I. Civil Services Preliminary Examination (CSAT)—Details
Eligibility: Qualification & Age Limit: A graduate or postgraduate in any discipline of a university recognised by the UGC is eligible for writing the Civil Services Examination provided he/she completes 21 years of age and not 32 years (General Category candidates), 35 years (OBC Category candidates) or 37 years (SC/ST candidates) on August 1 of the year in which he/she will take the CS Main Examination. So, if you are now in the above age group you can apply for admission to NACS for the CS Preliminary Exam training programme.
The CS Preliminary examination has two CSAT papers; each one is of two hours’ duration and of 200 marks (total 400 marks).
Paper I: Topics: (i) Current events of national & international importance, (ii) History of India & Indian National Movement, (iii) Indian & World Geography—physical, social, economic geography of India and the world, (iv) Indian Polity & Governance—Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public policy, Rights Issues, etc.; (v) Economic and Social Development—Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.; (vi) General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change (It does not require subject specialization); (vii) General Science.
Paper II: Topics: (i) Comprehension, (ii) Interpersonal Skills, including Communication Skills, (iii) Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability; (iv) Decision making and Problem solving, (iv) General Mental Ability, (v) Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc)—Class X level, Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc—Class X level, (v) English language comprehension skills of Class X level, tested through passages from the English language only.
As NACS has adopted a holistic approach to the CS Examination, one paper of the optional subject/language will also be taught along with the CS Preliminary Exam training programme.
II. Civil Services Main Exam—Details
The Civil Service Main Examination comprises a written examination and an interview (Personality Test).
The UPSC has revised the pattern of Civil Services Main Examination from 2013. Now there are nine papers to be answered, and all of them are of descriptive type.
The written examination is for 2350 marks, including the marks for the qualifying papers. There are two qualifying papers, each of 300 marks—one paper on a modern Indian language (any one of the languages included in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution), and another on General English, both of which will be of the X Standard. The marks scored in these papers will not be reckoned for ranking. However, the answer scripts of the other subjects will not be valued if the candidate fails to secure the cut off minimum fixed for each of these papers by the UPSC every year. In effect, the total marks for written test will be 1750 (2350 minus 600).
There is only one optional subject, which should be chosen from the list of subjects/languages mentioned in the UPSC website. The optional subject has two papers in the exam, each of 250 marks (total of 500 marks).
According to the new pattern, there are four General Studies Papers, each for 250 marks—total 1000 Marks. So the weightage of General Study Papers has been increased. The scope of the syllabus of General Studies is of the degree level.
III. Civil Services Personality Test/Interview
The Personality Test/Interview is held after the results of the CS Main written examination are announced. It carries 275 marks. The Grand Total for the CS Main Exam is 2025 Marks.
The candidate is allowed to use any one language mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution or English as the medium for writing the examination.
Civil Service Main (Written) Examination Papers—Details
(i) Qualifying Papers
(i): Modern Indian language (300 Marks): (Qualifying nature -- Marks not counted--
Passing mandatory)
(ii): English (300 marks): (Qualifying nature -- Marks not counted--Passing mandatory).
(ii) Compulsory Papers
Paper-I: Essay(250 Marks): (To be written in the medium/language of the candidate's choice)
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 I (250 Marks)
Paper- VII: Optional Subject - Paper II (250 Marks)
Sub Total (Written test): 1750 Marks.
Personality Test: 275 Marks.
