Frequently Asked Questions

UPSC CSE consists of three stages: Preliminary (objective), Mains (descriptive), and Interview. Prelims has two papers (GS + CSAT), Mains has 9 papers (4 GS + 2 optional + essay + language), and interview is personality test.

General category: 6 attempts, OBC: 9 attempts, SC/ST: unlimited attempts. Attempts are counted from the first prelims appearance. Age limit: 21-32 years (general), relaxations for reserved categories.

GS Paper I covers current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and science. CSAT Paper II tests comprehension, reasoning, and basic numeracy. Focus on NCERTs for basics and current affairs.

Typically 18-24 months for serious preparation. Foundation building (6-8 months), subject specialization (8-10 months), and revision/testing (3-4 months). Quality matters more than duration.

Coaching is helpful but not mandatory. Self-study with right guidance works too. Join coaching for structured learning, peer interaction, and expert mentorship. Focus on quality study materials.

Working professionals can prepare with 4-6 hours daily study. Take leaves for intensive preparation. Weekend full-time study with weekday 2-3 hours. Consistency is key over intensity.

Start with NCERTs (6th-12th) for basics. Standard books: Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (History), Shankar IAS (Environment), Ramesh Singh (Economy). Follow coaching materials for current affairs.

NCERTs provide strong foundation but not sufficient alone. Use them for conceptual clarity, then move to advanced books. Cover all NCERTs from class 6-12 for prelims and mains foundation.

Read one newspaper daily (The Hindu/Indian Express). Follow monthly magazines. Make notes linking static and current topics. Focus on last 18-24 months current affairs for prelims.

Choose based on interest, background, availability of study materials, and scoring potential. Consider past performance, coaching availability, and overlap with GS syllabus. Don't choose based on trends alone.

Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, and History have higher success rates due to availability of study materials and coaching. Success depends more on your preparation than the subject choice.

Yes, you can change optional subject after clearing prelims. But it's not recommended as it requires additional preparation time. Choose wisely during prelims preparation itself.

Very important! Mock tests help in time management, identify weak areas, and build exam temperament. Take full-length mocks regularly. Analyze performance and improve consistently.

Follow spaced repetition. Weekly subject revision, monthly full syllabus revision. Make concise notes. Focus on understanding over memorization. Regular self-testing is crucial.

8-10 hours daily study. Include time for newspaper reading, subject study, answer writing, revision, and mock tests. Take regular breaks. Maintain work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Focus on DAF (Detailed Application Form) preparation. Stay updated with current affairs. Practice mock interviews. Work on communication skills, body language, and confidence. Be honest and genuine.

Leadership, integrity, analytical ability, decision-making, communication skills, and commitment to public service. They look for well-rounded personality with clear thinking and value-based approach.

Interview carries 275 marks out of total 2025 marks (13.5%). But it can make or break your final rank. Good interview can compensate for lower mains marks, poor interview can pull down high mains score.