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Welcome to the World of IAS/PCS. IAS Examination is considered to be the Father of all exams & also the toughest examination in the country with three distinct levels and phases of entrance and/or qualification before the final selection. Indian Administrative Services, abbreviated as IAS, are actually the civil-based administrative services of the Government of India. Best IAS Institute in Ludhiana
The Indian Civil Service serves as the backbone of India and carries great respect and responsibilities. India’s best brains vie for entry into the Indian Civil Services as officers. Even though corporate jobs may offer the best of salaries and perks, a majority of youngsters and their parents still crave entry to the prestigious Indian Civil Services held by the UPSC. The very fact that a big share of every year’s top posts in the civil services exams are bagged by professionals from various streams, shows that the IAS is still the dream job for many. Here is the Civil List links you would like to follow.
In our effort to be of use to the various civil services aspirants here is a list of tools and resources to give an edge to your prepration for the Civil Service exams conducted by the UPSC India. The competition being very very tough for the IAS examination, one has to be prepared to put in hours (10 to 12 hours) of work and take repeated attempts at the UPSC civil services exam
1. Indian Administrative Service
2. India Foreign Service
3. Indian Police Service Group A Services
4. Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service
5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service
6. Indian Customs and Central Excise Service
7. Indian Defense Accounts Service
8. Indian Revenue Service
9. Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Assistant Works Manager, non-technical)
10. Indian Postal Service
11. Indian Civil Accounts Service
12. Indian Railway Traffic Service
13. Indian Railway Accounts Service
14. Indian Railway Personnel Service
15. Posts of Assistant Security Officer in Railway Protection Force (RPF)
16. Indian Defense Estates Service
17. Indian Information Service (Junior Grade)Group – B Services
18. Railway Board Secretariat Service (Section Officer’s Grade)
19. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (Section Officer’s Grade)
20. Customs Appraisers’ Service
21. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service and Police Service
22. Pondicherry Civil Service
Every year the UPSC conducts Civil Services Examination (CSE) to various key Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), etc. A candidate planning to prepare for CSE must get himself acquainted with the examination plan/pattern and its syllabus which would help him in getting an edge over others and in planning his preparation in a manner best suitable for him.
The Civil Services Examination comprises three successive stages:
- Civil Services Preliminary Examination-Objective Type, for the selection of candidates for Main Examination.
- Civil Services Main Examination-Written, for the selection of candidates for Interview.
- Interview or Personality Test for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.
Overview of IAS
IAS Exam pattern of Prelims
Marking Scheme of Prelims
Negative Marking
IAS Exam Pattern for Mains.
Qualifying Paper
Marking Scheme of Mains
IAS Exam Pattern for Personality Test
Prelims Syllabus
Mains Syllabus
IAS Preparation Books
Editor's Note
FAQ Regarding IAS Exam Pattern
| Name of the exam | Civil Services Exam- IAS |
| Conductiong authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Number of Stages | Prelims Mains Exam Interview |
| Number of papers | Prelims: 2 Mains :9 |
| Prelims marking scheme | Paper 1: +2 marks per question Paper 2: +2.5 marks per question Negative marking: One-third of marks allotted to each question |
| Duration | Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper) Mains: 3hours (Each paper) |
| Type of Questions | Prelims: Objective type Mains: Subjective type |
| Post | 1000 approximate (Tentative) |
Firstly, this stage consists of 2 compulsory papers - General Studies paper and (CSAT) Civil service aptitude test. Moreover, it will test the analytical skills of the candidate.
Secondly, all questions are objective. So, the candidate has to choose any one option out of 4 answers given for each question.
On the other hand, questions are in both Hindi and English language. However, comprehension questions in the English language in the CSAT paper are without Hindi translations.
Also, prelims is a qualifying paper. The cut off of paper I is decided by UPSC every year. The CSAT paper requires the candidates to score at least 33% i.e. 66 marks to qualify and to be able to sit for the Mains exam.
Moreover, the number of candidates that sit for the main exams is much higher than the vacancies.
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Number of Papers | 2- General Studies and Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) |
| Number of Questions | Paper 1- 100; Paper 2- 80 |
| Question Paper Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| IAS Prelims Total Marks | 400 |
| Nature of Exam | Qualifying |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours each, +20 minutes for blind students |
| Exam Language | English and Hindi |
1. Firstly, every question in paper I is of 2 marks. So, the question paper is a total of 200 marks.
2. Secondly, every question in the Civil Service Aptitude Test carries 2.5 marks. So, the question paper is a total of 200 marks.
3. Also, for every wrong answer by the student, 0.33 marks will be deducted i.E. 0.66 will be deducted from paper I and 0.83 marks will be deducted from paper II.
But, there is no negative marking from Q74 - Q80 because these are decision-making questions.
4. Moreover, if the candidate gives more than 1 answer, then it will be considered as wrong even if one of them is right.
5. However, if there is no penalty then no negative marking will be done.
6. In other words, candidates must cross the cut-off marks in Paper I and a minimum of 33% score in Paper II to sit for the main exam.
The IAS Exam pattern is very different from other exams. Also, the candidates can easily get negative marking in the UPSC Exam. In other words, 3 incorrect answers will lead to around 1 mark deduction. In short, the candidate will get a 1/3 mark deducted for incorrect answers. Also, there is no negative marking for blank answers.
| Paper | Type | No. of questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marks |
| General Studies I | Objective | 100 | 2*100 = 200 | 2 hours | Yes, 0.66 |
| General Studies II(CSAT) | Objective | 80 | 2.5*80 = 200 | 2 hours | Yes, 0.83 |
1. Firstly, IAS mains is an offline exam. There are a total of 9 papers in the Mains exam.
2. Secondly, every paper is of 3 hours and extra 30 minutes extra is given to blind students.
3. Thirdly, Paper A and Paper B are of 300 marks each and the remaining papers are of 250 marks each.
4. On the other hand, the main exam is divided into 2 parts qualifying and merit exam. And it is compulsory to sit in for all the exams to go into the stage.
5. Moreover, questions will be subjective. And you can write in either Hindi or English language.
6. So, the candidate will be tested on the basis of knowledge and understanding of the subject. You have to answer touching the basic and relevant aspects.
You will also be marked upon whether you are able to provide valuable and constructive way forwards.
1. Paper A - Either of the Indian languages can be selected from the 8th schedule of the constitution. Also, it carries 300 marks.
2. Paper B - The 2nd exam is an English paper. And it also carries 300 marks.
Qualifying Exams - The students have to score minimum marks in the qualifying exam to crack the exam. Moreover, the question paper is set to test the student's ability to analyze. The exam tests the student's grasp of the Indian languages. In other words, the questions test the student's understanding of the concept and subject. However, there would be 2 optional exams that the student will have to choose. Also, below is the list of mandatory exams and marks for more information:
| Paper | Title of the Paper | Marks Allotted |
| Paper 1 | Essay writing | 250 Marks |
| Paper 2 | General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 Marks |
| Paper 3 | General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) | 250 Marks |
| Paper 4 | General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 Marks |
| Paper 5 | General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | 250 Marks |
| Paper 6 | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 Marks |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 Marks |
| - | Sub Total in the written Test | 1750 Marks |
| - | Personal Interview | 275 Marks |
| - | Grand Total ( for merit calculation) | 2025 Marks |
Paper 1 (General Studies) - This will test the student's knowledge and passion for learning about the country. Also, the questions are from various aspects like history, geography, economy and much more.
- Events of National and International Importance
- Geography impact in the country
- Constitutional and governance structure
- Issues faced by the country currently
- Social and Economic Development
- Research and development
- Scientific development
Paper 2(English and General Aptitude) - Knowing high-level English is not compulsory in the field of Public Service but students have to score at least 33% to crack the exam. So, candidates have to practice mock tests in English to be able to score the minimum marks. However, the aptitude of the student determines the ability to solve complex problems, time management, and much more. Also, the important fields to practice for the IAS exam are as follows:
- Logical Reasoning
- The capacity of problem-solving
- Interpersonal Skills
- Numerical Ability
- Analytical Skills
- Comprehension
- Synonyms/antonyms
Paper A(Any Indian Language) - This paper is to test the candidate's knowledge of the language.
Paper B (English) - This paper tests your ability to understand the English language.
Paper 3(Essay Writing) - Students write essays on the topic of their choice.
Paper 4(General Studies 1) - It will have questions related to ancient India like history, geography, heritage and much more.
Ancient and Modern - History of India.
Significant changes in Architecture, Literature, etc.
Significance of Geography.
Diversity
Globalization
Paper 5(General Studies 2) - This part will have questions regarding the reform in Indian governance after Independence. Further, the topics are:
India's Constitution
Analysis of the world's constitution
Legislature and Parliament
Main issues faced by the nation and solutions
Welfare schemes by the government
Structures and department in government
Paper6(General Studies 3) - This paper has questions regarding Modern India and key developments. Also, the included topics are:
Indian Economy
Farming
Science
Research and Development
IT
Environmental Studies
Achievement in different fields
Security challenges
Industrial growth
Infrastructure Development
Paper 7(General Studies 4) - This will have the questions about Integrity, Ethics and aptitude. Moreover, the included topics are:
Public Administration ethics
Emotional Intelligence
Behavior Analysis
Functional Values
Paper 8 and 9 - This will have the questions about Integrity, Ethics and aptitude. Moreover, the included topics are:
Agriculture
Animal husbandry and Veterinary
Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Economics
Electrical Engineer
Geography
Geology
History of India
Law
Management
Maths
Mechanical Engineer
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political science and International relations
Psychology
Public administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Literature of any available 23 subjects
Firstly, we present to you the best books for IAS preparation. Secondly, take your time to prepare for the exam at home.
Below is the list of directors who look over the activities at LBSNAA -
| History | Ancient India | RS Sharma |
| History | Modern India | Satish Chandra Mittal |
| History | History of Modern India | Bipan Chandra |
| Polity | The Constitution of India | PM Bakshi |
| Ethics | Ethics, Aptitude and Integrity for Civil Services Mail Examination | Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
| Economy | Indian Economy | Mishra and Puri |
| Environment | Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure | Rajgopalan |
| Science and Technology | Science and Technology in India | TMH |
| English | High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren and Martin |
| General Studies | IAS Mains Exam General Studies (IAS Mains Exam General Studies) | Ashish Bharti (IPS) |
| Geography | 1. NCERT VI to XII 2. Certificate Physical Geography: G C Leong 3. World Atlas |
RS Sharma |
We have covered everything that you need to know about IAS Exam Pattern. However, take your time to prepare for the UPSC exam. Further, not everyone can qualify for this exam. Also, only 1% of people qualify out of lakhs of applicants. Therefore, you need to understand the IAS exam pattern deeply. The IAS exam pattern will clear your doubts and you will have a clear picture. To sum up, prepare yourself wisely.
1. Why it is important to understand IAS exam pattern?
The candidate should understand the IAS exam pattern properly because it will help to understand what to study and what to omit. The syllabus should be divided on the basis of strengths and weaknesses.
2. What is the IAS exam pattern of Prelims?
It has 2 papers General awareness and CSAT. Moreover, the candidate should score 33% in the second paper to crack the exam.
3. Is maths a good option to choose as an optional subject?
Yes, it is a very scoring subject in UPSC exams. However, if you are weak in maths but you have the interest to learn it, enroll in good coaching.
