UPSC IAS Exam Notification 2023 Out: Apply By 21st Feb 2023

Updated On : 02 Feb, 2023

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023 RECRUITMENT

Union Public Service Commission issued an official UPSC IAS exam notification 2023 on the 1st of February 2023. Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the same by visiting the official website of the Union Public Service Commission till 21st February 2023. 

If you are willing to appear in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 then you are at the right place as we are providing you with the complete exam-related information here which you should know before applying for the examination. Read this article carefully to understand the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, syllabus, application procedure and other exam-related information. 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023

Event 

Date

Notification release date

01-02-2023

Application starts on

01-02-2023

Last date to apply

21-02-2023

Preliminary examination 

28-05-2023

Mains examination

15-09-2023

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION UPDATES 2023

Exam name

Civil Services Examination 

Exam conducting body

Union Public Service Commission 

Application dates

1st February to 21st February 2023

Vacancy details

1105

Application mode

Online

Application Fee

INR 100/-  [SC/ST/ Female/Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempted from payment of fee]

Official Website

Click Here

Official Notice

Click Here 

Apply Link 

Click Here

UPSC CSE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 2023

Nationality

Post 

Nationality

Indian Administrative Service/

Indian Foreign Service/ 

Indian Police Service

A candidate must be a citizen of India.

For other services

a candidate must be either:— 

(a) a citizen of India, or 

(b) a subject of Nepal, or 

(c) a subject of Bhutan, or 

(d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or 

(e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years. Age relaxation will also be applicable for some special category as per the government rules which is tabulated below:-

Category

Relaxation in Upper Age

Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe

5 years

Other Backward Classes

3 years

Defence Services Personnel, disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence

3 years

Ex-servicemen

5 years

ECOs/SSCOs

5 years

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories

10 years

Educational Qualification 

A candidate must hold a Graduate degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.

Note: Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the government as equivalent to a professional and technical degree are also eligible for admission to the Civil Services Examination.

  1. Visit the official website by clicking here

  2. On the homepage you will get an Apply Link 

  3. Now, apply for the new registration after clicking on that link.

  4. A new page will appear in front of you, read the information carefully and click to proceed further.

  5. Afterwards, Click on the new registration.

  6. Now, log in with your registration ID and Password to fill out the application form.

  7. Carefully fill all the required details such as your name, contact details, parental details, etc.

  8. Now, upload your required documents in the needed format and size.

  9. Pay your application fee and print your final submission..

Application Fee

Application fee as per the category is given below:

Category

Fee

GEN/OBC/EWS

INR 100/-

SC/ST/PH

Exempted

Female of all category

Nil

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS

Each candidate who appears for the test and is otherwise qualified is given six (6) chances to attempt the CSE. However, candidates who fall under the SC/ST/OBC and PwBD categories and are otherwise qualified will be given relaxation on the number of attempts. According to the relaxation, such applicants may make the following number of attempts:

Category

No of attempts 

SC /ST 

Unlimited

OBC 

09

PwBD

09 for GL/EWS/OBC Unlimited for SC/ST

SELECTION PROCESS FOR UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023

The Selection process of Civil Services consists of following two stages:

  • Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) for the selection of candidates for Civil Services (Main) Examination; and

  • Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview/Personality Test) for the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.

For a clear understanding read the below-mentioned points:-

1. Preliminary Examination

The Examination shall comprise two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each. Candidates who have qualified in the Prelims round will only be called to attend the Mains round. 

2. Mains Examination and Interview

The mains round will consist of a written exam and an interview/personality test. The Written Examination will consist of 9 conventional essay papers, two of which will be qualifying in nature. Marks obtained for all compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) as well as marks obtained in the Interview/Personality Test will be used to determine the ranking of the candidate.

Interview: The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of the candidate’s career. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the Interview/Personality Test is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The Interview/Personality Test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, the balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity. 

Note: The marks obtained in the Civil Services(Preliminary) Examination by candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Civil Services(Main) Examination will not be counted in determining their final order of merit in this examination.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023 EXAM PATTERN

Preliminary 

Paper

No of Questions

Total Marks 

Duration

1 General Studies - I

100

200

2 Hours

2 General Studies - II (CSAT)

80

200

2 Hours

(i) Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and each will be of two hours duration. 

(ii) The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination also known as CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%. 

(iii) The question papers will be set both in Hindi and English.

(iv) One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to each question for which the candidate provided an incorrect answer will be deducted as a penalty.

Mains

Paper

Subject

Total Marks 

Duration

Paper-A 

One of the Indian Language

300 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-B

English

300 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-I

Essay

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-II

General Studies-I 

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-III

General Studies -II

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-IV

General Studies -III

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-V

General Studies -IV

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-VI

Optional Subject - Paper 1

250 Marks

3 Hours

Paper-VII

Optional Subject - Paper 2

250 Marks

3 Hours

Total 

1750 Marks


Note:

Paper A and Paper B of Mains exam are qualifying in nature.

Interview

The Interview will be conducted of 275 marks, Test is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION SYLLABUS 2023

Preliminary Syllabus

Paper

Syllabus

Paper 1 

  • Current events of national and international importance.  

  • History of India and Indian National Movement.  

  • Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.  

  • Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.  

  • Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.  

  • General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change - that do not require subject specialization.  

  • General Science.

Paper 2 

Comprehension;  

Interpersonal skills including communication skills;  

  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability;  

  • Decision making and problem-solving;  

  • General mental ability;  

  • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class X level);

Mains Syllabus

Paper

Subject

Syllabus

Paper 1 

Essay

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression

Paper 2 

General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

  • Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.  

  • Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.  

  • The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.  

  • Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.  

  • History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.  

  • Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.  Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.  

  • Effects of globalization on Indian society.  

  • Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.  

  • Salient features of world’s physical geography.  Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).  

  • Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

PAPER-III 

General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations. 

  • Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.  

  • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.  

  • Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.  

  • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.  

  • Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.  

  • Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

  • Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.  Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.  

  • Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.  Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.  

  • Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.  

  • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.  

  • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.  Issues relating to poverty and hunger.  

  • Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.  

  • Role of civil services in a democracy.  

  • India and its neighborhood- relations.  

  • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.  

  • Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.  

  • Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. 

PAPER-IV 

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management 

  • Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.  

  • Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.  Government Budgeting.  

  • Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.  

  • Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; 

  • Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.  Land reforms in India.  

  • Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.  Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.  

  • Investment models.  

  • Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.  Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.  

  • Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.  

  • Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.  Disaster and disaster management.  

  • Linkages between development and spread of extremism.  

  • Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.  

  • Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.  

  • Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.  Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

PAPER-V 

General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered:  

  • Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values. 

  • Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.  Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.  

  • Emotional intelligence concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

  • Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.  

  • Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.  

  • Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.  

  • Case Studies on above issues

PAPER-VI & PAPER VII

Optional Subject Papers I & II 

Candidate may choose any optional subject from amongst the List of Optional Subjects. (For syllabus refer to the official notice)

List of Optional Subjects

Agriculture

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science

Anthropology

Botany

Chemistry

Civil Engineering

Commerce and Accountancy

Economics

Electrical Engineering

 Geography

Geology

History

 Law

Management

Mathematics

Mechanical Engineering

Medical Science

Philosophy

Physics

Political Science and International Relations

Psychology

Public Administration

Sociology

Statistics

Zoology

Literature of any one of the following languages:

Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.

UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023 SALARY

POST

PAY SCALE

SALARY

Sub-divisional magistrate in District Administration

10

Rs. 56,100

Undersecretary in State Secretariat

10

Rs. 56,100

Assistant Secretary in Central Secretariat

10

Rs. 56,100

Additional district magistrate in District Administration

11

Rs. 67,700

Deputy Secretary in State Secretariat

11

Rs. 67,700

Under-Secretary in Central Secretariat

11

Rs. 67,700

District magistrate in District Administration

12

Rs. 78,800

Joint Secretary in State Secretariat

12

Rs. 78,800

Deputy Secretary in Central Secretariat

12

Rs. 78,800

District Magistrate in District Administration

13

Rs. 1,18,500

Special secretary-cum-director in State Secretariat

13

Rs. 1,18,500

Director in Central Secretariat

13

Rs. 1,18,500

Divisional commissioner in District Administration

14

Rs. 1,44,200

Secretary-cum-commissioner in State Secretariat

14

Rs. 1,44,200

Joint Secretary in Central Secretariat

14

Rs. 1,44,200

Divisional commissioner in District Administration

15

Rs. 1,82,200

Principal Secretary in State Secretariat

15

Rs. 1,82,200

Additional Secretary in State Secretariat

15

Rs. 1,82,200

Chief Secretary in State Secretariat

17

Rs. 2,25,000

Secretary in Central Secretariat 

17

Rs. 2,25,000

Cabinet Secretary of India

18

Rs. 2,50,000

VACANCY DETAILS OF UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023

The number of vacancies to be filled through the examination is expected to be approximately 1105. Post-wise vacancies will be announced shortly by the Commission.  

Post Name

Vacancy 

 Group ‘A’ Posts

Indian Administrative Service

To be announced 

Indian Foreign Service

To be announced 

Indian Police Service

To be announced 

Indian Audit and Accounts Service 

To be announced 

Indian Civil Accounts Service

To be announced 

Indian Corporate Law Service

To be announced 

Indian Defence Accounts Service

To be announced 

Indian Defence Estates Service

To be announced 

Indian Information Service, Junior Grade

To be announced 

Indian Postal Service

To be announced 

Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service

To be announced 

Indian Railway Protection Force Service

To be announced 

Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes)

To be announced 

Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) 

To be announced 

Indian Trade Service, (Grade III)

To be announced 

 Group ‘B’ Posts

Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, (Section Officer’s Grade)

To be announced

Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS),

To be announced 

Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’

To be announced 

Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’ 

To be announced 

Note:  37 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category.

UPSC CSE 2023 EXAMINATION CENTRES

Preliminary Examination

AGARTALA

GORAKHPUR

PATNA

AGRA

GURGAON

PORTBLAIR

AHMEDABAD

GWALIOR

PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD)

AIZAWL

 HYDERABAD

PUDUCHERRY

 AJMER

IMPHAL

PUNE

ALIGARH

 INDORE

RAIPUR

ALMORA (UTTARAKHAND) 

ITANAGAR

RAJKOT

ANANTHAPURU

JABALPUR

RANCHI

AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA)

JAIPUR

 SAMBALPUR

BAREILLY

JAMMU

 SHILLONG

BENGALURU

JODHPUR 

SHIMLA

BHOPAL

JORHAT

SILIGURI

BILASPUR (CHHATISGARH)

KOCHI

SRINAGAR

CHANDIGARH

KOHIMA

SRINAGAR (UTTARAKHAND)

CHENNAI

KOLKATTA

SURAT

COIMBATORE

KOZHIKODE (CALICUT)

THANE

CUTTACK

LEH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

DEHRADUN

LUCKNOW

TIRUCHIRAPALLI

DELHI

LUDHIANA

TIRUPATI

DHARAMSHALA (HIMACHAL PRADESH)

MADURAI 

UDAIPUR

DHARWAR

MANDI (HIMACHAL PRADESH)

VARANASI

DISPUR

MUMBAI

VELLORE

FARIDABAD

MYSURU

VIJAYAWADA

GANGTOK

 NAGPUR 

VISHAKHAPATNAM

GAUTAM BUDDHA NAGAR

NASIK

WARANGAL

GAYA

NAVI MUMBA

GHAZIABAD

PANAJI (GOA)  



Mains Examination

AHMEDABAD

DELHI

 PATNA

AIZAWL

DISPUR (GUWAHATI)

PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD)

BENGALURU

HYDERABAD

RAIPUR

BHOPAL

JAIPUR

RANCHI

CHANDIGARH

JAMMU

SHILLONG

 CHENNA

KOLKATA

SHIMLA

CUTTACK

LUCKNOW

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

DEHRADUN

MUMBAI

VIJAYAWADA

FAQS ON UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION 2023

Q. How many vacancies are there in UPSC CSE 2023?

A. A total of 1105 seats are going to be filled this year through UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. 


Q. What is the eligibility for the Civil Services Examination?

A. Candidates must be a graduate and should be in between 21 to 32 years of age for appearing in the examination.


Q. Is the civil service exam challenging?

A. Every year, thousands of applicants attempt the UPSC preliminary exam, but only 25% of them pass. Only 15% of them passed the mains exam, which is significantly less. At the interview stage, however, the success rate is quite high. Less than 1% of candidates overall pass the UPSC exam.


Q. When will the civil services preliminary examination take place?

A. The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the civil services preliminary examination 2023 on 28th May 2023.


Q. How many attempts for civil service examination are permitted?

A. A general category candidate can currently take the civil services examination six times and with a maximum age of 32 years old.


Q. What are the passing marks for the civil service exam?

A. To pass the examination candidates must appear in both Prelims and Mains examinations:-

Preliminary examination:- Candidates must secure 33% marks, which may vary from year to year also this round is qualifying in nature. Those who qualify in this round will be able to appear in the mains examination.

Mains+ Interview:- To get selected candidates must score 975+ marks in this round.

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