UPSC Full Form, Exam Pattern, Overview and Latest News

UPSC Full Form
UPSC Full Form

What is the full form of UPSC?

  The full form of UPSC is the Union Public Service Commission.

What is UPSC?

UPSC is India’s top level central agency which conduct exams  like Civil Services Exam (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IAS, IPS, IFS etc. They recruit candidates to both civil services as well as defense services. UPSC usually recruit only for Group-A and Group-B vacancies.

There are 3 methods of recruitment, namely, direct recruitment, recruitment by promotion and recruitment by transfer and permanent absorption. Direct recruitment could be either by selection or through competitive examination.  Recruitment by selection is made either by interview or by an objective type written and/or practical skill test followed by an interview.

Why is the UPSC conducting the toughest Exam in India?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India and globally due to its extensive syllabus, subjective evaluation, unpredictable question patterns, high competition, and the need for a deep understanding of diverse subjects, including current affairs.

Factors that make the exam most toughest given below;

  • Low passing percentage .
  • Vastness of UPSC syllabus.
  • Due to its exam pattern which is very challenging.
  • Negative marking present in the exam.
  • High qualifying marks are required in the UPSC stages.

 To become an IAS Officer you really have to work hard and stick to your dreams, without a right approach it won’t be possible to crack.

Examination conducted by UPSC

Some of the important examinations conducted by UPSC (Union public service commission) To understand the UPSC concept, the candidate needs to know the list of the examinations conducted by the UPSC. Here they can check the complete list – 

1. Civil Services Examination (CSE)
2. Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE)
3. Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
4. Indian Economic Service Examination (IES)
5. Indian Statistical Service Examination (ISS)
6. Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)
7. Naval Academy Examination (NA)
8. Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination (CGG)
9. Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF)

Exams conducted by UPSC into Defence services

1. Combined Defense Services Examination (CDS)
2. National Defense Academy Examination (NDA)

Let’s discuss in detail about the examinations one by one, so that we can get clear information regarding UPSC exams.

Most Important UPSC Examinations

  • Civil Service Examination- 

The Civil service examination is also known as IAS ,It is a national competitive examination in India conducted by the union public service commission forr recruitment to higher Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Police Service.

Meanwhile, aspirants can check the Civil services examination 2024 overview in the table below:

Name of examinationUPSC CSE
Conducting bodyUPSC
Mode of examoffline
Number of times conducted per year1 (one)
Age limit21 – 32 years (upper age relaxation for reserved candidates)
Exam levelModerate to Tough
Pattern of examinationPrelims (MCQs), Mains (Descriptive papers) and interview
IAS Prelims 2024Sunday – 26th May 2024 (Prelims 2023 was on 28th May 2023)
IAS Mains 2024 20th September 2024 onwards (exams for five days)
  • Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE)

The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) is one of the three All India Services of the Union Government, the other two being the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

  Meanwhile, aspirants can check the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE) 2024 overview in the table below:

Name of examinationUPSC Indian Forest Service examination
Organised byUnion Public Service Commission
Exam levelnational
Age limit21 years – 32 years
Exam modeoffline
Exam patternPrelimsMainsPersonality test
Educational QualificationGraduation
  • Engineering Services Examination (ESE)

The Engineering Services Examination, is known as ESE, is conducted annually by UPSC (Union public service commission) to recruit engineers in four domains, namely Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunications for technical managerial posts

  Meanwhile, aspirants can check the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2024 an overview of examination in the table below:

Name of examinationEngineering Services Examination (ESE) 2024
Organised byUnion Public Service Commission
Exam levelNational
Age limit21 to 30 years.
Exam modeOffline(pen-paper mode)
Exam patternPreliminary, Mains & Interview 
Educational QualificationEngineering Degree in the relevant branch/stream.
UPSC ESE Official Website..www.upsc.gov.in.
  • Indian Economic Service Examination (IES)

The Indian Economic Service Examination (IES) along with the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) is conducted annually by UPSC.

 Meanwhile, aspirants can check the   Indian Economic Service Examination (IES), an overview of examination in the table below:

Name of examinationIndian Economic Service (IES)/ Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
Conducted byUnion public service commission
Number of attempts6
Exam modeoffline(pen or paper mode)
Test centres16
Official websitewww.upsc.gov.in 
  • Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)

The Combined Medical Services Examination or the CMS Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment as Medical Officer.

Meanwhile, aspirants can check the  Combined medical services examination (cms),an overview of examination in the table below,

Name of examinationCombined Medical Services Examination (CMS)
Conducting bodyUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam levelNational
Exam pattern Written – Paper I and Paper IIPersonality/Interview Test
Mode of examonline(CBT)
Purpose of examTo recruit medical officers to post atdifferent levels in two categories
  • Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF)

Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Exam was another exam conducted by UPSC, CAPF full form is a central armed police force .

 Meanwhile, aspirants can check the Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF) ,an overview of examination in the table below

Name of ExaminationCentral Armed Police Forces 
Conducting bodyUnion public service commission
Exam levelNational
Exam pattern3 Stages (Written + PFT + Interview)
Mode of examOnline CBT
Official websitehttps://upsc.gov.in
  • Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)

The Combined Defense Services Examination is conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy.

Meanwhile, aspirants can check the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)  ,an overview of examination in the table below,

Name of examinationCombined defence service Exam
Conducting bodyUnion public service commission
Mode of examOffline(pen-paper mode)
Level of examNational 
Type of questionObjective type
Age limit19-24 years
Official websitehttps://upsc.gov.in/
  • National Defence Academy Examination (NDA)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the conducting body of the National Defence Academy Exam . The exam pattern  is  designed to join the best candidates to serve as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. 

This exam is conducted in two stages in a year.

    Meanwhile, aspirants can check the National Defence Academy Examination (NDA) ,an overview of examination in the table below,

Name of examinationNational defence academy 
Conducting bodyUnion public service commission
Level of examNational
Mode of examOffline(Pen and paper based)
Exam patternWritten and Interview
Age limit16.5 – 19.5 years
Official websitehttps://nda.nic.in/

Conclusion

UPSC is the Union public service commission ,which provides the Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ Level of examination for civil services officers . Day by day the level of examination conducted by UPSC is getting tougher and the aspirants are super excited to learn and achieve their goal.

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