Introduction
The Civil Services Examination (CSE), conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India. It serves as the gateway to top government services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and many other central services.
Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for this examination with the dream of serving the nation, but only a few thousand succeed. The exam not only tests academic knowledge but also evaluates a candidate’s analytical skills, decision-making ability, personality, and leadership qualities.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – Objective type test to shortlist candidates.
- Main Examination (Mains) – Descriptive test to evaluate in-depth knowledge and writing ability.
- Interview (Personality Test) – Final stage to assess overall personality, attitude, and suitability for public service.
This examination is considered more than just a test of knowledge – it is a test of patience, consistency, and character.