UPSC IAS Selection Process 2021 | Prelims, Mains, and Interview

UPSC IAS Selection Process is a long process that is done under the consideration of experts.  IAS is one of the most prestigious exams conducted in India. However, not everyone can pursue this examination as there are some eligibility criteria for any candidate who aims to give this exam.

UPSC issues notice which gives you a glimpse about the criteria. But now in this article, you will get to know about everything before giving your exam. This article will provide you all the information which is required for the UPSC IAS Selection Process in 2021. The article will provide you a clear idea about the stages of the exam. So now let’s start first from the process of UPSC IAS.

Must-Read UPSC IAS Selection Process 2021

UPSC IAS Selection Process takes almost three years. As there are three stages in the examination 

• Preliminary exam 
• Mains exam 
• Interview 

The candidates have to clear all three stages to getting selected as the IAS officer. This exam is conducted in three phases. As it will be a filtration process where each stage filters the candidates for the successive stage. 

The exam is conducted in this manner only. Those candidates who clear each stage will get a chance to give another stage exam. Also, it is mandatory for the candidate to appear in each paper of the IAS exam and qualify for all the papers. Now look over these three stages of exams in detail. Read the UPSC Exam calendar for more information.

Stage1: UPSC IAS Selection Process- Prelims Exam

IAS Preliminary is the first stage of the examination. Let’s look over the examination in detail.

1. In the Preliminary paper, there are two subjects that are compulsory for the candidates to opt for.
2. These two papers are Paper I General Studies and Paper II is of the Civil Services Aptitude Test.
3. This examination is conducted for two hours.
4. It will be 200 marks in total for each paper.
5. However, for the comfortability of the candidate, this exam paper is set in both Hindi and English language.
6. The candidates who are blind they will get 20 minutes extra in addition to 2 hours. For each paper.
7. Paper I which is of General Studies It consists of 100 Questions.
8. Paper-II which is of Civil Services Aptitude Test it consists of 80 questions.
9. The paper consists of Multiple Choice Questions.
10. However, there will be negative marking for every wrong answer. There will be a deduction of 1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question.
11. This is a pen and paper exam.

Stage 2: UPSC IAS Selection Process- Main Exam 2021

After clearing IAS Prelims Exam now Candidate becomes eligible for UPSC IAS Main Exam. Now look over this exam in detail:-.

• It consists of 9 papers out of which 2 are qualifying language papers and there is 2 optional papers.
• There will be a duration of 3 hours for examination.
• Total marks consist of a maximum of 1750 marks.
• In this paper total marks for each paper will be 250 marks while the language papers will be 300 marks.
• As in detail Essay, General Studies-I, General Studies-II, General Studies-III,. General Studies-IV, Optional Subject Paper -I, Optional Subject Paper-II will be of 250 marks.
• The type examination will be descriptive.
• This exam is also conducted in both Hindi and English language.
• This is also conducted in pen and paper mode.
• This book will help you for preparation

Stage 3: UPSC Selection Process – IAS Interview

This stage of the UPSC IAS Exam is also called a personality test. IAS Interview is one of the most important stages which is required by the candidate to clear for the final selection. Here the candidate faces a board of judges from the Union Public Services Commission who judge them on the basis of several factors. These factors include:-

1. Mental Alertness
2. Critical Powers of assimilation
3. Clear and logical exposition
4. Balance of judgment
5. Variety
6. Depth of interest
7. The ability for social cohesion and leadership
8. Intellectual and moral integrity
9. Technical skills
10. Also according to the subjects opted by the candidates.

This section is of 275 marks and no qualifying marks have been enlisted to clear it by the Commission. This is the basic interview that is generally conducted to judge the person’s abilities.

The Criterion of Evaluation in Preliminary Exam

There are criteria that Candidates need to fulfill. The criterion of evaluation in preliminary examination to determine cut off will be on the basis of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies Paper I and total qualifying marks of Civil Services Aptitude Test.

The Criterion of Evaluation in Mains Exam

The candidates who clear this examination will then become eligible for the interview session or it is also called a personality test.

This test will also be considered for merit calculation. The candidate score marks in this examination will be considered for the determination of the interview process. As after this Mains Exam there will be no such qualifying list or cut-off list will be released.

The criterion of Evaluation in Interview

To clear this examination a candidate must be confident while giving the answers. The skills presented in the career profile must be shown while in front of the board members to secure good marks in this personality test. As the examination will be the most important part of UPSC IAS Aspirants.

UPSC IAS Selection Process- Exam Medical Examination

After clearing the medical examination the candidate will undergo the Medical Examination. These are the instructions to be followed:-

1. Should come fasting for 10 hours
2. Come without taking any medicine
3. Bring spectacles if any
4. Stop using contact lenses at least before 48 hours of the day
5. Bring along Hearing Aid if any
6. Bring a prescription of any kind of medicine
7. Bring records of any surgical procedure
8. Bring the disability certificate if any
9. Submit ten passport size photographs with white background to the Chairman of the Medical Board.

The Candidates must have all the required documents ready. Also, the medical examination report along with the recommendations is also to be published on the dedicated webpage of the candidate which is accessible only to the candidate concerned through his or her password on DoPT’s website.

This has to be done within 7 working days. If this is not fulfilled then the candidate can appeal against it online within seven days.

UPSC IAS Exam Date 2021

• Date of Preliminary examination 24 June 2021
• Result of Preliminary examination 2021 July 2021
• Date of Mains examination 17 September
• Result of Mains examination December/January

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