UPSC Exam 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central recruiting body that is in charge of holding civil service examinations. The qualified applicants are chosen for a variety of roles like the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and many more.
As the UPSC exam 2024 date is approaching, it is very important for the candidates to know the essential details for attempting UPSC 2024, like the exam date, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and all the latest updates in order to make good strategies and maximize their chances of qualifying for the exam. This article will help you know everything about the UPSC 2024 examination and help you prepare for the most challenging competitive exam in India.
UPSC Calendar 2024 Out
The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC Calendar 2024 on its official website @upsc.gov.in. This calendar outlines crucial dates for notifications, online registration, and exams.
Key Dates:
- UPSC Exam Date 2024: 26th May 2024
- UPSC Mains 2024: Commencing on 20th September 2024
Exam Information:
If you’re gearing up for UPSC Exams in 2024, this calendar is a vital tool. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted annually in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. Preparation demands dedicated efforts due to the intense competition.
Exam Date of UPSC 2024 – UPSC Exam Important Updates
The UPSC Calendar 2024 was released on May 10, 2023, and the following are the Key dates to remember before applying for UPSC 2024:
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14 February 2024
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5 March 2024
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To be announced
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26 May 2024
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20 September 2024
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To be announced
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To be announced
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Eligibility of UPSC 2024
Before appearing for the UPSC 2024 Examination, it is crucial to get familiar with the eligibility criteria, which will make sure the candidates comply with all the rules and regulations and their preparation will be more focused. The eligibility criteria have various categories, which will be discussed below, and it is essential to ensure that the candidates meet all the requirements. It is an important step before starting the preparation process.
A. Nationality
- Must be an Indian Citizen, or
- People of Nepal and Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent residence, or
- A person of Indian ancestry who moved to back for permanent residence from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam.
B. Qualification
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, or
- Applicants who are in their last year of graduation can appear for the Prelims; however, they must provide their passing result before filling the Mains Application form.
C. Age
- The age range for the candidate must fall between 21 and 32 on August 1st of the exam year for the general category.
- The candidate must not be born not earlier than August 2 1992 and not later than August 1 2003.
- The candidates who fall under the reserved categories and other specified groups are eligible for the following age relaxations:
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3 years
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5 years
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10 years
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3 years
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5 years
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D. Number of Attempts
The number of attempts permitted varies according to the candidate’s category.
- General: 6 Attempts
- OBC: 9 Attempts
- SC: No Restrictions
- ST: No Restrictions
E. Physical Fitness
To be eligible for some services, For Example: the Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS), candidates must fulfil physical and medical requirements as well.
For More Information about the Eligibilty Criteria for UPSC 2024 Visit: Eligibility Criteria for UPSC 2024
Notification of UPSC 2024
The UPSC Notification 2024 is set to release on February 14, 2024. It is an important document that includes all the pertinent dates, the syllabus, and the requirements to appear for the Examination. It is advisable for every candidate to go through this document in detail and understand every aspect of it. It will act as a guide for the candidates to make informed decisions.
For More Information visit: UPSC 2024
UPSC Exam Pattern
The UPSC Exam Pattern involves three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test (Interview). Prelims include objective-type papers: General Studies (GS) Paper-I and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II. Mains consist of nine descriptive papers, covering General Studies, optional subjects, Essay, and language papers. The Personality Test assesses candidates’ suitability and understanding of various issues. Understanding this pattern is vital for effective preparation and success in the civil services career pursuit.
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Paper
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UPSC Prelims
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UPSC Mains
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Interview/Personality Test
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UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
The UPSC Prelims, the initial stage of the IAS Exam, includes two objective papers: General Studies I and General Studies II (or CSAT). These pen-paper exams take place on the same day in two sessions. Prelims serve as a qualifying round, and the marks are not counted in the final merit. However, General Studies Paper-I score is vital for setting the cutoff. The UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern is outlined in the table below:
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Details
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2
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English
HIndi
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4 hours (2 hours each)
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General Studies paper 1:100
General Studies paper 2:80
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400 (200 each)
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33%
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UPSC Mains Exam Pattern
The UPSC Mains exam comprises nine descriptive papers, out of which seven contribute to the merit list. Candidates must choose one optional subject. The detailed UPSC Main Exam Pattern is provided in the table below:
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Details
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9
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English
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Hindi
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Descriptive paper: Candidates can appear for language paper in 22 languages mentioned in schedule 8 of the Indian constitution
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3 hours each
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- Compulsory Indian language
- English
- Essay
- General Studies I
- General Studies II
- General Studies III
- General Studies IV
- Optional I
- Optional II
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Part A and B: 300 each
General studies and optional paper: 250 each
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1750
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Syllabus of UPSC 2024
There are three stages to crack UPSC. The first stage is the Prelims, then the Mains, and finally, the interview. There’s a gap of almost 3-4 months between all these stages. All the stages are equally important. The first stage consists of two papers, which are general studies and the Civil Services Aptitude Test. You will notice that the syllabus for prelims and mains is overlapping. Prelims have a concise syllabus, and its expanded version can be seen in the Mains examination. Prelims syllabus is not very well defined The major topics covered in these stages are given below:
UPSC Prelims Syllabus:
General Studies (GS) Paper-I
It consists of 100 questions of two marks each, which makes a total of 200 marks.
- Current events
- History
- Geography
- Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environment and Ecology
- Applied Science.
- Science and Technology
Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper-II
This also consists of 200 marks, but it is only of a qualifying nature where you must score 1/3 of the total marks.
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024
The UPSC Main curriculum includes nine papers, two of which are qualifying papers worth 300 marks each and seven of which are merit-based. Candidates can take the main exam if they pass the preliminary exam. Mains have some papers which do not overlap with prelims, like the Essay paper, which is 250 marks; then there is optional exam, which has a total of 500 marks, and ethics. There are a total of four papers of GS. Apart from this there are two language based paper as well. The major topics covered in the GS paper for the main exam are the following:
- Geography
- Indian Society
- History and Art and Culture
- Polity and Governance
- International Relations
- Constitution
- Internal Security
- Economics
- Disaster Management
- Science and Technology
- Environment and Ecology
Candidates can view the detailed UPSC syllabus by clicking here: UPSC Syllabus 2024
UPSC Age Limit
To qualify for the UPSC exam, candidates must be at least 21 years old and not exceed 32 years of age. The UPSC Age Limit and Number of Attempts can be found in the table below:
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Age Limit
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Number of Attempts
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32 years
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6 attempts
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32 years + 3 years
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9 attempts
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32 years + 5 years
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Unlimited attempts
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32 years + 10 years
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Gen/OBC/Person with Benchmark Disability (EWS category) – 9 attempts & SC/ST – Unlimited attempts
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32 years + 3 years + (3 years if Gen/OBC or 5 years if SC/ST)
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Number of attempts depends on the reserved category
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32 years + 3 years + (3 years if Gen/OBC or 5 years if SC/ST)
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–
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32 years + 5 years + (3 years if OBC or 5 years if SC/ST)
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–
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UPSC Interview
Candidates clearing the IAS Mains with the cut-off move to the final stage: the Personality Test or Interview. They receive an e-summon from the UPSC for a face-to-face discussion. The interview assesses personality traits and includes questions on hobbies, current affairs, general knowledge, and situational scenarios.
UPSC Preparation Strategy
Effective IAS Exam preparation demands dedication and strategic planning. Here’s how to maximize your chances of success:
- Familiarize with Exam: Understand the syllabus and question patterns. Analyze previous papers for insights.
- Create a Study Plan: Organize syllabus based on strengths and weaknesses. Seek guidance from mentors or coaching centers.
- Practice Regularly: Solve past papers, create mock exams, and review weak areas to improve performance.
- Master Time Management: Practice timed mock exams, analyze time taken per section, and refine your approach.
- Stay Updated: Read newspapers and journals to stay informed about current events, relating them to exam topics.
- Stay Motivated: Set realistic goals, seek support from friends and family, and focus on improving weak areas for sustained motivation.
FAQ’s – UPSC Exam 2024
1. What Is The Highest Rank In IAS?
The position of Cabinet Secretary is widely regarded as the highest rank within the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
2. What Is The Salary Of An IAS?
Under the 7th Pay Commission, an entry-level IAS Officer receives a starting salary of ₹56,100 per month. Salaries increase with promotions, culminating in the highest position, the Cabinet Secretary of India, earning ₹2,50,000 per month after over 37 years of service. Additionally, this figure includes a 9% Dearness Allowance (DA), totaling approximately ₹2.5 lakh plus 9% monthly, or around ₹32.7 lakh annually.
3. What Is The IAS Qualification?
To qualify for the IAS exam, candidates must be Indian citizens, hold a graduate degree from a recognized university, and fall within the age bracket of 21 to 32 years as of the 1st of August in the year they are applying for the exam.
4. What Is UPSC Mains Exam Date 2023?
The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Exam for 2023 is set to be held on September 15, 16, 17, 23, and 24. The exam will be conducted in two daily sessions: from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the morning and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the afternoon.
5. How Can I Crack UPSC Exam?
To succeed in the UPSC exam, it’s essential to follow a well-structured study plan, cover the syllabus comprehensively, practice previous years’ papers consistently, and engage in regular revision.
6. What Is UPSC Exam Age Limit?
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam typically has an age limit ranging from 21 to 32 years, with specific relaxations available for certain categories.
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