The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. It consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview). Each stage tests the aspirants' knowledge, analytical ability, and decision-making skills. Let’s explore the exam pattern in detail.

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the UPSC CSE and consists of two objective-type papers:

• Paper 1: General Studies (GS) - 200 marks, 2 hours
• Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) - 200 marks, 2 hours (qualifying, 33% required)

Only marks obtained in Paper 1 are considered for selecting candidates for the next stage, while Paper 2 is qualifying in nature.

2. Main Examination (Mains)

The Main Examination consists of nine descriptive papers designed to assess the in-depth knowledge of candidates. The papers are as follows:

• Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying) - 300 marks
• Paper B: English (qualifying) - 300 marks
• Paper I: Essay - 250 marks
• Paper II: General Studies I - 250 marks
• Paper III: General Studies II - 250 marks
• Paper IV: General Studies III - 250 marks
• Paper V: General Studies IV - 250 marks
• Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject (Paper 1 & 2) - 250 marks each

Marks obtained in all these papers, except for the qualifying ones, are considered for preparing the final merit list. The total marks for the Mains are 1750.

3. Personality Test (Interview)

After clearing the Mains, candidates are called for the Personality Test, which is also known as the Interview round. It carries 275 marks and assesses the candidate's communication skills, critical thinking, and overall personality. The total score from Mains and Interview determines the final ranking.

4. Final Selection

The final selection of candidates is based on the total marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Personality Test. Candidates are allocated to various services like IAS, IPS, IFS, etc., based on their rank and preferences.

5. Conclusion

The UPSC exam pattern is designed to test a candidate's knowledge, analytical abilities, and personality. With a clear understanding of the structure and strategic preparation, aspirants can successfully navigate through all three stages of the examination.