UPSC
Central GovtUnion Public Service Commission
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruiting agency, established in 1926 under Article 315 of the Constitution. UPSC recruits officers for All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) and Central Group A and B Services through rigorous competitive examinations. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered among the toughest competitive exams in the world, selecting approximately 1,000 officers annually from over 10 lakh applicants.
Exams Conducted
Civil Services Examination
India's most prestigious exam for IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A & B services.
💰 ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000/month (Pay Level 10–18, IAS entry level to Cabinet Secretary)
Graduation in any discipline. Age 21–32 years (General), 6 attempts. 21–35 years (OBC, 9 attempts). 21–37 years (SC/ST, unlimited attempts up to age limit). Indian Citizen.
Exam Pattern
Engineering Services Examination
For Central Engineering Services in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecom.
💰 ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/month (Pay Level 10, Group A Gazetted Class I)
Degree in Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics & Telecom). Age 21–30 years (General). Must be an Indian Citizen.
Exam Pattern
Combined Defence Services Examination
For Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy, Officers Training Academy.
💰 ₹56,100+/month after commissioning as Lieutenant in Indian Army/Navy/Air Force
Graduation for IMA/AFA/Naval Academy (B.Tech/B.E for Naval and Air Force). Age 19–25 years for IMA, 19–23 for AFA/Naval Academy, 19–25 for OTA. Unmarried male candidates for IMA/AFA/NA; male and female for OTA.
Exam Pattern
National Defence Academy Examination
For admission to National Defence Academy and Naval Academy for Class 12 pass candidates.
💰 ₹56,100+/month after commissioning (Lieutenant); allowances bring effective pay to ₹80,000+/month
12th Pass with Physics and Mathematics for Air Force and Naval Academy. 12th Pass (any stream) for Army. Age 16.5–19.5 years. Unmarried male candidates only.
Exam Pattern
Central Armed Police Forces Examination
For Assistant Commandant posts in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB.
💰 ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/month (Pay Level 10 Group A Gazetted, Deputy SP / Deputy Commandant equivalent)
Graduation in any discipline. Age 20–25 years. Must be unmarried (relaxation given for some forces). Physical standards: Male height 165 cm, Female 157 cm. Medical fitness as per CAPF standards.
Exam Pattern
Combined Medical Services Examination
For Junior Scale post in Central Health Service (CHS) and other medical posts.
💰 ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/month (Class I Medical Officer in Central Government Hospitals, Pay Level 10)
MBBS degree from a recognised university. Age 32 years maximum. Must be registered with Medical Council of India / State Medical Council.
Exam Pattern
Indian Forest Service Examination
For Indian Forest Service — conducted alongside Civil Services Preliminary.
💰 ₹56,100 – ₹2,08,700/month (Forest Range Officer → Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Pay Level 10–14)
Graduation in Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science / Botany / Chemistry / Geology / Mathematics / Physics / Statistics / Zoology / Agriculture / Forestry / Horticulture OR a degree with any of these subjects. Age 21–32 years (General), 6 attempts.
Exam Pattern
Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination
For Mechanical Department of Indian Railways — Discontinued since 2015 but historic.
💰 ₹25,500+/month as Apprentice; promoted to JE/AEN on joining Indian Railways after training
12th Pass with Physics and Mathematics. Age 17–21 years. Must be unmarried. Indian Citizen.
Exam Pattern
Eligibility
- ›Age: 21–32 years (General), 21–35 years (OBC), 21–37 years (SC/ST) — for Civil Services
- ›Attempts: 6 (General), 9 (OBC), unlimited up to age limit (SC/ST)
- ›Education: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
- ›Nationality: Indian Citizen for IAS/IPS/IFS; Nepal/Bhutan nationals eligible for certain services
- ›Physical & Medical Standards: Specified for each service — IPS requires specific vision and height standards
Selection Process
- ›Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective) — Paper I: GS (100 Qs, 200 marks, 2 hrs) + Paper II: CSAT (80 Qs, 200 marks, 2 hrs | qualifying, 33% cutoff)
- ›Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive, 9 papers over 5 days) — Essay (250) + GS I (250) + GS II (250) + GS III (250) + GS IV (250) + Optional I (250) + Optional II (250) = 1750 marks + 2 qualifying language papers
- ›Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview — 275 marks | Assessed on analytical ability, leadership, integrity, balanced judgement
- ›Stage 4: Medical Examination at government hospital
- ›Stage 5: Final Merit List and Service/Cadre Allocation based on rank + service preference
- ›Total process: 10–12 months from Prelims notification to final result
Departments & Posts
- ›All India Services: IAS (District Collector → Secretary to GoI → Cabinet Secretary), IPS (DSP → DGP → Director IB/RAW), IFS (Third Secretary → Ambassador)
- ›Central Services Group A: IRS Income Tax, IRS Customs & Indirect Taxes, IAAS (Audit & Accounts), IDAS, IRTS, IRAS, IPoS, ICAS, IP&TAFS
- ›Central Services Group B: Delhi Police, DANICS, DANIPS, Pondicherry Police
- ›Defence & Security: CAPF (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) — Assistant Commandant posts
- ›Technical Services: Engineering Services (Group A) across PWD, Railways, Telecom, CPWD, BRO
- ›Specialised: IFS (Indian Forest Service) — DFO → PCCF | CMS — Medical Officers in Central Health Services
Joining Process
- ›Step 1: Receive appointment order from Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India
- ›Step 2: IAS/IPS/IFS officers attend Joint Foundation Course at LBSNAA, Mussoorie (15 weeks) — shared with other Group A services
- ›Step 3: Service-specific professional training — IPS at SVPNPA Hyderabad (11 months), IFS at FSOI New Delhi, IAS at state ATIs
- ›Step 4: District/field attachment for practical training — IAS officers posted as SDM, ASP, BDO for 12 months
- ›Step 5: Probation period of 2 years with ongoing performance assessments and departmental examinations
- ›Step 6: Confirmation to service and regular pay scale after successful probation and all qualifying exams
- ›Step 7: First posting as per cadre allocation — IAS to state cadres, IPS to state/Central police organisations
