The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) selection process is mandatory and consists of three distinct, sequential stages: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying), Main Examination (Written), and Personality Test (Interview).
Detailed Examination Stages and Marking Scheme:
- Stage I: Preliminary Examination (400 Marks):
Purpose: Screening test for entry to the Main Examination. Marks are not counted for the final merit list.
Paper I - General Studies I (GS-I): 200 Marks, 100 questions (Objective/MCQ). Merit for screening is based on this paper.
Paper II - General Studies II (CSAT): 200 Marks, 80 questions (Objective/MCQ). This is a qualifying paper, requiring a minimum of 33% (i.e., 66.66 marks).
Marking: Negative marking applies (typically one-third of the marks assigned to the question) for incorrect answers.
- Stage II: Main Examination (1750 Marks):
Purpose: Written examination (Descriptive type). Marks are counted for the final merit list.
Total Papers: 9 papers, out of which 7 papers are counted for merit, and 2 are compulsory qualifying language papers.
Qualifying Papers (300 Marks each): One Indian Language and English. Minimum qualifying marks are generally 25% (75 marks).
Merit Papers (250 Marks each): Essay (1), General Studies (4), and Optional Subject (2).
- Stage III: Personality Test (Interview) (275 Marks):
Purpose: Assessment of candidate's mental caliber, social traits, and interest in current affairs by the UPSC Board.
Scoring: There are no minimum qualifying marks for the Personality Test.
The final merit list is prepared strictly based on the sum of marks obtained in the Main Examination (1750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks), totaling 2025 marks.