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UPSC Exam Pattern 2023
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) publishes the UPSC Exam Pattern to assess candidates’ academic knowledge as well as their ability to organize their responses for UPSC Exam. Because of this, candidates must have a thorough understanding of the Prelims and Mains UPSC Exam Pattern. Candidates may better organize their time and prepare for the exam if they had a thorough understanding of the format. It will also be simpler to match their study plan to the requirements of the exam. Candidates will be able to interpret a clear image of the quantity of questions and negative markings thanks to the UPSC Exam Pattern.
There are three stages to the UPSC Exam: the preliminary exam, the main exam, and the personality test. The complete UPSC Exam Pattern for each stage is provided below, along with comprehensive information on the negative marking policy. Candidates can prepare for the exam in the appropriate way with a thorough understanding of the UPSC Exam Pattern.
UPSC Exam Pattern Overview
The UPSC Exam Pattern is broken down into three parts in the IAS Selection Process. To advance to the next step, candidates must pass each one. Candidates who pass the Prelims Exam becomes qualified to sit for the Mains Exam, and the after clearing Mains exam will receive a call for the Personality test round.
It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the entire UPSC Exam pattern for the prelims, mains, and interviews because the IAS Exam cycle lasts an entire year. Candidates can obtain all of the information about the UPSC Exam Pattern that is provided below.
UPSC Exam Pattern Overview |
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UPSC Exam Stages | Papers | Total Marks | Exams Nature |
UPSC Exam Pattern for Prelims | 2 Papers – GS Paper 1 & CSAT | 400 | Objective Type |
UPSC Exam Pattern for Mains | 9 Papers | 1750 | Descriptive Test |
IAS Interview | – | 275 | Personality Test |
UPSC Total Marks | Mains Marks + Interview Marks = 2025 Marks |
Read more: UPSC Notification 2023
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern includes two papers General Studies-1 and General Studies-2, or CSAT. The prelims exam’s two papers are conducted on the same day. CSAT Paper/GS Paper 2 of the UPSC Prelims is a qualifying paper. To be eligible, applicants must pass the CSAT with a minimum score of 33%. To ensure that you pass the exam on your first try, familiarize yourself with the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern |
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Prelims Paper | Name of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time Allotted | Nature of Paper |
GS Paper I | 100 Questions | 200 | 2 hours | Merit Ranking |
GS Paper II (CSAT) | 80 Questions | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying |
Total Marks in Prelims | 400 Marks |
Read about: UPSC Mains Syllabus
UPSC Exam Pattern Negative Marking Rule
According to the UPSC exam pattern for the Prelims, each question on General Studies-1 is for two points, and each question on the CSAT paper is worth five points. In the UPSC, one-third of the marks allotted to such question would be deducted.
- This indicates that there would be a negative marking of 0.66 for IAS Prelims Paper 1.
- The UPSC negative marking for the CSAT will be 0.83.
UPSC Exam Pattern Negative Marking Rule | |||
Paper | Total Questions | Total Marks | Negative Marks |
General Studies-1 | 100 | 2*100=200 | 0.66 |
General Studies-2 (CSAT) | 80 | 2.5*80=200 | 0.83 |
Read more: UPSC Calendar 2023
UPSC Exam Pattern Mains
As a detailed paper, the UPSC Mains Exam format differs from the prelims format. The 2023 UPSC Mains is expected to take place on September 15th. Those who pass the preliminary exam are qualified to take the main examination. For a better understanding of the subjects included on the test, download the UPSC Mains Syllabus. Candidates must sit both qualifying and merit papers in accordance with the UPSC Mains Exam Pattern.
- There will be a total of 9 papers, of which 2 will have qualifying characteristics, 4 will be for General Studies, and 2 will be for the optional courses.
- For the Mains exam, candidates are permitted to select an optional topic.
- All of the articles will also be descriptive.
The following papers will be included in the UPSC CSE 2023 Mains Written Examination:
UPSC Exam Pattern Mains | |||
Paper | Subject Name | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
Paper A | The candidate chosen one of the Indian Language from Languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution | 300 | 3 hrs |
Paper B | English | 300 | 3 hrs |
Papers to be Counted for Merit | |||
Paper I | Essay | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 | 3 hrs |
Sub Total (Written Test) | 1750 | ||
Personality Test / Interview | 275 | ||
Grand Total | 2025 |
Candidates from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, and Nagaland, as well as those with hearing impairment, are exempt from taking Paper A. These candidates must, however, demonstrate that their university or board has exempted them from taking second or third language courses.
Read about: UPSC Prelims Syllabus
UPSC Mains Marks Distribution
Papers A and B are qualifying according to the UPSC mains exam pattern, and all other papers are taken into consideration for merit. To be taken into consideration for the final merit list, candidates must receive at least a 25% on each paper. There are 300 marks on each of Papers A and B. The last seven papers each carry a total of 250 points.
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UPSC Exam Pattern for Optional Subjects
The Mains pattern comprises two optional papers, as was already mentioned. According to the UPSC Marking Scheme, each paper carries 250 points. From the list of UPSC Optional Subjects, candidates are free to select any subject they desire. The complete list of electives is provided in the link below.
UPSC Exam Pattern and List for Optional Subjects
UPSC Exam Pattern Personality Test
After clearing the written examination, the candidate faces a Personality Test in which most questions are based on general interests topics. The purpose of the interview round or personality test is for a Board of knowledgeable and objective UPSC observers to examine if the candidate is suitable for a career in public service.
- According to the UPSC Paper Pattern, there will be a total of 275 points awarded for the interview phase.
- The final merit list will be created based on the candidate’s scores in the Mains and Interview when the UPSC Result of the interview round is announced.
Read more: UPSC Optional Subjects