UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS)
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by UPSC is India's most prestigious competitive exam. It recruits officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and 20+ other central services. The exam tests candidates on general studies, aptitude, and optional subjects across three stages.
Official Website →1Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year students can also apply.
Age Limit & Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | No relaxation (6 attempts) |
| OBC | +3 years (9 attempts) |
| SC/ST | +5 years (unlimited attempts till age limit) |
| PwBD (General) | +10 years (9 attempts) |
| PwBD (OBC) | +13 years (9 attempts) |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | +15 years (unlimited attempts) |
| Ex-Servicemen | +5 years |
2Exam Pattern
Preliminary (Objective)
MCQ (Objective)Mains (Descriptive)
Descriptive (Written)Interview / Personality Test
Interview3Detailed Syllabus
1General Studies I (Prelims & Mains)
2General Studies II
3General Studies III
4General Studies IV (Ethics)
5CSAT (Paper II – Qualifying)
4Study Plan
Month 1-2: Complete all NCERT books (Class 6-12) for History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science. Make short notes.
Month 3-4: Start standard reference books – Laxmikanth (Polity), Bipan Chandra (History), Ramesh Singh (Economy). Read one topic per day.
Month 5-6: Cover Environment (Shankar IAS), Art & Culture (Nitin Singhania). Start your Optional subject simultaneously.
Month 7-8: Begin daily newspaper reading (The Hindu / Indian Express). Make current affairs notes weekly. Start answer writing practice.
Month 9-10: Revise all subjects. Solve previous 10 years question papers. Take weekly mock tests for Prelims.
Month 11-12: Intensive revision. Daily 2 mock tests. Focus on weak areas. Practice essay writing for Mains.
5Best Books
| Book | Author | Subject | Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth | Polity | Buy online |
| India's Struggle for Independence | Bipan Chandra | Modern History | Buy online |
| Indian Art and Culture | Nitin Singhania | Art & Culture | Buy online |
| Certificate Physical and Human Geography | G.C. Leong | Geography | Buy online |
| Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh | Economy | Buy online |
| NCERT Books (Class 6-12) | NCERT | Foundation | Free → |
| Economic Survey (Latest) | Ministry of Finance | Economy | Free → |
| Environment by Shankar IAS | Shankar IAS | Environment | Buy online |
| Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Lexicon Publications | Ethics | Buy online |
6Free Resources
NCERT Textbooks (Class 6-12)
Foundation for all GS subjects – absolutely essential and free
Insights IAS
Daily current affairs, editorial analysis, and free study materials
Forum IAS Blog
Answer writing practice and mains-focused content
Unacademy UPSC (Free)
Free lectures by top educators on all GS subjects
StudyIQ IAS
Current affairs and subject-wise lectures
Drishti IAS
Hindi medium lectures and daily current affairs
PRS Legislative Research
Bills, laws, and policy analysis – excellent for Polity and Governance
UPSC Previous Year Papers
Official previous year question papers from UPSC website
💡Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CSE?
General category candidates get 6 attempts, OBC get 9 attempts, and SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts until the age limit. The attempt counts from the Preliminary exam stage.
Can I write UPSC Mains in Hindi?
Yes, you can write the Mains examination in any of the languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, including Hindi. The Prelims exam is available in both English and Hindi.
Is coaching necessary for UPSC preparation?
No, coaching is not mandatory. Many toppers have cleared UPSC through self-study using NCERT books, standard reference books, and free online resources. Coaching can help with structure and guidance, but self-discipline and consistent study are more important.
What is the best optional subject for UPSC?
There is no single best optional. Choose based on your graduation background, interest, availability of study material, and past success rates. Popular optionals include Sociology, Geography, Public Administration, Political Science, and History.
How long does it take to prepare for UPSC?
Most successful candidates prepare for 12-18 months with dedicated study of 6-8 hours daily. Some clear it in their first attempt with 8-10 months of focused preparation, while others may take 2-3 attempts.