Important Dates and Notifications
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services examination every year. For the upcoming 2022 exam, it is crucial to be aware of some key dates. The notification for the Civil Services Examination 2022 is expected to be released in February. Candidates should keep an eye on the official UPSC website for updates on the release date of the notification as well as detailed information regarding the exam.
Once the notification is released, the online application process is likely to begin. Candidates must ensure they submit their applications within the specified deadline to avoid any last-minute rush or technical glitches. Along with the application deadline, candidates should also pay attention to the exam dates, which are generally scheduled to take place in June for the Preliminary Examination and in September for the Mains Examination. It is imperative for aspirants to regularly check the UPSC website and stay updated on any modifications or additions to the exam schedule.
Subjects Included in the UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC Syllabus is vast and covers a diverse range of subjects that test the knowledge and aptitude of aspiring civil servants. From traditional subjects like History, Geography, and Political Science to more contemporary ones like Economics, Environment, and Science & Technology, the syllabus aims to comprehensively assess candidates' understanding of various domains.
Moreover, the UPSC also includes subjects like Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude to evaluate the moral and ethical dimensions of candidates in decision-making roles. Besides, the inclusion of languages and literature ensures a well-rounded evaluation of aspirants, emphasizing the importance of communication skills and cultural understanding in administrative roles.
Paper Pattern and Marking Scheme
The UPSC exam consists of both preliminary and mains examinations. The preliminary exam is objective in nature and includes two papers of 200 marks each. Paper I focuses on general studies, while Paper II is on aptitude. The marking scheme deducts 1/3 marks for each incorrect answer in the preliminary exam.
Moving on to the mains examination, candidates are required to appear for nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature. The seven papers that are considered for ranking include essay writing, general studies, and optional subjects. Each paper in the mains exam is of 250 marks, resulting in a total of 1750 marks for the seven ranking papers.
Preliminary Examination Details
The UPSC Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory papers, each with a duration of two hours. Paper-I tests candidates on general studies including subjects like history, polity, geography, economy, science, and current affairs. Paper-II assesses aptitude and comprehension skills.
Both papers are objective-type and have multiple-choice questions. Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers in Paper-I, while Paper-II is qualifying in nature with a minimum passing requirement. Candidates must achieve the set cut-off in Paper-I to have their Paper-II evaluated. The Preliminary Examination serves as a screening test for candidates to qualify for the Mains Examination.
Mains Examination Details
The UPSC Mains Examination is a crucial stage in the civil services selection process. It consists of nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature (Essay Paper and English Paper). The remaining seven papers are counted for ranking. These seven papers cover a wide range of subjects, including Indian Heritage and Culture, Ethics and Integrity, Governance, Optional Subject Paper I and II, and more.
In the Mains Examination, each of the seven papers holds a weightage of 250 marks, making the total marks for these papers 1750. Additionally, there is a Personality Test of 275 marks for candidates who qualify the Mains stage. It is imperative for aspirants to prepare thoroughly for each paper as they collectively play a significant role in determining the final ranking of the candidates.