UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) – Complete Guide

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) – Complete Guide

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1. What is UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency. It conducts exams for recruitment to All India Services, Central Services, and other government posts.

·         Established: 1926 (as Public Service Commission)

·         Constitutional Status: Article 315-323 of the Indian Constitution

·         Headquarters: New Delhi

·         Objective: To select candidates for various civil services in a fair, transparent, and merit-based manner.

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2. Types of Exams Conducted by UPSC

UPSC conducts a wide range of exams, broadly categorized as:

A. Civil Services Examination (CSE)

·         For recruitment to IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.

·         Conducted in three stages:

1.      Preliminary Exam (Objective, 2 papers)

2.      Main Exam (Descriptive, 9 papers)

3.      Interview/Personality Test

Posts Provided:

·         IAS – Indian Administrative Service

·         IPS – Indian Police Service

·         IFS – Indian Foreign Service

·         Other central services like IRS, IRTS, IDAS, etc.

Tricks for Exam:

·         Read current affairs daily from newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express.

·         Use standard books like Laxmikanth for polity, Ramesh Singh for economics.

·         Make concise notes for revision.

·         Solve previous years’ question papers.

·         Time management during prelims and mains is crucial.

Sample Questions (CSE Prelims):

1.      Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Parliament
d) Supreme Court
Answer: a) President

2.      Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Fundamental Duties?
a) 32
b) 51A
c) 370
d) 21
Answer: b) 51A

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B. Engineering Services Examination (ESE / IES)

·         For recruitment of engineers in various government departments.

·         Streams: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication.

·         Stages: Prelims → Mains → Interview

Posts Provided:

·         Executive Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer in Railways, CPWD, Defence, and other departments.

Tricks for Exam:

·         Thorough understanding of technical syllabus.

·         Practice problem-solving regularly.

·         Previous year papers are key for preparation.

Sample Question (ESE – Civil):

·         The most suitable cement for construction in coastal areas is:
a) Ordinary Portland Cement
b) Rapid Hardening Cement
c) Sulphate Resisting Cement
d) White Cement
Answer: c) Sulphate Resisting Cement

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C. Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam

·         For recruitment into Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Naval Academy (INA), Officers Training Academy (OTA).

·         Eligibility: Graduate (Age 19-24 for IMA, 19-23 for OTA)

Tricks for Exam:

·         Focus on English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Maths.

·         Physical fitness is mandatory.

·         Regular practice of previous CDS papers.

Sample Question (CDS):

·         Who among the following was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army?
a) General K.M. Cariappa
b) General Rajendrasinhji
c) General N.C. Rawlley
d) Field Marshal Manekshaw
Answer: a) General K.M. Cariappa

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D. National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam

·         For 10+2 candidates to join Army, Navy, and Air Force.

·         Eligibility: 10+2 passed, age 16.5–19.5 years

Tricks for Exam:

·         Focus on Maths and General Ability Test (GAT).

·         Physical fitness and SSB interview preparation is crucial.

Sample Question (NDA – Maths):

·         If 5x + 7 = 2x + 19, then x = ?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 5
Answer: a) 4

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E. Other UPSC Exams

1.      Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam – For forest management officers.

2.      Civil Services (Other Posts) – Central Secretariat Service, Indian Revenue Service, etc.

3.      Specialized Exams:

o    Combined Geo-Scientist Exam

o    Economic Services Exam

o    Law Services Exam

Tricks for these exams:

·         Focus on subject specialization (geology, law, economics).

·         Solve previous year question papers.

·         Stay updated with policies, rules, and government schemes.

Sample Question (IFS – Forestry):

·         Which of the following trees is a nitrogen-fixing tree?
a) Teak
b) Acacia
c) Sal
d) Bamboo
Answer: b) Acacia

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3. General Tricks for UPSC Exams

1.      Plan a Study Schedule: Allocate time for Prelims, Mains, and optional subjects.

2.      Make Notes: Use short, concise notes for revision.

3.      Practice Previous Papers: Especially important for Prelims and Mains.

4.      Time Management: Solve mock tests within stipulated time.

5.      Revision: Regularly revise static syllabus like History, Geography, Polity.

6.      Current Affairs: Read daily news and make monthly compilations.

7.      Answer Writing Practice: For mains, practice writing 150–250 word answers.

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Summary Table of UPSC Exams

Exam	Eligibility	Stage	Key Posts	Tips
CSE	Graduate	Prelims → Mains → Interview	IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS	Current affairs, standard books, answer writing
ESE/IES	Engineering degree	Prelims → Mains → Interview	Executive Engineer, AE	Technical practice, previous papers
CDS	Graduate	Written + SSB	Army, Navy, Air Force	English, GK, Maths, physical fitness
NDA	10+2	Written + SSB	IMA, INA, AFA, OTA	Maths, GAT, fitness, SSB prep
IFS	Graduate	Prelims → Mains → Interview	Forest Officers	Forestry, environment, ecology