UPSC Exams

With their numerous perks and benefits, government jobs have never failed to amaze us. To handle the leading official positions in the Government of India, there is a dire need for brilliant young minds who can effectively and efficiently tackle contemporary issues. To ensure a structured selection procedure for these jobs, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on behalf of the Indian Government has curated varied national exams. These competitive exams are bifurcated into 3 competitive rounds including a personal interview as a final parameter for selection. Because of the demanding and impassable UPSC syllabus, it also grabs a notable mention in the toughest exams in the world. But with determined passion, this herculean task can be simplified. If you are gearing up to appear for any of these exams, keep reading this blog as we list down some of the major UPSC exams that you must consider.

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UPSC Exam Dates 2023

Important Dates	Schedule
Availability of UPSC Form	February 1, 2023
UPSC Application Deadline	February 21, 2023
UPSC Prelims Date	May 28, 2023
UPSC Mains	September 15, 2023

Civil Services Examination

This is one of the most prestigious UPSC exams through which candidates are recruited for leading government jobs. Depending upon the rank of the students, they are allocated under several branches of civil services such as IAS, IFS, IRS, and IPS. The basic eligibility for appearing under the civil services examination is a graduate degree in any specialization. The minimum age to appear in the exam is 21 years while the maximum is 30 years. General candidates have a maximum of 4 attempts, OBC 7 attempts and SC/ST has no limit.

Through the Civil Service Exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, 24 different posts for UPSC civil services are filled. Being one of the toughest public service exams, out of a lakh candidates only a few thousand clear the examination. Out of the 24, the most popular services include the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Revenue Services (IRS) and Indian Foreign Services (IFS). The seats are allotted depending on the rank secured by the candidates. Here’s a list of the different services under UPSC.

Must Read: How to Prepare for UPSC: Best Study Material & Tips

Types of Civil Services Exam

1. All India Services
   • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
   • Indian Police Service (IPS)
   • Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
2. Group A Civil Services
   • Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
   • Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
   • Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
   • Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
   • Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
   • Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
   • Indian Information Service (IIS)
   • Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
   • Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS)
   • Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
   • Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)
   • Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
   • Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
   • Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
   • Indian Trade Service (ITS)
   • Railway Protection Force (RPF)
3. Group B Civil Services
   • Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
   • DANICS
   • DANIPS
   • Pondicherry Civil Service
   • Pondicherry Police Service

Bonus: IFS Exam Syllabus  

Indian Information Service Exam

Indian Information Service Exam is a group A service exam and its primary function Includes managing the media wing of the government of India. This service comes under the wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Through this service, IIS strives to bridge the gap between the government and the public. Training will be provided to the cadres and it usually takes place at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). After the training, the officers are allotted to work under different departments such as  DD, PIB, AIR etc.

Also Read: Mass Communication Course – Media Courses, Universities

Indian Postal Service

IPS is also a Group A civil service. The candidates who are recruited under this service are recruited as the highest grade officers in the India Post. it is under the aegis of this service that the India Post is run effectively. Before being offered a posting, the candidates undergo comprehensive and rigorous training at  Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy (RAKNPA) located in Ghaziabad. This service facilitates the diverse services offered by India Post such as traditional postal services, banking, e-commerce services, disbursing old-age pensions, and MGNREGA wages to name a few.

Engineering Services Exam (IES)

UPSC also conducts the Engineering Services Exam to select worthy candidates for technical managerial roles under the government of India. The qualifying candidates are screened for the vacancies under a wide range of government departments that are spread across different engineering branches like Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering etc. The minimum educational qualification that you need is a Btech degree. For IES, the maximum number of attempts for the general category is 4, 7 attempts for OBC and there is no limit for SC/ST. Those who are planning to appear for this exam should be between 21-30 years of age. 

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Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service Examination

These two exams are organised for Group A job-level posts under the government departments which mainly include the executive branches. Candidates are appointed under the statistical posts of various ministries. To appear for the Indian Economics Services exam, a postgraduate degree in Economics or any specialised branch such as Business Economics is compulsory. For the candidates wanting to appear for Indian Statistical Services, they must have a graduate degree in Mathematical Statistics, Statistics, Applied Statistics etc.    

Also Read: MSc Statistics

Indian Forest Services Exam

Being a notable mention in top UPSC exams, IFoS recruits candidates for the top positions of the forest department where they will be serving independently of any district. To appear for this exam, candidates need to have a graduate degree in any of the fields like Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Physics, Botany, Chemistry etc. The age limit of the exam remains be same as that of the UPSC exams mentioned above. General candidates can appear 6 times, OBC can take this test 9 times and ST/SC have no limit. As a parameter of final selection, candidates will also have to undergo a medical examination. 

Planning to appear for this exam, read about the Indian Forest Services IFS Exam Pattern here.

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Exam

For candidates willing to enter the National Defence Academy or Indian Naval Academy this exam is their entry ticket. By qualifying for this exam, the candidates can also enter the Indian Defence Forces such as Air Force, Army, Navy etc. The age limit to appear in the exam is between 16 ½ to 19 ½. Students are open to making as many attempts as they want till they fall under the age limit. For the ones wanting to qualify for this exam, the minimum qualification is:

• Air Force and Navy: Schooling of 10+2 with Mathematics and Physics as core subjects 
• Army: General 10+2 schooling 

Check Out: NDA Exam

Combined Defence Services Exam

Amongst one of the most popular UPSC exams, the Combined Defence Services Exam is for those wanting to pursue officer-level posts in the Indian Air Force, Indian Army Indian Naval Academy, Military Academy etc. This exam is conducted twice a year in the months of February and November. It is necessary for candidates to be unmarried to appear in the exams. Educational qualification and age limits for this exam are:

• Air Force Academy– Graduate degree in Technology/Engineering and between 19-23 years (males only)
• Indian Military Academy– Bachelor’s degree and between 19-24 (only males) 
• Indian Naval Academy– Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Technology and between 19-22 (males only)
• Officers Training Academy– Any bachelor’s degree and between 19-25 (both males and females)  

Also Read: CDS Exam Pattern 

Special Class Railway Apprentices Exam

Amongst all the UPSC exams, the SCRA can be your gateway to entering the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical Engineering as a special class apprentice in an undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering. The essential educational requirement to take this examination is the schooling of 10+2 with Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics as core subjects. Candidates who have cleared the first year of graduation and pre-engineering can also appear for this test. The age limit for the SCRA is 17-21 years. 

UPSC Exams: Other Notable Mentions

Apart from the above-mentioned UPSC exams, here is a list of some other prominent ones you can appear for:

• Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners Examination
• General Armed Police Forces Exam
• Combined Medical Services Examination 
• Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination 

Note: The above-mentioned UPSC exams are for indicative purposes. Students are advised to check the complete eligibility criteria for the exams at the official website of UPSC.

FAQs

Hence, we hope that this blog has helped you understand the varied UPSC exams and the essential details you need to keep in mind while applying for the same. To read about other Indian exams, stay connected to Leverage Edu.