What is the salary of an IAS officer?
The starting basic pay for an IAS officer is ₹56,100 per month (Level 10) plus allowances (TA, DA, HRA). The salary increases with promotions, culminating at ₹2,50,000 for the Cabinet Secretary of India.
UPSC Civil Services 2026 — UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Free Online Mock Test Series
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India. It is conducted nationwide by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to higher Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). The rigorous selection process spans over a year and comprises three stages: the Preliminary exam (objective type), the Main exam (subjective/written type), and the Personality Test (Interview). It attracts hundreds of thousands of aspirants each year for less than a thousand vacancies, testing candidates on a vast array of subjects ranging from history, geography, and economics to ethics, governance, and current global events.
Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | Pay Scale: ₹56,100 (starting basic) up to ₹2,50,000 (Apex scale)
Prelims - GS Paper 1 (100 Questions, 200 Marks, 120 Mins)
- General Studies Paper 1 (100 Questions) — History and Culture: Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Indian National Movement, Art and Culture | Geography: Physical Geography, Indian Geography, World Geography, Human and Economic Geography | Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues | Economy: Economic Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty and Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives | Environment and Science: Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change, General Science | Current Affairs: National Events, International Events, Government Schemes, International Organizations
Prelims - CSAT Paper 2 (80 Questions, 200 Marks, 120 Mins)
- CSAT Paper 2 (80 Questions) — Comprehension & Communication: Reading Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills | Reasoning & Analytical: Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, Problem Solving | Mental Ability & Numeracy: General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy, Orders of Magnitude, Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency
Mains - Written Examination (74 Questions, 1250 Marks, 900 Mins)
- Paper-I (Essay) (2 Questions) — Essay: Section A (Abstract/Philosophical), Section B (Socio-Economic/Political)
- Paper-II (General Studies I) (20 Questions) — GS 1: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society
- Paper-III (General Studies II) (20 Questions) — GS 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
- Paper-IV (General Studies III) (20 Questions) — GS 3: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
- Paper-V (General Studies IV) (12 Questions) — GS 4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude, Case Studies
UPSC Civil Services Previous Year Cut-Off Marks
| Stage / Year | OC / Gen | BC / OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87.98 | 87.28 | 79.03 | 74.23 |
| 2023 | 75.41 | 74.75 | 59.25 | 47.82 |
| 2022 | 88.22 | 87.54 | 74.08 | 69.35 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attempts for UPSC Civil Services?
General category candidates have 6 attempts until age 32. OBC candidates have 9 attempts until age 35. SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts until age 37.
What is the UPSC syllabus?
The Prelims covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, and Current Affairs. The Mains consists of 9 papers, including an Essay, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two qualifying language papers.
Is coaching necessary for UPSC?
While coaching provides guidance and structured material, it is not mandatory. Many candidates crack the exam through self-study, utilizing standard books, online resources, and regular answer writing practice.
Does 12th percentage matter in UPSC?
No, your 10th, 12th, or graduation percentage does not matter. The only requirement is to have passed a bachelor's degree from a recognized university.