List of Exams Conducted by UPSC

Comprehensive
Guide to Exams Conducted by UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is
India’s premier recruiting agency, responsible for conducting examinations for
a variety of prestigious positions in the Indian government. With its rigorous
selection process, the UPSC offers aspirants an opportunity to serve the nation
in diverse capacities. This guide provides an in-depth overview of the exams
conducted by UPSC, eligibility criteria, and key details for each exam.

 

UPSC Exams List

Why Choose
a Career Through UPSC?

UPSC exams provide access to some of the most
respected and sought-after positions in India. Here are some reasons why a
career through UPSC is highly appealing:

1. Prestige and Authority: UPSC
   officers are responsible for policy implementation, law enforcement, and
   public administration.
2. Job Security:
   Government jobs offer unmatched job stability and benefits.
3. Attractive Perks:
   Officers receive excellent salaries, allowances, and pensions.
4. Opportunity to Make an Impact:
   These roles allow you to contribute directly to the nation’s development.

 

List of Exams
Conducted by UPSC

The UPSC conducts a wide range of exams to
recruit candidates for various civil services, defense, engineering, and
medical posts. Below is a detailed list of exams conducted by UPSC:

 

1. Civil
Services Examination (CSE)

• Purpose: Recruitment to Indian Administrative
  Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS),
  Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and other Group A and Group B services.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university.
• Age Limit: 21
  to 32 years (age relaxations for reserved categories).
• Stages:

1. Preliminary Examination:
   Objective-type test with two papers (General Studies and CSAT).
2. Mains Examination:
   Descriptive papers covering various subjects.
3. Interview:
   Personality test.

 

2. Indian
Forest Service (IFoS) Examination

• Purpose: Recruitment to the Indian Forest
  Service for managing and conserving India’s forests and wildlife.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, or related fields.
• Age Limit: 21
  to 32 years (age relaxations for reserved categories).
• Stages:
• Preliminary (same as CSE), Mains (specialized papers), and
  Interview.

 

3.
Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES)

• Purpose: Recruitment of engineers for technical
  roles in Indian Railways, Defense, Power, and other sectors.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Engineering degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics &
  Telecommunication.
• Age Limit: 21
  to 30 years.
• Stages:
• Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test.

 

4. Combined
Medical Services Examination (CMS)

• Purpose: Recruitment of medical officers in
  government hospitals and healthcare departments.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  MBBS degree.
• Age Limit: Up
  to 32 years.
• Stages:
• Written Examination and Personality Test.

 

5. National
Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA)

• Purpose: Recruitment for Army, Navy, and Air
  Force wings of NDA and the Naval Academy.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  12th pass (with Physics and Mathematics for Air Force and Navy).
• Age Limit:
  16.5 to 19.5 years.
• Stages:
• Written Examination and SSB Interview.

 

6. Combined
Defence Services Examination (CDS)

• Purpose: Recruitment for Indian Military Academy
  (IMA), Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training
  Academy (OTA).
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Graduate (specific degrees required for Navy and Air Force).
• Age Limit: 19
  to 25 years.
• Stages:
• Written Examination and SSB Interview.

 

7. Central
Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF – AC)

• Purpose: Recruitment of Assistant Commandants in
  BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Graduate in any discipline.
• Age Limit: 20
  to 25 years.
• Stages:
• Written Examination, Physical Test, and Interview.

 

8. Indian
Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS)

• Purpose: Recruitment of economists and
  statisticians for central government departments.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Postgraduate degree in Economics/Statistics.
• Age Limit: 21
  to 30 years.
• Stages:
• Written Examination and Interview.

 

9. Combined
Geoscientist and Geologist Examination

• Purpose: Recruitment for geoscientists,
  geologists, and hydrogeologists.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Master’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or related fields.
• Age Limit: 21
  to 32 years.
• Stages:
• Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

 

10. Special
Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA) (Discontinued)

• Purpose: Previously conducted to recruit
  mechanical engineering apprentices in Indian Railways.
• Status: Discontinued since 2015.

 

11.
Combined SO/Stenographer Examination

• Purpose: Recruitment of Section Officers (SO)
  and Stenographers for central government departments.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Varies based on the post.
• Age Limit: As
  specified for each role.
• Stages:
• Written Examination and Skill Test.

 

12. UPSC
EPFO Examination

• Purpose: Recruitment of Enforcement Officers
  (EO) and Accounts Officers (AO) in the Employees’ Provident Fund
  Organization.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Graduate in any discipline.
• Age Limit: Up
  to 30 years.
• Stages:
• Written Test and Interview.

 

13. Limited
Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCE)

• Purpose: For promotion of eligible government
  employees to higher posts, including IAS and IPS.
• Eligibility:
• Education:
  Based on the department.
• Stages: Written Examination and
  Interview.

 

Comprehensive
List of UPSC Exams Scheduled for 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
releases an annual examination calendar to ensure a structured and efficient
recruitment process. For 2025, the UPSC calendar includes various examinations
catering to aspirants from diverse fields, such as civil services, engineering,
defense, and medical services. The schedule provides a detailed timeline for
notifications, application deadlines, and exam dates, allowing candidates to
strategize their preparation effectively.

DOWNLOAD PDF

UPSC Exam
Calendar 2025

• Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination: This
  slot is reserved for internal recruitment or other examinations as needed.
  The exams under this category are scheduled for January 11, 2025,
  and October 4, 2025, each lasting two days.
• Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (Preliminary): Notifications will be released on September 4, 2024, and
  the exam will take place on February 9, 2025. Aspirants should
  prepare for both Preliminary and Main stages for this technical exam.
• Engineering Services Examination (Preliminary): Starting with notifications on September 18, 2024, this
  exam is scheduled for February 9, 2025, requiring a strong
  foundation in engineering concepts.
• CBI (DSP) LDCE: The
  Limited Departmental Competitive Exam for Deputy Superintendent of Police
  posts will occur on March 8, 2025, with two days of assessment.
• CISF AC (EXE) LDCE 2025: This
  competitive exam for Central Industrial Security Force Assistant
  Commandants will be held on March 9, 2025, and aspirants should
  watch for notifications on December 4, 2024.
• National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examinations: Two sessions of these exams are planned for April 13, 2025,
  and September 14, 2025, providing opportunities for defense
  aspirants.
• Civil Services and Indian Forest Service (Preliminary): Both are scheduled for May 25, 2025, making it crucial for
  candidates targeting these prestigious exams to start early preparation.
• IES/ISS Examination: This
  exam, focusing on economics and statistics, will begin on June 20, 2025,
  and last for three days.
• Combined Medical Services Examination: Medical professionals aiming for government services can appear
  for this one-day exam on July 20, 2025, with notifications starting
  on February 19, 2025.
• Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination: Scheduled for August 3, 2025, this exam recruits Assistant
  Commandants in various paramilitary forces.
• Civil Services (Main) Examination: For
  those who clear the preliminary round, the five-day Main exam begins on August
  22, 2025, testing candidates in-depth on various subjects.
• Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination: This will commence on November 16, 2025, with seven days
  of rigorous assessments for forestry professionals.
• SO/Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE:
  Scheduled for December 13, 2025, this Limited Departmental
  Competitive Exam targets Stenographers and Section Officers.

 

Preparation
Tips for UPSC Exams

Preparing for UPSC exams requires dedication,
strategy, and consistency. Here are some tips:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Read
   and analyze the detailed syllabus for the exam you’re appearing for.
2. Create a Study Plan:
   Allocate time for each subject and stick to your schedule.
3. Refer to Standard Books: Use
   trusted sources like NCERTs and recommended books for preparation.
4. Practice Previous Papers:
   Solving past question papers helps you understand the pattern.
5. Take Mock Tests:
   Regular mock tests can improve your speed and accuracy.
6. Stay Updated: Read
   newspapers and stay informed about current affairs.
7. Focus on Writing Skills:
   Especially for descriptive exams like UPSC CSE Mains.
8. Stay Healthy: A
   good diet, regular exercise, and proper sleep are essential.

 

Conclusion

UPSC exams are gateways to some of the most
prestigious jobs in the country, offering immense opportunities to contribute
to India’s development. While the journey to cracking these exams is
challenging, the rewards make it worthwhile. Whether you aspire to be an IAS
officer, a defense personnel, or a technical expert in government services, the
UPSC provides a platform to fulfill your dream of serving the nation.

Start your preparation today with
determination and a clear strategy, and success will surely follow!

 

List of Exams Conducted by UPSC: (In Mobile -view
in Portrait Mode)

Exam Name	Purpose	Eligibility	Age Limit	Stages
Civil Services Examination (CSE)	Recruitment to IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.	Graduate in any discipline	21 to 32 years	Prelims, Mains, Interview
Indian Forest Service (IFoS)	Recruitment to Forest Service	Degree in Forestry, Agriculture, etc.	21 to 32 years	Prelims, Mains, Interview
Engineering Services Examination (ESE)	Recruitment of engineers in technical roles	Engineering degree	21 to 30 years	Prelims, Mains, Interview
Combined Medical Services (CMS)	Recruitment of medical officers	MBBS degree	Up to 32 years	Written Test, Interview
NDA & NA Exam	Recruitment to Army, Navy, Air Force	12th pass (Physics & Math for Navy/Air Force)	16.5 to 19.5 years	Written Test, SSB Interview
Combined Defence Services (CDS)	Recruitment to IMA, INA, AFA, OTA	Graduate (specific degrees for Navy/Air Force)	19 to 25 years	Written Test, SSB Interview
CAPF (AC)	Recruitment of Assistant Commandants	Graduate in any discipline	20 to 25 years	Written Test, Physical, Interview
IES/ISS	Recruitment of economists and statisticians	Postgraduate in Economics/Statistics	21 to 30 years	Written Test, Interview
Combined Geoscientist Exam	Recruitment of geoscientists and geologists	Master’s in Geology, Hydrogeology, etc.	21 to 32 years	Prelims, Mains, Interview
SO/Stenographer Exam	Recruitment of Section Officers and Stenographers	Varies based on post	As specified	Written Test, Skill Test
UPSC EPFO	Recruitment of EO/AO in EPFO	Graduate in any discipline	Up to 30 years	Written Test, Interview
LDCE	Promotions for eligible government employees	Based on department	Varies	Written Test, Interview

 

Also Read: UPSC Posts: Roles Responsibilities and Preparation 2025