Academic Qualification

To apply for UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS) Examination, a candidate….

  1. Must be a graduate. No minimum %, grade or CGPA required in college. (But don’t prepare UPSC by neglecting college because in RBI/CAT-exams they consider college marks)
  2. There are Toppers with ATKT, failures in college/school exams. UPSC doesn’t care. They only need final graduation certi/marksheet.
  3. Undergraduate in last year, last semester can apply.
  4. American degrees valid but have to get equivalent cert. from AIU.
  5. Distance education degree valid- IF recognized by UGC/AICTE/any Law
  6. MBBS must have completed internship before UPSC Interview-stage comes.

Age / Attempt limit in UPSC IAS/IPS?

General & Creamy OBC
0
/ 6 Attempts
Non-Creamy OBC
0
/ 9 Attempts
SC | ST
0
Unlimited
Attempts

  • Age is counted on the 1st August of the given year.
  • Physical Disabled candidates’ age limits: PH-Gen: 42, PH-OBC (non-Creamy): 45 years; PH-SC/ST: 47 years. This is cumulative ST ex-serviceman who was disabled: 32 +5 (ST) +5 (Ex serviceman) + PH (10)=52 years. But such cumulative effect will apply till maximum upper age limit 56 years, as per this DoPT Notification.
  • * PH (GEN | OBC) = 9 attempts while PH (SC | ST) = Unlimited Attempts, till upper age.
  • Ex-serviceman: addl. +5 years| Attempt depend on category.
  • J&K domicile = addl. +5 year removed from 2020 exam-cycle.

  • Apply online: 7th Feb to 3rd March 2018

    • You’ve to indicate optional subject in online Prelim-form. You can’t change it afterwards during Mains form.
    • Marksheet, Caste Certi not required at this stage.

  • Stage1- Prelims / CSAT: 3rd June, 2018

    • Multiple choice Question (MCQ) Test. Two papers 1) General Studies 2) Aptitude. No optional paper here.
    • Question paper is set in English and Hindi.
    • if you apply online but remain absent in prelims, then your attempt is not counted.

  • Stage2- Mains: 29th Sep. 2018 onwards (five days)

    • When you clear prelims, You’ll have to fill up a new separate (online) form called “Detailed Application form” (DAF).
    • In this online DAF-form, Your optional subject will be pre-selected from prelim form, hence you can’t change.
    • Along with DAF-you’ll have to give proof of graduation, caste, PH.
    • Mains contains Seven Descriptive Papers; including one optional subject paper.

  • Stage3- Interview, Dates undecided

    Can be given in any language. But advisable to give in Hindi/English otherwise 1) Leaves Poor impression 2) Translator eats up time/ reduces impact of your answer.

How to start Prelim Preparation?

  1. Coaching / Delhi-Stay is NOT essential to clear Prelims. Many toppers managed without coaching, by self study!
  2. First, Start with NCERT Textbooks Topicwise (Free Download)
  3. Observe Previous years Topicwise Papers; so unnecessarily Time is not wasted in wrong direction.

Difficult to explain all the nuances of UPSC Prelims-Cum Mains preparation, Notes making, Time management etc. in a single web-page! Please go through following Lecture for detailed strategy :)Mrunal