Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including followings:
• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)

CSE is conducted in two phases - the Preliminary examination, consisting of two objective-type papers (General Studies and Aptitude Test), and the Main examination, consisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type followed by the Personality Test (Interview).

Examination Pattern:

1. Preliminary examination
2. Main examination followed by an interview

Preliminary Examination:
• Two compulsory papers of 200 marks
• Question papers are of the objective type (multiple choice questions)
• Duration: Two hours each.
• Question papers will be set both in Hindi and English
• Blind candidates would be allowed an extra 20 minutes of time at each paper

Main Examination:

Paper-I
Section 1 Essay 200 Marks
Section 2 English Comprehension & English Précis 100 Marks

Paper-II
General Studies–I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Paper-III
General Studies –II 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

Paper-IV
General Studies –III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

Paper-V
General Studies –IV 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

Paper-VI
Optional Subject – Paper 1 250 Marks

Paper-VII
Optional Subject – Paper 2 250 Marks


Total marks from written test:
1800 Marks

Personality Test (Interview):
275 Marks