Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024
Introduction: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a highly competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for various prestigious civil services positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services. The examination is held annually and attracts thousands of aspirants from across the country.
Date of Examination:
- Date of Notification: 14th February 2024
- Date of Commencement of Examination: 16th June 2024
- Duration of Examination: One Day
- Last Date for Receipt of Applications: To be announced
Eligibility Criteria: Candidates aspiring to appear for the UPSC CSE 2024 must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from certain specified countries.
- Age Limit: The candidate must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1, 2024, with relaxation in upper age limit for certain categories as per government norms.
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must hold a degree from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification.
Examination Pattern: The UPSC CSE 2024 consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test/Interview
Preliminary Examination:
- Paper 1: General Studies (200 Marks)
- Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) (200 Marks) – Qualifying Nature
Main Examination:
- Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying Nature)
- Paper B: English (Qualifying Nature)
- Paper 1: Essay (250 Marks)
- Paper 2 to 5: General Studies I to IV (250 Marks each)
- Paper 6 and 7: Optional Subject Papers I and II (250 Marks each)
Personality Test/Interview: Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test/Interview, which carries 275 marks.
Detailed UPSC 2024 Syllabus
Preliminary Examination:
Paper 1: General Studies
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
- General Science
Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) – Class X level
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) – Class X level
Main Examination:
Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying Nature)
Candidates have to select one of the Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The paper is of qualifying nature and candidates must score a minimum of 25% marks to qualify.
Paper B: English (Qualifying Nature)
Candidates have to write an essay on a specific topic. The paper is of qualifying nature and candidates must score a minimum of 25% marks to qualify.
Paper 1: Essay
Candidates have to write essays on multiple topics, focusing on critical analysis and expression of ideas.
Paper 2: General Studies I
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History and Geography of the World and Society
Paper 3: General Studies II
- Governance
- Constitution
- Polity
- Social Justice and International Relations
Paper 4: General Studies III
- Technology
- Economic Development
- Biodiversity
- Environment
- Security and Disaster Management
Paper 5: General Studies IV
- Ethics
- Integrity
- Aptitude
Paper 6 and Paper 7: Optional Subject Papers I and II
Candidates have to choose one optional subject from the list of subjects provided by the UPSC. Each optional subject has two papers.
Personality Test/Interview:
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test/Interview, which assesses the candidate’s overall personality, leadership qualities, and suitability for a career in the civil services.
Reservation Policy: The UPSC follows the reservation policy of the Government of India for various categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), etc. Reservation of seats is provided as per the prescribed norms and guidelines.
Exam Fees:
- General and OBC category candidates: Rs. 100/-
- SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates: Exempted from payment of fee
Exam Centers: The examination is conducted at various centers across the country to facilitate candidates from different regions. Candidates can choose their preferred examination center while filling out the application form, subject to availability.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 is a golden opportunity for individuals aspiring to serve the nation in administrative, diplomatic, and law enforcement roles. Aspirants are advised to thoroughly understand the eligibility criteria, examination pattern, syllabus, reservation policy, exam fees, and other relevant details before applying for the examination.
