Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Civil Services Exam 2019 (CSE 2019). UPSC will be the first to apply the 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) to recruit candidates through Civil Services Exam 2019. Civil services aspirants can check UPSC CSE/IAS Examination syllabus, pattern and tips to prepare better for Civil Services Exam 2019.
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission also known as UPSC examination. These exams are for recruitments in various Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and others.
UPSC Civil Services Exam 2019
It consists of 3 phases which are stated following
- Preliminary Exam (objective)
- Main Exam (written)
- Interview (personality test).
The first phase is to analyse the reasoning and analytical skills of a candidate. The score in prelims is not added in the final merit but the candidate must qualify the test to appear in MAINS.
The second phase that is MAINS is the most crucial part of the selection. This phase is to analyse the presence of mind of the candidate as well as its ability to understand a subject and answering each question with intellect.
The final Phase that is personality test carrying 275 marks is conducted only after the candidate qualify Mains. This test is nothing but a personal interview (PI) round to check the candidate’s spontaneity to the situation, reasoning ability and moral integrity. In this phase, the candidate is not only expected to be academically intelligent but smart enough to deal real life situation with calm, composure and take a decision with moral integrity.
This year the dates are as follows
IAS 2019 Prelims Exam – June 2, 2019
IAS 2019 Mains Exam – September 20, 2019
READ Too: How To Prepare And Success IAS Exam Without Coaching?
1.Prelims Exam – UPSC IAS Exam 1st Phase
No. of papers: 2
Total marks: 400 (200 each paper)
Total Time Duration: 2 hours each
Question Type : Objective
Marking: There will be negative marking for wrong answers by a candidate in the objective type question papers
Civil Services 2019 Prelims Exam Pattern
Preliminary Stage of IAS has two objective-type papers viz.
- General Ability Test (GAT), and
- Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT).
Civil Services Exam 2019 Prelims Syllabus
A candidate must clear the preliminary exam i.e first stage to qualify for the mains exam.
IAS exam Syllabus For Prelims Paper I
The paper I of IAS Prelims includes different topics which hold a weightage of 200 marks. Marks obtained in Paper 1 i.e General Ability Test will be counted for the final merit list.
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Constitution, Political System, Indian Polity and Governance, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, and Rights Issues
- Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives and General issues on Environmental ecology
- Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- General Science and Biodiversity and Climate Change: that do not require subject specialization.
IAS Exam Pattern for Paper 2 (English Language and Aptitude)
- Marks obtained in paper 2 won’t be counted in merit rank but 33% marks are must to qualify for Mains.
- Comprehension
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy of Class X level – numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.
- Data Interpretation (DI) – graphs, charts, tables, data sufficiency etc.
READ ALSO: UPSC Examination Calendar 2018-19, UPSC Exam Schedule
IAS Syllabus for Mains
| Paper | UPSC Exam Pattern | Marks | Remarks |
| Paper A | Indian Language | 250 | Qualify exams |
| Paper B | English Language | 250 | |
| Paper 1 | Essay writing | 250 | Counted in merit |
| Paper 2 | General Studies I: History and Geography of the World and Society, Indian Heritage and Culture, | 250 | |
| Paper 3 | General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations | 250 | |
| Paper 4 | General Studies III: Technology, Bio‐diversity, Economic Development, Environment, Security and Disaster Management | 250 | |
| Paper 5 | General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude | 250 | |
| Paper 6 | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 | |
| Paper 7 | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 |
IAS Personality Test
Those who qualify in previous exams will be eligible in the Personality test round. This interview round is to test a candidate’s mental caliber, mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, a balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for leadership and social cohesion, intellectual and moral integrity. and his personal suitability.
This phase consists of 275 marks. A candidate securing 60% and above will most likely get a service of his choice but 55% is must, to qualify this round
ALSO READ: Engineering Graduates Dominate UPSC Civil Services Exam
Tips for Civil Services Examination Preparation
- The first thought that should be in a candidate’s mind is that each attempt is important and they should make each attempt count! It’s really necessary to aim the best score in the first attempt only.
- Coaching classes are not really suggested because the same strategies are being taught to several students so its better join such classes for some particular topics only and not waste money and time on trending coachings.
- Collecting all study material/books is necessary. Try selecting books topics wise instead of subject wise, this would be more smart and less time consuming
- Mock tests should be taken so as to know where you stand.
- Follow a strict Schedule, the schedule must be divided subject wise.
- Must include revisions in your schedule.
- Develop reading and writing skills, a candidate must be spontaneous during writing the answers and not spontaneous but also innovative, sensible and moral with the answers.
- The syllabus may seem vast but it would be easy if it’s divided into modules. Try making sections before actually starting the preparation.
- For other sections like current affairs and general knowledge, and improve reading and writing, reading newspaper and magazines should be preferred.
- For IAS MAINS solve as many test series as you can as they would be more beneficial than any book.
- Don’t lose hope and composure, you will do it eventually.
All the best to UPSC Civil Services Aspirants..!!
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