{"id":225,"date":"2024-05-09T07:09:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T07:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/upscpre.in\/?p=225"},"modified":"2024-05-09T08:36:11","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T08:36:11","slug":"comprehensive-guide-to-upsc-civil-services-exam-structure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upscpre.in\/comprehensive-guide-to-upsc-civil-services-exam-structure\/","title":{"rendered":"Comprehensive Guide to UPSC Civil Services Exam Structure"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of India’s most prestigious exams, attracting thousands of aspirants every year. Dedicated preparation with question banks, mock paper, e-books and quizzes<\/a><\/strong> are required. The exam’s structure is designed to select candidates who are not only knowledgeable but also possess the skills and attributes required for a career in civil services. In this guide, we provide a comprehensive overview of the <\/span>UPSC Civil Services Exam structure<\/i><\/b>,<\/b> focusing on its three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Interview stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the UPSC Civil Services Exam structure?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The UPSC Civil Services Exam structure is divided into 3 groups:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The Preliminary Examination (Prelims)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. The Main Examination (Mains)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. The Interview Stage (Personality Test)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Preliminary Examination (Prelims)<\/b><\/h3>\n

    The Preliminary Examination, or Prelims, is the first stage in the <\/span>UPSC Civil Services Exam structure<\/b>. It is designed to filter out candidates before they advance to the Main Examination. The Prelims consist of two papers: General Studies Paper I and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Both papers are multiple-choice and test candidates on a range of subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n

    General Studies Paper I consists of 100 questions, with a total of 200 marks. It covers subjects like history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, and current affairs. It requires not just factual knowledge but also the ability to understand and analyse various topics. Negative marking is also part of the<\/span>Exam structure, where 1\/3 of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

    CSAT (General Studies Paper II) is a qualifying paper with 80 questions, each worth 2.5 marks, totaling 200 marks. It tests candidates’ analytical and reasoning skills, including comprehension, basic numeracy, and data interpretation. Although it doesn’t count toward the overall Prelims score, candidates must score at least 33% to qualify for the Mains. This aspect of the UPSC Civil Services Exam structure ensures that candidates possess a baseline level of aptitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Main Examination (Mains)<\/b><\/h3>\n

    The Main Examination, or Mains, is the second stage in the <\/span>Exam structure.<\/b> It is more comprehensive and tests candidates’ in-depth knowledge and writing skills. The Mains consist of nine papers, of which seven are considered for merit, and two are qualifying papers. The total marks for the Mains are 1750, making it a crucial component of the overall examination.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Qualifying Papers include one Indian language and English, each carrying 300 marks. These papers assess candidates’ proficiency in language and are a critical part of the UPSC Civil Services Exam structure. Candidates must pass these papers to move forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Merit Papers consist of the following:<\/b><\/p>\n