As you want to know the exam pattern of Union Public Service Commission, IAS Civil Service exam here I will tell you.

Exam pattern
Preliminary Examination
There would be two compulsory papers in the preliminary examination namely the General Ability test (GAT) and the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) to test the analytical skills of the candidates.

The papers would be objective in nature with multiple choice questions. The candidates will have to tick one from the 4 options provided there.

There is also a provision of negative marking in this examination. it will be equal to 1/4th of mark allotted to a correct answer. However, there is no negative marking for the question left unanswered.

The questions will be set in both Hindi and English language. However, questions relating to the English Language Comprehension skills of class 10th level will be tested through a passage from English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question paper.

Serial Number Name of Paper Marks Allotted
Paper 1: General Ability Test (GAT) 200 Marks
Paper 2: English Language and Aptitude 200 Marks
Total 400 Marks

Main Examination
There would two types of Papers in the examination: Qualifying Papers and Papers to be counted for Merit formation.

The candidates will have to appear in both the parts.

Failing in the qualifying papers would lead to the canceling of the candidature of the aspirant.

There would be 7 papers in the Main Examination as per the IAS Exam Pattern of 250 marks each.

There would be two optional papers which the candidates would have to select.

Mains Optional Subjects
Agriculture
Anthropology
Chemistry
Geography
History
Political Science & International Relations
Commerce & Accountancy
Economics
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Electrical Engineering
Physics
Zoology
Medical Science
Animal Husbandry& Veterinary Science
Botany
Civil Engineering
Geology
Law
Philosophy and
Statistics

Pattern
Paper 1 Essay writing 250 Marks

Paper 2 General Studies–I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) 250 Marks

Paper 3 General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) 250 Marks

Paper 4 General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio‐diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) 250 Marks

Paper 5 General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) 250 Marks

Paper 6 Optional Subject – Paper 1 250 Marks

Paper 7 Optional Subject – Paper 2 250 Marks
Sub Total in the written Test 1750 Marks
Personal Interview 275 Marks
Grand Total ( for merit calculation) 2025 Marks