UPSC CSE exam pattern
UPSC Civil Services Examination · यूपीएससी सिविल सेवा परीक्षा
UPSC CSE is conducted in 4 stages: Preliminary — Paper I (General Studies), Preliminary — Paper II (CSAT), Main examination, Personality Test (Interview). Preliminary — Paper I (General Studies) has 100 questions for 200 marks in 120 minutes, with negative marking of One-third of the marks of that question.
Preliminary — Paper I (General Studies)
Objective, OMR100 questions200 marks120 minNegative: One-third of the marks of that question
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 100 | 200 |
Merit for qualifying to Mains is based on Paper I only.
Preliminary — Paper II (CSAT)
Objective, OMR80 questions200 marks120 minNegative: One-third of the marks of that question
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehension, reasoning, basic numeracy, data interpretation | 80 | 200 |
Qualifying: 33% required.
Main examination
Descriptive1750 marks180 minNo negative marking
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A — Indian Language (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper B — English (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper I — Essay | — | 250 |
| Paper II — General Studies I | — | 250 |
| Paper III — General Studies II | — | 250 |
| Paper IV — General Studies III | — | 250 |
| Paper V — General Studies IV (Ethics) | — | 250 |
| Paper VI — Optional subject Paper 1 | — | 250 |
| Paper VII — Optional subject Paper 2 | — | 250 |
Each paper is 3 hours. Papers A and B are qualifying (25% each) and not counted in merit.
Personality Test (Interview)
Interview275 marksNo negative marking
Attempt a full UPSC CSE mock under this pattern
Practice for UPSC CSE
Reading the syllabus is step one. Timed practice under the real UPSC CSE pattern is what moves your score. Our partner platform EduJha offers practice with instant scoring and explanations.