1. CSAT 2017 Notification out
  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. Can last semester student apply?
  6. How much fees do I need to pay?
  7. When will I get the hallticket/admit-card for prelims?
  8. Multiple applications by same candidate?
  9. Warning: Optional and centre
  10. OBC alert

CSAT 2017 Notification out but with less vacancies

  • UPSC has released notification for civil services 2017 and forest services 2017 exam.
  • 980 vacancies this time. [99 less than last year]. Therefore, less candidates will qualify for mains and interview compared to previous years.
  • Last date to apply is 17th March 2017, 6PM.
  • Online application link is http://www.upsconline.nic.in
  • Apply at earlier because exam centers are first applying first allot basis.
  • Prelim exam to be held on 18th June 2017. (How many days left- just watch the left hand corner green box of our website).
  • Helpdesk numbers: No. 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543

IAS vacancies are declining

No change in Age-Attempt limit

  • It is same as last year.  Minimum age is 21 years.
  • Age is counted on 1st August of 2017. i.e. you must not be born later than 1st August 1996.
  • Candidate already in IAS or Indian foreign service (IFS)- not eligible to appear.
Category Maximum Age Attempt
General 32 6 [must not be born before 2nd August 1985]
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 aka Civil service Aptitude Test (CSAT)
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

 

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

Can last semester student apply?

  • Minimum education standard is graduation.
  • Candidates from last semester can apply. Once you clear prelims, you’ll have to fillup a new form called “Detailed application form” to appear in UPSC Mains exam. With this form, you’ve to submit scanned copies of your graduation Certi / last year mark sheet.
  • 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.

Warning: Optional and centre

UPSC Exam Centre Selection

  • in prelim online form itself, UPSC will ask you to fill the choice of optional subject and mains exam centre. And later on they don’t allow to change it. (Because in the Mains-DAF form, same data will be prepopulated.)
  • Therefore, make no mistake in filling up mains-optional and mains-exam centre.

OBC alert

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

  1. OBC caste certificate [under central list.] MIND IT: some castes are in state backward list but not in central backward list.
  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.)