Get the complete selection process for UPSC IAS 2023. Know more details about the preliminary and mains exams, personality test, and final selection procedure to become a civil servant.
The UPSC IAS selection process is the gateway to a prestigious career as an Indian civil servant. Whether you have a background in public policy, management, or law, this selection process is the perfect opportunity to get into civil services.
Furthermore, understanding the selection process of IAS exam, its stages, and the criteria for admission is essential to ensure maximum success. This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the UPSC IAS selection process 2023.
Table of Contents
- Eligibility Requirements for UPSC IAS Selection Process 2023
- IAS Selection Process 2023 - Overview
- Medical Examination after Personality Test
- List of Colleges Conducting the Medical Examination
- UPSC IAS Exam Dates 2023
- Strategies and Tips to Prepare for UPSC IAS Selection Process
- How to Register and Apply for UPSC IAS?
- How to Overcome Challenges Faced During the Selection Process?
Eligibility Requirements for UPSC IAS Selection Process 2023
Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria to be eligible for the UPSC IAS selection process 2023. Here are some important criteria:
- Firstly, applicants must be at least 21 years old and no more than 32 years old on the first of August in the year of the exam.
- Candidates must also possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or institute in India.
- Additionally, applicants must ensure they have completed their application process and submitted them to the UPSC before the stipulated deadline.
- Furthermore, applicants must be Indian citizens and have no criminal record.
- Nonetheless, applicants must be physically fit and not have any medical conditions preventing them from performing their duties as an IAS officer.
- Lastly, applicants must be of good moral character and must not have any pending disciplinary action against them.
IAS Selection Process 2023 - Overview
The UPSC IAS selection process 2023 comprises three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Personality Test. Candidates must qualify for all the stages of the examination to get selected for the examination.
- The Preliminary Exam is a two-hour objective-type paper consisting of the General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
- The Main Exam consists of nine papers, seven descriptive papers, and two qualifying papers.
- Finally, after clearing both the Preliminary and Main Exams, candidates must appear for the Personality Test, an interview conducted by a panel of experts.
- The Personality Test is the final stage of the IAS selection process and is conducted to assess the candidate's suitability for a career in the Indian Administrative Service.
- Further, the interview panel evaluates the candidate's mental alertness, clarity of expression, knowledge of current affairs, and general awareness.
- The interview also assesses the candidate's ability to think logically and handle complex situations. The interview panel also looks for qualities such as leadership, integrity, and moral courage in the candidate.
| IAS Exam Pattern | IAS Syllabus | IAS Cutoff |
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
The Preliminary Exam is the first step in the IAS exam selection process. Candidates who qualify for the Preliminary Exam are eligible to appear for the Main Exam, which is the second step in the selection process. The Preliminary Exam for UPSC IAS consists of two papers – General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). The detailed discussion of the same is as follows:
- GS consists of multiple-choice questions on topics such as current affairs, Indian history, economics, geography, and polity.
- CSAT is an aptitude test, which evaluates a candidate’s logical reasoning skills, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, reading comprehension and communication skills. Both papers are compulsory and have a total duration of two hours each.
| Subjects | Total Questions | Total Marks |
| General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 |
| Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 80 | 200 |
Stage 2: Mains Exam
The Main Exam for UPSC IAS consists of nine papers – seven descriptive papers and two qualifying papers. The subjects for UPSC IAS Mains are as follows:
- The descriptive papers are Indian Language, English Language and Literature, Essay Paper, General Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography), General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations), General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Bio-diversity, Security and Disaster Management), General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude).
- Additionally, candidates must clear two qualifying papers – one in Indian Language and one in English Language.
- The Main Exam for UPSC IAS is conducted over five days.
- The total marks for the Main Exam are 1750. Candidates must secure a minimum of 33% marks in each paper to qualify for the next stage of the selection process.
| Subjects | Marks | Total Marks |
| Essay | 250 | 1750 |
| General Studies I ((Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography) | 250 | |
| General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 | |
| General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Bio-diversity, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 | |
| General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | 250 | |
| Optional Subject-I | 250 | |
| Optional Subject-II | 250 |
Stage 3: Personality Test
The Personality Test or Interview will be the third stage of the process for IAS selection 2023. The interview will be conducted by an expert panel of civil service personnel who will evaluate the candidate’s personality traits, qualities, knowledge and communication skills.
- During the interview, the panel will ask questions about the candidate’s educational background, professional experiences, career aspirations, and general knowledge.
- The interview panel is also likely to ask questions related to current affairs. It is designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for the post.
- Further, the panel will assess the candidate’s ability to think on their feet, problem-solving skills, and handle pressure.
The interview is the last chance for the candidate to make a good impression and demonstrate their suitability for the post.
| UPSC IAS Books | UPSC IAS Previous Years Question Papers | UPSC IAS Result |
Medical Examination after Personality Test
The candidates who qualify for the IAS personality tests are called for the medical examination by a special purpose board constituted for the said purpose. Only the designated hospitals in New Delhi conduct the medical examination. To access the medical certificate, candidates must log into the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) website.
If candidates are unsatisfied with their results, they can raise an issue within a week of the result publication.
List of Hospitals Conducting the Medical Examination
Only certain hospitals are entrusted with carrying out the medical tests for the shortlisted candidates. The list of hospitals that conduct the tests is as follows:
- Safdarjung Hospital
- Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
- Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital
- Succheta Kriplani Hospital
- Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
- BR Ambedkar Hospital
- Guru Nanak Eye Centre
- AIIMS, New Delhi
UPSC IAS Exam Dates 2023
The authorities have released the IAS exam dates for the 2023 session. Students preparing for the UPSC IAS selection process must keep note of all the important dates provided below.
| Dates | Events |
| Release of UPSC IAS exam 2023 notification | February 1, 2023 |
| UPSC application form date 2023 | February 1, 2023 |
| Last date to submit UPSC 2023 application form | February 21, 2023 |
| UPSC IAS Prelims Exam | May 28, 2023 |
| UPSC IAS Mains exam | September 15, 2023 |
Strategies and Tips to Prepare for UPSC IAS Selection Process
To ensure success in all stages of the UPSC IAS selection process 2023, aspiring candidates must develop a comprehensive preparation strategy that includes comprehensive preparation for each stage.
- For the Preliminary Exam, candidates should focus on understanding the syllabus and exam pattern in detail and practice mock tests to improve their speed and accuracy.
- For the Main Exam and Personality Test, candidates must focus on reading extensively on topics related to their syllabus as well as current affairs.
- In addition to reading, candidates should also practice writing answers to sample questions to better understand the type of questions asked in the exam.
- Moreover, candidates should also practice time management techniques to ensure they can complete the exam within the allotted time.
- Finally, candidates should also practice mock interviews to understand better the type of questions asked in the Personality Test.
How to Register and Apply for UPSC IAS?
Registration and application fill-up are the initial steps to apply for the exam. To register and apply for UPSC IAS, aspiring candidates must follow the steps mentioned here:
- Candidates must visit the UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in
- Fill out the online application form.
- It is important to check that all the information provided in the application form is correct before submitting it.
- After successfully submitting the form, applicants must pay a fee of Rs. 100/- by credit/debit card or net banking.
Note: Female and SC/ST/ PH candidates are exempted from the fees.
Benefits and Rewards of Becoming an IAS Officer
Becoming an IAS officer has several benefits, including job security, job satisfaction, and attractive salary packages. IAS officers are respected members of society who are offered special privileges such as access to government housing, medical reimbursements, and other government perks.
Additionally, IAS officers can earn several awards, such as the Padma Shree Award, for their exemplary service.
How to Overcome Challenges Faced During the Selection Process?
The UPSC IAS selection process can be challenging due to its rigorous nature. Overall, understanding each stage of the IAS officer selection process 2023 is essential for success. Here are some added guidelines:
- It is essential that aspiring candidates adhere to their preparation strategy with discipline and dedication to succeed in each stage.
- Additionally, aspirants must remain up-to-date with current affairs to gain an edge over other candidates in the personality test.
- These points should help aspiring candidates have a better chance of successfully passing each stage of this prestigious exam.
Also Read: How to Become an IAS Officer
FAQ’s
1. When will the UPSC IAS notification 2023 be released?
The notification for UPSC IAS 2023 exam was released on February 1, 2023.
2. When will the prelims exam for UPSC IAS 2023 take place?
UPSC will conduct the IAS 2023 prelims exam on May 28, 2023.
3. When will UPSC announce the IAS 2023 prelims result?
UPSC generally declares the IAS prelims exam result after 40 days of the conduct of exam.
4. What are the age criteria to apply for UPSC IAS 2023?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age to be eligible to apply for the UPSC IAS exam 2023.
5. What details are required to download the admit card for UPSC IAS 2023?
Candidates will require their registration ID and date of birth in order to download the IAS 2023 admit card.
POST YOUR COMMENT