UPSC Civil Service Exam selects IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Group A officers.
Graduation + 21 to 32 years (age relaxation for OBC/SC/ST).
General: 6, OBC: 9, SC/ST: unlimited till age limit.
General: 32, OBC: 35, SC/ST: 37.
Prelims → Mains → Interview.
GS Paper 1 + CSAT Paper 2.
Yes, 33% required.
48 optionals including PSIR, Sociology, Geography, Anthro etc.
Depends on interest and background.
Prelims: GS+CSAT; Mains: 9 papers; Optional: 2 papers.
10–14 months ideal.
No. Self-study works perfectly.
NCERT → Standard Books → PYQs → CA → Tests.
GS: +2, -0.66 | CSAT: +2.5, -0.83.
6–8 hours consistently.
Personality assessment, not knowledge test.
The Hindu/IE, PIB, Vision Monthly, Yojana.
Very important — reveals UPSC trend.
Yes. Helps revision & writing.
0.2%–0.3% overall.
Critical for Mains success.
General: ~80–95 marks.
Yes. Many toppers are Hindi medium.
Yes, with time management.
Track progress, set small goals.
It is tough but predictable if you follow a smart strategy.
No. NCERTs are mandatory.
3 revisions + tests + PYQs.
Re-evaluate → rebuild → restart.
The Hindu / Indian Express.
UPSC blends both.
UPSC allows 22 languages.
Optional cannot be changed after form submission.
Not compulsory; depends on self-discipline.
Yes. Must for Prelims & Mains.
Interest + overlap + scoring.
Only simple calculator for optional.
When basics are done (40% syllabus).
No revision + too many books.
Possible with strict routine.
12–15 key books.
20–24 ideal but anytime is fine.
Detailed form used in interview.
Concepts repeat frequently.
Yes, thousands do every year.
Very high for GS & Essay.
Prelims MCQ; Mains written.
Practice 10 answers daily.
Next attempt required.
No. Any approved language works.
Anthropology, PSIR, Sociology & Maths perform consistently well.
Sociology or Anthropology.
Yes. High overlap with GS2 & IR.
Yes, but maps help scoring.
Very scoring but hard.
Overlaps with GS2 & GS4.
PSIR, Sociology, Geography.
Highly scoring, low competition.
4–5 months.
Yes, many toppers do.
Scoring with structured answers.
Short syllabus, conceptual.
Yes. 500 marks optional decides rank.
Yes. Highest average marks.
Yes, every attempt optional can change.