UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024 – IAS Age Limit, Qualification

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The UPSC Exam, officially known as the Civil Services Examination (CSE), is a highly competitive nationwide examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. It serves as the gateway to numerous prestigious civil service positions within the Indian government, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).

Overview

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Unlike other competitive exams that focus primarily on academic knowledge, the UPSC Exam emphasizes a holistic understanding of Indian society, culture, history, governance, and international affairs. It seeks to identify individuals who possess the necessary skills, aptitude, and temperament to serve in these demanding roles and contribute to the nation’s development and progress.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the UPSC Exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Nationality:

  • Must be a citizen of India or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
  • A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Sri Lanka, and East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Rwanda) and is ordinarily resident in India can also apply.
  • A candidate whose father or grandfather is a citizen of India is also eligible.
  • A candidate from a foreign country can apply only if he has been a resident of India for at least 10 years.

Educational Qualification:

  • Must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
  • The degree must be of three years’ duration after the completion of Higher Secondary Examination or equivalent.
  • Candidates who have appeared for their final year examination and are awaiting results can also apply.

Age Limit:

  • The age limit for General Category candidates is 21-32 years.
  • For Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates, it is 21-35 years.
  • For Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates, it is 21-37 years.
  • There are also age relaxations for candidates with disability and ex-servicemen.

Number of Attempts:

  • General Category candidates have a maximum of six attempts.
  • OBC candidates have a maximum of nine attempts.
  • SC and ST candidates have an unlimited number of attempts.

Physical Fitness:

  • Candidates must be physically fit to perform the duties of the posts they are applying for.
  • The UPSC conducts a physical fitness test for candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination.

Medical Standards:

  • Candidates must be free from any physical or mental defect that would hinder them from performing the duties of the posts they are applying for.
  • The UPSC conducts a medical examination for candidates who clear the Main Examination.

Apart from these eligibility criteria, candidates must also meet certain requirements for appearing in the exam, such as paying the application fee and submitting the required documents.

Exam Pattern

StagExam TypeSubjectsDuration
Preliminary ExamObjective (MCQs)General Studies Paper I2 hours
  General Studies Paper II (CSAT)2 hours
Main ExamDescriptivePaper A – Indian Language (Qualifying)3 hours
  Paper B – English (Qualifying)3 hours
  Paper I – Essay3 hours
  Paper II – General Studies I3 hours
  Paper III – General Studies II3 hours
  Paper IV – General Studies III3 hours
  Paper V – General Studies IV3 hours
  Papers VI, VII – Optional Subject (Any one)3 hours each
Interview RoundPersonal Interview 

Application Process

The application process for the UPSC Exam is as follows:

Registration

  1.  Visit the official UPSC website: Click
    UPSC website
  2. Click on the “Online Application” link.
  3. Create a new account or login to your existing account.
  4. Fill in the online application form with your personal and educational details.
  5. Upload your scanned photograph and signature.
  6. Pay the application fee.

Part I Registration

  1. Visit the UPSC website or the One Time Registration (OTR) portal.
  2. Click on the “New Registration” button.
  3. Fill in your personal details, including your name, date of birth, gender, and contact information.
  4. Create a password and security questions.
  5. Click on the “Submit” button.
  6. You will receive an email confirmation with your registration ID.

Part II Registration

  1. Visit the UPSC website or the OTR portal.
  2. Log in using your registration ID and password.
  3. Click on the “Apply Online” link for the specific exam you want to take.
  4. Fill in the online application form with your educational details, exam center preferences, and fee payment details.
  5. Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and photo ID proof.
  6. Click on the “Submit” button.
  7. You will receive a confirmation message with your application number.

Payment of Fee

  • The application fee can be paid online or offline.
  • The fee is different for different categories of candidates.
  • For online payment, you can use a credit card, debit card, or net banking.
  • For offline payment, you can generate a challan and pay at any SBI branch.

Submission of Documents

  • You will need to submit self-attested copies of your educational certificates and other supporting documents.
  • You can submit the documents online or by post.

Syllabus

The UPSC exam syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of subjects. Here’s a brief overview of the syllabus for the UPSC Civil Services Exam:

Preliminary Exam:

  1. Paper I – General Studies:
    • Current events of national and international importance
    • History of India and Indian National Movement
    • Indian and World Geography
    • Indian Polity and Governance
    • Economic and Social Development
    • General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change
    • General Science
  2. Paper II – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test):
    • Comprehension
    • Interpersonal skills including communication skills
    • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
    • Decision-making and problem-solving
    • General mental ability
    • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.)
    • Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.)

Main Exam:

      1. Paper A – Indian Language (Qualifying):
        • This paper requires candidates to choose one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
      2. Paper B – English (Qualifying):
        • This paper tests the candidate’s proficiency in English.
      3. Paper I – Essay:
        • Candidates have to write essays on multiple topics.
      4. Paper II – General Studies I:
        • Indian Heritage and Culture
        • History and Geography of the World and Society
      5. Paper III – General Studies II:
      6. Paper IV – General Studies III:
        • Technology
        • Economic Development
        • Bio-diversity
        • Environment
        • Security and Disaster Management
      7. Paper V – General Studies IV:
        • Ethics
        • Integrity
        • Aptitude
      8. Papers VI, VII – Optional Subject (Any one):
        • Candidates can choose an optional subject from the list provided by UPSC.

Important Dates

EventDate
UPSC Mains 2023 Exam DateSeptember 15, 16, 17, 23, and 24
(Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
(Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
UPSC Calendar 2024Released
UPSC 2024 Prelims DateMay 26, 2024
UPSC 2024 Mains Date20 September 2024
UPSC Prelims 2023 DateMay 28, 2023
UPSC Prelims Result 2023June 12, 2023
UPSC 2022 Final ResultMay 23, 2023
Top Rank in UPSC 2022Ishita Kishore
UPSC Vacancy 20231105

Tips for  Exam Preparation

The UPSC exam requires a well-planned strategy and consistent effort. Here are some tips to help you in your UPSC exam preparation:

  1. Understand the Syllabus:
    • Familiarize yourself with the detailed UPSC syllabus for both the Preliminary and Main exams. This will guide your preparation and help you focus on relevant topics.
  2. Create a Study Plan:
    • Develop a realistic and structured study plan that covers all subjects and allows for revision. Allocate time based on the weightage of each topic.
  3. Current Affairs:
    • Stay updated with current affairs, especially issues of national and international importance. Read newspapers, magazines, and watch the news regularly.
  4. Refer to Standard Books:
    • Choose standard and recommended textbooks for each subject. NCERT books can provide a strong foundation for basic concepts.
  5. Practice Answer Writing:
    • Practice writing answers regularly, especially for the Main exam. This improves your writing speed, clarity, and helps in time management during the exam.
  6. Mock Tests:
    • Take regular mock tests for both the Preliminary and Main exams. This helps in understanding the exam pattern, managing time effectively, and identifying areas that need improvement.
  7. Optional Subject:
    • Choose your optional subject wisely. It should align with your interests and have good study material available.
  8. Revision is Key:
    • Regularly revise what you’ve studied. Create short notes for quick revision closer to the exam date.
  9. Stay Healthy:
    • Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ensure you get adequate sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind.
  10. Stay Positive:
    • The UPSC exam is challenging, and success often takes time. Stay positive, stay focused, and believe in your abilities.
  11. Learn from Mistakes:
    • Analyze your mistakes in mock tests and exams. Understand the areas where you can improve and work on them.
  12. Stay Consistent:
    • Consistency is key. Regular, disciplined study over an extended period is more effective than last-minute cramming.
  13. Mock Interviews:
    • If possible, participate in mock interviews. This helps in refining your communication skills and building confidence for the personality test.
  14. Seek Guidance:
    • If needed, consider joining a coaching institute or seeking guidance from experienced mentors. However, self-study is equally valuable.

FEES

CategoryFee
General/OBC/EWS₹100
SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwD/FemaleNil

Conclusion

The UPSC exam stands as a gateway to prestigious civil services in India, offering roles like IAS, IPS, and IFS. With a challenging but rewarding selection process, it assesses candidates through a Preliminary exam, Main exam, and Interview round. Success requires a deep understanding of the extensive syllabus, strategic preparation, and a focus on current affairs. Aspirants should follow a disciplined study plan, practice answer writing, and stay updated on national and international events.

FAQ?

The UPSC exam, or Civil Services Exam, is a competitive examination in India for recruitment to various civil services, including IAS, IPS, and IFS.

    • The UPSC exam consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview/Personality Test.

 

    • Eligibility criteria include educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality requirements. Specifics vary based on the service sought.

 

    • The Preliminary Exam consists of two papers: General Studies and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test), both conducted in objective MCQ format.
  1.  
    • Candidates need to choose one optional subject for the Main Exam from the list provided by UPSC.

 

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