UPSC Civil Services Exam Selection Process for IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS and Other Posts

Understand the 3-stage UPSC CSE selection process for in India. Details on Prelims, Mains (written exam), and the Personality Test (Interview) for IAS, IPS, and IFS recruitment."

UPSC Civil Services Selection Process: Prelims, Mains & Interview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE), a rigorous and competitive process for recruitment to various Group 'A' and Group 'B' services of the Government of India, including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). The entire selection process is designed to test a candidate's intellectual abilities, analytical skills, and personal suitability. It is a three-tiered process, consisting of the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview).

The Three Stages of the Examination

A candidate must clear each stage sequentially to move to the next. The final merit list is prepared based on the performance in the Main Examination and the Personality Test.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

This is the first stage, serving as a screening test to select candidates for the Main Examination. The marks obtained in this stage are not counted for the final merit list.

• Purpose: To filter candidates for the next stage.
• Nature: Objective type with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• Papers: It consists of two compulsory papers:
  • Paper I - General Studies: Marks from this paper determine the cut-off for qualification to the Mains.
  • Paper II - Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT): This is a qualifying paper; candidates must score a minimum of 33%.
• Negative Marking: Yes, one-third of the marks for a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.

Stage 2: Main Examination (Written)

This is the core stage of the selection process. It is a written, descriptive examination designed to assess the depth of a candidate's understanding and intellectual traits.

• Purpose: To evaluate academic expertise, analytical ability, and written communication skills.
• Nature: Written (essay/descriptive type).
• Papers: It consists of 9 papers in total. Two are qualifying, and the marks from the other seven are counted for the final merit ranking.

Structure of the Main Examination: Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)

Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are summoned for a Personality Test, conducted by the UPSC board. This is not a test of knowledge but an assessment of personality, mental alertness, and leadership qualities.

• Purpose: To assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service.
• Nature: A face-to-face conversation with a board of competent and unbiased observers.
• Skills Tested: Mental calibre, social traits, interest in current affairs, mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, leadership, and integrity.
• Marks: 275

Final Merit List and Service Allocation

The final ranking of candidates is determined by the total marks obtained in the Main Examination (1750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks). The final merit list is based on a total of 2025 marks. Based on their rank and the preferences for services filled out by them in the Detailed Application Form (DAF), candidates are allocated to various services.

Disclaimer: The information presented here is based on the official rules and notifications published by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Civil Services Examination. Aspirants should always refer to the latest official notification for the most accurate and updated information.

Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in

Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are the marks from the Preliminary exam counted in the final merit list?

No, the Preliminary exam is only a screening test. The marks obtained in Prelims are not included in the final merit list, which is based on the total marks from the Main Examination and the Personality Test (Interview).

What is the DAF?

DAF stands for Detailed Application Form. It is an online form that candidates who qualify the Prelims must fill out to appear for the Main Examination. It collects detailed information about the candidate's background, education, and service preferences.

In which language is the UPSC interview conducted?

The interview can be conducted in either English or Hindi. The candidate is given the choice of language for the interview, which they must indicate in their DAF for the Main Examination.

Is it necessary to pass the qualifying language papers in the Main exam?

Yes, absolutely. A candidate must score the minimum qualifying marks (typically 25%) in both Paper A (Indian Language) and Paper B (English). If they fail to do so, their other Main exam papers (the ones counted for merit) will not be evaluated.

Can I choose different optional subjects for Paper VI and Paper VII?

No. The optional subject consists of two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII). You must choose one subject from the list provided by UPSC, and you will write two papers on that single subject.

What happens if I fail the medical test after clearing all stages?

If a candidate is found medically unfit for all services, their candidature will be cancelled. If they are found unfit for certain technical services (like IPS) but fit for others, they will be considered for allocation to the services for which they are deemed fit.

How many candidates are called for the interview?

The number of candidates called for the interview is generally about twice the number of vacancies available for that year.

Is there a minimum cut-off for the interview marks?

No, the UPSC does not prescribe any minimum qualifying marks for the interview. However, performance in the interview is crucial as the marks are added to the Mains score to determine the final rank.

Do I need to score minimum marks in each General Studies paper in Mains?

While UPSC does not officially declare a per-paper cut-off for the individual GS papers, it advises that candidates must score marks that the Commission considers appropriate in each paper to be ranked. A very low score in one paper could jeopardize your final selection.

What is service allocation?

Service allocation is the process where successful candidates are assigned to different Civil Services (like IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS, etc.) based on their final rank in the merit list, their category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), the number of vacancies in each service for their category, and the order of preference for services they submitted in their DAF.