UPSC Exam Guide 2027The UPSC Civil Services Examination: Stages, Pattern and Marks
Everything you need to know about how the examination is structured: the three stages, the marks that count towards your rank, and the 24 services one rank list can open for you.
3Sequential Stages
2,025Final Merit Marks
24Services, One Exam
The Three Stages
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is widely considered one of the most rigorous competitive examinations in the world. It is designed to evaluate not just a candidate's academic knowledge, but their analytical capacity, administrative temperament and ethical fortitude. The examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission and is the sole gateway to the IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services.
The examination is divided into three sequential stages, and candidates must clear each stage to progress to the next. For a deeper look at the overall structure, read our UPSC Exam Pattern guide.
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination (Prelims) is a screening test. The marks obtained in this stage do not count towards the final merit ranking. It consists of two objective-type (Multiple Choice Question) papers conducted on the same day. For a detailed syllabus analysis, see our Prelims Guide.
Prelims Structure
| Paper | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|
| GS Paper I | 200 | 2 Hours | 1/3rd (0.66 Marks) |
| GS Paper II (CSAT) | 200 | 2 Hours | 1/3rd (0.83 Marks) |
* CSAT is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure a minimum of 33% (66 marks).
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination Rules. Re-check against each year's notification when it is issued.
If you are a beginner looking to build a strong foundation for this screening stage, our UPSC Foundation Course and our dedicated Prelims Test Series are structured specifically to tackle the negative marking and analytical demands of Paper I.
Stage 2 — Main Examination
The Main Examination (Mains) is a descriptive, written test designed to assess a candidate's overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding, rather than mere recall of information. See our Mains Guide for subject-wise strategy.
Mains Structure
| Paper | Marks | Counted for Rank |
|---|
| Paper A — Indian Language | 300 | No (Qualifying) |
| Paper B — English | 300 | No (Qualifying) |
| Paper I — Essay | 250 | Yes |
| Papers II to V — General Studies I to IV | 250 Each | Yes |
| Papers VI and VII — Optional Subject I and II | 250 Each | Yes |
| Written Total | 1,750 | — |
The Main Examination has nine papers. The two language papers are qualifying only; the remaining seven papers determine the written score.
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination Rules.
Mains preparation requires rigorous answer writing practice. At Samkalp, our Integrated Prelims & Mains Programme is built entirely around evaluated answer writing, supported by our expert faculty.
Stage 3 — Personality Test
Candidates who clear the Mains cut-off are called for the Personality Test, commonly known as the UPSC Interview, conducted at Dholpur House, New Delhi. Read our Interview Guide to understand the board's expectations.
Marks at a Glance
| Component | Marks |
|---|
| Main Examination (Written) | 1,750 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 275 |
| Final Merit Total | 2,025 |
The Personality Test assesses the candidate's personality, awareness and suitability for a career in public service.
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination Rules.
Because this stage evaluates administrative traits rather than academic knowledge, preparation requires simulation with experienced civil servants. To see how we prepare candidates with retired officers, read about our Interview Guidance Programme or view our Interview Panel.
Services Through the CSE
A single rank list from the Civil Services Examination opens the door to more than twenty services. Your rank, your preferences and your category decide which service and cadre you are allotted. Here is what each one does, where its officers train and where it can take you.
24 Services.
One Examination.Tap a group to jump to it.
3
All India Services
Officers recruited by the Union and allotted to State cadres. They serve both the State and the Central Government over a career.
IAS01
Indian Administrative Service
Training: LBSNAA, Mussoorie
- One of the three All India Services and the permanent executive arm of the Union and State Governments.
- Formulates and implements government policy, from district administration to Union ministries.
- The most sought-after service among Civil Services aspirants.
IPS02
Indian Police Service
Training: SVPNPA, Hyderabad
- One of the three All India Services.
- Officers hold senior positions in State police forces and Central police organisations.
- Officers also serve in agencies such as RAW, IB and the CBI.
IFoS03
Indian Forest Service
Ministry: Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- One of the three All India Services.
- Highest post at the Centre: Director General of Forests. In the States: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
- Opportunities to work with organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Separate Mains: candidates share the CSE Prelims, then take the Indian Forest Service Mains.
16
Group ‘A’ Civil Services
Central services that run specialised arms of the Government of India: diplomacy, audit, revenue, defence finance, communication and more.
IFS01
Indian Foreign Service
Training: LBSNAA, then Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, New Delhi
- Handles India's foreign affairs and diplomatic missions abroad.
- Officers can rise to Ambassador, High Commissioner, Permanent Representative to the UN and Foreign Secretary.
- One of the most popular Group ‘A’ services. Once appointed, a candidate cannot reappear for the CSE.
IA&AS02
Indian Audit and Accounts Service
Under: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)Training: NAAA, Shimla
- Audits the accounts of the Central Government, State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings.
- One of the most popular Group ‘A’ services.
ICAS03
Indian Civil Accounts Service
Ministry: FinanceTraining: NIFM, Faridabad and INGAF
- Manages the accounts of the Union Government.
- The cadre is headed by the Controller General of Accounts.
ICLS04
Indian Corporate Law Service
Ministry: Corporate AffairsTraining: ICLS Academy, IICA Manesar
- Regulates and governs the corporate sector in India.
- Officers receive extensive training in law, economics, finance and accounting.
IDAS05
Indian Defence Accounts Service
Ministry: DefenceTraining: CENTRAD New Delhi, NIFM and NADFM Pune
- Maintains and audits defence accounts.
- Serves organisations such as the BRO, DRDO and the Ordnance Factories.
- Headed by the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA).
IDES06
Indian Defence Estates Service
Ministry: DefenceTraining: National Institute of Defence Estates Management, New Delhi
- Manages cantonments and land belonging to the defence establishment.
IIS07
Indian Information Service
Ministry: Information and BroadcastingTraining: IIMC, New Delhi
- Manages the media wing of the Government of India and acts as a bridge between the Government and the public.
- Officers work across media units such as Doordarshan, All India Radio and the PIB.
IOFS08
Indian Ordnance Factories Service
Ministry: DefenceTraining: National Academy of Defence Production, Nagpur
- Manages the Ordnance Factories that produce defence equipment, arms and ammunition.
- Probationers train for about one year and three months.
Check the current notification: the Ordnance Factories were corporatised in 2021.
ICFS09
Indian Communication Finance Service
Training: NIFM, Faridabad
- Formerly the Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS).
- Provides accounting and financial services to the Departments of Posts and Telecommunications.
IPoS10
Indian Postal Service
Training: RAKNPA, Ghaziabad
- Officers are recruited as senior managers who run India Post.
- Oversees postal, banking and e-commerce services, along with the disbursal of old-age pensions and MGNREGA wages.
IRAS11
Indian Railway Accounts Service
Ministry: RailwaysTraining: NAIR, Vadodara and zonal railway institutes
- Maintains and manages the finances and accounts of the Indian Railways.
Now part of the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
IRPS12
Indian Railway Personnel Service
Ministry: RailwaysTraining: Foundation course, then NAIR, Vadodara
- Manages the very large human resources of the Indian Railways.
Now part of the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
IRTS13
Indian Railway Traffic Service
Ministry: RailwaysTraining: NAIR Vadodara and IRITM Lucknow
- Runs the operations and commercial wings of the Indian Railways and drives revenue generation.
- Acts as the bridge between the Railways, the public and the corporate sector.
Now part of the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
IRS14
Indian Revenue Service
Ministry: FinanceTraining: LBSNAA, then NADT Nagpur or NACIN
- Collects the direct taxes (IRS Income Tax) and indirect taxes (IRS Customs and Indirect Taxes) of the Union.
ITS15
Indian Trade Service
Ministry: CommerceTraining: IIFT, New Delhi
- Manages India's international trade and commerce.
- Works under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
RPF16
Railway Protection Force
Ministry: Railways
- Provides security to railway passengers and protects the property and assets of the Indian Railways.
- An armed force of the Union. CSE recruits its Group ‘A’ officers.
5
Group ‘B’ Civil Services
Services that support the Armed Forces Headquarters and administer and police Delhi, Puducherry and the Union Territories.
AFHQ CS01
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
Ministry: Defence
- Provides support services to the Armed Forces Headquarters and Inter-Services Organisations.
- The cadre is headed by the Defence Secretary.
DANICS02
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service
Serves: Delhi and the Union Territories
- A feeder service to the IAS.
- Officers usually start as Assistant Collector or SDM in the Delhi district administration.
- Handles the administrative functions of Delhi and the other Union Territories.
DANIPS03
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service
Serves: Delhi and the Union Territories
- Covers the NCT of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- A police service for Delhi and the Union Territories, and a feeder service to the IPS.
PONDICS04
Pondicherry Civil Service
Serves: Puducherry
- Recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC.
PONDIPS05
Pondicherry Police Service
Serves: Puducherry
- A Group ‘B’ police service recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC.
The list of services and the number of vacancies change from year to year. Always check the services listed in that year's UPSC Civil Services Examination notification.
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination Rules and notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CSAT Paper Qualifying in Nature?
Yes. CSAT (General Studies Paper II) is a qualifying paper. Candidates must score at least 33% in CSAT and meet the General Studies Paper I cut-off to qualify for the UPSC Main Examination. (Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination Rules.)
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