UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Mains – Important Dates, Registration, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Admit Card

The Civil Services (IAS) Exam of UPSC

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a competitive examination in India. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the examination for finding staff for various Civil Services of the Indian Government. Moreover, this the Commission does on a national basis. In addition, the services include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. Also, the examination is simply referred to as UPSC examination. The Commission conducts the exam in three stages:

• Firstly, a preliminary examination consisting of two objective-type papers. They are the General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. The GS paper II is also popularly known as Civil Service Aptitude Test or CSAT).
• Then, the main examination consisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type, held in October each year.
• Lastly, a personality test (interview) follows the main examination, in the month of March, each year.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

The Union Public Services Commission has released the program of giving tests for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018. It has scheduled to conduct the civil services prelims exam on 3rd June 2018. Furthermore, the prelims exam is the first stage in the UPSC Indian Administrative Services exam (UPSC IAS Exam).

Also, the Commission announced the notification for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 on the 7th of February 2018. Moreover, the number of vacancies to be filled up for the Central and the All India Services is the lowest in the past five years. In 2017, the Commission announced a total of 980 vacancies. Whereas in 2018, it will recruit 782 officers to fill up the prestigious posts of IAS, IRS, IPS, IFS etc.

According to the recently released notification by the commission, it will conduct the exam for 782 vacancies. This includes those of 27 vacancies reserved for Physically Handicapped (PH) category. That is 07 vacancies for LDCP, 08 posts for B/LV and 12 vacancies for H.I. through the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 – in a Nut Shell

Changes in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Over the Years

The year 2011

The Commission replaced the optional subject with CSAT.

The year 2012

UPSC kept the main syllabus of CSE a little more generic. Consequently, this led to a change in the question pattern entirely. There were two additional papers for each exam. Similarly, the 2012 pattern incorporated two papers on general studies along with one essay. Moreover, the Commission accounted the CSAT and GS scores for the preparation of merit list, for the prelims exam.

The year 2013

The Commission decreased the number of optional subjects from two to one.

On the contrary, the number of papers on general studies increased from two to four. The Commission extended the previous two GS papers to, three. Also, there was an introduction of a new paper, ‘Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude’ (Paper 4) in the year 2013.

Similarly, the total allotted marks for essay increased from 200 to 250. Thus, there was an increase in the total number of questions and a decrease in the word limit.

The year 2014

The Commission increased the number of essays to two. Unlike earlier, where there was one section with four optional choices, the change resulted in two sections with four optional choices, in total.

Also, UPSC increased the total number of permissible attempts for the exam from four to six. Also, it increased the maximum permissible age limit for general candidates from 30 years to 32 years.

The year 2015

The Commission counted both CSAT and GS results for merit, before 2015. In 2015, it only considered GS marks for merit. Also, it considered the CSAT as a qualifying exam.

The year 2018

The Commission did not bring any change in the exam pattern in the year 2018. Instead, it discussed the vacancies and introduced a new section in their existing interview scheme.

It has been a fact that UPSC vacancies have been decreasing year on year. Consequently, this year recorded the lowest vacancies compared to those of the previous years. It announced 782 vacancies which are 198 less than last year and 511 jobs less than the year of 2014.

The development will curtail the chances of obtaining greater services by the candidates. However, the introduction also allows any candidate to opt out of this if they are not interested.

Moreover, there is the latest development in the scheme of the interview in the year 2018. It is of allowing sharing of the details-cum-results of the appearing candidates with other public and private recruiting agencies.

Important Dates for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

Study material for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 candidates can avail the deep repository of EduGorilla containing notes, question papers, syllabus and much more. See also, the top IAS coaching in Delhi

Eligibility Criterion for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

Nationality: The Commission has permitted only the Indian to take the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018.

Educational Qualification: Candidate must hold a valid bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

Age Limit and Number of Attempts Permitted: The minimum age that the Commission has determined to allow the candidates’ taking the exam is 21 years. The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 candidates must count this age on the base of 1st August 2018.

How to apply for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

• First of all, visit the official website of the UPSC.
• Secondly, click on the link for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018.
• Then, fill in part I of the registration procedure.
• The system will generate a registration number.
• Use the registration number generated.
• Fill up the part II of the registration procedure.
• Finally, click on the “Submit” button.

Consequently, the Commission will send the admit card for Prelims via the online mode. This it will do about three weeks in advance of the exam. Besides, the Commission will release the details of the application process of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 through the UPSC Notification.

Procedure for Payment of Application-Fee

• Visit the official website of UPSC (www.upsc.gov.in).
• Click on “Apply Online” or “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC.” These texts are highlighted in the image given below:

• Clicking on any of these links will take you to a page which is given in the image below:

• Clicking on the Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC will take you to a new page. The page has been shown in the image as under:

• Availability of the Civil Services (IAS) Exam Online Application will proceed you to the part I and II of the registration procedures.
• Proceed further by clicking on the ‘Part – I Registration.’ Also, before filling the form go through the important instructions to fill UPSC Online Application Form completely.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018: Exam Pattern

The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 (IAS 2018) contains the following stages/rounds. You must obtain the required cut-offs in the UPSC Prelims to be eligible to take the mains version. Similarly, only if you get the required cut-offs in the main round, the Commission will ask you to attend the interview.

UPSC Prelims

There are two papers in the UPSC Prelims:

Syllabus of the Prelims

General Studies Paper 1

• Current happenings of nationwide and global importance.
• Indian History and Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography – Social, Physical, Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Polity and Governance of India– its Political System, Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Issues related to Rights, Public Policy, etc.
• Economic and Social Development – Poverty, Sustainable Development, Inclusive Development, Social Sector initiatives, Demographics etc.
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization. Also, the topic of General Science.

 General Studies Paper 2

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including skills of communication;
• Analytical ability and logical reasoning
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (orders of magnitude, numbers and their relations etc. of the level of class X), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. of the level of class X)

Syllabus and Exam Pattern of UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Mains

There are 9 papers in the IAS Mains all of which are descriptive in nature.

Candidates scoring above the minimum of 33.33% in the CSAT paper and above the UPSC-prescribed cut-off in the GS I paper will qualify for the IAS mains exam. In the mains version, unlike the UPSC prelims exam pattern, there will be nine descriptive papers. The papers are GS paper I, GS paper II, GS paper III, GS paper IV. Also, the Optional paper I, Optional paper II, a paper on Essay, a paper on English language and a paper in an Indian language. The Commission has exempted the candidates from the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland from taking the Indian language paper. Meanwhile, the languages permitted in the paper of Indian language, are in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

Candidates can select an optional-subject from the following:

Board Interview/Personality Test of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

The interview held in the UPSC Civil Services Exam is of a total of 275 marks, thus amounting to the grand total of 2025 marks. In the interview, you will face the UPSC board that will assess your personality, generally. It will also see whether you have the traits required from a civil servant. Moreover, the board will also test your character-strength, toughness in mental attributes and overall interests.

Regarding Admit Card of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

• Post checking their eligibility criteria, UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 candidates can apply online for the IAS exam.
• The Commission will then work online on the applications and upload the UPSC admit card for each legitimate applicant.
• The Commission will not send the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 admit cards to the aspirants by posts or emails
• Every candidate should take a printout of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 admit card from the official portal of UPSC. This holds true for both the UPSC admit card, mains exam and the admit card of UPSC Prelims.
• Once the Commission fully conducts the prelims exam and announces the results, successful candidates will have to apply for the IAS mains exam (online mode) in the same way as they did for the IAS prelims exam.
• Again, the UPSC will only upload the UPSC e-admit card for each UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 candidate on its portal. Also, it will not send it by post or mail.
• The procedure for downloading the UPSC admit card is very simple. Aspirants have to log on to the UPSC portal using the registration ID they get during the application process. They then must follow the directives from the website itself.

The UPSC announces the release of the admit cards for all the exams conducted by it. It releases hall tickets for the exams like the UPSC CDS, UPSC NDA exam etc. in the same manner. i.e., it releases these on its portal only and not by post. Some other exams conducted by the UPSC include the Engineering Services Exam, the Combined Defence Services Examination, the Combined Medical Services Examination, the Indian Forest Services Exam, the Combined Geo-Scientist, and Geologist Examination and the Central Armed Police Forces Exam, among many others.

Essential Id proofs for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 – Prelims

There is not much to remain careful for the prelims part of the exam. Mostly all the documents that are needed for the prelims section, require to be uploaded while filling the online application form. UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 candidates only need to pay attention to the things that,

• The candidate’s scanned pass-port sized image and,
• Scanned image of his/her signature

are properly transferred in the computer system.

Essential Id proofs for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 – Mains

1. Proof of Age: Only the leaving certificate of matriculation or secondary school.
2. Certificate of qualification regarding education: Your bachelor’s certificate awarded by the university or an equivalent qualification as recognized by the UPSC.
3. Documents supporting OBC/SC/ST status (if it applies): Certificates issued by the District Officer/Sub-divisional Officer/any other officer as authorized by the government for the district in which your parents reside. If parents are deceased, then the condition of the district in which the applicant normally lives will apply.
4. Certificate of disability (if it applies): A certificate issued by a Medical Board constituted by the Central or State government. This board will mention the type and % of the disability.
5. Documents displaying the non-creamy layer OBC status (if applicable): Proof in support of status/service/income/landholding from different properties/sources held by your parents in support of claiming non-creamy layer of OBC.
6. Certificate for proof for hailing from the north-eastern states (if applicable): A certificate that proves the hailing of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 candidates from the states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim or Meghalaya. The certificate must be issued by the same authority that releases caste certificates of OBC/SC/ST.
7. Undertaking useful for government servants (if it applies): Undertaking an announcement that you have informed in writing to your Head of the Office/Department about your taking of the UPSC CSE.

Some More Id Proofs

1. J&K Domicile (if it applies): the certificate must be issued by the District Magistrate. The DM must be the one under whose jurisdiction you had resided in J&K for a certain period. This period must be anywhere from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1989.
2. Disabled while in defense services (if it applies): Issued by the Director of General Resettlement, Ministry of Defence, stating that you were handicapped while in service and were discharged from duty on its account.
3. Certificate supporting the claim of age relaxation (if it applies): This includes the disability certificate, and/or J&K domicile certificate, and/or defense personnel certificate, and/or OBC/ST/SC status certificate.

Essential Id proofs for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 – Personality Test

The successful candidates who have qualified the prelims and the mains section of the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018, essentially need to bring the following original documents with them:

1. Matriculation certificate: for the sake of proof of name and DOB. Also carry with you, a self-attested photocopy of the same.
2. Degree certificate: for the proof of educational qualification. (In case, the bachelor’s/higher education certificate has not been issued by the university, then the candidate should carry the provisional certificate or the mark sheet). Also, carry a self-attested photocopy of the same.
3. Print-out of the e-Summon Letter.
4. 2 recent passport-sized photographs. One of these ones should be self-attested.
5. Certificates in support of age relaxation (if it applies).

Additional Documents Needed by the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Candidates of the Reserved Category

1. Caste certificate: photocopy as well as the original.
2. PG Degree or higher education certificates and mark-sheets (Original and photocopy).
3. TA Form – two copies along with the proof of journey (Travelling Allowance for non-Delhi candidates).
4. Affidavit for the sake of minor discrepancies in the name.

Additional Documents Needed by the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Candidates of the PH Category

1. Document Supporting Physical Handicap: original as well as the photocopy. For PH 1 category, the DWE Certificate also should be carried. DWE is the Dominant Writing Extremity certificate (for the candidates who claim the extra 20 minutes of time per hour, in the mains written exam).
2. Certificates in support of age-relaxation.
3. Higher education certificates or PG Degree and mark-sheets (Original as well as the photocopies).
4. TA Form – two copies along with a proof of travel (Travelling Allowance for non-Delhi candidates).
5. An affidavit for minor discrepancies in the name.

Documents Needed During Candidates’ Medical Examination in UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

1. 8-10 Passport sized photographs.
2. Prescriptions or medical certificates, if any. These may be helpful for a check-up of the eye in UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018
   .

Exam centers for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018

For Prelims

For Mains

 Heed able points for the exam centers

• UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Candidates will need to carry their UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Admit card to the Exam center.
• The Commission won’t allow the candidates to take the examination if they are found without UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018 Admit card.
• Aspirants are strongly suggested to fill in the application form as quickly as they are released on the website.
• The Commission allocates the exam centers on the basis of preference mentioned by the candidates in their online application.
• If the specified capacity in choosing a certain center is attained, the Commission would freeze it. Hence, the candidates have to choose one center among the available ones for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018.

UPSC Civil Services 2017 Cut Off

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By Abhay Pant

Writing is one of my crafts that I love to indulge in. Like to write on myriad of topics - politics, travelling, food, e...more

Writing is one of my crafts that I love to indulge in. Like to write on myriad of topics - politics, travelling, food, economy, culture. Education also being close to me, I therefore have chosen EduGorilla to exhibit this skill through it. Would love to hear back from you. less