Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted by Union Public Service Commission with the aim of recruiting personnel in Civil Services of Government of India. One of the major sectors is Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The examination is considered as one of the prominent and toughest examination with a least success rate.
Why to Take the Civil Services Exam?
The exam is the part of the recruitment process of Civil Services. By clearing the Preliminary Exam, one will be eligible for Main examination. The candidates who clear the Main examination are eligible for Interview. Those who get succeed in interview are appointed as in strategic positions in State and Union Government. One of the major cadres IAS are recruited is District Collector.
Civil Services Exam Eligibility
Being a citizen of India, one must possess a Graduation Degree from a recognized university. Candidates who are awaiting the results, Candidates of MBBS degree who cleared the final examination but not internship, Candidates who possess the qualifications like ICAI, ICWAI etc are also eligible for the attempting Preliminary examination.
As per the revised age limits, the minimum eligible age is 21 years for all candidates. The upper age limit varies as per the category. For General category it is 32 years, for OBC it is 35 and for SC/ST the upper age limit is 37 years. Even the number of attempts also varies as per the category. 6 attempts for General category, 9 for OBC and there is no restriction for SC/ST candidates.
Civil Services Exam Structure
Read about Civil Services Exam
Preliminary examination includes two papers which are of 200 marks each. First paper is tests the general knowledge of candidate like current affairs, Indian administrative policy, Indian history, Climatic situations and changes etc. Second paper tests the skills of the candidate in communication, decision making, logical reasoning, problem solving, data interpretation, mental ability, comprehension etc. The duration of the exam is two hours. The type of questioning is objective. Those who seek less than 30 in paper I or less than 70 in paper two are not considered for mains.
With nine papers, two are just for qualifying and seven are considered for ranking, the Main examination has total marks of 1750. The examination tests various topics of general studies like Indian Heritage and Culture, Indian History and Geography, Geography of the World, Constitution, Technology, Disaster Management, Economic Development, Ethics etc. Choice of selecting one subject from the specified subjects is provided for the last two papers.
Interview marks are 275 which make the total of 2025. The recruitment is as per the number of vacancy and the attained ranks.
How to Apply Civil Services Exam
Candidates have to apply online through official website. The registration includes two steps. The first step requires general information of the candidate. On submission of it, registration ID would be generated through which the candidate has to proceed for the second step of registration. At this stage, the candidate needs to mention which exam he/she wishes to appear for. Fee payment can be either through any of the options of Net Banking or though pay-in-slip which has to be deposited in any of the branches of mentioned bank.
How to Prepare Civil Services Exam
As the exam is considered as one of the toughest exams, the preparation must be thorough. Following the news updates, analytical studying of the issues of the nation, improving the knowledge of the subjects like National and International Geography, National and International Economy, Environmental Sciences, Art and Culture etc are rather important.
Long term preparation is suggestible. Several publications and online channels provide subject material and guides which are very useful. Time management is one of the major traits to achieve the success. Practice papers and mock tests help in various ways. Online tests are one of the best options to attain time management.