The prestigious civil services exam is conducted annually by the UPSC in order to recruit officers into the Indian civil services. This is a three-stage exam which is often labelled ‘the toughest exam’ in India. Lakhs of people in the country give a shot at the USPC exam every year although in the end only about a thousand land up successful as officers of the IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS, etc. Entry into the prestigious civil services promises candidates a satisfying and challenging career along with the pride and glory that goes along being part of the bureaucracy.
The UPSC exam 2018 consists of three stages:
- Civil Services Prelims
- Civil Services Mains
- UPSC Board Interview/Personality Test
The programme of tests for UPSC 2018 has been release by the Union Public Services Commission. Thecivil services prelims exam, which is the first stage in the UPSC IAS exam, is scheduled to be held on3rd June 2018.
The notification for IAS 2018 exam schedule was announced on the 7th of February 2018. The number of vacancies to be filled up in the Central and the All India Services is the lowest in the past five years. In 2017, 980 vacancies were announced by the UPSC. 782 officers will be recruited to fill up the prestigious posts of IAS, IRS, IPS, IFS etc., in the UPSC 2018.
As per the recently released notification by the commission, 782 vacancies would be filled up, inclusive of 27 vacancies reserved for P.H category, that is, 07 vacancies for LDCP, 08 posts for B/LV and 12 vacancies for H.I. through the IAS 2018.
UPSC (IAS) Exam Notification for 2018: UPSC Prelims
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission |
| Job Type | Central Government Job |
| Job Location | All over India except Indian Foreign Service |
| Posts/Services | IAS, IFS, IPS, IAAS, IRS, etc. (Check details) |
| How to apply | Online on the UPSC website |
| Date of notification | 7 February 2018 |
| Last date of receipt of application forms | 6 March 2018 |
| Application Fee | Rs.100/- (Female and PH candidates exempt) |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Date | 3 June 2018 (One Day) |
Eligibility Criterion for the Civil Service Exam 2018
Nationality Condition:Only Indian citizens are permitted to take the civil service exam 2018.Check details here.
Educational Condition:Candidate must hold a valid bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Age Limit and Number of Attempts Permitted:The minimum age a candidate is required to have attained to be eligible for UPSC 2018 is 21 years of age as on 1st August 2018.
| Category | Maximum Age | Number of Attempts |
| General | 32 | 6 |
| OBC | 35 | 9 |
| SC/ST | 37 | No restriction |
| Physically Handicapped (PH) | 42 | As per the category |
More on age limit for UPSC 2018.
How to apply for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018
- Visit the official website of the UPSC.
- Go to the UPSC Civil Services exam link.
- Click on and fill in the part I of the registration.
- A registration number will be generated.
- Use the registration number generated and fill up the part II of the registration.
- Click on the submit button.
- The Prelims admit card will be sent online about three weeks before the exam.
Details of the IAS exam application process will be released in the UPSC Notification 2018. Visit BYJU’S for the latest updates!
UPSC civil service 2018: Plan of Exam
The IAS 2018 consists of the following stages/rounds. You must get the required cutoff in the UPSC Prelims to be eligible to take the mains exam. Similarly, only if you get the required cutoff in the mains round, will you be summoned to attend the UPSC interview.
UPSC Prelims
There are two papers in the UPSC Prelims:
| PAPER | TOTAL MARKS | NO. OF QUESTIONS | DURATION | TYPE | NEGATIVE MARKS | NATURE |
| General Studies Paper I | 200 | 100 | 2 hours | Objective only | Yes | Merit ranking |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 200 | 80 | 2 hours | Objective only | Yes | Qualifying |
UPSC Mains
There are 9 papers in tde IAS Mains all of which are descriptive in nature.
| PAPER | SUBJECT | NATURE OF THE PAPER | DURATION | TOTAL MARKS |
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language | Qualifying | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper B | English | Qualifying | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional I | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional II | Merit ranking | 3 hours | 250 |
UPSC Board Interview/Personality Test
The interview is of a total of 275 marks, thus making the grand total 2025 marks. In the interview you will face the UPSC board that will assess your overall personality and whether you have the traits required of a civil servant. Your strength of character, mental toughness and general interests will be tested.
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