UPSC Exam Pattern: Prelims, Mains Exam & Interview

  Basically, the UPSC exam is a 3-phase affair: Phase 1 is the UPSC Preliminary Examination, also called UPSC Prelims. This exam contains questions of the objective type. Phase 2 is the UPSC Mains Examination, also called UPSC Mains. This exam contains descriptive-type questions. Phase 3 is the Personal Interview round conducted to test the Personality of the Candidate. UPSC Prelims Syllabus Starting off with the UPSC Prelims syllabus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you if I say that the syllabus is pretty vast in its own right. However, the  UPSC Prelims examination  is basically conducted for the purpose of  screening only.  Thus if you clear the Prelims exam, you will be eligible for the Mains exam. Also, your Prelims marks will not be considered in your final order of merit, provided you manage to make it through to the interview round. The UPSC prelims examination comprises  2 papers , namely the  General stu...

The IAS mains exam comprises nine theory papers and marks in seven of those papers are taken into consideration for preparing the final merit list. The other two papers, English and Indian Language, are qualifying in nature (candidates have to score 25% or above to be eligible for selection). The Main examination of UPSC is designed to test a candidate's academic expertise and the ability to present his/her knowledge in a consistent manner. The UPSC Mains exam intends to assess the overall intellectual traits and understanding of the concept by the candidates. The Civil Services Main examination is designed to test the academic talent of the aspirant, also his/her ability to present his/ her knowledge in a clear and coherent manner. So, the  UPSC Mains  syllabus can also be called the  Phase 2  syllabus. This is because  only the candidates  that are able to  successfully clear the Phase 1  or the UPSC Prelims, are  allowe...