Civil Services & Administrative Exams

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:

Exam Structure:

  1. Preliminary Exam (Objective):

    • Paper 1: General Studies (GS)

    • Paper 2: CSAT (qualifying)

  2. Mains Exam (Written, Descriptive):

    • 9 Papers (including Essay, GS I-IV, 2 Optional Subject papers, and 2 qualifying language papers)

  3. 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:

  1. Prelims: General Studies & Aptitude

  2. Mains: State-relevant GS papers + optional subject + Essay

  3. Interview/Personality Test

Eligibility:

  • Graduation

  • Age and number of attempts vary by state

 
 

Comparison Table: UPSC vs State PCS

 

FeatureUPSC (Central Level)State PCS (State Level)
Conducting BodyUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)State Public Service Commission (e.g., UPPSC, BPSC)
CoverageAll-India Services & Central Government RolesState Administrative and Allied Services
Popular PostsIAS, IPS, IFS, IRSSDM, DSP, Tehsildar, BDO, State Tax Officer, etc.
Exam StagesPrelims → Mains → InterviewPrelims → Mains → Interview
Prelims PapersGS Paper 1, CSAT (qualifying)GS Paper 1, Aptitude/CSAT (varies by state)
Mains Structure9 Papers (incl. Essay, GS I–IV, Optional, Language)Varies by state (usually Essay, GS Papers, Optional)
InterviewConducted by UPSC BoardConducted by State PSC Board
EligibilityGraduation in any streamGraduation in any stream
Age Limit (General)21–32 yearsVaries (commonly 21–40 years depending on the state)
Attempts (General)6 attemptsVaries by state (usually 4–6 or unlimited within age)
Languages OfferedEnglish & Hindi (some regional optional subjects)Often includes regional language in papers/interview
Level of CompetitionNational (High)State-level (Moderate to High)
FrequencyAnnuallyAnnually (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

 

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