UPSC IAS Full Form
The full form of IAS is Indian Administrative Service. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the IAS exam every year to choose and furthermore recruit eligible candidates to the posts offered by the Government of India.
The IAS officers play a crucial role in managing various governmental affairs at all levels, from the district to the state.
UPSC IAS Exam Syllabus: Overview
| Exam Pattern & Syllabus for UPSC Prelims | |
| Two Compulsory Papers | General Studies Paper-I |
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) | |
| Number of Questions asked in GS Paper-I | 100 |
| Number of Questions asked in CSAT | 80 |
| Total Number of Marks | 400; – GS Paper-I – 200 Marks – CSAT – 200 Marks |
| Negative Marking | ⅓ of the total marks allotted to the question will be deducted for every wrong answer |
| Time Allotted | Two hours each; – GS Paper-I – 2 Hours (9:30 AM -11:30 AM) – CSAT – 2 Hours (2:30 PM – 4:30 PM) |
UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2024
UPSC Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Sl No. | Paper | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Studies Paper I (GS) | 200 | 2 hours |
| 2 | General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 200 | 2 hours |
| Prelims | General Studies Paper I | General Studies Paper II (CSAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 100 | 80 |
| Marks per question | 2 | 2.5 |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Negative Marking | -0.66 marks for every incorrect answer. (ie. 1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question) | -0.83 marks for every incorrect answer. (ie. 1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question) |
| Significance | Counted for selection into the next stage (Mains). But not counted for the final ranking after Mains and Interview. | Not counted for selection into the next stage (Mains). This paper is qualifying in nature. However, the candidate needs 33% marks (67/200 marks) |
UPSC Main Exam Pattern
| Mains | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies – I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
| Paper-III | General Studies – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 |
| Paper–IV | General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Paper–V | General Studies – IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper–VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 |
| Paper–VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 |
| Qualifying Paper A | Indian Language | 300 |
| Qualifying Paper B | English Language | 300 |
UPSC IAS Syllabus 2024
UPSC Prelims Examination Syllabus
1. General Studies Paper-I Syllabus
This Paper covers various list of subjects, including Environment and Ecology, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, Indian History, Current Affairs, and General Knowledge.
UPSC Prelims Syllabus Paper-1 (GS-1)
- Current Events:
- Stay updated on national and international events of significance.
2. History of India and Indian National Movement:
- Understand the historical context, key events, and prominent personalities in India’s past.
3. Indian and World Geography:
- Study the physical, social, and economic aspects of geography related to India and the world.
4. Indian Polity and Governance:
- Explore topics such as the Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and rights issues.
5. Economic and Social Development:
- Learn about sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives.
6. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change:
- Understand environmental concepts without requiring specialized knowledge.
- Explore biodiversity and climate change.
7. General Science:
- Cover scientific principles and developments.
2. General Studies Paper-II Syllabus (CSAT)
This paper evaluates candidates’ aptitude in areas such as Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Interpersonal Skills, Decision Making, and Problem-Solving.
UPSC Prelims Syllabus Paper-2 (CSAT)
- Comprehension:
- Evaluate your ability to comprehend and analyze given passages.
- Interpersonal Skills Including Communication Skills:
- Focus on effective communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability:
- Test your critical thinking, analytical, and deductive reasoning skills.
- Decision-Making and Problem-Solving:
- Assess your ability to make informed decisions and solve problems.
- General Mental Ability:
- Cover aspects related to mental agility and cognitive abilities.
- Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) at Class X level.
- Understand fundamental numerical concepts.
- Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) at Class X level.
- Interpret data presented in various formats.
UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2024
Paper 1: Essay (250 Marks)
- Candidates will be required to write an essay on one of the following topics:
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History and Geography of the World and Society
- Social Justice, Polity, Constitution, Governance, and International Relations
- Economic Development, Technology, Environment, Biodiversity, Security, and Disaster Management
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Paper 2: General Studies I (250 Marks)
- Indian Heritage and Culture:
- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Indian Paintings (including Mural, Miniature, Mughal, Rajput, and Pahari paintings).
- Various Dance Forms (both classical and folk).
- Music (classical and folk).
- Different forms of Puppetry.
- Pottery traditions (such as Ochre Coloured Pottery, Black and Red Ware, Painted Grey Ware, and more).
- Drama/Theatre (including classical Sanskrit theatre, regional theatre, and modern theatre).
- Martial Arts (like Thang Ta, Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb, Silambam, and others).
- Visual Art: Sculptures from different historical periods (Harappan, Mauryan, Gupta, Medieval, and modern Indian sculptures).
- Bhakti & Sufi Movements and women poets of Bhakti literature.
- Classical Sanskrit Literature, Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and more.
2. Modern Indian History:
- Events and personalities from the middle of the eighteenth century until the present.
- The Freedom Struggle and its stages.
- Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within India.
- World History:
- Events from the 18th century, including the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, and decolonization.
- Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, and Socialism and their impact on society.
3. Salient Features of Indian Society:
- Diversity of India, role of women, population issues, poverty, urbanization, and effects of globalization.
4. Geography:
- Physical Geography of the world, distribution of natural resources, and geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones, etc.).
Paper 3: General Studies II (250 Marks)
The General Studies Paper-II (GS-II) for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination covers several important areas. Let’s explore the syllabus in detail:
- Governance and Constitution:
- Understand the historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
- Explore topics related to governance, government policies, interventions, transparency, accountability, and e-governance applications.
- Polity:
- Study the features of the Indian Constitution and the amendments made over time.
- Learn about constitutional and non-constitutional bodies.
- Social Justice:
- Delve into issues related to the development and management of social sector/services.
- Understand matters concerning poverty, hunger, and social justice.
- International Relations:
- Explore bilateral and regional/global groupings.
- Study agreements involving India and their impact on India’s interests.
General Studies II requires critical thinking, as questions often relate to interrelated topics. For a comprehensive understanding, refer to the following sources:
- Polity:
- Book: “Indian Polity” by Laxmikanth (Read it thoroughly).
- Class 11 NCERT: “Indian Constitution at Work.”
Paper 4: General Studies III (250 Marks)
The General Studies Paper-III (GS-III) for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination covers a diverse range of topics related to Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
- Indian Economy and Issues Relating to Planning:
- Understand the significance of planning in economic development.
- Explore resource mobilization, including financial, human, and natural resources.
- Study the role of savings, investment, and government resources (tax and non-tax).
- Analyze the impact of liberalization and changes in industrial policy on economic growth.
- Inclusive Growth and Issues Arising from It:
- Delve into the challenges and opportunities related to inclusive development.
- Government Budgeting:
- Understand the process of budget formulation, allocation, and execution.
- Major Crops, Cropping Patterns, and Agricultural Systems:
- Study cropping patterns across different regions of India.
- Explore various types of irrigation systems.
- Analyze storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural produce.
- Learn about the role of e-technology in aiding farmers.
- Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices:
- Examine issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies.
- Understand the concept of minimum support prices.
- Public Distribution System (PDS):
- Explore the objectives, functioning, limitations, and potential improvements of the PDS.
- Address buffer stocks and food security.
- Food Processing and Related Industries in India:
- Understand the scope, significance, and supply chain management of food processing industries.
- Land Reforms in India:
- Study historical and contemporary land reforms.
- Effects of Liberalization on the Economy:
- Analyze the impact of economic liberalization policies.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Explore energy, ports, roads, airports, railways, and investment models.
- Science and Technology:
- Investigate developments and applications in everyday life.
- Recognize achievements of Indians in science and technology.
- Stay aware of IT, space, computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and intellectual property rights.
- Conservation, Environmental Pollution, and Degradation:
- Address environmental impact assessment.
- Study disaster management and its challenges.
- Security Issues:
- Understand the role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Explore communication networks, media, social networking sites, and cyber security.
- Analyze security challenges in border areas and linkages between organized crime and terrorism.
Paper 5: General Studies IV (250 Marks)
The General Studies Paper-IV (GS-IV) for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination focuses on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Ethics and Human Interface:
- Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.
- Dimensions of ethics in private and public relationships.
- Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators.
- Role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude:
- Content, structure, function, and influence of attitude.
- Moral and political attitudes.
- Social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service:
- Integrity, impartiality, and non-partisanship.
- Objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion.
- Emotional intelligence and its application in administration and governance.
- Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers:
- From India and around the world.
- Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration:
- Status, problems, and ethical concerns.
- Laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance.
- Strengthening ethical and moral values in governance.
- Ethical issues in international relations and funding.
- Corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance:
- Concept of public service.
- Philosophical basis of governance and probity.
- Information sharing, transparency, and right to information.
- Codes of ethics, conduct, and citizen’s charters.
- Challenges of corruption.
- Case Studies:
- Utilized to determine ethical aspects.
Paper 6 and 7: Optional Subjects (250 Marks Each)
- Candidates have to choose two optional subjects from a list of 23 subjects. The syllabus for each optional subject is given on the UPSC website.
Note:
- The UPSC Mains Exam is a 7-paper exam, with a total of 1750 marks.
- Candidates are required to qualify in each of the 7 papers to be eligible for the interview.
- The interview is a 275-mark paper.
- The total marks for the UPSC Civil Services Exam are 2025.
UPSC Optional Subjects List
| UPSC Optional Subjects List | |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Philosophy |
| Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | Physics |
| Anthropology | Political Science & International Relations |
| Botany | Psychology |
| Chemistry | Public Administration |
| Civil Engineering | Sociology |
| Commerce & Accountancy | Statistics |
| Economics | Zoology |
| Electrical Engineering | Mathematics |
| Geography | Mechanical Engineering |
| Geology | Medical Science |
| History | Management |
| Law | |
UPSC (List of Literature Optional Subject)
| UPSC (List of Literature Optional Subject ) | |
|---|---|
| Assamese(Literature) | Oriya(Literature) |
| Bengali(Literature) | Punjabi(Literature) |
| Bodo(Literature) | Sanskrit(Literature) |
| Dogri(Literature) | Santhali(Literature) |
| Gujarati(Literature) | Sindhi(Literature) |
| Hindi(Literature) | Tamil(Literature) |
| Kannada(Literature) | Telugu(Literature) |
| Kashmiri(Literature) | Urdu(Literature) |
| Konkani(Literature) | English(Literature) |
| Maithili(Literature) | Marathi(Literature) |
| Nepali(Literature) | |
Qualifying Paper A Indian Language
- Paper Format:
- Comprehension of given passages: Candidates will be tested on their ability to understand and interpret passages.
- Precis Writing: Candidates must write concise summaries of longer texts.
- Usage and Vocabulary: Assessing language skills related to usage and vocabulary.
- Short Essay: Writing a brief essay on a given topic.
- Translation: Translating between English and the chosen Indian language.
- Scripts Allowed:
- For the language medium/literature, candidates can use the following scripts:
- Assamese: Assamese script
- Bengali: Bengali script
- Gujarati: Gujarati script
- Hindi: Devanagari script
- Kannada: Kannada script
- Kashmiri: Persian script
- Konkani: Devanagari script
- Malayalam: Malayalam script
- Manipuri: Bengali script
- Marathi: Devanagari script
- Nepali: Devanagari script
- Oriya: Oriya script
- Punjabi: Gurumukhi script
- Sanskrit: Devanagari script
- Sindhi: Devanagari or Arabic script
- Tamil: Tamil script
- Telugu: Telugu script
- Urdu: Persian script
- Bodo: Devanagari script
- Dogri: Devanagari script
- Maithilli: Devanagari script
- Santhali: Devanagari or Olchiki script (candidates can choose either)
- For the language medium/literature, candidates can use the following scripts:
- Exemption:
- Candidates from the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim are not required to appear for Paper A.
Qualifying Paper B English Language
- Aim of the Paper:
- The primary objective is to test candidates’ ability to:
- Read and understand serious discursive prose.
- Express ideas clearly and correctly in English.
- The primary objective is to test candidates’ ability to:
- Pattern of Questions:
- The paper consists of the following components:
- Comprehension of given passages: Candidates must comprehend and interpret passages provided.
- Precis Writing: Summarizing longer texts concisely.
- Usage and Vocabulary: Assessing language skills related to usage and vocabulary.
- Short Essays: Writing brief essays on given topics.
- Translation: Translating between English and the chosen Indian language (Paper B).
- The paper consists of the following components:
- Minimum Qualifying Standards:
- Candidates must secure a minimum of 30% marks in this paper.
- The marks obtained in this paper do not contribute to ranking.
- For ranking purposes, candidates must also attain 25% marks in the English paper.
UPSC IAS Exam Calender 2024
UPSC Exam Calendar 2025
Those preparing for the UPSC exam must check the table provided below to know UPSC exam 2025 dates:
| Name of Examination | Date of Notification | Application Last Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | January 11, 2025 | ||
| UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Exam 2024 | September 4, 2024 | September 24, 2025 | February 9, 2025(Sunday) |
| UPSC ESE Prelims Examination 2025 | September 18, 2024 | October 8, 2024 | February 9, 2025 (Sunday) |
| CBI (DSP) LDCE | November 27, 2024 | December 17, 2024 | March 8, 2025(Saturday) |
| CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2025 | December 4, 2024 | December 24, 2024 | March 9, 2025(Sunday) |
| UPSC NDA NA 1 Exam 2025 | December 11, 2024 | December 31 , 2024 | April 13, 2025(Sunday) |
| UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2025 | |||
| UPSC CSE Notification 2025 | January 22, 2025 | February 11, 2025 | May 25, 2025(Sunday) |
| UPSC IFS Prelims Exam 2025 | |||
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | June 14, 2025(Saturday) | ||
| UPSC IES ISS Exam 2025 | February 12, 2025 | March 4, 2025 | June 20, 2025(Friday) |
| UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains Exam 2025 | June 21, 2025(Saturday) | ||
| UPSC ESE Mains Exam 2025 | June 22, 2025(Sunday) | ||
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | July 5, 2025(Saturday) | ||
| UPSC CMS Exam 2025 | February 19, 2025 | March 11, 2025 | July 20, 2025(Sunday) |
| UPSC CAPF Exam 2025 | March 5, 2025 | March 25, 2025 | August 3, 2025(Sunday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | August 9, 2025(Saturday) | ||
| Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025 | August 22, 2025(Friday) | ||
| UPSC NDA 2 Exam 2025 | May 28, 2025 | June 17, 2025 | September 14, 2025(Sunday) |
| UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025 | |||
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | October 4, 2025(Saturday) | ||
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | November 1, 2025(Saturday) | ||
| UPSC IFS Mains Exam 2024 | November 16, 2025(Sunday) | ||
| S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | September 17, 2025 | October 7, 2025 | December 13, 2025(Saturday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | December 20, 2025(Saturday) |
UPSC IAS Notification Date 2024
February 14, 2024 The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2024.
UPSC IAS Registration 2024
The registration for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2024 began on February 14, 2024.
UPSC IAS Admit Card 2024
The UPSC IAS Prelims Admit Card 2024 will be released in May 2024 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on their official website.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to download your UPSC IAS Admit Card:
- Visit the Official UPSC Website:
- Go to the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). You can access it by clicking here.
- Locate the Admit Card Link:
- Once you’re on the UPSC website, look for the link related to the admit card. It’s usually prominently displayed on the homepage.
- Read Instructions and Confirm:
- Thoroughly read the instructions provided on the page.
- Click on “Yes” to confirm that you’ve understood the instructions.
- Choose Your Mode of Login:
- You’ll be prompted to log in using either your Registration ID or Roll Number (whichever is more relevant to you).
- Enter your Date of Birth as well.
- View and Download:
- Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your admit card.
- Download it to your device.
- Print Your Admit Card:
- Finally, take a printout of your admit card. Make sure to carry it with you on the exam day.
UPSC IAS Exam Date 2024
The UPSC IAS Prelims Exam 2024 is scheduled for 16th June 2024. As for the UPSC Mains Exam 2024, it will be held from 20th September 2024 onwards.
UPSC IAS Result Date 2024
The UPSC IAS Prelims Exam 2024 is scheduled for 16th June 2024. As for the UPSC Mains Exam 2024, it will be held from 20th September 2024 onwards.
The final result of the Combined Civil Service Examination (CSE), including selections for IAS, IFS, IPS, Group A, and B services, was announced on April 16, 2024.
This year, the UPSC released a list of 1016 recommended applicants, out of the 1143 reported vacancies, who will be appointed in various departments post training.
An additional 240 individuals were retained on the reserve list
UPSC IAS Exam Fees 2024
| Category | IAS Prelims Exam Fees | IAS Mains Exam Fees |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC (Male) | ₹100 | ₹200 |
| All Female Candidates | Exempted | Exempted |
| SC/ST and Other Categories | Exempted | Exempted |
- UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam Fee: This is the registration fee paid while submitting the application form for the civil services examination.
- UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination Fee: Candidates who qualify the prelims need to fill a separate form for the mains examination and pay the application fee.
- Personality Test (Interview) Fee: No fee for all categories.
Candidates can pay the exam fee online using Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card or opt for offline payment by printing the system-generated Pay-in-slip and depositing the fee at an SBI Branch.
UPSC IAS Exam Eligibility 2024
- Nationality:
- Candidates must be Indian citizens.
- Age Limit:
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Maximum age: 32 years (as of August 1, 2024)
- Age relaxation for different categories:
- EWS: Up to 32 years
- SC/ST: Up to 37 years
- OBC: Up to 35 years
- Disabled Defence Services Personnel: Up to 35 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Up to 37 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (EWS): Up to 42 years
- Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have completed graduation from a recognized university.
- Number of Attempts:
- General: Up to 6 attempts
- OBC: Up to 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (up to the age limit)
- EWS: Up to 9 attempts
UPSC IAS Exam Center 2024
IAS Prelims Exam Centre 2024
| UPSC Prelims Exam Center | UPSC Prelims Exam Center |
| 1. AGARTALA | 41. KOCHI |
| 2. AGRA | 42. KOHIMA |
| 3. AHMEDABAD | 43. KOLKATTA |
| 4. AIZAWL | 44. KOZHIKODE (CALICUT) |
| 5. AJMER | 45. LEH |
| 6. ALIGARH | 46. LUCKNOW |
| 7. ALMORA (UTTARAKHAND) | 47. LUDHIANA |
| 8. ANANTHAPURU | 48. MADURAI |
| 9. CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR [AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA)] | 49. MANDI (HIMACHAL PRADESH) |
| 10. BAREILLY | 50. MUMBAI |
| 11. BENGALURU | 51. MYSURU |
| 12. BHOPAL | 52. NAGPUR |
| 13. BILASPUR (CHHATISGARH) | 53. NASIK |
| 14. CHANDIGARH | 54. NAVI MUMBAI |
| 15. CHENNAI | 55. PANAJI (GOA) |
| 16. COIMBATORE | 56. PATNA |
| 17. CUTTACK | 57. PORTBLAIR |
| 18. DEHRADUN | 58. PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD) |
| 19. DELHI | 59. PUDUCHERRY |
| 20. DHARAMSHALA (HIMACHAL PRADESH) | 60. PUNE |
| 21. DHARWAR | 61. RAIPUR |
| 22. DISPUR | 62. RAJKOT |
| 23. FARIDABAD | 63. RANCHI |
| 24. GANGTOK | 64. SAMBALPUR |
| 25. GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR | 65. SHILLONG |
| 26. GAYA | 66. SHIMLA |
| 27. GHAZIABAD | 67. SILIGURI |
| 28. GORAKHPUR | 68. SRINAGAR |
| 29. GURGAON | 69. SRINAGAR (UTTARAKHAND) |
| 30. GWALIOR | 70. SURAT |
| 31. HYDERABAD | 71. THANE |
| 32. IMPHAL | 72. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM |
| 33. INDORE | 73. TIRUCHIRAPALLI |
| 34. ITANAGAR | 74. TIRUPATI |
| 35. JABALPUR | 75. UDAIPUR |
| 36. JAIPUR | 76. VARANASI |
| 37. JAMMU | 77. VELLORE |
| 38. JODHPUR | 78. VIJAYAWADA |
| 39. JORHAT | 79. VISHAKHAPATNAM |
| 40. KARGIL | 80. WARANGAL |
IAS Mains Exam Centre 2024
| UPSC Mains Exam Center | UPSC Mains Exam Center |
| 1. Ahmedabad | 13. Jaipur |
| 2. Aizawl | 14. Jammu |
| 3. Prayagraj (Allahabad) | 15. Kolkata |
| 4. Bengaluru | 16. Lucknow |
| 5. Bhopal | 17. Mumbai |
| 6. Chandigarh | 18. Patna |
| 7. Chennai | 19. Raipur |
| 8. Cuttack | 20. Ranchi |
| 9. Dehradun | 21. Shillong |
| 10. Delhi | 22. Shimla |
| 11. Dispur (Guwahati) | 23. Thiruvananthapuram |
| 12. Hyderabad | 24. Vijayawada |
IAS Exam Centre in India
| State | District |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Assam | Dispur, Jorhat |
| Andaman And Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Tirupati, Anantapur, Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Bihar | Patna, Gaya |
| Chattisgarh | Raipur, Bilaspur |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Haryana | Gurgaon, Faridabad |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Rajkot |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar, Jammu |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Dharwad, Mysore, Bangalore |
| Ladakh | Leh |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode [Calicut] |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Nasik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Thane |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Odisha | Sambalpur, Cuttack |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Punjab | Ludhiana |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Rajasthan | Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Warangal |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Vellore, Madurai |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| West Bengal | Siliguri, Kolkata |
| Uttarakhand | Srinagar, Dehradun |
| Uttar Pradesh | Aligarh, Agra, Ghaziabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Lucknow |
UPSC IAS Exam Duration
- UPSC Prelims Exam:
- The Prelims Exam consists of two papers conducted on the same day.
- General Studies Paper I: Objective type questions with 100 questions, carrying a total of 200 marks.
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Objective type questions with 80 questions, also carrying 200 marks.
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
- Note: The marks secured in the Prelims are not counted towards the final merit list but are crucial for qualifying for the Mains exam.
- UPSC Mains Exam:
- The Mains stage consists of 9 papers conducted over 5-7 days.
- All papers are descriptive answer type questions.
- Duration: Each paper has a duration of 3 hours.
- Only candidates who clear the Prelims (meeting the cut-offs) are eligible for the Mains.
- The Mains phase significantly impacts your final scores.
- Personality Test/Interview:
- The third stage involves the Personality Test or Interview.
- It assesses the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for administrative roles.
- The interview duration varies for each candidate.
UPSC IAS Salary Structure
| Salary of IAS Officer | |||||
| Pay Level | Basic Pay (INR) | Number of years required in service | Post | ||
| District Administration | State Secretariat | Central Secretariat | |||
| 10 | 56100 | 1-4 | Sub-Divisional Magistrate | Undersecretary | Assistant Secretary |
| 11 | 67,700 | 5-8 | Additional District Magistrate | Deputy Secretary | Undersecretary |
| 12 | 78,800 | 9-12 | District Magistrate | Joint Secretary | Deputy Secretary |
| 13 | 1,18,500 | 13-16 | District Magistrate | Special Secretary-cum-Director | Director |
| 14 | 1,44,200 | 16-24 | Divisional Commissioner | Secretary-cum-Commissioner | Joint Secretary |
| 15 | 1,82,200 | 25-30 | Divisional Commissioner | Principal Secretary | Additional Secretary |
| 16 | 2,05,400 | 30-33 | No Equivalent Rank | Additional Chief Secretary | No Equivalent Rank |
| 17 | 2,25,000 | 34-36 | No Equivalent Rank | Chief Secretary | Secretary |
| 18 | 2,50,000 | 37+ years | No Equivalent Rank | No Equivalent Rank | Cabinet Secretary of India |
UPSC IAS Cut Off 2023
| Category | Prelims | Mains | Final |
| General | 75.41 | 741 | 953 |
| EWS | 68.02 | 706 | 923 |
| OBC | 74.75 | 712 | 919 |
| SC | 59.25 | 694 | 890 |
| ST | 47.82 | 692 | 891 |
| PwBD-1 | 40.40 | 673 | 894 |
| PwBD-2 | 47.13 | 718 | 930 |
| PwBD-3 | 40.40 | 396 | 756 |
| PwBD-5 | 33.68 | 445 | 589 |
UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper
| Question Paper 2018 | Question Paper 2019 |
| Question Paper 2020 | Question Paper 2021 |
| Question Paper 2022 | Question Paper 2023 |
UPSC IAS Answer Key 2023
| Answer Key 2018 | Answer Key 2019 |
| Answer Key 2020 | Answer Key 2021 |
| Answer Key 2022 | Answer Key 2023 |
Best Books for UPSC IAS Exam 2024
Best Books For IAS Prelims
| Subject | UPSC Books List |
| History | NCERT 11th Ancient and Medieval NCERT 12th Modern Indian History Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra |
| Geography | NCERT VI-X Old Syllabus NCERT XI, XII New Syllabus World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong |
| Indian Polity | NCERT IX-XII Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth NCERT XI Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri |
| Economics | Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania |
| International Relations | Current Affairs NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics) |
| CSAT | Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal |
| Solved Papers | IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers by Vishal Publications |
UPSC Preparation Book List – Best Books For IAS Mains
| Subject | UPSC Books |
| History, Indian Heritage & Culture [GS Paper 1] | Ancient India by RS Sharma India after Independence by Bipan Chandra History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra |
| Geography [GS Paper 1] | Geography of India by Majid Husain World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G C Leong World Geography by Majid Husain Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 |
| Polity & International Relations [GS Paper 2] | Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD BasuIndian Polity by M. LaxmikanthInternational Relations: Pushpesh Pant |
| Economy [GS Paper 3] | Environment and Disaster Management by Tata McGraw Hill Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar |
| Ethics [GS Paper 4] | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
| Solved Papers | IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |
