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UPSC Exam 2024 Schedule, Syllabus, Eligibility, Results, Pattern & More
Ridhima Jindal
Updated on 26th August, 2024 , 9 min read
UPSC 2024 Updates: Recently the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Civil Services Examination(CSE) Prelims exam on 16th June 2024 for a duration of 1 day. The exam was conducted offline as a pen and paper-based exam at the designated centers for the exam. The UPSC Prelims result is expected to be announced soon on the official website upsc.gov.in. The UPSC CSE Answer key for the 2023 session was released on May 09, 2024.
Read About the UPSC IAS Exam
The UPSC Admit card for the CSE prelims exam was out on 7th June 2024, and the candidates could download the same from the official website. It must be noted that no aspirant is allowed to appear for the exam if they fail to present their UPSC Admit Card and a valid photo identity proof. It must also be kept in mind that the aspirant should only carry the identity proof they mentioned in their admit card. For example, if someone has mentioned PAN as a document in their identity proof, they must only carry their PAN Card along with the admit card.
The UPSC CSE Mains Examination is scheduled for 25th September 2024, as notified by the Union, and it will continue for a duration of 5 days. Along with this, the UPSC authorities have also released the complete UPSC Exam calendar for the years 2024 and 2025. candidates can view and download the PDFs available on this page to check the complete schedule of the upcoming UPSC examinations.
UPSC Exam Calendar 2024 | UPSC Exam Calendar 2025
To learn more about the UPSC Exam, UPSC Eligibility Criteria, UPSC Syllabus, and other information regarding the UPSC Exam refer to the article below.
UPSC Exam - An Overview
UPSC is the apex direct recruitment conducting body in India. The primary aim of the UPSC is to conduct the recruitment exam for the Union Government and be consulted by the president whenever necessary and required. UPSC primarily examines the civil services and civil posts but can also conduct the exam for the state if requested by the state governor. However, to conduct examinations for the state, a prior approval from the President of India is required. UPSC is the topmost recruitment body in the nation which conducts examinations to recruit for gazetted positions in the various ministries.
It is a central body that recruits candidates directly to All-India services and is unique to UPSC only. It conducts exams for both generalized and specialized services like Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), Indian Police Services (IPS), and Indian Forest Services (IFS). UPSC Conducts the examinations and then recommends candidates for appointment. the job of UPSC is completed after the recommendation has been made.
UPSC is a constitutional body deriving its powers from Article 315 of our constitution. UPSC has its roots in the colonial Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) constituted under the Government of India Act 1935. The FPSC was the successor of the first Public Service Commission (PSC) established on 1st October 1926, under the chairmanship of Ross Barker. The UPSC Exam is one of the toughest exams in India.
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UPSC Notification
The UPSC released the official exam notification for the year 2024 on 19th April 2024 followed by the 2025 calendar release on 25th April 2024. A total of 1056 vacancies have been notified by the commission this year. In the official notification, the commission mentioned the exam dates, exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus, and the rules and regulations of the exam. The commission releases this official notification to start the recruitment process and in case of any confusion or litigation, this document will be referred. The document shall be valid even after the completion of the exam and the students are highly advised to thoroughly go through the notification and understand everything in detail to avoid getting their candidature cancelled at the last minute.
UPSC Exam Highlights
UPSC is the most sought-after examination for lakhs of candidates every year. The table below represents the major highlights related to the UPSC Exam and can be used as a reference point by the aspirants to learn more about the UPSC examination.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Exam (UPSC CSE) |
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
Exam Level | National |
Notification Date | 14 Feb 2024 |
Vacancies | 1056 |
Last date to apply | 6 Mar 2024 |
Selection Process | UPSC Prelims UPSC Mains (Written) UPSC Mains (Interview) |
Exam Purpose | Recruitment to All-India Services & Civil Services |
Category | Government Jobs |
Total Applications | 10 lakhs (approx.) |
UPSC Application Fees | Prelims - INR 100 Mains - INR 200 |
Eligibility | Graduate from a recognized university/institute |
Age Limit | Min. 21 years of age Max. 32 years of age (differs for different exams) |
Exam Mode | Offline |
Frequency | Annual |
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Date | 16 Jun 2024 |
UPSC CSE Main Exam Date | 25 Sept 2024 |
Exam Language | English & Hindi |
Contact Details | 011 - 230-985-43 | 233 - 852-71 | 233- 811-25 | 230 - 985-91 |
Official Website |
UPSC Important Dates
Some of the important dates of UPSC Civil Services and other exams are tabulated below for easy reference. Candidates must check the dates in order to be well-prepared for the upcoming examinations.
UPSC Exam Events | UPSC Exam Dates |
UPSC CSE Application Date | 14 Feb - 6 Mar 2024 |
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Date | 16 Jun 2024 |
UPSC CSE Mains Exam Date | 25 Sep 2024 |
UPSC CDS Application Date | 15 May - 4 Jun 2024 |
UPSC CDS Exam Date | 1 Sep 2024 |
UPSC Eligibility Criteria
In order to appear for one of the toughest exams in India, it is extremely important for the candidates to be aware of the UPSC Eligibility Criteria. Only those who fit the eligibility criteria can apply and sit for the exam, and the rest will not be allowed to appear for the exam. The UPSC Eligibility Criteria is simple but may differ for different kinds of exams under the UPSC. Some highlights of the eligibility criteria are listed below:
- Candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognized institute/university
- Candidate must be an Indian National
- candidate must be at least 21 years of age
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Check the detailed eligibility criteria tabulated below for reference.
| UPSC Eligibility Criteria | Description |
| Educational Qualification | The aspirant must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognized university/institute. No minimum percentage to qualify has been stated by the commission. |
| Age Limit | candidate should be a minimum of 21 years of age and a maximum of 32 years age in the general category. The age criteria differs for the reserved category |
| Nationality Requirement |
|
UPSC Application Form
The UPSC IAS Application Form is released months before the examination. The candidates need to fill out the form completely online via the official website. Below is the step-by-step procedure to do so.
- Visit the official website of UPSC
- Candidates were required to be registered on the portal for application purposes
- Login using the credentials and click on the dashboard. This will show all the previous and active applications
- Click on the apply button for the exam
- The online application will appear on the screen with 90% details pre-filled at the time of registration
- The candidates were required to fill the below information:
- Educational Qualification
- Exam Center
- Photo Identity Card Type
- Photo Identity Card Number
- Once these details are filled, aspirants must upload the below documents:
- Scanned Passport Sized Photograph
- Signature
- Photo Identity Card
Image Uploading Specifications
Candidates must upload their images in a specific format and dimension as regulated by the commission. These instructions are tabulated below.
| Document | Dimesnions | Format | Size & Bit depth |
| Scanned Photograph | Min.: 350 x 350 pixels (w x h) Max.: 1000 x 1000 pixels (w x h) | JPG | Size: 20 kb - 300 kb Bit Depth: 24 |
| Signature | Min.: 350 x 350 pixels (w x h) Max.: 1000 x 1000 pixels (w x h) | JPG | Size: 20 kb - 300 kb Bit Depth: 24 |
| Photo ID Card | N.A. | Size: 20 kb - 300 kb Bit Depth: N.A. |
UPSC Admit Card
The UPSC Admit Card for the CSE prelim exam was released on 7th June 2024 on the official website. The candidates can follow the below procedure to download the UPSC Exams admit card:
- Visit the official website of UPSC
- Click on the admit card link available on the home page
- Read the instructions and click on the Yes button
- Select how you want to log in. It can be done either by Registration ID or by Roll Number
- Enter the Registration ID/Roll Number and Date of Birth
- Hit submit and download the UPSC Admit Card
Candidate must ensure that all the information mentioned in the UPSC Admit Card is correct and accurate and without any fault or discrepancies. Ensure to take at least 2 printouts of the admit card and carry it to the exam hall along with one other photo identity proof as selected. In case of discrepancies report to the authorities immediately and get the admit card as soon as possible.
Must Check: UPSC CAPF Admit Card
UPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The UPSC Syllabus and Exam pattern are different for both the Prelims and the Mains Examination. The Prelims exam has 2 papers - General Studies I and General Studies II, whereas the Mains Exam has 9 papers in total. To be eligible for an appointment and interview, the candidate must clear all the exam papers. Candidates can refer to the syllabus and Exam pattern for the prelims and main Examinations below.
Prelims GS Paper I | Prelims GS Paper II
UPSC Exam Pattern - Prelims
Candidates must carefully check the exam pattern and acquaint themselves with the UPSC Marking Scheme. As per the rules, â…“ marks are deducted for each incorrect answer and no marks are awarded for unattempted questions. This simply means that 3 wrong answers will eat up the marks of 1 right answer.
For paper 2 (qualifying) 2.5 marks are awarded for each correct answer and the negative marks are increased in the same proportion. Therefore, the candidates must be extra cautious while marking their responses in the UPSC OMR Sheet. Candidates should keep in mind the following pointers:
- The questions asked in the prelims exam are of MCQ nature
- The GS Paper II (CSAT) is of a qualifying nature and the candidate must score at least 33% marks to sit for the main exam
- Blind students are given 20 minutes extra to attempt the paper
- UPSC Prelims score is not final and is only considered to eliminate those who score below the prescribed UPSC IAS Exam cutoff
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UPSC IAS Syllabus | UPSC IAS Exam Pattern
For a detailed Marking Scheme and Syllabus, refer to the below table.
| UPSC Prelims Papers | Nature | Duration | Questions | Marks |
| General Studies Paper I | Merit Ranking | 2 Hours | 100 | 200 |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | Qualifying | 2 Hours | 80 | 200 |
| Total | 4 Hours | 200 | 400 |
UPSC Prelims Syllabus
Candidates can check the complete UPSC Prelims syllabus below for reference. Aspirants must note that the syllabus described below is a vast description of the subtopics covered. As per the syllabus guidelines, there are no set topics from where the questions are asked, and questions may be asked from any topic.
| General Studies Paper I | General Studies Paper II |
| Current Affairs | Comprehension Skills |
| History of India & Indian National Movement | Interpersonal Skills including Communication |
| Indian & World Geography | Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability |
| Indian Polity & Governance | Decision Making & Problem Solving |
| Economic & Social Development | General Mental Ability |
| General Issues on the Environment | Basic Numeracy (Class X level) |
| General Science | - |
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The UPSC mains Paper comprises 9 total papers all of which are mandatory to be cleared. Candidates can check the marking scheme and the 9 papers in the table below. The syllabus for the main exam is not described. Since the questions are asked from various topics, it is difficult to categorize and come up with a syllabus guide per se. Check the table below for details on the major topics covered and the marking scheme associated with each of these topics. It must be noted that the UPSC Main Exam is a descriptive paper and includes long essays and answers.
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Paper Category | UPSC Main Syllabus/Papers | Nature | Duration | Marks |
A | One Indian Language to be selected by the aspirant from the eighth schedule in the constitution (qualifying only) | Qualifying Paper | 3 Hours | 300 |
B | English (qualifying only) | 3 Hours | 300 | |
1 | Essay Paper | Merit Ranking | 3 Hours | 250 |
2 | General Studies I | 3 Hours | 250 | |
3 | General Studies II | 3 Hours | 250 | |
4 | General Studies III | 3 Hours | 250 | |
5 | General Studies IV | 3 Hours | 250 | |
6 | Optional Paper I | 3 Hours | 250 | |
7 | Optional Paper I | 3 Hours | 250 | |
| Main Written - Total | 1750 | |||
| Interview | 275 | |||
| Grand Total | 2025 |
UPSC IAS Exam Results
The UPSC announces the exam results on its official website once the main exam is concluded. The commission released the final merit list of students who will be recommended to the ministry for appointment purposes. The IAS prelims result for 2023 was released on June 12, 2023, and Aditya Srivastava from Lucknow topped the toughest exams in India in 2023.
The prelims result for 2024 is expected to be released soon along with the list of qualified candidates for the main examination. The list will be released in the pdf format on the official website. The commission approximately selects 12 times candidates of the number of vacancies notified for the IAS Exam.
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UPSC Cutoff 2024 Expected
Candidates can check the expected UPSC Cutoff List from the table below.
Category | UPSC Prelims Cutoff 2024 |
General | 85 +- 6 |
EWS | 81 +- 6 |
OBC | 83 +- 7 |
SC | 71 +- 4 |
ST | 68 +- 6 |
PwBD 1 | 54 +- 4 |
PwBD 2 | 52 +- 4 |
PwBD 3 | 52 +- 4 |
PwBD 5 | 51 +- 3 |
UPSC 2023 Toppers List
Check the complete list of UPSC 2023 toppers below. Read all about Aditya Srivastava - UPSC topper AIR 1 by clicking on the link.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC Exam used for?
The UPSC conducts examinations for recruitment of candidates as IAS, IPS, IFS and other services in the various ministries of the nation.
Who is eligible for the UPSC Exam?
As for the UPSC eligibility criteria the candidate must be at least 21 years of age and the maximum age to appear for the exam is 32 years in the general category. However, some age relaxation is given to the reserved category candidates. Along with this, the candidate must also hold a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised institute/University.
How many attempts are there in UPSC?
A candidate can appear a maximum of 6 times for the UPSC exam. However, this criteria is only for the general category and varies for the reserved categories. Like for SC/ST, the maximum number of attempts is upto the maximum age limit. So if the age limit is 40 years, the SC candidate can give attempts until he attains 40 years of age.
How many exams are there under UPSC?
UPSC is the main conducting body for All-India and Civil Services exam. It administers almost 12 kinds of exams including IAS, IPS, IFS, CAFE, CSE, ESE, and more.
Can a 12th pass appear for the UPSC Exam?
No. As per the eligibility criteria only a candidate who has completed their graduation can appear for the UPSC exam. Also, the minimum age limit is 21 years, and a 12th pass student is only almost 16-17 years of age.
What is the UPSC Syllabus?
The UPSC Syllabus is current for both prelims and main exam. The prelims include only 2 papers - General Studies I and General Studies Paper II. However, the main exam includes 9 papers covering 9 different aspects. The prelims exam is MCQ based (objective) while the main exam is Subjective (Long Answers Type).
What is the UPSC Main Exam Date?
The UPSC Prelims exam was conducted on 16th June 2024, and the main exam CSE is scheduled for 25th September 2024.
What is the full form of UPSC?
The UPSC full form is Union Public Service Commission.
Is UPSC Exam tough?
Yes. The UPSC Exam is one of the toughest exams in the nation and the difficulty level of the exam is difficult. The reason the exam is tough is due to its vast syllabus that covers literally everything from current affairs to the basic nature and science.