Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination
UPSC CSE is India's most prestigious and competitive exam, selecting officers for IAS, IPS, IFS, and 20+ other All India Services. It has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Prelims: 4 hours | Mains: 25 hours total
Duration
2025
Total Marks
13,00,000+
Candidates/Year
Once a year (Prelims in June)
Frequency
Month 1-4
NCERT foundation (Class 6-12 for all subjects)
Month 5-8
Standard reference books + newspaper reading
Month 9-12
Previous year papers + Prelims test series
Year 2
Mains answer writing + mock interviews
| Year | General | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 90+/200 | 85+/200 | 75+/200 |
| 2024 | 88+/200 | 83+/200 | 73+/200 |
Newspaper reading is non-negotiable — read The Hindu/Indian Express daily
NCERT books (Class 6-12) form the base of your entire preparation
Choose your Optional Subject wisely — it can make or break your rank
Answer writing practice for Mains should start at least 6 months before
Current Affairs contribute to 40-50% of Prelims questions
