Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. In fact, every year lakhs of aspirants apply, but only a few hundred make it to the final list. Therefore, it is natural to have doubts.

• Am I eligible?
• How many attempts do I have?
• Is coaching necessary?
• How should I start preparation?

This detailed FAQ guide answers the most common questions in a simple, practical, and exam-oriented manner. Whether you are just starting or already preparing, this article will help you gain clarity and direction.

1. What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for prestigious services such as:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and others

It is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India. This is mainly because of:

• Vast syllabus
• Analytical nature
• High competition

2. What Is the Structure of the UPSC Exam?

The exam is conducted in three stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

• Objective type (MCQs)
• Two papers:
  • GS Paper I
  • CSAT (qualifying)
• Screening stage (marks not counted in final rank)

However, clearing Prelims alone is not enough.

Stage 2: Main Examination (Mains)

• Descriptive written exam
• 9 papers (Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I & II, and 2 language papers)
• Marks counted for final ranking

Moreover, Mains determines your final ranking to a large extent.

Stage 3: Interview (Personality Test)

• 275 marks
• Tests personality, clarity, awareness, and judgment

👉 Final merit = Mains + Interview marks.

Finally, the Interview stage assesses your personality.

3. What Is the Eligibility Criteria for UPSC?

Educational Qualification

• Must have a graduation degree from a recognized university.
• Final-year students can apply (but must produce proof before Mains).

Nationality

• IAS & IPS: Must be Indian citizen.
• Other services: Some relaxations apply.

👉 Degree stream does NOT matter. Engineers, doctors, arts graduates — all are eligible.

4. What Is the Age Limit for UPSC?

As per current rules:

• General Category: 21 to 32 years
• OBC: 21 to 35 years
• SC/ST: 21 to 37 years
• PwBD: Additional relaxation

👉 However, Age is calculated as per notification date (usually August 1 of exam year).

Always verify from the official notification.

5. How Many Attempts Are Allowed?

• General: 6 attempts
• OBC: 9 attempts
• SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (within age limit)

⚠ Important: Appearing in Prelims counts as one attempt.

Common mistake:

• Filling form casually without preparation.

Therefore, aspirants must not waste attempts without proper preparation.

6. What Is the UPSC Syllabus?

The syllabus is divided into:

Prelims:

• History
• Geography
• Polity
• Economy
• Environment
• Science & Technology
• Current Affairs

Mains:

• Essay
• GS I (History, Society, Geography)
• GS II (Polity, Governance, IR)
• GS III (Economy, S&T, Environment, Security)
• GS IV (Ethics)
• Optional Subject (2 papers)

👉 The syllabus is broad but clearly defined. Read it multiple times before starting preparation.

7. How Long Does It Take to Prepare for UPSC?

On average:

• 1–2 years of serious preparation

But duration depends on:

• Your academic background
• Study discipline
• Consistency
• Strategy

👉 It’s not about years; it’s about structured preparation.

8. Is Coaching Necessary for UPSC?

Short answer: No, it is not compulsory.

Many toppers clear through:

• Self-study
• Online resources
• Standard books

Coaching helps in:

• Guidance
• Structured environment
• Answer writing practice

But coaching alone does NOT guarantee success.

Common mistake:

• Joining multiple coachings and getting confused.

9. How Should Beginners Start UPSC Preparation?

Step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Understand the syllabus

Print it and keep it visible.

Step 2: Start with NCERT books

Build foundation in:

• History
• Geography
• Polity
• Economy

Step 3: Read a newspaper daily

Preferably:

• The Hindu
• Indian Express

Step 4: Choose optional subject wisely

Don’t rush this decision.

10. How to Choose the Right Optional Subject?

You must choose ONE optional subject in Mains (500 marks).

Choose based on:

• Interest
• Syllabus length
• Overlap with GS
• Availability of resources

Avoid:

• Choosing because friends selected it
• Following “scoring subject” trends blindly

11. How Important Is Current Affairs?

Extremely important.

Current affairs:

• Dominate Prelims
• Enhance Mains answers
• Shape Interview discussion

Focus on:

• Government schemes
• Supreme Court judgments
• International relations
• Economic developments

👉 Link current events with static subjects.

12. How Much Study Is Required Daily?

Quality matters more than hours.

Ideal:

• 6–8 focused hours daily (full-time aspirant)
• 3–4 hours (working professionals)

Consistency beats occasional long study sessions.

13. How to Prepare for UPSC Prelims?

Focus on:

• Concept clarity
• Multiple revisions
• MCQ practice
• Previous year questions

Golden rule:

Solve at least 25 years of PYQs.

Common mistake:

• Ignoring CSAT preparation.

14. How to Prepare for UPSC Mains?

Mains is about:

• Writing skills
• Structure
• Analysis
• Balanced arguments

Practice:

• Daily answer writing
• Essay writing weekly
• Ethics case studies

Remember:

Content + Presentation = Marks.

15. What Is the Role of Answer Writing Practice?

Very crucial.

Without practice:

• Thoughts remain scattered
• Time management fails

Start answer writing:

• After basic syllabus coverage
• Gradually improve structure

16. What Are Common Mistakes Aspirants Make?

• Ignoring syllabus
• Collecting too many books
• Not revising
• Delaying answer writing
• Over-relying on coaching
• Comparing with others

UPSC rewards:

• Discipline
• Clarity
• Consistency

17. Can Average Students Clear UPSC?

Yes.

UPSC does NOT test:

• IQ only
• English fluency
• Elite background

It tests:

• Understanding
• Analytical thinking
• Hard work
• Emotional stability

Many toppers come from:

• Rural areas
• Hindi medium
• Middle-class families

18. Is English Compulsory for UPSC?

No.

You can write Mains in:

• Hindi
• Any language listed in 8th Schedule

Interview can also be in chosen language.

Language is not a barrier — clarity is.

19. How Many Vacancies Are Released Every Year?

On average:

• 700–1100 vacancies per year

Vacancies vary annually based on:

• Government requirements
• Cadre strength

20. When Should One Start UPSC Preparation?

Ideal stage:

• During graduation
• Or immediately after

But many successful candidates:

• Started at 24–28 years

Right time is when:

• You are mentally ready
• You can give focused effort

Final Thoughts: What Truly Matters in UPSC Preparation

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is not just about intelligence or memory. It is about:

• Discipline over distraction
• Strategy over random effort
• Consistency over motivation

Every aspirant begins with doubts. Clarity comes gradually — through reading, writing, revising, and reflecting.

If you:

• Understand the syllabus
• Follow a realistic strategy
• Avoid common mistakes
• Stay consistent

Then the exam becomes manageable.

UPSC is tough — but it is transparent. It rewards structured effort.