UPSC CSE 2024 Examination Pattern
The Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) follows three stages namely- Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test/ Interview.
Preliminary Examination
The aspirants must clear the preliminary test that will comprise 2 papers namely General Studies and Civil Service Aptitude Test, each of 200 marks. The duration for both exams will be of two hours and will consist of Multiple Choice Questions. Paper-1 comprises 100 questions and Paper-2 comprises 80 questions. The exam is conducted in both Hindi and English.
The General Studies Paper (Paper-I) tests candidates' knowledge in various subjects, including History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, and more. It is designed to assess the candidate's general awareness and analytical abilities.
The Civil Service Aptitude Test (Paper II) evaluates the candidate's comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical skills, and decision-making abilities.
The Civil Service Aptitude Test (Paper-II) of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is considered a qualifying paper, and candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 33% marks to pass.
The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not considered for the final merit list; it serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.
Main Examination (Mains)
The second stage Civil Services Examination is known as the Mains. The Main Examination consists of nine descriptive papers, out of which seven are considered for the final merit list. The other two papers (Indian Language and English) are qualifying in nature; the candidate needs to secure the prescribed minimum marks (300 marks each) to pass.
The seven papers considered for the final merit are:
Essay- 250 Marks
Candidates are required to compose an essay on a provided topic to evaluate their writing proficiency and capability to present their thoughts in a coherent manner.
General Studies I- 250 marks
This paper covers topics like Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.
General Studies II- 250 marks
Topics include Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
General Studies III- 250 marks
It covers Economic Development, Technology, Environment, Biodiversity, Security, and Disaster Management.
General Studies IV- 250 marks
This paper tests candidates on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
Optional Subject Paper I- 250 marks
Optional Subject Paper II- 250 marks
Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. Each subject will have two papers, and they are related to the subject chosen by the candidate.
The total marks allotted to the Written-Tests in this phase in 1750. The examination will consist of conventional (essay) type question papers, with each paper having a duration of three hours.
Marking Pattern
In the examination, there will be a provision for negative marking in case of incorrect answers, as explained below. Each question will have four answer options. For every question answered incorrectly by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty. Moreover, if a candidate provides more than one answer to a question, even if one of the given answers is correct, it will still be considered incorrect, and the same penalty will apply. However, if a candidate leaves a question blank without providing any answer, there will be no penalty for that particular question.
Personality Test/ Interview
Candidates who qualify in the Main Examination are shortlisted for the Personality Test, which is also known as the Interview. The candidate will undergo an interview conducted by a Board, which will possess the candidate's career record. During the Interview/Personality Test, the candidate will be questioned on topics of general interest. The primary objective of this assessment is to evaluate the candidate's personal suitability for a career in public service. The Board conducting the interview consists of competent and impartial observers. The Personality Test/ Interview carries 275 marks.
The Interview/Personality Test is conducted as a purposeful conversation, not a rigorous cross-examination, with the aim of revealing the candidate's mental attributes. It is not designed to assess the candidates' specialized or general knowledge, which has already been evaluated through their written papers. Instead, candidates are expected to demonstrate an intelligent interest in their academic subjects and stay informed about current events within and beyond their State or Country. Additionally, their curiosity should extend to modern trends of thought and new discoveries, reflecting the qualities of well-educated individuals.
After considering the marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Interview, a final merit list is prepared. Candidates are then allotted various services based on their rank and preference, subject to their eligibility and the availability of vacancies.
Candidates can look at the table below to get a clear idea about UPSC CSE 2024 Examination Pattern:
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UPSC CSE (Preliminary) Examination
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Events
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Date
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Examination Duration
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2 hours (120 minutes)
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Number of Papers
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2 papers
General Studies (Paper-1), and Civil Service Aptitude Test (Paper-II)
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Type of Questions
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
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Number of Questions
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Paper-1 - 100 Questions
Paper-2 - 80 Questions
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Mode of examination
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Offline
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Total Marks
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400
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Marking Scheme
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For every question answered incorrectly by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty. Moreover, if a candidate provides more than one answer to a question, even if one of the given answers is correct, it will still be considered incorrect, and the same penalty will apply
if a candidate leaves a question blank without providing any answer, there will be no penalty for that particular question.
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UPSC CSE (Main) Examination
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Events
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Date
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Examination Duration
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3 hours (180 minutes)
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Number of Papers
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9 papers
Qualifying Papers
Paper-A - Indian Language
Paper-B - English
Papers to be counted for merit
Paper-1 - Essay
Paper-2 - General Studies 1
Paper-3 - General Studies 2
Paper-4 - General Studies 3
Paper-5 - General Studies 4
Paper-6 - Optional Paper 1
Paper-7 - Optional Paper 2
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Type of Questions
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Essay Type Questions
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Mode of examination
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Offline
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Total Marks
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1750
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Marking Scheme
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For every question answered incorrectly by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty. Moreover, if a candidate provides more than one answer to a question, even if one of the given answers is correct, it will still be considered incorrect, and the same penalty will apply.
If a candidate leaves a question blank without providing any answer, there will be no penalty for that particular question.
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Personality Test
The Interview/Personality Test is conducted as a purposeful conversation, not a rigorous cross-examination, to reveal the candidate's mental attributes. It is not designed to assess the candidates' specialized or general knowledge, which has already been evaluated through their written papers. Instead, candidates are expected to demonstrate an intelligent interest in their academic subjects and stay informed about current events within and beyond their State or Country. Additionally, their curiosity should extend to modern trends of thought and discoveries, reflecting the qualities of well-educated individuals. The Personality Test/ Interview carries 275 marks.
