About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruiting agency, established in 1926 under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE), one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive examinations in the world. Every year, approximately 10-12 lakh candidates compete for around 1,000 positions across 24 All India Services and Central Services.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is not just a test of knowledge but a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's analytical abilities, decision-making skills, personality, and suitability for leadership roles in Indian administration. Success in this examination opens doors to some of the most powerful and respected positions in the country, where officers directly contribute to policy-making, governance, and national development.
💡 Did You Know? The UPSC CSE has a success rate of less than 0.1%, making it one of the toughest examinations globally. Only 1 in 1,000 candidates who appear for Prelims eventually become civil servants.
Major Services Under UPSC CSE
1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The Indian Administrative Service is the most coveted civil service in India. IAS officers are the backbone of Indian bureaucracy, holding key administrative positions at district, state, and central government levels. As District Collectors, Secretaries to Government of India, or Chief Secretaries, IAS officers play crucial roles in policy formulation, implementation, and governance.
| Aspect |
Details |
| Role |
District Collector, Secretary, Chief Secretary |
| Training |
2 years at LBSNAA, Mussoorie |
| Starting Salary |
₹56,100 per month (Level 10) |
| Career Peak |
Cabinet Secretary (₹2.5 lakh/month) |
| Powers |
Magisterial, Revenue, Executive |
2. Indian Police Service (IPS)
IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring internal security. They serve as Superintendents of Police at district level, and can rise to positions like Director General of Police (DGP), Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director, or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director.
| Aspect |
Details |
| Role |
SP, DIG, IG, DGP, CBI/IB positions |
| Training |
National Police Academy, Hyderabad |
| Starting Salary |
₹56,100 per month (Level 10) |
| Career Highlights |
Crime investigation, VIP security, intelligence |
3. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
IFS officers represent India on the global stage, serving in Indian embassies, high commissions, and consulates worldwide. They handle diplomatic relations, trade negotiations, cultural exchanges, and protect Indian interests abroad. IFS is considered the most glamorous service with extensive international exposure.
| Aspect |
Details |
| Role |
Diplomat, Ambassador, Foreign Secretary |
| Postings |
Worldwide (160+ countries) |
| Starting Salary |
₹56,100 + Foreign allowances |
| Perks |
International exposure, diplomatic privileges |
4. Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
IRS has two branches - Income Tax and Customs & Central Excise. IRS officers are responsible for revenue collection, preventing tax evasion, and combating smuggling. They conduct raids, investigations, and ensure compliance with tax laws.
5. Other Important Services:
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS): Government auditing and financial accountability
- Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS): Railway operations and management
- Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS): Railway financial management
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS): Defence finance and budgeting
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS): Central government accounts
- Indian Information Service (IIS): Government communication and media
- Indian Trade Service (ITS): International trade negotiations
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS): Corporate affairs and company law
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification:
- Graduation degree from a recognized university in any discipline
- Candidates appearing in final year can also apply (provisional)
- No minimum percentage requirement
- Professional degrees (Engineering, Medical, Law, etc.) are eligible
Age Limit and Attempts:
| Category |
Age Limit |
Maximum Attempts |
| General |
21-32 years |
6 attempts |
| OBC |
21-35 years |
9 attempts |
| SC/ST |
21-37 years |
Unlimited (till 37 years) |
| PWD (General) |
21-42 years |
9 attempts |
| PWD (OBC) |
21-45 years |
9 attempts |
Nationality Requirements:
- Indian citizen for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other All India Services
- Indian citizen OR subject of Nepal/Bhutan for Central Services Group A & B
- IFS is open only to Indian citizens
UPSC CSE Exam Pattern - Three Stages
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Prelims) - Objective Type
Prelims is a screening test to shortlist candidates for Mains. Marks are not counted for final ranking but qualifying is mandatory.
| Paper |
Subject |
Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
| Paper-I |
General Studies (GS) |
100 (MCQ) |
200 |
2 hours |
| Paper-II |
CSAT (Aptitude) |
80 (MCQ) |
200 |
2 hours |
Prelims GS Paper-I Topics:
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic)
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change
- General Science
CSAT Paper-II Topics (Qualifying - 33% needed):
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation
Stage 2: Main Examination (Mains) - Descriptive Type
Mains is a written examination testing in-depth knowledge, analytical abilities, and writing skills. Total 1750 marks.
| Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
Duration |
| Paper-A |
Indian Language (Qualifying) |
300 |
3 hours |
| Paper-B |
English (Qualifying) |
300 |
3 hours |
| Paper-I |
Essay |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper-II |
General Studies I |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper-III |
General Studies II |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper-IV |
General Studies III |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper-V |
General Studies IV (Ethics) |
250 |
3 hours |
| Paper-VI & VII |
Optional Subject (2 papers) |
250 × 2 |
3 hours each |
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) - 275 Marks
The interview assesses the candidate's personality, intellectual qualities, mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, and moral and ethical integrity.
Final Merit = Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 marks
Preparation Strategy for UPSC CSE
When to Start Preparation?
Ideally, candidates should start preparation 12-18 months before the exam. However, dedicated aspirants have cracked UPSC in 6-9 months as well. The key is consistent, focused preparation rather than just the duration.
Foundation Building (Months 1-4):
- NCERT Books: Read NCERT textbooks from Class 6-12 (History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science)
- Newspaper Reading: Start reading The Hindu or Indian Express daily
- Basic Books: Read standard books for each subject (Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History)
- Optional Subject: Choose your optional subject based on interest, background, and scoring potential
- Note-Making: Develop habit of making concise notes from the beginning
Advanced Preparation (Months 5-8):
- Standard Reference Books: Complete all standard books for GS papers
- Optional Subject: Thoroughly cover optional syllabus with standard books and coaching material
- Current Affairs: Follow monthly current affairs magazines (Vision IAS, InsightsIAS)
- Previous Year Papers: Analyze and solve previous 10 years' question papers
- Answer Writing Practice: Start writing answers for Mains preparation
- Mock Tests: Take Prelims mock tests regularly
Revision and Test Series (Months 9-12):
- Comprehensive Revision: Revise all subjects at least 3-4 times
- Test Series: Join good test series for both Prelims and Mains
- Answer Writing: Write at least 3-4 answers daily
- Current Affairs Consolidation: Revise entire year's current affairs
- Optional Revision: Multiple revisions of optional subject
Best Books for UPSC CSE:
- Polity: M. Laxmikanth - Indian Polity
- History:
- Ancient: RS Sharma, Nitin Singhania
- Medieval: Satish Chandra
- Modern: Spectrum, Bipin Chandra
- Geography: NCERT Class 6-12, GC Leong (Physical), Certificate Physical and Human Geography
- Economics: NCERT Class 9-12, Ramesh Singh - Indian Economy
- Environment: Shankar IAS Environment, Down to Earth Magazine
- Science & Technology: NCERT, Science Reporter Magazine
- Ethics: Lexicon for Ethics by Chronicle IAS
- Current Affairs: The Hindu newspaper, monthly magazines
Popular Optional Subjects and Their Advantages:
| Optional Subject |
Advantages |
Best For |
| Public Administration |
High scoring, overlaps with GS |
Arts graduates, beginners |
| Geography |
Static syllabus, maps/diagrams |
Science & Arts students |
| History |
Interesting, overlaps with GS |
History enthusiasts |
| Sociology |
Short syllabus, scoring |
Arts graduates |
| Anthropology |
Compact syllabus, unique |
Science students |
| PSIR |
Current affairs overlap |
Political Science background |
Salary and Perks of Civil Servants
Pay Scale (7th Pay Commission):
| Position |
Level |
Basic Pay Range |
| Entry Level (IAS/IPS/IFS) |
Level 10 |
₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500 |
| Joint Secretary |
Level 13 |
₹1,18,500 - ₹2,14,100 |
| Additional Secretary |
Level 14 |
₹1,44,200 - ₹2,18,200 |
| Cabinet Secretary |
Level 17 |
₹2,50,000 (fixed) |
Additional Allowances and Perks:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Currently ~50% of basic pay
- HRA: 8-24% based on city classification
- Transport Allowance: Vehicle + driver or cash allowance
- Official Residence: Fully furnished government accommodation
- Medical Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare for family
- Leave Travel Concession: For self and family members
- Children Education Allowance: School/college fees reimbursement
- Pension: 50% of last drawn salary + DA
- Other Perks: Personal staff, security, entertainment allowance
💰 Total Package: An IAS officer's total package (salary + allowances + perks) can range from ₹1.2-1.5 lakh per month at entry level to over ₹3 lakh per month for senior positions.
Life After Selection - Training and Career Path
Training Period:
Foundation Course (3 months): All selected candidates undergo foundation training at LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration), Mussoorie. This includes:
- Understanding Indian governance and administration
- Team building and leadership development
- Physical fitness and adventure activities
- Exposure to various aspects of civil services
Professional Training (15-21 months): Service-specific training at respective academies:
- IAS: LBSNAA, Mussoorie + District training
- IPS: National Police Academy (NPA), Hyderabad
- IFS: Foreign Service Institute (FSI), New Delhi
- IRS: National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpur / National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Faridabad
Career Progression in IAS:
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM): First posting, handles revenue and magisterial work
- District Collector/District Magistrate (DM): After 4-5 years, head of district administration
- Divisional Commissioner: After 13-15 years, oversees multiple districts
- Secretary to State Government: Head of a state government department
- Additional/Joint Secretary (GoI): Central government positions
- Secretary to GoI: Head of Union Ministry
- Cabinet Secretary: Highest-ranking civil servant in India
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Vast Syllabus:
Solution: Follow a structured study plan, focus on NCERT foundation, stick to standard books, avoid information overload.
2. Current Affairs Management:
Solution: Read newspaper daily, make notes, revise monthly compilations, link current affairs with static portions.
3. Answer Writing Skills:
Solution: Practice daily answer writing, get answers evaluated, learn from toppers' answers, maintain word limit.
4. Optional Subject Dilemma:
Solution: Choose based on interest + availability of resources + scoring potential, don't keep changing optional.
5. Handling Stress and Failures:
Solution: Stay motivated, learn from failures, maintain work-life balance, take breaks, join peer groups.
Important Dates and Exam Calendar
Typical UPSC CSE Timeline:
- February: Notification release
- February-March: Application process
- June: Prelims examination
- June-July: Prelims result
- September: Mains examination (4-5 days)
- January-February: Mains result
- February-April: Personality Test (Interview)
- April-May: Final result declaration
Success Mantras from Toppers
- Consistency > Intensity: Study 6-8 hours daily consistently rather than 15 hours for few days
- Quality > Quantity: Focus on understanding concepts, not just finishing books
- Revision is Key: Revise minimum 3-4 times before exam
- Answer Writing: Practice is non-negotiable for Mains success
- Current Affairs Integration: Always link current affairs with static portions
- Mock Tests: Simulate exam conditions regularly
- Stay Updated: Follow UPSC's official notifications and pattern changes
- Health Matters: Maintain physical and mental well-being
- Avoid Comparisons: Focus on your own preparation journey
- Never Give Up: Many toppers succeeded in their 3rd or 4th attempt
Resources and Support
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in
- Online Platforms: BYJU's, Unacademy, Vision IAS
- YouTube Channels: Study IQ, Drishti IAS, Mrunal Patel
- Telegram Groups: Join peer groups for daily motivation
- Previous Year Papers: Download from UPSC official website
