UPSC Exam 2022

·     Dates

·     Eligibility Criteria

·     Exam Pattern

·     Syllabus

·     Strategy

·     Exam Centres

·     Recommended Books for Civil Services

The IAS exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) once every year. The official UPSC Notification for IAS Exam 2022 has already been released. Usually UPSC releases the official notification for IAS Exam in Month of February and the UPSC Exam is mostly scheduled on the first Sunday of June. The commission has already released the exam schedule for UPSC Exam 2022.

Those who qualify all the three stages Prelims, Mains and Interview of the IAS exam  served as civil servants of India, and the reputed nomaniculture of such posts are called as Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and a host of other services. Although, regarded as one of the most challenging selection exam in the country, an aspirant can crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination in the very first attempt, with the right approach and matrix of strategy. There are many such example of successful aspirants.

It is essential for every serious aspirants to know and understand the requirements of the UPSC CSE 2022, such as the Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility Criteria and other such significant details before starting the preparations. Here, you will find all the relevant UPSC Exam details for aspirants planning to crack the IAS Exam.

IAS Exam Date

IAS Exam Eligibility, Age Limit & Attempts

There are conditions of nationality, age, number of attempts and educational qualification for a candidate who aspire for and compete to take the UPSC-CSE. For the general category aspirants, the candidate must be a citizen of India or a PIO (Person of Indian origin), must have a graduate degree, must be between the ages of 21 and 32 years, and must not have attempted the IAS exam, a maximum of 6 times. But there are certain relaxations and other conditions to thereof.

IAS Exam Application Procedure

The application procedure for UPSC exams is online and UPSC Admit cards are also issued online, which IAS exam aspirants should download from the UPSC official website.****** (Link) https://www.upsc.gov.in/

UPSC-CSE Pattern

The Exam pattern is designed in three steps:

1. Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
2. Stage II: Mains Examination (Mains)
3. Stage III: UPSC Personality Test (Interview)

Stage I: IAS Exam – UPSC Prelims

• The questions in the IAS Exam (Prelims) are of the objective type or Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• There is ‘Negative Marking’ in the IAS Exam for each incorrect answer, but only at the Prelims stage. The negative marking for incorrect answers will be 1/3rd (0.66) of the allotted marks of that question.
• The GS Paper II (CSAT) in IAS exam is of qualifying nature and candidates should score a minimum of 33 percent in this paper to qualify for the next stage of the IAS exam i.e. the Mains.
• Blind candidates are given an extra time of 20 minutes for each paper in the UPSC-CSE (Prelims).
• It is mandatory for the candidates to appear in both the papers of civil services prelims exam for the evaluation.
• The marks scored by the candidates in the preliminary examination are not counted for the final score. It is only a screening test where candidates not securing the “Cut-off” marks are eliminated.

How to Prepare the Preliminary and important Factors !

1.Video……

Stage II: UPSC-CSE Mains

The second stage of the UPSC-CSE is the ‘Mains’ Exam, which is a written and descriptive answering in nature, comprising of nine (9) papers.

The 9 papers in UPSC-CSE (Mains) are configured as follows:

Paper-A (Compulsory Indian Language); Paper –B (English) which are qualifying in nature. The other papers like Essay, General Studies Papers I, II, III, and IV, and Optional Papers I and II are considered for the final ranking.

NOTE:

• The candidates can select their medium of writing the UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains Exam as Hindi or English or any other language listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• The candidates who score above the prescribed cut-off marks after the scaleing  in the IAS exam (Mains) will get the summons for the Personality Test (last stage of the IAS exam).
• The final ranking of the candidates is on the basis of the marks obtained by them in the Main Examination and Personality Test/Interview Round of the UPSC-CSE exam.

Stage III: UPSC-CSE; Pattern for Interview

The quest for the right kind of analytical and person of essence rest, finally, on the Personality test/Interview before the final results are declared by the UPSC. Officially, it is called the Interview/Personality Test and the scoring of this test is counted as a part of the Mains Examination for merit ranking purpose. From a preparation standpoint, it is considered as the third stage of preparation strategies and key determinant, scored on counts of Objectivity, Understyanding and Awareness of World Around. That’s why, interviews are different. As per the IAS exam pattern, this consists of an interview by the UPSC board to assess the candidates’ suitability for a civil services career and associated responsibilities. The board consists of competent and unbiased observers who have a record and repute of civil servant and academicians. The board would judge the candidates mental and social traits by asking questions of general interest. Some of the qualities that the board looks for are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, a balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

The total marks of the UPSC interview stage is 275, thus bringing the total marks for UPSC Mains and Interview for the merit list consideration to ‘2025’.

The whole exam pattern of the UPSC-CSE is comprehensive, and the competition is intense. One should start preparing in-depth as the examination process has year round calender, and not making in the List to Proceed for next stage and to the Final Selection of prestigious carrier, means starting from the scratch in the following year.

Exam Syllabus- UPSC-CSE 2022

UPSC-CSE follows an extensive syllabus for the papers included in UPSC-Prelims and UPSC-Mains. Make sure to download the micro list from UPSC website for the UPSC-CSE syllabus for better syllabus coverage and understanding for stretegies.

UPSC Exam Syllabus for Prelims

General Studies Paper-I

The IAS Syllabus for UPSC Prelims Exam includes the following topics:

• 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.

General Studies Paper-II

The GS-II in UPSC Prelims is also known as CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test. The following topics are included in the IAS syllabus for this paper:

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
• Logica l 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)

UPSC Exam Syllabus For Main Examination

• Paper A and Paper B test the candidates’ ability to read and understand serious prose in the given language and to express her/her views correctly and clearly.

• The marks in Paper A and Paper B in UPSC Mains will not be counted for merit but if candidates score below 25% in either of these two papers, then their marks in the remaining papers will not even be declared.

• The level of Paper A and Paper B is of a Matriculation (or equivalent) level.

• Paper A (Indian Language) in UPSC Mains is not compulsory for candidates hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
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PAPER-I Essay:

For UPSC 2022, candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics like previous year exams. They will be expected to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and write concisely to. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

PAPER-II 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 & 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 the 18th century, such as the Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc., – their forms and effects on the society.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Role of women and women’s organizations, 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 the world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); 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, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location – changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies 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, the 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 Center and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
• Issues related to development and management of Social Sector/Services in the field of Health, Education, Human Resources.
• Issues related 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 neighbourhood – 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, Biodiversity, 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; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
• 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 Achievement 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, the 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 utilize 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; the 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 the 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.
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               The List of Optional Subjects IAS Exam 2022

         Centres of Civil Services (Mains) Examination 2022

The Centres and the date of holding the examination as mentioned above are liable to be changed at the discretion of the commission.

Applicants should note that there will be a ceiling on the number of candidates allotted to each of the Centres, except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur. Allotment of Centres will be on the “first-apply-first allot” basis, and once the capacity of a particular Centre is attained, the same will be frozen.

Applicants, who cannot get a Centre of their choice due to ceiling, will be required to choose a Centre from the remaining onces.

Applicants are, thus, advised that they may apply early so that they could get a Centre of their choice.

 UPSC-CSE 2022: Preparation Strategy

UPSC-CSE is one of the most challenging exams in India owing to the vast, as well as, contemporary syllabus leading to intense competition. However, with structured preparation and the right guidance, you can clear the UPSC exam right on the first attempt. We’ve chalked out a step-by-step preparation strategy on how to prepare for UPSC-CSE. This will also provide an answer to how to crack the UPSC-CSE on the first attempt.

Let’s look at the step-by-step preparation strategy for UPSC Exam.

Step 1: Know the exam well

• Read the UPSC notification thoroughly. Check out the UPSC Exam pattern and Exam syllabus.
• Go through the previous year papers to have a fair understanding of the type of questions asked in the exam.
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Step 2: Strengthen your foundation

• Start with NCERTs. The NCERT Notes are important for UPSC because of following factors :

• NCERTs contain reliable and authentic information
• NCERT books explain the subject matter in a simple language
• NCERT notes are a must-read because they contain the important gist of facts and concepts in a crisp and point-wise manner
• All the important concepts are covered in our NCERT Notes for IAS segment comprising topics from History, Geography and Art & Culture
• Our NCERT Notes are ready-to-study and students can rely on them especially during revision time
• The NCERT Notes for Art & Culture also contain illustrations and diagrams that enable students to understand and internalize concepts better and faster
• NCERT History notes for UPSC make the subject crisp and concise especially for those students who find it difficult to read history textbooks
• NCERT History for UPSC is very important as this subject is very important from the GS point of view and also helps to understand the concepts of IR, polity, etc. in a better manner

• Step 3: Upgrade Your Knowledge with standard books and acedemic conversations
• Read the books at least twice and then make your handwritten notes to be used for answer-writing practice at the later stage.Important Books list also given at last of this page.
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Step 4: Practice Answer Writing + Revision

• Once about 60-70% syllabus is completed from standard books, start practising answer-writing.
• Keep your weekends free for a dedicated revision of whatever new you’ve learned during the week.
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Step 5: Mock-Test Based Learning Approach

• Sit for an actual and honest exam-like mock test at the same time and then analyze your performance.
• Check your weak areas and brush up on the concepts that require revision and guidance.
• Do Test Series from AMATYA* or any reputed Institutions. (* Do visit the site for such Test series.)

Read only the Best UPSC-CSE Books

• The UPSC syllabus is vast and it takes at least one year to comprehensively cover it. Therefore, you cannot waste precious time by reading books that are below standard, contain incorrect and unauthenticated information. In this case, you would have to unlearn what you had previously read and this can prove difficult.
• Learning from the recommended sources would mean you can directly make notes out of it, if necessary.
• There are many books that give information tailor-made for the IAS exam.
• There are many books that are well  written and contain a whole lot of valuable information but you have to decide or take advice for whether they are valuable for the UPSC exam or not. Such Books make a good read for academics and research scholars but might not necessarily for the UPSC exam. So, you need UPSC oriented books that will help in your preparation and fetch you marks in the IAS exam.

Helpful Books –For CSE UPSC  Prelims

There are two papers in Prelims (GS 1 and CSAT) and both are of objective type with negative marking. The best IAS books for Prelims are given below:

Helpful Books –For CSE UPSC  Mains

Candidates who clear the Prelims reach the Mains stage of the IAS Exam. There are 9 theory papers in UPSC 2022 out of which two papers are on the optional subject. Candidates should follow the important IAS general studies Mains books for the best preparation.

Given below are the best general studies books for the UPSC Mains:

In the UPSC mains exam, a candidate has to choose an optional subject also. The optional papers count for 500 marks in total and therefore, it is imperative that the right books are read for the optional subjects also.

Study Material for UPSC

Apart from the books mentioned above, you are supposed to take AMATYA notes and the essential UPSC Study Material includes:

1. India Year Book
2. 2nd ARC Report
3. Economic Survey (Latest)
4. Budget (Latest)
5. Finance Commission Report (Latest)
6. Annual reports by central ministries
7. Current Affairs
   • Explained from Newspapers
   • Yojana Magazine
   • Press Information Bureau Release

• Niti Aayog Action Agenda and other Reports
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