Jun 27, 2025
8
mins read
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE), a national-level exam for recruitment to various civil services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). It is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India Millions of aspirants compete each year, and UPSC’s official website provides complete information on the exam pattern, syllabus, notifications, and application process.
To understand the eligibility criterion for UPSC refer to this blog: UPSC Exam Eligibility
UPSC Civil Services Examination Application Process : Steps to Follow
Candidates must register and apply for the UPSC CSE through the official UPSC portal (upsconline.nic.in). The application process begins with One-Time Registration (OTR), where candidates enter basic details such as their name, email, and contact information. An OTP (One-Time Password) is used to verify the registration.
OTR System:
The OTR system securely saves your personal information for all future UPSC CSE applications, eliminating the need to re-enter data for each exam. This simplifies the process for subsequent exams.Completing the Application:
After registering, candidates must complete Part I and Part II of the online application fee form. This involves:Personal details
Educational qualifications
Choice of optional subject
Exam language preferences
During this process, applicants will also need to upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature as per the UPSC specifications. Ensure these documents meet the exact requirements outlined on the official site to ensure the registration process is complete.
Application Fee for UPSC CSE Exam:
When a candidate starts the application fee process they must pay the fee for the UPSC exam. As mentioned earlier, General, OBC, and EWS male candidates are required to pay ₹100 for the prelims, and ₹200 for the UPSC mains exam.
However, female candidates (of all categories) are exempt from the UPSC exam fee for females, along with SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Keep in mind that UPSC fees are non-refundable, so make sure you are fully eligible before making the payment.
Exam Center Preferences:
Candidates are advised to apply as early as possible since the UPSC exam center allocation is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis. This helps ensure that your application process is complete on time and you are assigned your preferred exam center.
Table of content
The UPSC CSE follows a three-stage structure:
Stage | Description | Marks | Details |
Prelims (Objective Stage) | The first stage consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies (GS) Paper I and CSAT Paper II. | 200 (each paper) | Paper I (GS): Tests subjects like Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Environment, Science & Tech, and Current Affairs. Paper II (CSAT): Tests comprehension, reasoning, and decision-making. It is qualifying in nature and requires 33% marks to pass. Negative marking of ⅓ for wrong answers. Only those who clear Prelims move to the next stage. |
Mains (Descriptive Stage) | A total of 9 papers, including Essay, General Studies, Optional subjects, and Language papers. It is entirely descriptive. | 1750 | Essay Paper: 250 marks. General Studies Papers I-IV: 250 marks each. Optional Papers I & II: 250 marks each. Qualifying Language Papers: 300 marks each. Only the marks from Essay, GS I–IV, and Optional I–II (total 1750 marks) are counted for ranking. The syllabus covers in-depth knowledge of various subjects. |
Personality Test (Interview) | A personal interview with a UPSC panel, assessing overall personality, current affairs knowledge, and suitability for civil services. | 275 | A board of five experts evaluates knowledge of current affairs, chosen subjects, analytical skills, social awareness, and personal suitability. The interview marks are combined with Mains marks to create the final merit list. |
Refer to this blog for comprehensive guide of UPSC: UPSC exam format
UPSC Civil Services Examination(CSE) Fee Structure
UPSC Prelims Exam Fee:
General/OBC/EWS Male Candidates: ₹100
Female Candidates (All Categories): Exempted
SC/ST/PwBD Candidates: Exempted
Mains Exam Fee:
General/OBC Male Candidates: ₹200
Female Candidates (All Categories): Exempted
SC/ST/PwBD Candidates: Exempted
Payment Methods
Online Payment:
Net Banking: Use the State Bank of India (SBI) portal.
Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, RuPay.
UPI: Unified Payments Interface for seamless transactions.
Offline Payment:
SBI Challan: Generate a pay-in-slip during online registration and deposit the fee in cash at any SBI branch after 24 hours.
Important Notes
UPSC Fees: Ensure timely payment to avoid application rejection.
Application Fee for UPSC Exam: Double-check eligibility before payment, as fees are non-refundable.
Strong preparation relies on high-quality resources. The official UPSC syllabus (available on upsc.gov.in) details all topics for Prelims and Mains. NCERT textbooks (classes 6–12) form the core foundation; they cover basic concepts in History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science, and are “a must-have” for aspirants.
In fact, many toppers recommend thoroughly studying NCERTs as the first step. Beyond NCERTs, candidates should read national dailies (for current affairs), standard reference books (e.g. Laxmikanth for Polity, Bipin Chandra for Modern India, etc.), and use yearly compilations of important topics. Test series and previous year question papers are invaluable for practice. Modern preparation often leverages a mix of self-study and expert guidance: for example, PadhAI’s Self-Study vs Coaching guide highlights that self-learners rely on “self-selected” materials like NCERTs, newspapers, and mock tests while coaching institutes provide structured resources.
In summary, gather key materials (NCERTs, reference books), stay disciplined with a study plan, and consider joining study groups or online platforms to stay motivated and clear doubts. You can also explore curated resources on the PadhAI blog, such as the NCERT Books list or Best Books for UPSC to supplement your preparation.
UPSC conducts exams in many cities across India. When filling the application, candidates choose preferred exam centers. Because centers are allotted on a “first-apply, first-allot” basis, it’s important to submit your application early if you have a specific city in mind. The exact centers for Prelims and Mains are announced in the official notification (typically dozens of cities).
The UPSC admit card (hall ticket) is released a week or two before each exam stage and can be downloaded from the UPSC website (upsconline.nic.in) using your registration number. The admit card will mention your exam date, time, and center.
Essential Items to Carry on UPSC CSE Exam Day
Mandatory Documents
Printed UPSC Admit Card: Ensure you have a printed copy of your UPSC admit card. Entry to the exam hall is strictly prohibited without it.
Valid Photo ID Proof: Carry an original government-issued photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License) that matches the details on your admit card.
Passport-Sized Photographs: Bring two recent passport-sized photographs, especially if your admit card photo is unclear or missing.
Black Ballpoint Pen: Only black ballpoint pens are allowed for filling the OMR sheets. Avoid using gel pens or pencils.
Reporting Time & Entry Guidelines
Arrival Time: Arrive at the exam center at least 60 minutes before the exam start time. Entry gates close promptly at 9:00 AM for the morning session and 2:00 PM for the afternoon session.
Entry Restrictions: Latecomers will not be permitted entry into the examination hall. Ensure you have all required documents ready for verification.
Prohibited Items
Electronic Devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, and any other electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited.
Bags and Personal Items: Do not carry bags, books, notes, or any study material into the exam hall. The exam center will not provide facilities to store personal belongings.
After each stage, UPSC publishes results on its official site. The preliminary exam result lists roll numbers of qualified candidates, who then register again for the mains. After the mains exam, UPSC announces the qualified list for the interview.
The final merit list (service-wise) is prepared after the personality test. The interview board’s focus, as noted by UPSC and educators, is on the candidate’s knowledge and aptitude; the panel of experts evaluates how well you understand your chosen subjects and current affairs, as well as your analytical skills and clarity of thought. Scoring well in the interview (out of 275 marks) is therefore crucial for your final ranking.
Q: What is the UPSC Prelims and Mains exam application fee for general category candidates?
A: The fee is ₹100 for the Civil Services preliminary exam (for general/EWS/OBC male candidates). If you clear Prelims and appear for Mains, an additional ₹200 is charged.
Q: Are women and reserved category candidates required to pay the UPSC exam fees?
A: No. All female candidates, along with SC/ST and PwBD candidates, are exempt from paying the UPSC application fees.
Q: How can I pay the UPSC CSE exam fees?
A: Payment can be done online (using SBI net banking or credit/debit cards) or offline. For offline payment, you can generate an SBI challan from the UPSC site and deposit cash in any SBI branch. Ensure payment is completed before the application deadline.
Q: Is the UPSC CSE application fee refundable?
A: No. All fees paid for the UPSC application are non-refundable, so double-check your eligibility and form details before payment.
Q: What documents do I need to bring to the exam centre?
A: You must carry the printed UPSC admit card and a valid photo ID proof (like Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID) to the exam hall. You may also need extra photographs and your original education certificates if specified in the notification.
