The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central government agency which has authority to conducting examinations for recruiting officers and staff into various central government services. It conducts the Civil Services Examination every year along with various other important examinations. The headquarter of the UPSC situated at Dholpur House in New Delhi, the UPSC is an autonomous body, functions through its own secretariat. The UPSC notify through complete examination list which is conducted every year with complete details like education qualification, age and number of attempts are given.
Table of Contents
1. Civil Services Examination (CSE)
Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a single exam through which the qualifying candidates are recruited into total 24 central government services including 3 all India services IAS, IFoS, and IPS and 16 no. of group ‘A’ Civil Services. And aslo 5 no. of group ‘B’ Civil Services according to aspirant’s rank.
Educational Qualification – Candidate must be a graduate from any recognized university in any discipline. Final year candidates of graduation can also apply.
Age – The aspirants should be at least 21 years in age and not more than 32 years for general category and Economically weaker section(EWS), 37 years for SC/ST.
3 years relaxation for OBC candidates and 5 years relaxation for SC/ST. candidates.
Number of Attempts –
For General – 6
For OBC – 9
For SC/ST – No limit or Until the age limit.
2. Indian Forest Services Exam (IFoS)
The Indian Forest Services Examination is conducted for the recruitment of officers to the Forest Services. IFoS Officers serve independent in the district administration and exercise administrative, judicial and financial powers in forest related issues. The selected aspirants hold all top positions in forest departments of the state and central government as well. IFS Services comes under various State cadres and central cadres. They have to serve both State and Central Governments. The main responsibilities of forest services is to maintain the balance between human and environment, manage environmental concerns, conservation both plants and animals.
Educational Qualification – Candidate should have passed the bachelor’s degree with any one subject – Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology or a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Forestry or Engineering of a recognized university or equivalent.
Age – The appearing candidate should be at least 21 years in age and not more than 32 years.
Maximum 3 years relaxation for OBC candidates and Defence services personal and 5 years relaxation for SC/ST.
Number of Attempts –
For General- 9
For SC/ST/ OBC and Physically handicapped – No limit.
3. Engineering Services Exam (IES)
To serve the technical and managerial functions of the Government of India, the UPSC conducts Engineering Services Exam. Selected candidates are recruited in various departments in different Engineering Services consisting of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering posts. An IES Officer functions in technical areas including defence, ordnance, water, railway, power, roads, etc. The examination is conducted in three phases and has two papers. Firstly it is the Preliminary examination followed by the main examination and then after clearing the main exam candidates are called for a Interview.
Educational Qualification – To appear in the Engineering Services Examination candidate should be an engineering graduate.
Age – The aspirant should be at least 21 years in age and not more than 30 years.
Maximum 3 years relaxation for OBC candidates and 5 years relaxation for SC/ST.
Number of Attempts –
No limit, the candidate can appear until they reach their upper age limit.
4. Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service Examination (IES/ISS)
The Indian Economic Service along with Indian Statistical Service was constituted as a Group – “A” service of the executive branch of the Government of India. All the statistical related posts of different ministries and department come under this service.
Educational Qualification – A candidate who wants to appear for the Indian Economic Service must have a Post-Graduate degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics from a recognised University.
A aspirant of Indian Statistical Service should possess a Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subjects or a Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics.
Medical Fitness – As per UPSC guidelines, a candidate must be medically fit for the service. The applicants who successfully clear the examination have to undergo Medical Examination Part-II (i.e. X-Ray examination of the Chest) by the Central Standing Medical Board. Only those candidates are appointed who are declared fit after the medical examinations.
Age – The appearing candidate should be at least 21 years in age and not more than 30 years.
Number of Attempts –
General Category- 6
5. Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners
UPSC conducts the examination for the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner almost every year. The duties of APFCs is to look after the work of Accounts, Recovery, Enforcement, Exemption, Administration, Cash, Legal, and Pension which include the statutory and administrative functions. The APFC powered by the Employees provident Funds Act, 1952. APFCs can also conduct inquiry work for the settlement of claims, general administration maintenance of Cash Book or Reconciliation of Bank Statements MIS returns and other departmental work.
Educational Qualification – Applicants must be possess a graduation degree from a recognised university.
Age – The applicants who is willing to appear for the UPSC APFC Examination must have not attained the age of 35 years.
Number of Attempts –
No limit, the candidate can attempt until they reach the upper age.
6. Special Class Railway Apprentices Exam (SCRA)
Special Class Railway Apprentices Exam (SCRA) is conducted by the UPSC for the recruitment of Special Class Apprentices to Indian Railways. This program was started in the year 1927.
The recruitment is held in two stages i.e. written examination and personal interview. Those who clear the interview after the written exam are recruited as SCRA to Indian Railways.
SCRA exam is one of the toughest exams in the country as each year there are only around 10 vacancies.
Educational Qualification – The aspirants should have passed the intermediate exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths from a recognized board.
The candidates who have passed the first year of graduation with second division are also eligible for this exam.
The candidates who have cleared the Pre-Engineering with at least second division can also appear for SCRA exam.
The selected candidates undergo a four year training programme in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jamalpur.
Age – Candidates should be from 17 years to 21 years in age.
Number of Attempts – There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
7. Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS)
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is a three stage exam consisting of written examination, personal interview followed by medical examination which is called SSB. The exam is conducted twice in year i.e. February and November. The candidates who qualify this national level examination are recruited as officers in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Naval Academy, Officers Training Academy. Only unmarried graduates are permitted to take the CDS examination.
Educational Qualification –
For Air Force Academy (AFA) – Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university or equivalent.
For Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university or equivalent.
For Indian Military Academy (IMA) – Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
For Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any subject or equivalent.
Age –
For Air Force Academy (AFA) – 19 to 23 years ( only Males)
For Indian Naval Academy (INA) – 19 to 22 years ( only Males)
For Indian Military Academy (IMA) – 19 to 24 years. ( only Males)
For Officers Training Academy (OTA) – 19 to 25 (both Males and Females are allowed)
Number of attempts – No limit
8. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Exam (NDA and NA)
NDA and NA examination is conducted twice a year by UPSC to entry into the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy. This examination inducts officers into the Indian Defence Forces i.e. the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The selected cadets of all three armed services are trained together in the academy before going with the pre-commissioning training. Admission in the academy are gained via written examination which is followed by an SSB interview. After both the tests, a medical test is also conducted to keep a check on the overall health and physical fitness of the candidate.
Educational Qualification –
For Army wing – The Aspirants have to passed Class 12th exam in the pattern of 10+2.
For Air Force and Navy – The Aspirant should have passed Class 12th exam in 10+2 pattern conducted by a recognised board or a university with Physics and Mathematics as the main subjects.
Age – The candidate should be from 16 and a half to 19 and a half while appearing for the exam.
Number of Attempts – No restriction
9. Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE)
Combined Medical Services Examination is conducted by the UPSC for recruiting medical graduates into the various Central Government Organizations and services such as Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Indian Railways, etc. The successful candidates functioning as Medical Officers under the Government of India. Usually, the notification for this exam are available in September and the examination is conducted in July every year. Candidates are selected on the basis of a written examination followed by an interview.
CMSE Services
The UPSC conducts Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) for recruitment of the following services
Category I: Junior Scale Posts in Central Health Services
Category II: Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways
Category II: General Duty Medical Officer in New Delhi Municipal Council
Category II: General Duty Medical Gr.-II in East Delhi Municipal Corporation, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation
Educational Qualification – The aspirants should have passed all the written and practical parts of MBBS Examination. The candidates who are appearing in the final year MBBS Examination can also apply. A candidate pursuing internship is eligible for appearing in the exam but the candidate will be appointed only when he/she has completed the compulsory rotating internship.
Age – A candidate appearing in CMSE must not have attained the age of 32 years. The upper limit is relaxable in certain cases.
Number of Attempts – There is no limit to the number of attempts.
10. Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination
UPSC conducts Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination for recruiting people into the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Water in the post of geologists, geophysicists and chemists. Candidates are also recruited for the post of hydrogeologist in the Central Ground Water Board.
PLAN OF EXAMINATION
The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination will consist of three successive stages
Stage-I : Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination (Objective type) having two papers for selection of the candidates for the Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination. Marks secured in the Preliminary Examination will be counted for deciding the final merit;
Stage-II : Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination (Descriptive Type) having three papers for selection of candidates for the Personality Test (Stage-III). Marks secured in the Main Examination will be counted for deciding the final merit; and
Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview
Educational Qualification –
The qualifications vary for different posts.
For Geoligists Grade ‘A’, the candidate should have a Master’s degree in Geological Science or Geology or Applied Geology or Geo exploration or Marine Geology.
For Geophysicists Grade A- The candidates should obtain M.Sc in either Physics or applied Physics or M.Sc ( Geophysics) or Integrated (M.Sc).
For Junior Hydrogeologists(Scientist B), Group A – Master’s degree in Geology or applied Geology or Marine Geology.
Age – Candidate must be between 21 to 32 years for Geologist, Geophysicist & Chemist posts and between 21 years to 32 years for Jr Hydrogeologist posts.
Number of Attempts- No limit.
11. Central Armed Police Forces Exam
The Union Public Service Commission conduct Central Armed Police Forces Exam for recruitment of Assistant Commandants (Group A) in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) viz. Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force(CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Educational Qualification – A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
Physical Standards – The candidate should match the physical standards as defined by the UPSC.
(Females cannot apply for BSF and ITBP).
Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.
Age Limits : (a) A candidate must have attained the age of 20 years and must not have attained the age of 25 years
(b) The upper age limit prescribed above will be relaxable.
(i) upto a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.
(ii) upto a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates.
(iii) upto a maximum of five years for Civilian Central Government Servants in accordance with the existing instructions of the Central Government. Ex-Servicemen will also be eligible for this relaxation.
However the total relaxation claimed on account of Government Service will be limited to five years.
Number of Attempts – There is no limit. A candidate may appear several times in the exam depending on his/her age.