The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in India. The exam is conducted in three stages: the Preliminary exam, the Main exam, and the Personality Test (Interview). Let us take a detailed look at the papers that are included in each stage of the examination.



The Preliminary Exam is the first stage of the UPSC examination. It is a qualifying exam and consists of two papers:

• Paper I: General Studies


• Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

Paper I includes topics such as current events, history, geography, politics, economics, general science, and environmental ecology. Paper II tests the candidate's aptitude in areas such as comprehension, reasoning, and analytical skills.



The Main Exam is the second stage of the UPSC examination. It consists of nine papers, out of which seven are compulsory and two are optional:

• Compulsory Papers:




• Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying)


• Paper B: English (Qualifying)


• Paper I: Essay


• Paper II: General Studies I


• Paper III: General Studies II


• Paper IV: General Studies III


• Paper V: General Studies IV




• Optional Papers:




• Paper VI: Optional Paper I


• Paper VII: Optional Paper II

The Indian Language and English papers are qualifying papers, and the marks obtained in them are not counted towards the final merit list.



The Personality Test, also known as the Interview, is the final stage of the UPSC examination. It is conducted to assess the candidate's personality, leadership qualities, and suitability for a career in civil services.

In conclusion, the UPSC examination consists of three stages – Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Personality Test. The Preliminary Exam comprises of two papers – General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test. The Main Exam consists of seven compulsory papers and two optional papers, while the Personality Test is conducted to assess the candidate's personality.