Civil Services & Administrative Exams
Civil Services and Administrative Exams are among the most prestigious and competitive examinations in the country. These exams are conducted to recruit individuals into key government positions responsible for policymaking, administration, and public service delivery. The most notable among them is the UPSC Civil Services Examination, which opens the gateway to esteemed roles like IAS, IPS, and IFS at the central level. Alongside, each state conducts its own Public Service Commission exams to recruit for state administrative roles such as SDM, DSP, and Tehsildar. These exams assess a candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, and personality to ensure they are capable of serving the public with integrity and efficiency. A career through these exams offers not only job security but also the opportunity to bring about meaningful change in society.
Purpose: Recruitment for All-India Services and Central Civil Services like:
- IAS (Indian Administrative Service)
- IPS (Indian Police Service)
- IFS (Indian Foreign Service)
- IRS (Indian Revenue Service)
- IAAS (Indian Audit and Accounts Service)
Exam Structure:
Preliminary Exam (Objective):
Paper 1: General Studies (GS)
Paper 2: CSAT (qualifying)
Mains Exam (Written, Descriptive):
9 Papers (including Essay, GS I-IV, 2 Optional Subject papers, and 2 qualifying language papers)
Interview/Personality Test:
Conducted by a panel to assess personality traits and administrative aptitude
Eligibility:
Graduation in any stream
Age: 21–32 years (General), with relaxations for reserved categories
Attempts:
General: 6
OBC: 9
SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)
State-Level Civil Services Exams (PCS/PSC)
Each state in India conducts its State Civil Services Exam through its Public Service Commission, such as:
UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh)
BPSC (Bihar)
MPSC (Maharashtra)
MPPSC (Madhya Pradesh)
RPSC (Rajasthan), and others
Purpose: Recruitment for various State Administrative Services, including:
SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate)
DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police)
Tehsildar
Block Development Officer
State Tax Officer
Exam Pattern:
Prelims: General Studies & Aptitude
Mains: State-relevant GS papers + optional subject + Essay
Interview/Personality Test
Eligibility:
Graduation
Age and number of attempts vary by state
Comparison Table: UPSC vs State PCS
Feature | UPSC (Central Level) | State PCS (State Level) |
---|---|---|
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | State Public Service Commission (e.g., UPPSC, BPSC) |
Coverage | All-India Services & Central Government Roles | State Administrative and Allied Services |
Popular Posts | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS | SDM, DSP, Tehsildar, BDO, State Tax Officer, etc. |
Exam Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
Prelims Papers | GS Paper 1, CSAT (qualifying) | GS Paper 1, Aptitude/CSAT (varies by state) |
Mains Structure | 9 Papers (incl. Essay, GS I–IV, Optional, Language) | Varies by state (usually Essay, GS Papers, Optional) |
Interview | Conducted by UPSC Board | Conducted by State PSC Board |
Eligibility | Graduation in any stream | Graduation in any stream |
Age Limit (General) | 21–32 years | Varies (commonly 21–40 years depending on the state) |
Attempts (General) | 6 attempts | Varies by state (usually 4–6 or unlimited within age) |
Languages Offered | English & Hindi (some regional optional subjects) | Often includes regional language in papers/interview |
Level of Competition | National (High) | State-level (Moderate to High) |
Frequency | Annually | Annually (mostly) |
Resources and Study Material
Syllabus PDFs (UPSC & state-wise)
Recommended booklists for GS, CSAT, and Optional Subjects
Free resources: Mock tests, previous year question papers, current affairs updates
Paid coaching programs and test series