ABOUT CIVIL SERVICES
- The origin of the modern meritocratic civil service can be traced back to Imperial examination founded in Imperial China.
- The term civil service can refer to either a branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed (hired) on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations; or the body of employees in any government agency apart from the military, which is a separate extension of any national government.
- An employment in the civil services is much more than an average white- collar job. In fact, the Civil Services offer a unique career opportunity combined with constructive challenges and high growth prospects.
- By getting into the civil services, you will not only be associated with the decision-makers and implementer of policies & programmes but you will also be a crucial contributor as policy maker to the development of the nation as a whole.
- The decision to join the civil services is not that of going for yet another lucrative job for livelihood. In fact, it is an opportunity to serve the country. Moreover, the varied nature of assignments attached with the services gives an opportunity for the maximum utilization of one’s potential.
- The civil service system is the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country. The executive decisions are implemented by the Indian civil servants.
- It was Sardar Patel’s vision that the Civil Service should strengthen cohesion and national unity. The values of integrity, impartiality and merit remain the guiding principles of Indian civil services.
- The highest ranking civil servant is the Cabinet Secretary. He is ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board; the chief of the Indian Administrative Service and head of all civil services under the rules of business of the Government of India.
- The Civil Service Day is celebrated on 21 April every year
List of Services
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’
- Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration)
- Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’
- Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Grp ‘A’
- Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’
- Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Gr. III)
- Indian Corporate Law Service, Group “A”
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group ‘B’
- Pondicherry Civil Service, Group ‘B’
- Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’
(Reservation will be made for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes. Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Physically Disabled Categories in respect of vacancies as may be fixed by the Government.)
Eligibility Criteria
1. NATIONALITY
For the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.
For other services, a candidate must be either:
- a citizen of India, or
- a subject of Nepal, or
- a subject of Bhutan, or
- a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.
- Provided further that candidates belonging to categories (b), (c) and (d) above will not be eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service.
Note: A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary, may be admitted to the examination but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India.
2.AGE LIMIT
| CATEGORY | AGE |
| General category | 21 to 32years |
| OBC | 21 to 35 years |
| SC/ST | 21 to 37 years |
| Differently Able | 21 to 42 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 21 to 37 years |
3 MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
- The candidate must hold a degree of any of 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 deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification with any percentage of Marks.
- The final year appearing student can also appear for the exam.
4 . HOW MANY ATTEMPTS CAN ONE GIVE?
| CATEGORY | AGE |
| General category | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC/ST | limit till the age of 37 years |
| Differently Able | 9 |
All female candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ Physically Handicapped categories are exempted from payment of fee.
How to Apply
- Candidates are required to apply online using the website http://www.upsconline.nic.in. Detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.
- Note: The applicants are advised to submit only single application; however, if due to any unavoidable situation, if he/she submits another/multiple applications, then he/she must ensure that application with the higher RID is complete in all respects like applicants’ details, examination centre, photograph, signature, fee etc. The applicants who are submitting multiple applications should note that only the applications with higher RID (Registration ID) shall be entertained by the Commission and fee paid against one RID shall not be adjusted against any other RID.
- All candidates, whether already in Government Service, Government owned industrial undertakings or other similar organizations or in private employment should submit their applications direct to the Commission.
- Persons already in Government Service, whether in a permanent or temporary capacity or as work charged employees other than casual or daily rated employees or those serving under the Public Enterprises are however, required submitting an undertaking that they have informed in writing their Head of Office/Department that they have applied for the Examination.
- Candidates should note that in case a communication is received from their employer by the Commission withholding permission to the candidates applying for/appearing at the examination, their application will be liable to be rejected/candidature will be liable to be cancelled.
SCHEME OF THE EXAMINATION
- The competitive examination comprises two successive stages:
(i) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examinations (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for Main Examination; and
(ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the selection of candidates for the various services and posts.
- The Preliminary Examination will consist of two papers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400.
This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
| Preliminary Examination | Mains Examination | |||||
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The written examination will consist of the following papers:
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| Personality Test -275 Marks.
Grand Total =2025 Marks |
INTERVIEW TEST
* The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his/her career. He/she will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
* The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate.
* In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only his/her intellectual qualities but also social traits and his/her interest in current affairs.
* Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
* The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.
* The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers.
* Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own state or country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well-educated youth.
List of optional subjects for Main Examination:
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MYTHS ABOUT CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION
Myth People used to say that luck is needed for this exam.
Truth Success is99% preparationand1% luck. So don’t let that 99% thing slip from your hand. Do study sincerely, and you will be rewarded with that 1% luck.
Myth You need to burn midnight oil for 3 years to crack this exam.
Truth We completely agree that there is no substitute for hard work, but you should focus on doing the right work or smart work first. Have a winnable strategy for preparations which highly prioritises your entire syllabus.
Myth One topper in an interview said that she studied 20 hours every day for 365 days. Is this true?
Truth Consistency is the most important factor in Civil Services Examination. If qualitative studies are done or one year, devoting 6 hours a day for 6 days a week consistently is sufficient. Good sleep is very necessary to prepare well for this exam. It keeps you in good health.
Myth Some say this exam is like a vast ocean and questions are asked from outside the syllabus, even from extraterritorial sources. Is it?
Truth No. Again wrong. UPSC strictly adheres to the syllabus. Though sometimes it seems like questions are asked from outside of the syllabus, they are actually in some ways related to it. The questions are based on basic principles and their application, factual information and current affairs. One should understand the principles and then strive to find their applications in day-to-day life. Reading newspapers and magazines and periodicals on economic, political and social issues keeps one updated with current developments and policy changes.
Myth Lakhs of aspirants give this exam and only few get into IAS. I am scared.
Truth Though lakhs of aspirants apply and write this exam, the real competition is between only 5000-8000 serious aspirants. Those who study systematically and consistently, get into service. If you do the same, you will be one among them. Don’t have fears even before you start. You must enter the race and work hard to win it.
Myth I am Hindi or non-English medium candidate. I am at a disadvantage as compared to English medium candidates.
Truth The language you choose is not a handicap, rather, lack of confidence and non-availability of study materials is. Every year numerous students from non-English background are clearing the civil services exam. You too can. Also, you should always select the language you are most comfortable in expressing yourself. So please don’t opt for English as medium of examination if you aren’t comfortable in it…
Myth It is very difficult for students with non-engineering background to clear this exam.
Truth Though the engineering background gives the students a little edge over others when it comes to CSAT exams, but that’s about it. In the end, the one who puts in the hard work and gives his best performance ends up in cracking the exam.
Myth I am nearing the age limit in my category so it’s too late to attempt the exam.
Truth So long you are eligible to apply for the exam; you have a chance of clearing it. The most interesting fact about IAS selection in recent years is the increase in average age of successful candidates. So it’s never too late to attempt the IAS exam provided you have a definite plan and will power to make it through.
Myth If you choose an optional subject which is less popular, you will have higher chances of cracking the exam.
Truth This is a very popular myth among the students appearing for UPSC exams. But the reality is the number of candidates to be selected for a certain optional is directly proportional the number of students who opted for it.
Myth They say there is corruption in recruiting IAS officers. Is it true?
Truth This accusation is completely false. The whole examination is so opaque that you have to trust it blindly. There may be loopholes in how an UPSC member is appointed, but there is never corruption involved in the recruitment of civil service officers. The steel produced is pure. You can trust it.
The secret of the champions is that they always visualize the result in advance. And they visualize until they are completely certain that they can achieve the seemingly impossible task ahead of them. So tap into the power of faith and belief that you can do it, this will push you to dedicate yourself completely towards breaking through the exam.