Course Finder
Blog
Login

UPSC 2020 for IAS Exam [Prelims & Mains] – Pattern, Subjects

Written by  Vishesh Chogtu

Published on Mon, February 24, 2020 2:40 PM   Updated on Wed, August 26, 2020 8:18 PM   8 mins read

UPSC Exam Pattern (2020) for IAS Exam – And …

Source: Let’s Crack UPSC CSE

The UPSC exam pattern is known as one of the toughest and hard exams in India as compare to any other government service exam. The IAS officer is the highest post of UPSC. The UPSC exam pattern is very complex and hard. The UPSC exam pattern will be done in 3 stages – 2 preliminary examinations (Type 1 and Type 2) and the main examination.

The word UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC exam is the civil services examination which is conducting every year. This will give recruitment directly to the Government of India at a very high position. The UPSC exam is commonly known as the IAS exam. The Indian Administrative Services is the best career option for anyone who has the capability and strength for working in the Government of India.


Check Out: UPSC Syllabus Mains Exam for IAS 2020


UPSC

The UPSC is Union Public Service Commission. It is the competitive exam for the recruitment in Government of India. There are various civil services that come under UPSC like IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IFS (Indian Forest Service), and IPS (Indian Police Service). The UPSC was stared in 1922. The UPSC exam conducts every year in India.

UPSC Exam

The UPSC exam is also known as the IAS exam. The UPSC exam conducts every year in India for giving recruitment to the people in Civil services under the Government of India. The UPSC exam form will be available on the official website of UPSC for applicants.

In 2020, UPSC releases 796 vacancies which are less as compared to the previous year. The UPSC exam is very hard and the toughest exam of India as compared to any other government recruitment exam. The UPSC exam recruits anyone at the highest position in the Government of India Department of Civil Services. Click here to check the exam calendar.


Read More: RRB Exam


UPSC Preliminary Examinations

The Preliminary examination is the first stage and basic UPSC exam. It is also known as CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test). The preliminary examination is the basic exam which is for the screening of the applicants.

The preliminary UPSC exam consists of 2 papers that are Paper I and Paper-II. Both the paper will be held on the same day. The preliminary exam scores will not be counted in the final merit list. The Paper I is of General studies 1 and Paper II is of General Studies 2.


Read More: UPSEE EXAM


UPSC Mains Examination

The main examination is the second stage of the UPSC exam. The mains UPSC examination consists of 9 papers. The 9 papers will be held within 5-7 days. The main examination is of 3 hours’ duration.

Qualifying the main examination will take the candidate to the 3rd and final stage that is the interview round. The main examination tests the academic talent of the candidate. The syllabus of 9 papers in main examinations different from each other.


Check Out: Competitive Exam – The Complete Guide


UPSC Interview

The UPSC exam interview is the last and final stage of the UPSC exam. After qualifying the main examination, the candidate is eligible for the interview round of the UPSC exam. The interview process is of 30 minutes.

The UPSC interview is conducting for checking the ability of the candidate that is he/she is suitable for the career in civil services or not. The all the 3 stages total marks are 2025 out of which 275 marks are of interview round. The interview round is to check the personality of the candidate.  


Check Out: IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection)


UPSC Exam Pattern

The UPSC exam pattern is divided into 3 stages:

  1. Preliminary examination
  2. Main examination
  3. Personality Test

UPSC Exam Pattern For Prelims (2020)

The exam date is released by UPSC for prelims examination which is 31st May 2020. The Preliminary exam stage includes 2 papers. Both the papers conduct in one day.

If the applicant can clear the prelims examination, then he/she will qualify for giving the main examination. The Preliminary examination score will not be counted in the final merit list.

  • There will be negative marking for every wrong question in the paper. 
  • The duration of every paper is 2 hours. 
  • The paper will be objective type
PAPERNO. OF QUESTIONS MARKS
General studies I100200
General studies II
(CSAT)
80200

Check Out: Indian Banking Careers


UPSC Exam Pattern for Mains (2020)

  1. The main stage of the UPSC exam is conducted in 9 papers.
  2. The main examination conducts up to 5-7 days.
  3. The students need to score good marks in General studies I and 33% marks in General studies II in the prelims examination.
  4. The duration of every paper is 3 hours. 
PAPERSUBJECTTOTAL MARKS
Paper AOne Indian language300
Paper BEnglish300
Paper IEssay250
Paper IIGeneral studies I250
Paper IIIGeneral Studies II250
Paper IVGeneral studies III250
Paper VGeneral Studies IV250
Paper VIOptional subject I250
Paper VIIOptional subject II250

Read More: IES Exam


Subjects in UPSC Exam

The subjects in the UPSC exam is different for prelims and main examination. There are 2 papers in the prelims UPSC exam. 

Subjects for Paper I in Prelims exam

  1. Current events of national and international importance
  2. Indian and world geography
  3. History of India and Indian National Movement
  4. Indian Polity and Governance
  5. Economic and Social development, sustainable development, poverty, inclusions, etc.
  6. General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climatic change
  7. General science

Subjects for Paper II in Prelims exam

  1. Comprehensions
  2. Interpersonal skills
  3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  4. Decision-making and problem-solving
  5. General mental ability
  6. Basic numerical
  7. Data interpretation

Subjects for the Mains exam (All 9 papers)

  1. Paper A: One Indian language 
  2. Paper B: English language
  3. Paper I: Essay writing (English comprehensive, writing skills, etc.)
  4. Paper-II: General Studies I (Indian culture; Modern Indian History; Post-independence topics and world history; Indian society, diversity of India; Role of women).
  5. Paper III: General Studies II (Indian constitution; Functions and responsibilities of various aspects of India; Indian constitutional scheme; Parliament and state legislature; Parliament and state legislatures; Representation of People’s act; Welfare scheme/NGO role; Social sectors).
  6. Paper IV: General Studies III (Technology; Economic development; Bio-diversity; Environment; Security and disaster management).
  7. Paper V: General Studies IV (Ethics; Integrity and Aptitude).
  8. Paper VI and Paper VII: Optional subjects

Read More: CDS Exam


IAS Exam Pattern for UPSC Prelims

The IAS exam pattern for prelims examination 2020 will be held on 31st May 2020.

  1. The duration of the exam is of 2 hours.
  2. The exam will consist of 2 papers which will be held on the same day.
  3. The question paper will be objective type.
  4. For every wrong answer, there will be negative marking. 
PAPERNO. OF QUESTIONS MARKS
General studies I100200
General studies II
(CSAT)
80200

IAS Exam Pattern for UPSC Mains

The IAS exam pattern for main examination 2020 will be held after the prelims UPSC exam.

  1. The duration of the UPSC main exam is 3 hours.
  2. There are 9 papers that will be held within 5-7 days.
  3. The candidate needs to pass both the papers of the prelims examination. 
PAPERSUBJECTTOTAL MARKS
Paper AOne Indian language300
Paper BEnglish300
Paper IEssay250
Paper IIGeneral studies I250
Paper IIIGeneral Studies II250
Paper IVGeneral studies III250
Paper VGeneral Studies IV250
Paper VIOptional subject I250
Paper VIIOptional subject II250

Read More: RPF Exam


UPSE Exam optional subjects

Paper 6 and Paper 7 of the UPSE mains examination consist of optional subjects.
There is a list of optional subjects in UPSC exam which is as follows:

  1. History
  2. Geography
  3. Public administration
  4. Sociology
  5. Philosophy + Psychology + Political science + Economics
  6. Other science/art subjects
  7. All other literature subjects

FAQ

How many exams are there in UPSC?

Ans. Here is the list of exams in UPSC:
1. Civil Services Examination
2. Engineering Services Examination(IES)
3. Combined Defence Services Examination(CDSE)
4. National Defence Academy Examination(NDA)
5. Naval Academy Examination
6. Combined Medical Services Examination
7. Special Class Railway Apprentice(SCRA)
8. Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination
9. Geologists’ Examination(GE)
10. Central Armed Police Forces(AC)

Is UPSC exam tough?

Ans.Under the UPSC exam, Civil Services is considered to be the most prestigious and the toughest exam in the world. According to the statistically 4-5 lakh aspirants do feel that it’s tough, however, the reality is that non of serious aspirants feel its tough and whose number is in thousands.

Which is the highest post in UPSC?

Ans. The highest post in UPSE is Chief Secretary. At the top hierarchy of IAS is Cabinet Secretary in the union government. With a rank of 90 you can get in IAS.

How many hours study for UPSC?

Ans. UPSE exam is one of the toughest exams in the country. So a minimum of 15 hours per day is a must for the preparation of the IAS exam.

Can we clear UPSC without coaching?

Ans. Yes, it is possible that without coaching you can clear the UPSE exam. You can clear UPSC CSE without any classroom coaching. ClearIAS website and ClearIAS mobile app are started just to help the bright minds in India do self-study and crack this exam.

About the Author & Expert

Avatar

Vishesh Chogtu

Author • 

Related Posts

Comments (0)