About UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body in India that is responsible for conducting various examinations for recruiting candidates into various government services and positions. It was established on October 1, 1926, under the Government of India Act, 1935. The UPSC is one of the central agencies authorized to conduct competitive examinations for appointments to various civil services of the Indian government.

Some of the prominent examinations conducted by UPSC include:

Civil Services Examination (CSE): This is one of the most prestigious and sought-after examinations in India. It is conducted annually to select candidates for various civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.

Indian Forest Service Examination (IFSE): This examination is conducted to recruit candidates into the Indian Forest Service, which is responsible for the management and conservation of forests and wildlife in India.

Engineering Services Examination (ESE): This examination is conducted to recruit engineers into various technical departments of the government.

Combined Defense Services Examination (CDS): The CDS examination is conducted to select candidates for admission to various defense academies and subsequent recruitment into the Indian Military, Naval, and Air Force.

National Defense Academy Examination (NDA): This examination is conducted to select candidates for admission to the National Defence Academy, where cadets are trained for commissioning into the armed forces.

Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE): This examination is conducted for recruiting medical officers into various government health services.

Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF): The CAPF examination is conducted for recruitment into various paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), etc.

These examinations consist of multiple stages, including a preliminary examination (objective type), a main examination (descriptive type), and an interview/personality test. Successful candidates are then appointed to various government positions based on their ranks and preferences.

The UPSC plays a crucial role in maintaining the merit-based and impartial selection process for various civil services in India, contributing to the efficient functioning of the government and public administration.

"Syllabus" of Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India is a comprehensive and challenging examination that assesses candidates for recruitment into various civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. The examination consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview).

Here’s a general overview of the syllabus for the Civil Services Examination:

1. Preliminary Examination:

Paper I: General Studies – I

  1. Current events of national and international importance.
  2. History of India and the Indian National Movement.
  3. Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the world.
  4. Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
  5. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
  6. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change.
  7. General Science.

Paper II: General Studies – II (CSAT)

  1. Comprehension.
  2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
  3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
  4. Decision-making and problem-solving.
  5. General mental ability.
  6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) and Data interpretation.

2. Main Examination:

The Main Examination consists of nine papers, out of which seven are considered for ranking. These papers are divided into two categories: Qualifying Papers and Papers to be Counted for Merit.

Qualifying Papers:

  1. Paper-A: One of the Indian languages chosen from the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  2. Paper-B: English.

Papers to be Counted for Merit:

  1. Paper-I: Essay writing.
  2. Paper-II: General Studies – I.
  3. Paper-III: General Studies – II.
  4. Paper-IV: General Studies – III.
  5. Paper-V: General Studies – IV.
  6. Paper-VI: Optional Subject – Paper 1.
  7. Paper-VII: Optional Subject – Paper 2.

Candidates have to choose one optional subject from a list of subjects provided by the UPSC. The syllabus for the optional subjects can vary significantly based on the subject chosen. It could be a subject of expertise or interest for the candidate.

3. Personality Test (Interview): The final stage of the examination is the Personality Test, commonly known as the interview. It evaluates the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, depth of understanding, and suitability for a career in the civil services.

It’s important to note that the syllabus provided above is a general outline, and candidates should refer to the official UPSC notification and syllabus for the specific year in which they are appearing for the examination, as there might be updates or changes in the syllabus over time.