A practical, official-source guide to Civil Services Examination stages — from OTR registration to final allocation.
UPSC Civil Services Exam: Official Syllabus and Application Workflow
A practical, official-source guide to Civil Services Examination stages — from OTR registration to final allocation.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A and Group B services. Over 10 lakh candidates register annually, but only about 800-1,000 are finally selected. This guide covers the official application process, complete syllabus, and practical steps to prepare.
Official Portal and Application Process
The UPSC application is filed through the One-Time Registration (OTR) system on upsconline.nic.in. The OTR is a permanent registration — you only need to create it once, and it can be used for all future UPSC examinations.
Step-by-Step Application
Step 1: OTR Registration
- Visit upsconline.nic.in and click "New Registration"
- Enter personal details: name (as on Class 10 certificate), date of birth, gender, category, photograph, signature
- Create login credentials (email and password)
- Note your OTR number — you will need it for all future applications
Step 2: Apply for CSE
- Log in to the OTR portal
- Select "Examination Application" → "Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination"
- Fill in educational qualification, preferred examination centre, and service preferences
- Upload photograph (20 KB-300 KB, JPEG format) and signature (10 KB-300 KB)
- Pay the application fee online
Step 3: Fee Payment
Step 4: Confirmation
- Take a printout of the submitted application
- Check for any corrections during the correction window (usually 1-2 weeks after the last date)
Key Dates (Typical Cycle)
Always check upsc.gov.in for actual dates — the commission may adjust schedules.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
A graduate degree from a recognized university is required. Final-year students can also apply, but they must produce proof of graduation before the Mains application deadline.
Age Limits (as on 1st August of exam year)
Nationality
- IAS and IPS: Must be an Indian citizen
- Other services: Indian citizen, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before 1st January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, etc.
Complete Syllabus
Preliminary Examination
Paper I: General Studies (GS-I) — 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
Paper II: CSAT (GS-II) — 80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours (Qualifying: ≥33%)
Main Examination
Merit: 7 papers × 250 = 1,750 (written) + 275 (interview) = 2,025 total
Optional Subjects (Choose One)
Available optional subjects include: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, plus literature in 21 Indian languages.
How to choose: Select a subject with (a) genuine interest, (b) overlap with GS papers, (c) adequate study material available, and (d) manageable syllabus length.
What to Check Before Applying
- Confirm you meet all eligibility criteria (age, attempts, education)
- Ensure your photograph and signature meet UPSC specifications
- Keep your Class 10 certificate handy for name and date of birth verification
- Prepare a list of preferred services in the correct order
- Check the official notification for any changes in exam pattern or syllabus
- Save your OTR credentials securely — you will need them throughout the process
Official Source
Use the official source for dates, vacancies, eligibility, syllabus, and application status: UPSC Official Website. Blog-Ghar does not guarantee a deadline or vacancy; verify the page before taking action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I edit my application after submission?
A: Yes, during the correction window (usually 1-2 weeks after the last date). You cannot edit after the window closes.
Q: Is there negative marking in Prelims?
A: Yes. One-third of marks deducted per wrong answer in both GS-I and CSAT.
Q: Do Prelims marks count in the final result?
A: No. Prelims is purely a screening test. Only Mains marks and interview marks count for the final merit list.
Q: How many optionals should I prepare?
A: Only one optional subject with two papers (500 marks total). Choose carefully — it contributes 25% of your Mains score.
Q: Can I apply for both CSE and CMS?
A: Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both. They are separate examinations with separate applications.
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