The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the exams held by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit individuals for Indian civil services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and other services. This exam is divided into three parts: UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Interview. In this article, students will learn all the details of the UPSC IAS Exam 2023, like eligibility, exam pattern, education qualification, and many more.
The Preliminary Examination, which serves as a screening test, is the initial phase of the IAS Exam. The UPSC Prelims 2023 score will not be considered in the final merit. However, the score in GS Paper-I is critical in determining the UPSC Prelims Exam cutoff.
IAS Exam 2023 Highlights
The UPSC administers the Civil Services Examination to select candidates for more than 20 services, including IAS, IPS, and IFS. On February 22, 2023, the Civil Services Examination (CSE) notification was released. Candidates have until February 28, 2023, to submit their applications online.
Candidates can check the important details of UPSC IAS Exam 2023 in the table given below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Organization | UPSC |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
| UPSC 2023 Notification Release Date | February 22, 2023 |
| Online Application Form Last Date | February 28, 2023 |
| Prelims Exam Admit Card | To Be Notified |
| UPSC IAS 2023 Prelims Date | To Be Notified |
| Prelims Exam Result | To Be Notified |
| Admit Card for Mains Exam | To Be Notified |
| UPSC IAS Mains Exam Date | To Be Notified |
| UPSC IAS Final Result Announced | January 2023 |
| Exam mode | Offline – pen and paper mode |
IAS Exam selection is completely based on their performance of the Mains Exams and Interview Test.
IAS Eligibility Criteria 2023
UPSC has released the official notification, and candidates can check the eligibility requirements. You must meet the criteria below to apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination or the IAS Exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| IAS Exam Age Limit | 21 to 32 years |
| Educational Qualification for IAS | Graduation |
| Nationality | Indian citizens only |
UPSC Minimum and Maximum Age
Candidates must have reached the age of 21 and be under 32 on August 1, 2023. Moreover, it means they must have been born between August 2, 1990, and August 1, 2001. UPSC Exam 2023 will specify the age requirements in the official notification. Candidates can easily check out the minimum and maximum age requirements for Exam 2023 in the table given below:
| Category | Minimum Age Limit for UPSC | Maximum Age Limit for UPSC |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS Category | 21 | 32 |
| OBC (NCL) Category | 21 | 35 |
| SC / ST Category | 21 | 37 |
| PwD | 21 | 42 |
Age restriction is an important part of the eligibility requirements for the UPSC exam. As a result, candidates applying for the UPSC Exam should double-check their age for the IAS exam before completing the online application form.
UPSC Eligibility: Age Relaxation & Attempts
A general category candidate’s maximum age is 32, but it doesn’t mean they can retake the exam as often as they want.
| Category | UPSC Age Limit- Upper Relaxation | Number of Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| General | 32 | 6 |
| OBC / Disabled Defence Services Personnel | 35 | 9 |
| SC/ST | 37 | Unlimited (Up to age limit) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 37 | 9 |
UPSC Exam 2023 – Educational Qualification
The UPSC does not judge applicants unfairly based on their graduation results. As a result, the IAS eligibility requirement has no minimum qualifying percentage. Please check the educational requirements given below for the UPSC exam:
- The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from a government-approved university.
- Candidates awaiting results in the last year are also eligible to take the UPSC preliminary examination.
- Candidate must present the Degree or a certificate proving that all requirements (including completing the internship) for the award of the Degree have been fulfilled at the time of the interview.
IAS Exam Pattern 2023
Everyone knows exam pattern and syllabus is the key to getting the desired rank in the exam. Students make sure before making the exam preparation strategy and it is important to understand the syllabus deeply.
IAS Prelims Exam Pattern 2023
In the selection process for the UPSC exam, the preliminary examination is the primary stage. This is also known as the screening round. The Civil Services preliminary exam is an objective test with two papers worth 400 marks.
- Candidates to qualify for the next exam stage, a minimum score of 33% is required in Paper II (Aptitude Test).
- There will be a negative marking of ⅓ for each wrong answer.
- If a candidate provides more than one answer, all of them will be considered incorrect, even if one is correct.
- The UPSC exam also has a negative marking system for three incorrect responses.
The UPSC prelims exam pattern is detailed below:
| Subject | Exam Type | No. of Questions | Marks | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I – General Studies | Objective | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II – Aptitude Test (CSAT) | Objective | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
History, geography, politics, science, the environment, and other general studies topics are covered in Paper I. Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II, including comprehension, interpersonal skills, decision-making, fundamental numeracy, and other topics.
IAS Mains Exam Pattern 2023
There are two papers in the UPSC Mains Exam: qualification and merit ranking. There will be qualifying papers A and B, namely Language and English. The marks you receive in these papers are not added to the marks that evaluate your rank.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Total marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian language | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies I | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional I | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional II | 3 hours | 250 |
The main examination is used to assess a candidate’s overall intellectual abilities. There are two qualifying papers among the nine total papers. Essays, general studies, and elective papers are the only subjects for which merit is considered. The interview/Personality Test is only open to applicants who receive the minimum required score in the written test set by the UPSC.
UPSC Interview Test
A UPSC personality test will only be held in New Delhi at the UPSC Bhavan. The final stage of the IAS exam, the personality test or interview round with the UPSC Board Members, is open to candidates who pass the Mains exam stage with the required cut-off marks. There are no required minimum scores to pass the personality test.
The aspirant’s scores in both the main exam and the interview will be considered for the overall rankings. Candidates will be assigned to various services, including IAS, IPS, IRS, and IFS according to their ranks and preferences.
The board evaluates a candidate’s abilities in mental understanding, critical thinking, analytical thinking, risk assessment, crisis management, leadership potential, intellectual and moral integrity, etc.
Several important mistakes to avoid in an IAS interview
- Avoid being anxious on the day of the interview. Be calm and well-rested.
- Avoid attempting to escape by the bluff. Don’t try to bluff your way through the IAS interview because it will be unlike any other interview you have ever had.
- Do not worry about theoretical issues. More importantly, it’s how you respond to any questions that are put to you.
- Avoid arguing with the panelists. Although it is a discussion, candidates must always act professionally.
