IAS Selection Process 2025 - UPSC PDF Download

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for determining the IAS selection process, which is designed to assess candidates through various stages of examination, including objective and subjective tests, followed by a Personality Test.
Annually, the UPSC administers the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to recruit officers to the Indian civil services. Among all the selection examinations in India, the CSE, also known as the IAS exam, is regarded as one of the most challenging. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the UPSC CSE selection procedure.

UPSC Civil Services Selection Process

There are three stages of the UPSC CSE Selection Process:

• Prelims
• Mains
• Personality Test and Interview

The below shows the complete selection for the UPSC CSE exam:

UPSC Civil Services Selection Process

On February 1, 2023, the official IAS notification for 2023 will be released, which will provide information on the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and more. Below are the three stages of the IAS selection process, as outlined in the UPSC CSE 2023 notification:

• Preliminary Exam - This stage consists of an objective-type test.
• Main Exam - The second stage involves a descriptive-type test.
• Personality Test and Interview - The final stage includes a personality test and interview.

Stage 1: UPSC Prelims exam

The first stage of the IAS selection process is the Preliminary Exam, which consists of two objective-type papers, General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II. To move on to the next stage, you must score the minimum required marks for both papers.

• The minimum required score for General Studies Paper II (CSAT) is 33%.
• The minimum required score for General Studies Paper I is the cut-off set by the UPSC.
• For the CSAT paper, only the minimum required marks are necessary; the marks obtained are not considered for the mains rank list.

The UPSC typically announces the prelims results within two months of the exam. Candidates who have cleared the prelims and qualified to take the UPSC Mains exam, which is the second stage of the IAS exam, are included in a list released by the UPSC.

Stage 2: UPSC Mains Exam

To proceed to the next stage of the civil services exam, you must take nine papers, all of which are descriptive.

• The Examination consists of:-

Qualifying Papers:

• Paper I: An Indian language selected by the candidates
• Paper II: English

Papers Counted for Merit:

• Paper III: Essay
• Papers IV-VII: General Studies
• Papers VIII-IX: Optional Subjects
• Each paper has a different maximum score, ranging from 250 to 300 marks.
• To pass the mains exam, you need to achieve the required cut-off marks in total (the exact cut-off marks will be revealed after the entire UPSC CSE process is complete).
• When candidates apply for the mains exam, they have to indicate their preference of cadre and service.
• Based on vacancies and rank, candidates will be allocated a cadre and service after the final result.
• If you pass the mains exam and meet the cut-off requirements, you will be called for the UPSC Personality test, which is the final stage of the civil services exam.

Stage 3: UPSC Personality Test

• Candidates are evaluated on parameters such as personality, presence of mind, mental toughness, and ability to stay calm under pressure.
• There is no prescribed syllabus for this round, but candidates should be prepared on various aspects like current affairs, their subjects of interest, general awareness, and social issues.
• The final result of the UPSC exam is usually announced a few days after the final day of the personality test.

Also Read:- UPSC CSE Handbook- Syllabus, Exam Dates, Notification, Exam Pattern and More

UPSC IAS 2023 Exam pattern

To learn more about the UPSC exam pattern, read the article by EduRev “UPSC CSE 2023 Exam Pattern”.

Using EduRev Infinity to prepare for UPSC

By reading this article, you should now be aware of the stages involved in the UPSC selection process for IAS 2023. With this knowledge, it is time to start focusing on your preparation for the exam. One useful resource for UPSC preparation is EduRev, which offers a variety of study materials and resources, including previous years' question papers, mock tests, video lectures, and more. By incorporating EduRev into your study routine, you can increase your chances of success in the UPSC exam. Additionally, connecting with other UPSC aspirants can be a great way to discuss doubts and queries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on IAS selection process

When is the IAS notification 2023 going to be released?

The UPSC CSE 2023 notification has been released on February 1, 2023. Candidates who wish to apply for the IAS exam 2023 should check the official website of UPSC for detailed notification.

When will the IAS 2023 prelims exam be conducted?

The UPSC IAS 2023 prelims exam will be conducted tentatively on May 28, 2023. Candidates must check the UPSC website regularly for updates on the exam date and other related information.

When will UPSC IAS prelims result 2023 be announced?

The UPSC IAS 2023 prelims result will be announced 40 days from the date of the exam. Candidates can check their result on the official website of UPSC.

Do I need to appear in the UPSC IAS interview?

Yes, you need to appear for the UPSC IAS interview as it is a crucial phase of UPSC IAS selection process 2023. The final selection is based on the candidate's performance in the mains exam and interview.

When will merit list of UPSC be released?

The UPSC IAS merit list will be released after the announcement of the final result. Candidates who clear the IAS mains exam and interview will be considered for the final merit list.

What is the age limit to apply for IAS 2023?

As per the IAS eligibility criteria 2023, candidates between 21 to 32 years can apply for IAS exam 2023. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category candidates as per the government norms.

How will the IAS final result 2023 be released?

The final IAS 2023 result will be released in online mode by considering the UPSC CSE mains and interview marks. Candidates can check their result on the official website of UPSC.

What is the selection process of IAS 2023?

IAS selection process 2023 comprises prelims exam, mains exam and personal interview. Candidates who qualify the prelims exam will be eligible to appear for the mains exam, and those who clear the mains exam will be called for the personal interview.

What are the details required to download the UPSC admit card?

Candidates will be able to download IAS admit card 2023 using their registration ID and date of birth. The admit card contains important information such as exam date, time, and venue, and it is mandatory to carry it to the examination hall.