EPFO (Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner)

It is a competitive examination conducted for the recruitment of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner posts in EPFO. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Maximum Age:

APFC: 35 years of age.

AO/EO: 30 years of age

Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category candidates as per the government norms.

  • Educational Qualification: Degree by a recognised University or Equivalent

The exam pattern consist:

  • General Awareness and Aptitude: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge in current affairs, general knowledge, history, geography, science and aptitude (number system, simplifications, ratio and proportions, percentage, average, time and work questions on puzzles, coding-decoding, blood relations, and other similar topics).
  • General English: This section tests the candidate’s proficiency in the English language and consists of questions on vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
  • Computer Literacy: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of computer basics, like MS Office, computer networks, and internet-related topics.
  • Accounting and Auditing, Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, Insurance
  • Social security

Weightage

Weightage in the ratio of 75:25 will be accorded for marks in Recruitment Test and Interview for determining the final merit in the instant recruitment case.

Negative marking:  0.83 marks

Selection process

  • Written Test
  • Interview/Personality Test

Books to be referred

  • Computer Literacy: Arihant publication’s computer awareness
  • General English: any grammar book(objective general English- Arihant publications)
  • General Awareness: class 5-12 science textbooks, history and geography textbooks, current affairs magazine (Namma KPSC- Mahithi monthly), lucent gk book
  • Aptitude: quantitative aptitude by R.S.Agarwal
  • Industrial Relations and Labour Laws: Industrial Relations and Labour Laws of Nikita Agarwal, Galgotia publications, Govt websites, such as- EPFO website, Ministry of Labour and Employment Website, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • General Accounting Principles: NCERTs of Class XI & XII and IGNOU B.com books
  • Social Security in India: Ravi Prajash Yadav’ s Social Security in India and Govt websites, such as- EPFO website, Ministry of Labour and Employment Website, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • EPFO previous year question papers

Preparation strategy:

  • Understand the exam pattern: The EPFO exam consists of objective type questions in various sections like General Knowledge and General English, Computer Literacy, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Understand the exam pattern thoroughly before you start preparing.
  • Gather study material: Collect study material like textbooks, previous years’ question papers, sample papers, and online resources. You can also refer to books on the topics covered in the exam.
  • Plan your preparation: Create a study plan and stick to it. Allocate time for each subject and topic, and revise regularly.
  • Improve your language skills: Focus on improving your grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills for the General English section. Reading newspapers, magazines, and books can help you in this regard.
  • Enhance your computer knowledge: Practice computer-related questions, and brush up on computer basics, like MS Office, computer networks, and internet-related topics.
  • Improve your reasoning skills: Solve reasoning puzzles, and practice logical reasoning questions to improve your analytical skills.
  • Enhance your quantitative aptitude: Solve mathematical problems on topics like percentage, profit and loss, time and work, etc., to improve your quantitative aptitude.
  • Take mock tests: Take mock tests, and previous year’s question papers to evaluate your preparation level.
  • Time management: Time management is essential in competitive exams like EPFO exams. Practice solving questions quickly and efficiently.
  • Stay positive and motivated: Stay positive and motivated during your preparation. Believe in yourself, and work hard to achieve your goals.

UPSC Mains – Detailed Syllabus

Syllabus for Mains

 Go through the syllabus and get familiar with the topics. Make sure you complete maximum number of topics from it. UPSC is known to stick to the syllabus and ask several direct question.

But please note- It is impossible to cover the entire syllabus or get notes for the entire syllabus. You may have to leave about 10-15% of the topics. It is okie. But make sure that you are very confidant with the rest of the topics.

QUALIFYING PAPERS: ENGLISH AND REGIONAL LANGUAGE (300 Marks each)

 The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand     serious discursive prose and to express his ideas clearly and correctly in Kannada and English. These papers comprise of:

  1. Comprehension
  2. Precise Writing
  3. Communication Skills
  4. Vocabulary
  5. Essay

 PAPER – I: ESSAY (250 Marks – 3 Hours)

Two Essays (in English/Regional Language) 125 marks each

  1. Essay – 1: Topics of International / National Importance
  2. Essay – 2: Social issues & Quote based

PAPER – II GENERAL STUDIES 1 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

 General Studies- I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

  1.  Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
  2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
  3. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
  4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
  5. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc – their forms and effect on the society.
  6. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
  7. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
  8. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
  9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
  10. Salient features of world’s physical geography.
  11. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
  12. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

PAPER – III GENERAL STUDIES 2 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations

  1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
  2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
  3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
  4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
  5. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
  6. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
  7. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
  8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
  9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
  10. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
  11. Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
  12. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
  13. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
  14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
  15. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens’ charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
  16. Role of civil services in a democracy.
  17. India and its neighborhood- relations.
  18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
  19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
  20. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

PAPER – IV GENERAL STUDIES 3 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

  1.  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
  2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
  3. Government Budgeting.
  4. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
  5. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
  6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
  7. Land reforms in India.
  8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
  9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
  10. Investment models.
  11. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
  12. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
  13. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
  14. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
  15. Disaster and disaster management.
  16. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
  17. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
  18. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
  19. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
  20. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

PAPER – V- GENERAL STUDIES 4 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

  1. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.
  2. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
  3. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
  4. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
  5. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
  6. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
  7. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
  8. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
  9. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
  10. Case Studies on above issues.

Mains Optionals

  1. Agriculture
  2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
  3. Anthropology
  4. Botany
  5. Chemistry
  6. Civil Engineering
  7. Commerce & Accountancy
  8. Economics
  9. Electrical Engineering
  10. Geography
  11. Geology
  12. History
  13. Law
  14. Management
  15. Mathematics
  16. Mechanical Engineering
  17. Medical Science
  18. Philosophy
  19. Physics
  20. Political Science and International Relations
  21. Psychology
  22. Public Administration
  23. Sociology
  24. Statistics
  25. Zoology
  26. Literature of any one of the following languages:
  • Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English

Optional Subject

Anthropology Syllabus

  1. Social cultural Anthropology
  2. Cultural evolution
  3. Physical evolution
  4. Indian society
  5. Indian Anthropology
  6. Tribal India
  7. Basics of Human Genetics
  8. Medical Anthropology
  9. Meaning and scope of Anthropology and its main branches

WHY ANTHROPOLOGY?

  • Anthropology is static subject with few dynamic topics.
  • Easy to understand and interesting
  • Scoring
  • Repeated questions
  • Limited syllabus
  • Guidance by Dr Arjun Bopanna
  • Comprehensive notes compiled by subject experts
  • Social issues will help in General studies and essay

Mains Answer Writing Practice

As you know, Mains is a descriptive type of examination – which does not have a strict pattern of writing. However, we can focus on certain key areas which are really necessary for a good answer.

  • When do you start mains answer writing practice?
    • There is no fixed time to begin this exercise. Once you are familiar with static subjects and current affairs you may start answer writing practice at regular intervals.
    • To be more precise, you should be able to begin the exercise from 3 – 4 months of your preparation for Prelims.
  • For daily writing practice, where do you pick questions from?
    • There are numerous online sources that provide mains questions on daily basis, so choosing one or two from them should not be a problem.
    • However, you can also use previous year question papers as a standard question bank for answer writing. This may also help you in analyzing the trend of questions asked by the Commission.
  • How do you begin answer writing?
    1. Comprehend the question
    2. Mental Mapping of Relevant Information
    3. Structuring your answer
    4. Presentation

Comprehending the Question

  • Figure out the demand of question. Notice the key words such as Discuss, Explain, Elucidate, Comment, Analyze, etc to know what is being asked in the question.
  • Now let us understand, what these key words mean:
    • Explain – You are supposed to give the reasons for a particular event/scenario/process etc. You should focus primarily on the “Why” part of the topic. Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account.
    • Analyze – Segregate the answers into different dimensions and start giving explanation on each one of the dimension with necessary facts and figures. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures or sequences of events can be understood; defining key terms where appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research.
    • Comment – Pick out the main points on a subject and give your opinion, reinforcing your point of view using logic and reference to relevant evidence. Give two views for a situation (pros and cons) – and take a side based on your opinion and justify your stand. Your viewpoint is important and hence the conclusion is important.
    • Evaluate – It means to assess a topic which includes both positive and negative. Here you will present both sides of the topic (generally the positive side and negative side without any bias). Then you would suggest the best course of action among the two view points.
    • Discuss – Present as many dimensions as possible to get the maximum view putting across the strengths and weaknesses of each of them or make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of a given context. Remember to arrive at a conclusion
    • Elucidate – Get an accurate idea of a vague statement/controversial event etc. Here the question demands you to give more clarity on the topic by adding examples, facts and figures. The main idea of this kind of question is to test the precision of information (that are authentic) on vague topics
    • Describe – Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why something happens
    • Examine – Look in close detail and establish the key facts and important issues surrounding a topic. Try and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as explain the different ways they could be construed.

Mental Mapping of Relevant Information

  • Now that you have understood the demand of the question, you have to recollect the information such as events, situations, data from reports and indices, relevant famous sayings, etc. to quote in the answer.
  • This is the most important stage of your answer writing as this ensures the quality of your answer.
  • For this stage, you have to develop the practice of making short notes and synopsis so that you can quickly recollect at the time of writing an answer.

Structuring the Answer

  • As a general rule, you have a three stepped approach that is,
  • Introduction: Give a brief idea as to what you are going to write in your answer. Keep the introduction short and attractive so that the examiner is interested to read ahead.
  • Body: This part is your actual answer. Here you write the dimensions/opinions/pros and cons/analysis/arguments along with examples, facts and figures, diagrammatic representation, etc to support your answer.
  • Conclusion: Don’t forget to write the conclusion as it leaves an answer incomplete without the conclusion. Do not end the answer abruptly. So reaffirm the idea of your answer in a couple of sentences to give a fine finish.

Presentation

  • For an answer there are three parts, and you know what you have to write as it is discussed above.
  • But how do you write is the last and most significant component of an answer writing. Here there are certain things you can follow as a thumb rule:
  • Decide to write in paragraphs or points – for opinion based questions where there are only arguments, which cannot be reduced to short sentences choose to write in paragraphs.
  • While questions directly ask you to list some factors/ causes/ advantages and disadvantages, etc choose to write in points.
  • This will save time in structuring your answer in the exam as you already have an idea about presenting.
  • Draw the diagrams in a box in the right top corner of your answer without consuming much of space. Title the diagram – without which it is just a random figure with no relevance shown.
  • Highlight the important points/words by underlining them.
  • Write legibly so that the evaluators don’t have to spend time in comprehending your handwriting.
  • Use simple language to reduce complexities.

ALL THAT SAID AND DONE THERE ARE CERTAIN Do’s and Don’ts IN ANSWER WRITING. AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE Do’s in how to write a good answer, let’s focus on the Don’ts of it:

  1. Don’t exceed the word limit mentioned in question paper.
  2. Don’t over-write as it creates confusion.
  3. Don’t express biased political views in your answer. Maintain neutral stands in controversy based questions.
  4. Try avoiding your personal opinions unless you are asked to give one.

 

IF YOU ARE NOT PRACTICING, SOMEBODY ELSE IS AND HE/SHE WILL BE READY TO TAKE YOUR PLACE!

UPSC – How to cover Current Affairs

As Current affairs is a significant part of your syllabus in Prelims as well as Mains, it is vital to focus on the right material and strategy to cover maximum topics with broad understanding. It is known to us that UPSC no more asks fact based questions in current affairs and also it is not restricting to just one year’s issues prior to the exam. Now that we know the pattern of questions, let us list the problems in covering Current Issues:

  1. Which is the best source to read?
  2. Is it okay if I am reading only one Newspaper for Current Affairs?
  3. How do I choose the important and not important articles in Newspaper?
  4. Do I have to read multiple monthly magazines?
  5. Do I have to remember everything that is provided in the magazine I read?
  6. Do I have to make my own notes for Current Affairs?
  7. Can I cover Current Affairs through just solving MCQs given by various Institutes?

STOP!!!!

The questions would still continue if you don’t know what exactly the exam needs. So let us understand what is needed for exams at each level.

Prelims Current Affairs preparation needs:

  1. Wide coverage
  2. Precision of information
  3. Repeated readings and revisions

Mains Current Affairs preparation needs:

  1. Not as much as it to be covered for prelims – focus on selected and important issues.
  2. Having a general idea of issues in current trend. Eg: What is the purpose of a scheme introduced by government? How does it benefit citizens and how to achieve the set targets, etc..
  3. Than memorizing the content, internalizing the issues is required.

Having said what is required now let us see how to get there.

  1. Choosing the source:
    • This is the most crucial thing in your preparation. Now there are plenty of sources and which one to read is the question in front of us.
    • It is generally suggested that candidates read atleast one newspaper regularly. This could be one among – The Hindu, Indian Express, Times of India or any other newspaper known for Civil Services Preparation.
    • Restricting yourself to just one newspaper is not a wise idea because diversity of opinions and content comes with multiple newspapers. But the time available for current affairs in your preparation time is just 30% of total time. This is when monthly magazines provided by reputed institutions come into the picture.
    • Choose any one institute’s monthly magazine and supplement it with the current affairs extracted from Newspapers. This could be among Vision, Insights, IAS Baba or any other magazines which you are comfortable with.
  1. Making your own Notes:
    • Do make notes of the newspaper you read – be selective, choose important articles only, don’t copy paste – try to break the article into different parts for better understanding.
    • Choosing important articles can be done in trial and error method. Write down all that you feel important and cross check it with monthly magazines. Here you will understand how much of your notes is relevant to exam.
    • Making notes of monthly magazine is not necessary as it is a ready compilation but highlight the key points and write down connecting points in magazine wherever necessary.
  1. Revise as many times as possible:
    • This gives maximum result of all the efforts you have put in gathering notes and materials.
    • If your preparation time is split into Current Affairs, Static Portions, Practice tests, then the time allotted should be like 20%, 60% and 10% of the total time you study in a day.

PUSH YOURSELF, BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS GOING TO DO IT FOR YOU.

UPSC Mains – What to study???

Do you Know? Mains Preparation is half done if you have prepared well for Prelims exam. These sources are to be referred in addition to what you have studied for Prelims.

GS PAPER I

  1. Art and Culture: NCERT + Nitin Singhania
  2. World History: History of the World by Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev
  3. Modern Indian History: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
  4. Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja
  5. Contemporary Issues in Globalization by Soumyen Sikdar
  6. Certificate of Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
  7. Indian and World Geography by Majid Hussain

GS PAPER II

  1. Introduction to the constitution of India by D D Basu
  2. Indian Polity 6th Edition by Lakshmikanth
  3. Select Constitutions Of The World
  4. Public Institutions in India: Performance and Design
  5. Issues Relating to Social Development
  6. Governance in India
  7. Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy

GS PAPER III

  1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
  2. Economic Survey 2019-20/20-21
  3. NCERT Books for Science and Technology
  4. NCERT Books and NIOS for Environment and Ecology
  5. Yojana for Disaster Management

GS PAPER IV

  1. Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude: Namma KPSC Notes
  2. Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

UPSC Prelims – What to study???

Here you have to remember one thing very clearly, that is, READ MINIMUM – REVISE MANY TIMES.

Primary Source (Must Read/follow)

  1. Class notes, Institute Material and value addition notes
  2. Mahithi Monthly current affairs Magazine (12 months prior to the exam)
  3. Daily THE HINDU news paper
  4. Economic survey of Indian
  5. RSTV news channel – (Daily 9pm news and 9:30-10:30 news debate)
  6. NCERT- (will be told by the faculty)
  7. MCQ subject wise practice books (You need to buy) – for all subject – either McGraw-Hill publication or Arihant Publication or Disha Publication
  8. Text Books – (You need to buy)

a. Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by Laxmikanth (Latest edition)

b. Indian Art and Culture for Civil Services- by Nitin Singhania

c. Oxford /Orient Longman atlas

d. Civil Services Aptitude Test by Arihant (Or similar book)

* Since our materials have been prepared keeping in mind the exam, we don’t expect you to buy other text books. We have compiled and updated our materials from different standard sources.

Secondary sources (only If you have finished primary source)

  1. Yojana magazine
  2. Kurukshetra Magazine
  3. India Year book
  4. 2nd Newspaper (Indian Express/ Deccan Herald)

Tertiary sources (only for reference- refer from library)

  1. Old NCERT for History- 11th and 12th standard
  2. 12th Tamil Nadu History Text Book (Ancient & Medieval India)
  3. Modern India by Spectrum publications (Modern India)
  4. India Struggle for Independence- Bipin Chandra
  5. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
  6. India: A Comprehensive Geography by D.R Khullar (Selected topics only)
  7. India and world Geography by Majid Husain
  8. Constitution of India- D. D Basu
  9. Indian economy by Ramesh Singh
  10. Environment by Shankar IAS
  11. A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by Dr. R. S. Aggarwal
  12. TMH publications for UPSC Science & Technology (Selected topics only)
  13. Medieval Indian History by Satish Chandra

Important websites to follow:

  1. www.nammakpsc.com
  2. www.insightsonindia.com
  3. www.iasbaba.com
  4. www.mrunal.com
  5. www.pib.nic.in
  6. www.drishtiias.com
  7. www.pmfias.com

WORK HARD IN SILENCE; LET SUCCESS MAKE THE NOISE

UPSC – Know this before knowing Anything Else!

  • Examination conducting authority: Union Public Service Commission
  • Date of Examination: Varies (Usually Prelims in June)
  • Number of Attempts:
    • General Category: 6 Attempts
    • OBC: 9 Attempts
    • SC/ST: No limit
  • Age:
    • General Category: 32 years
    • OBC: 35 years
    • SC/ST-37 years
    • PH:  Additional 10 years
    • ExMP: 5years
  • Education Qualification: Any Recognised Degree
  • Number of posts: Varies ( 900-1000)
  • Application & Official communication address: upsconline.nic.in
  • Posts:
    • Indian Administrative Service
    • Indian Foreign Service
    • Indian Police Service
    • Indian Revenue Service
    • Indian Postal Service
    • Indian Railway Personnel Service
    • Indian Railway Traffic Service
    • Indian Trade Service
    • Railway Protection Force
    • Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service
    • Pondicherry Civil Service etc….
EXAM PROCESS

                              Exam is conducted in three stages
Stage 1: Preliminary Examinations – Objective type
Stage 2: Mains written Examinations – Descriptive type
Stage 3: Personality test – Interview type

PRELIMS

  • Date of examination: Notified by UPSC (Usually in June)
  • Number of Papers: 2
  • Type of Examination: Objective type (MCQs)
  • Duration of each paper: 2 hours
  • Maximum Marks: 200 marks (100 questions each paper- 2 marks each)
  • General Studies Paper-II: Qualifying in nature (Minimum – 33% to be secured for qualifying)
  • Negative Marks: 1/3rd of 2 marks (0.66 deducted for every wrong answer)
  • Language of examination: English and Hindi
  • How many will clear Prelims? 12-13 times the vacancies notified for recruitment will be selected to write Mains examination
  • Cut off marks: Varies.

MAINS Examination (Descriptive Type)

  • Date of Examination: Notified by UPSC
  • Number of Papers: The written examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay type out of which two papers will be of qualifying in nature.
  • Duration of each Paper: 3 hours
  • Maximum Marks: 250 marks
  • Type of examination: Descriptive type (Essay type)
  • Language of Examination: English and regional language
  • How many will clear Mains? 3 times the vacancies notified for recruitment will be selected to write Mains examination.
  • Cut off marks: – 2017
Subject Papers Marks
Qualifying paper 2 paper (Regional language + English) 300 Marks  each ( Only for qualification)
Essay 1 paper (2 essay) 250 Marks
General studies 4 Papers 250 Marks each
Optional Paper- any 1 2 Papers 250 Marks each
Total Written 7 papers 1750 Marks
Personality Test – 275 Marks
Total Marks – 2025 Marks

Personality test

  • Maximum Marks: 275 Marks. This will be added to written marks.
  • Ranking based on = Written Marks (1750) + Personality test (275)
  • Interview: Conducted by a board ( 1 chairman and 4 expert members)
  • Questions: They will be based on matters  of  general  interest.
  • Objective of the Interview: To assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public services and to judge the mental caliber of a candidate.
  • What is expected from the candidate:
    1. Mental  alertness
    2. Critical  powers  of  assimilations
    3. Clear  and  logical  exposition
    4. Balance  of  judgement
    5. Variety  and  depth  of  interest
    6. Ability  for  social  cohesion  and  leadership
    7. Intellectual and moral integrity.
  • How many will be called for interview: 3 times the vacancies
  • Duration of Interview: 20-30 minutes

 

Totally Written Papers 07 Papers 1750 Marks
Personality Test Viva Type Test 275 Marks
Total Marks   2025 Marks