out in magazines like
General Knowledge Today, Pratiyogita Darpan etc
4. Decision making and problem solving
This section measures a candidate’s ability to take a decision based on given conditions and information.
The questions generally relate to situations that require you either to take some action, or take a decision for
the betterment of majority of the society.
Although Decision making and Problem Solving section had less contribution in question paper but there is
difference, the questions asked in this section had no penalty for wrong answer. All questions are purely
application based. For example ” You are officer in charge for providing medical facilities to the survivors
of an earthquakes affected area. Despite your best possible effort, people put allegations against making
money out of the funds given for relief. You would………”. Student must attempt this section it is quite
scoring and the nature of questions is also practical, one must have experience the given situation at one or
another moment. Here again paper one will help you out as the questions being asked is socio-economicpolitical in nature. There are books available in the market but as far as I am concern this books won’t help
in your preparation, this section have to develop by yourself. Search Techniques of Decision making and
Techniques of Problem Solving in Google and Wikipedia and read some 30-50 pages on them. You can also
read chapters like Decision making from different books available in the market to have theoretical
knowledge. UPSC Portal’s book on this section would be added advantage.
5. General mental ability
General Mental Ability is another new added new in the newly published syllabus of the Preliminary
Examination. Questions can be based on Coding, Ages, Relations, Venn diagrams, sets, dices, direction
sense, abstract figure, etc. General Mental Ability can test for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills. This
section should be taken as seriously as it dosen’t require any extra knowledge or extra reading, you just need
to practice as much as you can. Your aim should be to solve maximum questions with high accuracy. If we
access the questions on this section in Prelims 2011 we will find that there were questions on Venn
Diagram, basic counting. As it is main component of syllabus we should take it seriously first of all main
focus of the study should be at understanding the basics of the topics and then practicing those concepts
through concepts. Then try to focus more and more on practicing the paper rather than merely studying.
6. Basic numeracy
It is also a major section. This section is to check numerical proficiency of a candidate involves solving
simple numerical problems. It will also include questions which require a candidate to sift through and
interpret data in tabulated or graphical format. We have Basic numeracy in syllabus but there is nothing
basic in questions paper, yes your basics should be clear but you should raise your level beyond the basics.
Number System, Average, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time and
Distance are the important topics. Data interpretation has charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc.
Break up of questions on this topics which came in the Prelims 2011, there were a total 12 questions from
this section out of which 7 questions was from basic Arithmetic which included 3 questions from Time,
Speed and Distance. There were 2 questions on Permutation and Combination etc. In all this paper
constitutes 15% of the complete paper, this means a good amount of preparation should be devoted in this
section. The approach should like this, firstly understand the basics of any topics then focus on those topics
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which is likely to come in the examination. One should never focus solving difficult problems of the topics
and mugging up questions and their answers. Main focus of the study should be Arithmetic which will
include Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Distance, Time and Work, Simple Interest and
Compound Interest and Profit and Loss. Permutation and Combination should be studied as well.
Basic concepts from your 11th and 12th class mathematics should be very clear and you should be able to
derive and apply the formulas to any given situation. If the concepts are clear you will be able to relate and
then solve each problem confidently. Solving mock question papers is the easiest road to cracking any
Maths paper. Don’t just solve questions, solve them quickly, and keep track of them time you take to solve a
question. You will have limited time during the papers so stick to your time limit and solve mock papers
within the stipulated time. Keep a stopwatch if required.For this section you must go thoroughly,
Quantitative Aptitude by R S Agarwal and Quicker Maths (Magical Book Series) by M. Tyra
7. Data Interpretation:
Data interpretation, which covers questions based on data analysis. The data can be represented in different
forms such as tables, graphs, bar diagram, line graphs, pie charts etc. and Data Sufficiency, where one just
has to check the sufficiency of data for the question asked. It measures the numerical ability and accuracy in
mathematical calculations. The questions range from purely numeric calculations to problems of
arithmetical reasoning, graph and table reading, percentage analysis and quantitative analysis. In all, the
candidate are tested for their sharpness to analyze the given data in a short span of time.
In Data Sufficiency, a question is followed by two statements and you will be expected to answer whether
the information provided in the statements individually or collectively is sufficient to answer the question.
Taking a mock test of mathematics and general ability questions would be a good practice and help to pick
out the most appropriate option.
Develop the skill to solve mathematical & reasoning problems faster. It comes with practice. So the sooner
you start practicing, the better your chances of clearing CSAT.
The Civil services examination also tested the candidates' understanding of civic issues. In the Preliminary
examination of 2001there were questions that checked the understanding of rural development schemes,
fiscal stimulus, inflation and demographic dividend.
In the new format the traditional way of studying and the rote learning of concepts would no longer help to
crack the exam. In the CSAT paper only application of knowledge is required, there is nothing to mug-up.
The plan and examination standards make it very demanding in nature. You are supposed to catch and
collect
newer
information
and
fresh
ideas
whenever
it
comes
to
you.
More
emphasis
on
understanding
and
analysis
than
memorizing
This is test of the candidate's aptitude for the prestigious civil services from the ethical and moral dimension.
Candidates with low moral and ethical aptitude will get weeded out. Spruce up your general awareness and
mental ability.
B. Mains Examination
Mains examination comprises two stages:
1. Written Exam
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General Studies (Paper - 1) & CSAT (Paper - 2) Comprehensive Manual:
IAS Preliminary Examination 2015, (Set of 2 Books)
BOOK DETAILS
Medium: English
Price: Rs. 2200 Rs. 2090/Publisher: Kalinjar Publications
ISBN NO: 9789351720485
TOPICS OF THE BOOK
CSAT General Studies Manual (Paper - 1)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Indian History
Indian Polity
Indian Economy
Geography
General Science
Environment
General Knowledge
MCQ For Practice
CSAT Comprehensive Manual (Paper - 2)
1.
2.
3.
SOLVED PAPER - 2014
SOLVED PAPER - 2013
SOLVED PAPER - 2012
·
·
·
·
·
·
COMPREHENSION & ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION
INTERPERSONAL & COMMUNICATION SKILLS & DECISION MAKING & PROBLEM SOLVING
GENERAL MENTAL ABILITY, LOGICAL REASONING & ANALYTICAL ABILITY
BASIC NUMERACY
DATA INTERPRETATION & DATA SUFFICIENCY
MCQ For Practice
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2. Personality Test (Interview)
The Mains consists of 9 tests. The first two are language tests: first is the English Test and the second is the
Language Test in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution. Each
test is worth 300 points. These tests are at the high school level. The candidates are expected to only qualify;
the score from these tests is not included in the aggregate. The Language Test is not required for candidates
from the North-East. The third test is an Essay Test, worth 200 points. The candidate can write the essay in
English or in any other language included in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution. The next two tests,
each worth 300 points, are on General Studies. The syllabus for each test is different. These tests aim to
judge your awareness and well as your understanding and analysis of contemporary events. The remaining
four tests, each worth 300 points, are on two of the optional subjects chosen by the candidate. The subject
matter is consistent with the college level education. The Main Examination is the most important stage of
the exam. If you are well prepared for the mains, then a good foundation for your success is made. The risk
involved with the interview can also be reduced with good performance in Main Examination. Always target
the Mains Exam as this is the final path of your goal. So always aim at the Mains.
The interview, worth 300 points, is the last stage of the selection process. Nearly twice as many candidates
are invited for Interview as the number of vacancies.
Quick Overview of Mains Exam:
The Written Exam will consist of the following papers
The written examination will consist of the following papers:
Paper‐I
Section 1
·
Essay 250 Marks
Section 1
·
English Comprehension & English Précis (Xth Standard) 100 Marks
Paper‐II
·
General Studies - I 250Marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper‐III
·
General Studies –II 250 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
Paper‐IV
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·
General Studies –III 250 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management)
Paper‐V
·
General Studies –IV 250Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Paper‐VI
·
Optional Subject – Paper 1 250Marks
Paper‐VII
·
Optional Subject – Paper 2 250 Marks
Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks
Personality Test 275 Marks
Grand Total 2025 Marks
NOTE (i) The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and
will be of qualifying nature; the marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
NOTE (ii) Evaluation of the papers, namely,'Essay, 'General Studies' and Optional Subjects of all candidates
would be done simultaneously along with evaluation of their qualifying papers on 'Indian languages' and
English' but the papers on 'Essay', General Studies' and 'Optional Subjects' of only such candidates will be
taken cognizance of as attain such minimum standard as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion
for the qualifying papers on 'Indian language' and 'English' and, therefore, the marks in 'Essay' 'General
studies and Optional subjects' will not be disclosed to those candidates who fail to obtain such minimum
qualifying standard in 'Indian language and 'English'.
NOTE (iii) The paper-I on Indian Languages will not, however, be compulsory for candidates hailing from
the North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland and also for
candidates hailing from the State of Sikkim.
NOTE (iv) For the Language papers, the script to be used by the candidates will beas under :–
Language
Script
Assamese
Assamese
Bengali
Bengali
Bodo
Devanagari
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Dogri
Devanagari
Gujarati
Gujarati
Hindi
Devanagari
Kannada
Kannada
Kashmiri
Persian
Konkani
Devanagari
Maithili
Devanagari
Malayalam
Malayalam
Manipuri
Bengali
Marathi
Devanagari
Nepali
Devanagari
Oriya
Oriya
Punjabi
Gurumukhi
Sanskrit
Devanagari
Santali
Devanagari or Olchiki
Sindhi
Devanagari or Arabic
Tamil
Tamil
Telugu
Telugu
Urdu
Persian
NOTE : For Santali language, question paper will be printed in Devanagari script; but candidates will be
free to answer either in Devanagari script or in Olchiki.
List of optional subjects for Main Examination (One subject need to be chosen from the list given
below)
Agriculture
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
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Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science and International Relations
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Literature any one (given below)
Literature of one of the following languages :
Arabic
Assamese Bodo
Bengali
Chinese Santali
Dogri
English
French
German
Persian Sindhi
Gujarati Hindi
Kannada
Kashmiri Punjabi Tamil
Konkani Maithili
Malayalam Manipuri Russian Telugu
Marathi Nepali
Oriya
Pali
Sanskrit Urdu
NOTES: (i) Candidates will not be allowed to offer the following combinations of subjects:
1 Political Science & International Relations and Public Administration;
2 Commerce & Accountancy and Management;
3 Anthropology and Sociology;
4 Mathematics and Statistics;
5 Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science.
6 Management and Public Administration;
7 Of the Engineering subjects, viz., Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering
8 and Mechanical Engineering–not more than one subject.
9 Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science and Medical Science.
(ii) The question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.
(iii) Each paper will be of three hours duration. Blind candidates will; however, be allowed an extra time of
thirty minutes at each paper.
(iv) Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers, except the language papers viz.
Papers I and II above in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution or in
English.
(v) Candidates exercising the option to answer papers III to IX in any one of the languages included in the
Eighth Schedule to the Constitution may, if they so desire, give English version within brackets of only the
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description of the technical terms, if any, in addition to the version in the language opted by them.
Candidates should, however, note that if they misuse the above rule, a deduction will be made on this
account from the total marks otherwise accruing to them and in extreme cases, their script(s) will not be
valued for being in an unauthorized medium.
(vi) The question papers other than language papers will be set both in Hindi and English.
(vii) The details of the syllabi are set out in Part B of Section-III.
Compulsory Subjects Syllabus
·
Paper I (Indian languages), Paper II - English, Paper III - Essay
·
General Studies : Paper II, III, IV and V
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/compulsory-subjects-syllabus-paper-i-ii-iii
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/compulsory-subjects-general-studies-paper-iv-v
Optional Subjects Syllabus
·
Management
·
Anthropology
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-management
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-anthropology
·
Zoology
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·
Statistics
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·
Medical Science
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·
Mechanical Engineering
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·
Mathematics
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·
Law
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·
Geology
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-geology
·
Electrical Engineering
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-electrical-engineering
·
Chemistry
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-chemistry
·
Botany
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-botany
·
Animal Husbandry
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-animal-husbandry
·
Agriculture
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-agriculture
·
Sociology
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·
Public Administration
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-public-administration
·
Political Science
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·
Geography
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-geography
·
History
http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/ias-planner/optional-subjects-syllabus-history
Personality Test (Interview)
Personality Test (Interview)
Mains Examination: Stage 2
The interview is the last stage of the examination. Students who have cleared the main exam are called for
an interview, and their performance through the entire course of the examinations is taken into account.
Most successful interviews last 35- 45 minutes, and the aspirant is quizzed on issues concerning his or her
choice of subject, bio-data, professed areas of interest, and current and emerging issues. As is the case with
the rest of the exam process, aspirants are advised to provide analysis
As this stage is the final stage of the whole examination process, this stage has emerged as the most deciding
phase of the exam. Interview has been termed as a deciding stage for the entire examination process, it
decides your future. Though It carries only 300 marks but sometimes it decides in which service you get.
But an Interview can make or break, so it is imperative to take it seriously. Interview is never been the test
of knowledge merely but it is the test of overall Personality for this very reason this stage is called the
Personality Test. It is test of good communication skills with self-confidence; no doubt knowledge base
can’t be ignored.
UPSC interview questions has wider areas so it is good to prepare as many areas as you can. Question on
hobbies could be expected. Questions relating to your name, your college or school name are also a big
possibility. If someone resembles with your name, get ready to have question. Questions are from the
situational type could be asked such as if there is situation of unrest in your district what will be your step to
tackle the situation.
General Strategy of Civil Services Exam
Choosing Civil Services as a Career Goal
Before going into the preparation of the Civil Services Exam assess your potential, interests, circumstances,
time resources & financial sustainability so that you can reach a firm, determined & practicable decision.
The first step towards your success is to choose your goal honestly. I mean you shouldn’t choose Civil
Services as your goal simply because your father or mother has a dream or there is a pressure from your
social circle. It should come from your heart; this shouldn’t be the criteria for the selection. The whole
examination demands firm patience and clear determination towards goal, the whole process span in one
year so it is imperative to give at least one and half-year of full time preparation with solid determination. It
should clearly understand here that if any aspirants have done good and have excellent in their academics
will get success in its very first attempt. It is one sort of presumptions. But the fact is shows other story there
is no any such need, it doesn’t matter here at all you need not to have a splendid academic background
besides you only need clear determination and firm belief that you can go through all the way. It is rightly
said“ The difference between possible and impossible lies in the person’s determination”
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Selection of Optional Subjects
Under the scheme of examination aspirants need two select two optional subjects in the Mains Written
examination. Earlier in the older pattern of examination aspirants had to select one optional subject in the
Preliminary examination also. Selection of option subject one of the toughest nuts to crack. One can say this
is door to final selection. The very much selection of the candidate is depend on this selection. Nowadays
competition involved in the civil services exam has been on rising. This huddle of competition will only pass
through proper planning, hard work, perseverance and patience. Selection of optional is comes under proper
planning. The selection of optional subjects must be done most carefully, if it goes wrong, everything will
go in vain. In the field of this battle choosing optional is half won. Normally candidates select that optional
subject in which they are familiar with, or have at least studied till graduate level. This is not hard and fast
rule anybody can select any subject from the 24 optional subjects but its better in the candidate that they
should be judious while selecting optional subject. If you are not comfortable with the subject, you should
not select the subject as an optional. In my opinion optional subject should be chosen on the basis of own
interest in that subject and performance of subject in previous few years as scoring pattern, candidate got
qualified from that optional etc. Availability of study material in that optional will also taken into account.
Any optional subject may be evaluated on the basis of a number of parameters. These parameters are: some
optional are considered scoring while others are preferred for their relevancy, relevant in either the General
Studies paper or in the essay. Some candidates are chosen optional for their comparatively short, clearly
defined syllabus. Availability and access of good and study material is yet another consideration.
There is a vast choice of optional subject. There are 24 optional subjects available to choose for the
aspirants. By the stream the whole optional may be broadly categorised as science subjects such as Physics,
Chemistry, Botany and Zoology; Humanities subjects like History, Political Science, Public Administration,
Geography and Sociology; and languages like Hindi, English, Urdu, and Pali. The UPSC also allows for
subjects like Anthropology, Psychology and Philosophy.
Among the optional subjects History, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration etc has been widely
selected, the very reason for this is the nature of subject, any candidates those not having special or
additional educational qualifications have been doing reasonably well, whereas the optional subjects like
Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering are considered as tougher subjects and the candidates with
exceptionally good preparation only may expect to do well.
History is one of the optional subjects which are widely selected by the aspirants. Because of the nature and
resources available in the market this subject has been chosen as safe optional subject. One of the other
reason that candidates select this optional because it is easy to grasp, it doesn’t matter what your background
is you can easily understand and do well in this optional.
Public Administration is another subject which is popular among aspirants. Public Administration can also
be coupled with other optional like History or Sociology etc. This optional also covers significant areas of
the General Studies papers. This optional subject does not require any previous background in the subject
this is added advantage.
Philosophy is another subject that may be taken with other humanities subjects. This subject maybe coupled
with Political Science or Sociology as there are several similarities between them. It is also very useful for
the essay papers. The subject has been considered as scoring one and also requires no previous background.
Geography is another optional that is open to candidates from varied academic backgrounds. The nature of
the optional is objective - with its tables and maps – it makes it highly scoring.
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Economics is another optional that is often eschewed by candidates as it is considered as a difficult subject.
However in the past Economics has helped some students topped the rank list. However care should be
taken while selecting this subject. One subject is Sociology, which is very useful in the "social issues"
section of the General Studies paper and in answering essay questions.
However, it is believes that the primary criteria should not be the nature of the subject or whether it is
comprehended as scoring or not. Student interest in the subject should be given predominant importance. It
should be correctly understood that any optional can be scoring if the student approaches it strategically and
systematically.
Selection of Medium of Exam
Aspirants need to select as their medium of instruction for the Mains examination. Selection of medium
should be done with your interest instead in the fashion. It is seen that some candidates select medium as
others are getting selection in that particular medium, this should not be done. You should chose your
medium that suits you best and you can express your views better than other medium. Availability of
standard books & study material in that medium should also be taken into account before choosing the
medium. Aspirants should keep in mind that medium plays key role in the final selection, and with the new
syllabus it proved. In the new syllabus of Prelims English medium candidates must feel safe in Prelims
Paper two instead of Hindi medium candidates. But it’s not worry for them a little effort can make for the
hindi medium candidate. They should brush up their English before opting hindi as a medium of language.
Importance of General Studies
General Studies is one of the subjects which have major contribution in the whole examination, in the
Prelims there is one whole Paper of General Studies and in the Mains it has its contribution. In this way
general studies can’t be underestimate it leads you to the final selection. Though Optional subject also has its
importance but at the same time General Studies has its own contribution. In the Essay & Interview stage
this helps a lot. So General Studies should be prepared in well.
Taking Your First Attempt
It is seen among aspirants that they are in hurray to take their first attempt. But it’s not good strategy at all
do not hurry in taking your first attempt. Take your first attempt as your first and last attempt and only when
then you feel that you are ready to come into the battlefield of exam because once you are trapped in virulent
circle of examinations, little time remains available for improvisation.
Taking Your Further Attempts
Prepare yourself as there is no need for any further attempt. Even then somehow you could not get selected
then think before taking your further attempt. Assess yourself well before taking your further attempt ff you
has done well in the previous attempt its good, you only need to maintain your tempo. But, if you have not
performed well then it is better to quit one or two attempts and don’t take your further attempt unless you are
ready for the attempt.
The Mantra to Crack Civil Services Exam
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Hard Work
It is proved fact that there is no shortcut in life and it is hard work that works for us. Sometimes at the initial
stage it won’t work but at the end of day it will led you to the success. We should always keep in mind that
hard work never goes unrewarded. Hard work has no any substitute. It’s you who could finish the whole
work by yourself, nobody is coming with you. Entire course of action have to complete by you. Civil service
competition is the best example of hard work. If you work hard you will get through if not you won’t make
it the first huddle i.e. Prelims exam. The examination that you are preparing for is like a marathon race. You
have to pass in this exam of marathon, definitely you have to start you journey from square one at several
time. The candidates who are taking civil services exam are well educated and have talent to lead the
country but over the years it has been revealed that only 50 percent of the total candidate are the serious
ones. Here we should keep in mind that those aspirants who has the confidence that he can compete in this
examination and succeed, only they are going to finally crack it.
If we see the statistics among the 50 per cent of the serious candidates, merely 20 per cent are hard workers,
and the real fight is between them. The number of vacancies are not stable it is changing year by year but
nowadays vacancies are around 900 posts in all. So, to come in the 900, one has to put the real hard work,
unique way of writing skills, above all better than the other aspirants. Hard work can be termed as one of the
pre-requisite for every sphere in life and in the Civil services exam it is indispensable.
Dedication
For me Dedication is sometimes doing things even if I didn't have to and doing it with passion. Understand
to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.
Remember dedication towards our own duty always pays in life. One has to be totally dedicated even for the
minutest things in the life, finally its it which finally get you all along the long way. Yes dedication always
bundled with sacrifice. During you course of your preparation you have to sacrifice many of your favorites
like movies, parties, and entertainments etc. Without dedication it is impossible to achieve what you want to
be.
Patience
One famous quote is that "Good things come to those who wait." This quote applies everywhere. If one
needs favorable result it has to come with the patience. Take civil service exam it spans a year Preliminary
exam in the month of may-june to the interview in the month of march next year. The whole process of
exam requires patience. During your preparation at many times you may feel tired and jaded but it is the
time when you have to keep you going. Once you stop there are many others who are waiting to take you
place. The Civil service exam in one way is the psychometric test for the aspirants it is test for their patience
also. In all to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.
Self-Confidence
“The secret of making dreams come true can be summarized in four C’s. They are Curiosity, Confidence,
Courage, and Constancy; and the greatest of these is Confidence.”WaltDisney Self-confidence is the first
requisite to great undertakings. It is self confidence that makes the difference. It doesn’t matter how hard
you try and work hard unless you don't believe in yourself and your ability to succeed. One should always
keep one’s self confidence at the high level, yes everyone agrees that one can never be always self motivated
and could lose temper, at this time you need to keep motivated it dosen’t matter by which means.
Important Books for IAS Exam:
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Faith in God/Luck
Everyone of us holds a different image of God. But at one instance we all belive that there is almighty who
is above us. There is nothing bad in it to have faith in such almighty. It is seen by the result of many exams
that most of the aspirants who have cleared the Civil Services examination add faith in God as a major key
to their success. Still, we should remember that there is no substitute to hard work. Faith in God will keep
you going.
Time Management
Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of
time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. Time
management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when
accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals complying with a due date. This set encompasses a wide
scope of activities, and these include planning , setting goals , analysis of time spent. In the Civil Services
exam it is a tool to success. Time management is essential and one of the important tool in the Civil Services
Examination. In the first stage of examination that is called preliminaries, real-time testing is very important.
When it comes to Mains time management has become more important one has to solve the whole paper in
merely three hours. Here aspirants should allocate the time as according to the requirement of the question
paper. As the nature of Mains exam paper is that one need to stick to the word limits in all questions and
here need proper time management, aspirants should keep in mind that if one is devoting too much time to
one particular question will surely means that one miss out on others questions. The UPSC exams among
many other things, it also tests aspirants skill in time management, and how to organize the work in a
systematic and efficient manner.
Time management is important not just in writing the exam, but also while preparing for it. It is advisable to
break up long study sessions into a few compact ones with more breaks to refresh oneself. For example, two
four-hour sessions prove to be more beneficial than one long eight-hour stretch. Some students prefer to
study in short bursts of two hours, with 15-minute breaks in between.
Ultimately it is up to the individual to find his or her own unique time management strategy. It is also
possible to use "free time" effectively. Thus, time spent commuting, or relaxing can also be used to refresh
concepts or read different, if not completely unrelated, books. However, it is important to "switch-off" for at
least some time in a day.
Courtesy: The Hindu, Forntline
Writing Skills
Writing skills are perhaps the most essential requirement in the main examination sections of the UPSC
exam. As the exam is also a test of an individual's analytical and interpretative ability, clear, coherent and
well-written answers in simple, effective English (or Hindi) are essential. Most students who clear the
preliminaries are extremely comfortable with their material, and are unlikely to add particularly unique or
new information. The difference lies in the method of presentation - or the writing. (the hindu)
Courtesy: The Hindu
Examination Tacties
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A tactic is a specific action taken to address a specific situation. It is part of a specific plan or strategy. It is
subjective in nature one tactics will work for one and at the same time it won’t work for the other. Tactics
take different shapes and forms in different situation. It is when you think about a plan to do something and
make a strategy for a big one. The very nature of Civil services exam the tactics must be applied at every
level of preparation and it should be focus on greater and intensive coverage. Civil Services examination
syllabus has a vast area of syllabus one is expected to know various disciplines at the same time like history,
polity, geography, economy, science apart from other curriculum. However, one need not to be master on
each disciplines only basics of each of the disciplines is needed. Hence, here the full examination tactics will
help you out.
Examination Tacties
A tactic is a specific action taken to address a specific situation. It is part of a specific plan or strategy. It is
subjective in nature one tactics will work for one and at the same time it won’t work for the other. Tactics
take different shapes and forms in different situation. It is when you think about a plan to do something and
make a strategy for a big one. The very nature of Civil services exam the tactics must be applied at every
level of preparation and it should be focus on greater and intensive coverage. Civil Services examination
syllabus has a vast area of syllabus one is expected to know various disciplines at the same time like history,
polity, geography, economy, science apart from other curriculum. However, one need not to be master on
each disciplines only basics of each of the disciplines is needed. Hence, here the full examination tactics will
help you out.
Use of Internet
We are in the era of internet revolution. A recent data shows that the broadband connectivity in India has
been on the rising. It is one of the information hub make use of it as much as you can. Most of the aspirants
has their own means of Information tools, those who don’t have can access through it from Internet Café. It
is an ever-bulging ocean of information. All the important information is available on the Internet, even you
can clear you doubts in this platform. Many important materials are available for instance, NCERT Books
are now available on its net. India Year Book published by Indian Govt., Complete Budget and Economic
Survey Book and Summary of all bilateral meetings are now available on the Internet. Wikipedia is one of
one source of all information it is free and at some extent it is authentic as well.
Addresses of Some Useful Websites:
1. http://iasexamportal.com - For tips, Book list, suggestions, coaching information
2. http://www.pib.nic.in - For government current press notes
3. http://www.upsc.gov.in - For all official information regarding the exam at any stage.
4. http://www.persmin.nic.in - Useful after selection
5. http://www.ncert.nic.in/textbooks/testing/Index.htm - To download all NCERT
6. www.goidirectory.nic.in - It connects to official websites of all Ministries and departments.
7. www.meaindia.nic.in - External Affairs Ministry website useful for India-World relations
8. www.indiacode.nic.in - Constitution of India, Central Acts, Supreme Court, etc.
9. www.indiabudget.nic.in - For latest budget and Economic Survey
10. http://publicationsdivision.nic.in - For latest India Year Book
Strategy for Freshers
Important Books for IAS Exam:
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At one or another instance everyone has to be fresher. As a fresher one first of all go through the notification
of the exam but must not be panic by seeing the columns and columns of syllabus. Here coaching centre or
your seniors or any portal like us will help you out. They could show you the right path. However there will
be instances when you will feel that you know nothing other knowing a lot it is the sign to get into the
preparation as soon as possible otherwise you might be lead in the another path, a path of frustration. Trust
me it is not matter of intellectual but just time, you might be fresher they might have background. During
initial phase just concentrate in your self-study and make your concept clear.
There are several myths about the Civil Services Exam it is some sort of hype around the examination. But
as a fresher try to ignore such myths. It is commonly seen that a fresher always starts with some “Suggested
Reading” here we should take care about who has suggested you, it really matters a lot because the whole
examination preparation will depend on it. The real foundation will build here. At many instances he starts
his preparation on a high note and works hard in the beginning but gradually he feels exhausted and the
momentum slows down. Here is the real problem one need to stop here and is to keep going. Aspirants
should be result oriented rather than exam oriented. In some disciplines selective study is helpful but it has
its limitation. Try not to take attempt as to check the pattern of examination as it won’t help you in anyways.
It may keep you chasing the Civil service exam at your last attempt. Some aspirants have a funny idea that
Civil Services can be cleared only in multiple attempts. Ignore all and take many examples who have cleared
the exam in the very first attempt. Here are some suggestions for the freshers, firstly try to understand the
whole exam and the very nature of the exam, keep yourself ready the preparation, believe strongly in
yourself that you will clear the exam in the first attempt itself and never will compromise at any stage and if
required at any time will work harder than ever before, the preparation should be started at least one year
ahead of your first attempt, do not take your attempt unless you are confident of qualifying for the it all the
way. Make your first attempt as your best one.
Role of Coaching Institute
Due to the complex exam procedure, the coaching assumes a crucial role. Unfortunately, it is a costly affair.
Getting into civil services is really a tough one/ himalayam task. Every individual would like to do
something great in life. There are about three lakh applications and 50% really appear in the exam for
merely 900 seats (in general). Everyone knows things but don't know how to present it. Here comes, the role
of coaching Institute and Portals.
Civil Services coaching Institute and any type of guiding portal like UPSCPORTAL play a crucial role
during the course of preparation of the aspirants. However here we should note that it is never been the
essential element for the preparation. There are plenty of examples where we can see that an aspirant get
through without any help of coaching institution. It is additional component of the preparation rather than
essential. Nowadays it has become fashion to join the coaching institute; it is considered that without joining
any coaching one hasn’t get success. It is clear that it helps but at one point of preparation their role ends,
and the role of aspirants own effort has finally proved. There is a high competition in getting IAS here
coaching institute helps to keep you in the right path and will put you in the competition in the right way.
Coaching has many advantages, it helps to understand the nature of exam quickly, sometimes reduces the
efforts and focused more in the subject, provides environment for the competition, regular classes gives the
insight about the competition, many postal courses help in the preparation etc.
General Trend of Marks
The general marks is not any standard format it varies from year to year, it all depends on the vacancies in
the particular year and standard of questions which has asked in that year. Apart from this the marks also
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vary from optional to optional. It is known that the first stage of the exam i.e. Prelims doesn’t carry any
marks it is only to screen the candidate and select those who are eligible for the next stage i.e. Mains. Mains
comprise of Written Test and Personality Test which carries total 2300 marks. The following data about the
marks and the ranks will give a general idea about the efforts that are required.
Preliminary Marks
Trend of Qualifying Scores for Prelims with Negative Marking :
Category Marks
General
200-220
OBC
190-210
SC
190-200
ST
180-185
The scores for the mains are in the range of 50-55%. Usually, a score of above 1000 is better to ensure a
place in the final list.
Mains Marks
Trend of Cut-off Scores for Interview Call:
Category Marks
General
950
OBC
925-935
SC
910-920
ST
910-915
In the final stage i.e. interview, around 140-170 marks is a normal. Some aspirants get even 220-240 marks.
The interview carries 300 marks. One has to keep an eye on the interview as it is one of the stages where
final selection depends on. Interview is all about your personality so it makes personality development as
part of your preparation. One should keep in mind that the final rank is very much depending on the
interview marks.
Final Marks
General Trends of Final Scores for Selection
Category
Marks
Top 20 ranks
~1200
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Top 100 ranks ~1100
Top 200 ranks 950-1000
Top 500 ranks 900-100
The actual final ranks and the service allocation of successful candidates can be obtained from the personnel
ministry.
Courtesy: persmin.nic.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When does the notification for the exam come out?
It comes out usually during the first week of December/January every year.The notification is published in
Employment News and Rozgar Samachar.
2. What is the exam scheme?
It is a three stage exam, with only successful candidates eligible to apply in subsequent stages. The first
stage is the Preliminary Exam, open for all applicants. Upon clearing this the successful candidate has to
apply again to sit for the Main Exam. Successful candidates at this stage are called for the Personality Test
or Interview. Those passing the Personality Test are the ultimate successful candidates.
3. What optionals should be more suitable optionals for me?
It is a highly sensitive issue, and the most crucial too, because choice of optionals goes a long way in
deciding your prospects. We have discussed in full details just go through it.
4. I am an engineering graduate. From scoring point of view you suggest the suitable optional for my
preparation.
There is an increasing trend that engineering graduates are shifting towards humanities. They preferably take
one of the optionals as the science and the other from humanities. As far as popular trend is concerned large
number of engineering students find it comfortable to opt either geography or public administration. Both
these optionals are having small seep in time and can be comfortably picked up in a short span of time.
5. What is the restriction on number of attempts in Civil services Examinations?
General-4, OBC-7, SC/ST- No restriction
6. Is there any relaxation in number of attempts for physically handicapped?
Yes, physically handicapped candidates belonging to the general category shall be eligible for 7 attempts
7. Can a candidate who has completed his education from an open school/ University apply for
Commissions Examination?
Yes, provided it is a recognized University and he possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the
exam and is otherwise eligible.
8. Can a candidate who has completed his education from Foreign University for example Cambridge,
Oxford etc.apply for Commissions Examination
No, there the degree must be approved with the UGC or the any other govt. organization that is mentioned in
the notification.
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9. Is a candidate who has done his graduation without passing the class Xth and class XIIth eligible
for civil services examination?
Yes
10. Whether a candidate belonging to a community included in the OBC list of states but not in the
Central list of OBCs is eligible for age relaxation, reservation etc. for Commission’s Examinations?
No. Only candidates belonging to communities which are included in the Central list of OBCs are eligible
for such concessions.
11. If a candidate has applied for the CS (P) Examination but has not appeared at any paper in the CS
(P) Examination will it be counted as an attempt?
No. An attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one paper in CS (P) Examination.
12. Can a candidate write different papers of Civil Service (Main) Examination in different
languages?
No, Candidates have the option to write their answers either in English or in any one of the Eighth schedule
languages.
13. Can a candidate write the Civil Service (Main) Examination in English and take the interview in
Hindi or any other Indian language?
If a candidate opts an Eighth schedule language for the CS (Main) Examination he will have the option to
take the interview in same language or in English.
14. How one should start preparing for civil services examination?
The best way to start for this examination is by knowing the nature of examination. After having decided for
the optionals one should develop a keen interest in looking at the past years questions to get an idea as to
what one should be preparing for. One should also get a proper guidance for the channelization of its time,
energy and resources. Planning is very crucial. One must plan and work the plan in a disciplined manner.
There should be time frame and small targets fixed to work in this direction.
15. What is the minimum age at which aspirants should start preparing for the civil Services
Examination?
The preparation for IAS exam should start in a focused manner at 20 – 21 years of age. This is the time
student is able to focus on the goal properly and is in a position to peak at the right time. Starting too early
(immediately after school or early graduation) has the likelihood of aspirant tiring during the course of
preparation or loosing focus mid way whereas starting too late has disadvantage in terms of competitive
edge of early start. Preferably the preparation should start in a focused manner around 20 years of age. This
is the time student is able to focus the goal properly and is in a position to peak at the right time. Starting too
early has a likelihood of tiring at the right time or starting very late will disadvantage in terms of competitive
edge of early start.
Important Books for IAS Exam:
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