Structure of the Examination

The Preliminary Examination which is common for both Civil services and Forest service is conducted during May or June every year.

It consists of two papers – one is held in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon of the same day and both papers consist of a set of multiple choice questions.

The forenoon session is General Studies Paper–I where questions are based on general awareness and other topics as mentioned in the syllabus.

In afternoon session is CSAT – Paper II where questions based on Quantitative aptitude, Reasoning and Verbal ability as mentioned in syllabus. Candidates should note that there will be a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers.

Information in the table are based on UPSC Civil Services Examinations 2018.

For Wrong answers one – third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

Mains Examination

Mains Examination syllabus, pattern and schedule is different for Civil Service and Forest Service Examination.

Civil Service Mains Examinations

The candidates who qualify for Civil Service Mains Examination have to choose one optional subject which has two papers.

The mains examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.

The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study.

The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in the Civil Services.

The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, ability to analyze and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands.

The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.

The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors degree and lower than the masters degree.

In the case of Engineering, Medical Science and Law, the level corresponds to the bachelors degree.

• In all, the aspirants are to appear in nine papers, details of which are given below:

• Qualifying Papers – For qualifying, candidates have to secure a minimum of 25% in these papers.

The candidates who qualify for Forest Services Mains Examination have to choose two optional subjects which has two papers each. In all, the aspirants are to appear in nine papers, details of which are given below :

• Answer scripts of only those candidates who have obtained the minimum marks as decided by the Commission for Paper II (General Knowledge) will be evaluated.