1. Notification released
  2. No change in Age-Attempt limit
  3. No change in structure of the exam
  4. No change in the syllabus of the exam
  5. How to prepare for UPSC?
  6. Can last semester student apply?
  7. How much fees do I need to pay?
  8. When will I get the hallticket/admit-card for prelims?
  9. Multiple applications by same candidate?
  10. OBC alert

UPSC-2016 Notification released

  • UPSC has released notification for civil services 2016 and forest services 2016 exam.
  • 1079 vacancies. [100 less than last year, although more vacancies for PH this time- 34.)
  • Last date to apply is 27th May 2016, midnight
  • Online application link is upsconline.nic.in
  • Apply at earlier because exam centers are first apply first allot basis.
  • Prelim exam to be held on 7th August 2016. (How many days left- just watch the left hand corner green box of our website).
  • Helpdesk numbers: No. 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543

No change in Age-Attempt limit

  • Minimum age is 21 years.
  • Age is counted on 1st August of 2015.
  • Candidate already in IAS or Indian foreign service (IFS)- not eligible to appear.
Category Maximum Age Attempt
General 32 6
OBC 32+3=35 9
SC/ST 32+5=37 till upper age
Physically disabled

(Blind, Deaf-mute, Orthopedic)

 32+10=42
  • if general then 9
  • OBC then 9
  • SC/ST- then upper age
J&K domicile 32+5=37 depending on above categories (Gen, OBC, SC/ST, PH)
Disabled serviceman discharged from duty 32+3=35 same as above
Ex-serviceman with five years duty
* specific condition on page2 of notification		 32+5=37 same as above

Above relaxation are cumulative e.g. OBC candidate from J&K = 32 + 3(OBC) + 5 (J&K) = 40 years up age limit.
What doesn’t count as an attempt?

  • Ans. If you applied in previous exam, but remain absent in BOTH prelim papers, then your attempt is not counted.
  • If you fail in prelims, attempt is counted.

No change in structure of the exam

Preliminary exam
Paper 1 Paper 2
general studies (GS) aptitude / CSAT
Marks counted for selection in mains exam…yes
  • You need to get only 33% passing marks. i.e. 200 x 0.33 = 66 passing marks required to clear prelims.
200 marks 200 marks
0.33% negative marking 0.33% negative marking
20 minutes for blind and locomotors disability Same

UPSC-2016 civil services vacancies

Mains and interview
English 300. Marks not counted in merit only 25% passing marks required.
Indian language paper (Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi etc. depending on your choice) Same as above.
GS (mains) Paper1, 2, 3, 4 250 each x 4 papers = 1000 marks.
ONE Optional subject 500 marks.
written total 1750
Interview 275
grand total 2025

No change in the syllabus of the exam

How to prepare for UPSC?

how to begin UPSC-2016 civil services IAS/IPS preparation?
Go through this lecture video click me

Can last semester student apply?

  • Minimum education standard is graduation.
  • Candidates from last semester can apply, provided that they can show proof passing examination in October/November 2015. Because at that time, they’ll be required to fill up a new form for Mains exam (known as DAF form i.e. detailed application form).
  • MBBS candidate must finish internship before interview phase.
How much fees do I need to pay?
General Male and OBC male Rs.100 for Prelims, Rs. 200 for Mains.
Female of any category No fees
SC/ ST, PH no fees

When will I get the hallticket/admit-card for prelims?

  • Hall ticket will be available online, usually 3 weeks before prelim exam. They don’t send it through post anymore. You’ve to download and take printout.
  • If problem, contact   011-23381125/011-23385271/011-23098543.

Multiple applications by same candidate?

  • Every time you apply, you get new registration ID (RID). you must preserve RID because you’ll have to quote it again in the Mains application form i.e. DAF form.
  • If you applied multiple times (because of computer glitch, fee problem or xyz reason) then when downloading hallticket, you should use higher RID. Because higher RID corresponds to your latest application.

OBC alert

To claim OBC reservation benefit in UPSC, you need TWO certificates:

  1. OBC caste certificate
  2. Non-creamy layer certificate.
    1. Non creamy layer status depends on your parents’ income and property.
    2. It doesn’t depend on your income/property
    3. It doesn’t depend on your husband/wife’s income/property.
    4. If your mom/dad is government employee, then INCOME criteria doesn’t apply. (e.g. if dad is class3 employee, then it doesn’t matter whether he gets 6 lakhs or 7 lakhs. You’re still non-cream layer.)