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UPSC Exam Pattern 2024, IAS Prelims and Mains Exam Pattern

Madhavi Gaur July 08, 2024 01:00 12104 0

UPSC exam pattern 2024 will give you insights into the examination pattern for UPSC CSE 2024. Check all the details here!

UPSC Exam Pattern 2024, IAS Prelims and Mains Exam Pattern

UPSC exam pattern 2024 will give you insights into the examination pattern for UPSC CSE 2024. Check all the details here!

UPSC exam pattern 2024 assesses the academic expertise and answer presentation skills of candidates. It is crucial for aspirants to thoroughly understand the UPSC exam pattern for both the Prelims and Mains. 

The UPSC exam pattern provides clarity on the number of questions and negative marking scheme. The exam consists of three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the UPSC exam pattern to navigate the exam successfully.

Let us look into the detailed UPSC exam pattern in order to develop a better understanding of the exam as a whole!

UPSC Exam Pattern Overview

To excel in the year-long cycle of the UPSC IAS Exam, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the complete UPSC Exam pattern, which includes the prelims, mains, and interviews. Here, you can find the complete details of the UPSC pattern for all stages of the exam.

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Stage  Mode of Exam Paper to be Attempted Total Marks Nature of Exam
Stage 1: Prelims MCQ Paper 1: General Studies

Paper 2: CSAT

Paper 1: 200

Paper 2: 200

Qualifying
Stage 2: Mains Descriptive Papers Paper A: Indian Language

Paper B: English

Paper A: 300

Paper B: 300

Qualifying in Nature
Essay

General Studies 1

General Studies 2

General Studies 3

General Studies 4

Optional Paper 1

Optional Paper 2

250 X 7 = 1750 Marks Considered for Merit list
Stage 3: Interview Oral Interview 275 Marks added to Mains marks to prepare the merit list

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern consists of a total of 9 descriptive papers, with two papers being qualifying in nature, four papers for General Studies, and two papers for optional subjects. 

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Candidates have the flexibility to choose an optional subject for the Mains exam based on their preference and expertise. 

Paper A and Paper B are qualifying papers, while the remaining papers are considered for merit. Candidates must score a minimum of 25% in each paper to be eligible for the final merit list.

Paper Number Paper Name Nature of Paper Subjects Marks Duration
Paper A Indian Language Qualifying Compulsory Indian Language from 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. 300 3 hrs
Paper B English Qualifying English Language 300 3 hrs
Paper 1 Essay Considered for Merit Calculation Candidates are required to write two essays, covering a broad range of subjects, including: Socio-political, Economic issues, Environmental issues, International relations, Science and technology, Philosophical topics, etc. 250 3 hrs
Paper 2 General Studies 1 Considered for Merit Calculation Geography

History

Indian Heritage and Culture

Social Issues

250 3 hrs
Paper 3 General Studies 2 Considered for Merit Calculation Polity and Governance

Constitution

Social Justice

International Relations

250 3 hrs
Paper 4 General Studies 3 Considered for Merit Calculation Economy and Growth

Science and Technology

Environment and Ecology

Disaster Management

Internal Security

250 3 hrs
Paper 5 General Studies 4 Considered for Merit Calculation Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude 250 3 hrs
Paper 6 Optional Paper 1 Considered for Merit Calculation NA 250 3 hrs
Paper 7 Optional Paper 2 Considered for Merit Calculation NA 250 3 hrs

PS: Candidates from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, and candidates with hearing impairment are exempted from appearing in Paper-A.

Also Read: UPSC PYQ for Prelims and Mains

UPSC Exam Pattern for Prelims 2024

The UPSC Prelims exam pattern consists of two papers: General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (also known as CSAT). Both papers are conducted on the same day.

GS Paper 2 / CSAT is a qualifying paper, where candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks to qualify. Familiarize yourself with the UPSC CSAT syllabus to ensure success in this paper.

Type General Studies Paper I CSAT
Questions 100 Objective Type 80 Objective Type
Marks 200 Marks 200 Marks
Negative Marking +2 Marks/Question and -0.66 Negative Marks/Question +2.5 Marks /Question and -0.83 Negative Marks/Question
Duration Of Exam 2 Hours 2 Hours
Qualifying Marks Cut-Off List Minimum 33%
Languages English and Hindi English and Hindi.
Syllabus
  • Indian Polity
  • Geography
  • History and Art and Culture
  • Economy
  • Science and Technology
  • Environment and Ecology
  • International Relations
  • Current Affairs
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Comprehension
  • Data interpretation
  • Quantitative Aptitude

Negative Marking Scheme for Prelims 

There is a provision of negative marking in IAS exam pattern for prelims exam, where 1/3 of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted for an incorrect response.

Exam Total no. of Questions Total Marks in UPSC Prelims Marking Scheme in UPSC Prelims – Negative Marks
General Studies-1 100 2 X 100=200 -0.66
General Studies-2 (CSAT) 80 2.5 X 80=200 -0.83

Also Read: UPSC Exam 2024 Syllabus

UPSC Exam Pattern for Interview 2024

The UPSC exam pattern includes a personality test or interview as the final round before the final merit list is announced.

  • Candidates who pass the UPSC Mains Exam will be called for the Personality Test, conducted by a board appointed by the UPSC. 
  • The main objective of this interview is to assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services, and it is conducted by a group of unbiased observers.
  • The interview is more like a purposeful conversation designed to explore the candidate’s mental qualities and analytical abilities. It is not a standard question-answer session but a chance to understand the candidate’s overall personality.
  • The Interview test carries 275 marks, while the total marks for the written examination are 1750, making the Grand Total of 2025 Marks. This total determines the final merit list.

UPSC Syllabus for Interview Not Specified
Duration 20-30 minutes
Total Marks 275
Location Union Public Service Commission Head Office, New Delhi
Dress Code Formal Attire

UPSC Exam Pattern Recent Changes

Over the years, the UPSC exam pattern has undergone some changes. Here are the key changes made in specific years.

  • In 2011, the UPSC introduced the CSAT paper in the Civil Services Exam to assess candidates’ analytical and decision-making abilities. The marks of GS-1 and CSAT papers were considered for the Prelims merit list.
  • In 2012, the UPSC revised the IAS syllabus and introduced a new exam pattern. The optional papers were divided into two sessions, and two general studies papers and an essay paper were included. Candidates had to choose two optional subjects.
  • In 2013, significant changes were made to the UPSC syllabus. A new General Studies paper on ethics was added, and the optional subject had two papers.
  • In 2014, the Civil Services exam pattern underwent further changes. The essay paper had two topics per section but was later reduced to one. The number of attempts and the upper age limit for General category candidates were also increased.
  • In 2015, the CSAT paper became qualifying in nature, and the marks of GS-1 were considered for the Prelims merit list. Candidates needed a minimum of 33% marks to pass the CSAT paper.

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Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

UPSC exam is conducted in three stages: prelims, mains and interview.

UPSC prelims consists of two papers and UPSC mains consists of nine papers.

UPSC prelims consists of two papers, both in MCQ format. Candidates scoring more than cutoff marks will qualify for mains.

UPSC mains consists of nine papers, seven of which will be considered to prepare the merit list.

UPSC interview is an oral exam and there is no exam pattern for the same.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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