IAS (UPSC CSE) 2021: Mains 2020 Result(Out), Notification (Out) Application, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Admit Card & Result
Updated On -
Apr 16, 2021
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released UPSC CSE 2020 Mains result on March 23, 2021. While for 2021, UPSC has released notification for 712 vacancies for IAS (UPSC CSE) on 4 March 2021. The UPSC has delayed releasing of the notification by 21 days since the Supreme Court did not pass the petition in favour of an extra attempt of IAS exam 2021.
The IAS Prelims 2021 exam will be held on 27 June 2021 as per the prior notification. The Mains exam will be scheduled for September 17-22, 2021. As per the past trends, the number of IAS vacancies is declined. The last date to submit the UPSC application form is 24 March 2021. Read More.
UPSC conducts the IAS (UPSC CSE) exam every year on a national level. Recruitment for the top bureaucratic posts in the country like Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Forest Services (IFoS), and Indian Police Services (IPS) is done through this exam. candidates get 6 attempts within 32 years of age to crack this exam, which further makes the competition tougher.
Latest Updates:
April 14, 2021: UPSC IAS 2020 Interview Schedule has been released. Check the Interview Dates Here
April 06, 2021: UPSC has released Civil Services Mains Interview Schedule, click for the details
23 March: Upsc cse mains 2020 result has been declared on official website, click here for details
4 March: UPSC 2021 has been released for 712 vacancies. The last date of filing the application form is 24 March 2021. Read more.
February 24, 2021:Supreme Court has dismissed the petition for an extra attempt in IAS 2021. Read more
February 10, 2021: UPSC published an important notice related to the IAS exam dates 2021. Click here.
Highlights of IAS (UPSC CSE) Exam 2021
The key points about the IAS exam 2021 are highlighted below:
| Exam Name | IAS (UPSC CSE) Exam 2021 |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| UPSC Vacancies | To be notified |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Stages | Prelims - Mains - Interview |
| Application Fee(Prelims) | 100 |
| Exam Helpdesk No. | 011-23098543 / 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098591 |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
IAS (UPSC CSE) Exam Dates 2021
The UPSC online application form fill-up process will be continued till 24 March 2021. To know more about the important dates of IAS Exam 2021, go through the following table:
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| UPSC Notification 2021 | 4 Mar 2021 |
| Last date to apply for IAS Exam 2021 | 24 Mar 2021 |
| IAS Prelims Exam 2021 | 27 June 2021 |
| IAS Prelims 2021 Result | July 2021 (Tentative) |
| IAS Main Exam 2021 | 17 Sep 2021 |
| IAS Main 2021 result | December/January 2022 (Tentative) |
IAS (UPSC CSE) Eligibility Criteria 2021
IAS Eligibility 2021 will be changed according to the latest announcement of the Supreme Court on 8 February for the extra attempt in the IAS Exam 2021. The IAS Eligibility 2021 is dependent upon four factors which are age group, nationality, educational qualification, and the number of attempts. Check the following table to know more about the IAS Eligibility 2021. Know more about UPSC Reservation policy.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| IAS 2021 Age Limit | 21-32 years with age relaxation for reserved categories. |
| Qualification | Graduation degree from a recognized university |
| Maximum Number of Attempts | 6 (There is no restriction for SC/ST candidates) |
| Nationality | Citizen of India or Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee and Indian Origin Migrants from select countries. |
IAS (UPSC CSE) Application Form 2021
The IAS Application form 2021 fill-up process has been started from 4 March 2021 that is the same day of IAS (UPSC CSE) notification 2021. The last date of application is 24 March 2021. In addition, UPSC will release the exam rules and regulations on the same date. Check IAS Reservations
The aspirants should thoroughly read the rules before they register their names. Candidates can fill the civil services application form in online mode only at the official website – upsc.gov.in.
How to Fill the IAS (UPSC CSE) Application Form 2021?
The aspirants will get 20 days time to fill the IAS Application 2021. All the aspirants are asked to pay the application fees as per their category. Without paying the IAS Application form 2021, the UPSC will cancel the IAS Application form 2021.
There are four simple steps involved in the IAS Application Process – online registration, filling up the form, uploading documents, and fee payment.
IAS (UPSC CSE) Exam Pattern 2021
IAS Exam 2021 consists of 3 stages namely Prelims, Mains, and Personal Interview. Each exam has a different pattern and number of questions.
IAS Exam Pattern 2021 is given in the table below:
| Specifications | IAS (Prelims) | IAS (Mains) |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Offline | Offline |
| Medium | Bilingual (English and Hindi) | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
| Number of qualifying papers | 2 | 7 + 2 language papers |
| Total weightage | 400 Marks (200 each) | 1750 Marks |
| Type of questions | Objective | Subjective |
| Negative marking for each incorrect answer | one-third (0.33) | - |
| Duration of exam | 2 Hours per Paper | 3 Hours per Paper |
IAS (UPSC CSE) Syllabus & Books
IAS Syllabus is decided by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) each year. Each stage in the IAS exam has a different syllabus.
- IAS Syllabus for Prelims evaluates a candidate’s knowledge and aptitude in current affairs. UPSC Prelims syllabus
- IAS Syllabus for Mains assesses a candidate’s academic expertise in his specialized subject. UPSC Mains syllabus.
- IAS Exam 2021 covers questions from History, Polity, Geography and Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ecology and Environment, Economics, Arts and Culture, Social Welfare, and GK.
In the Mains examination, candidates have to choose two optional subjects in which they have specialization and the level of paper corresponds to the bachelors’ degree. UPSC optional syllabus.
IAS (UPSC CSE) Admit Card 2021
UPSC IAS Admit card 2021 will be released three weeks before the exam date. More specifically, it can be assumed that the IAS Admit card 2021 will be out from 8 June 2021. The aspirants, who will fill their application form properly, will be able to download their admit card online.
Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website of UPSC once it is released. The admit card is mandatory to be granted entry in the exam hall and has all the personal details as well as venue details for the candidates.
it should be retained till the results are declared for future reference. In case there is any discrepancy in the admit card, it should be reported to the UPSC Exam authorities with relevant redressal documents at the earliest.
Check the details here about downloading the IAS admit card and the relevant instructions.
IAS (UPSC CSE) 2021 Preliminary Exam Centers
For IAS Prelims 2021, there were exam centres across 24 cities in India. To get more details about the IAS exam centre 2021 and relevant instructions, you can refer to the IAS Prelims Exam Centre.
IAS Vacancy
There is a tentative of 782 vacancies this year via the civil services exam. Following posts are offered in two given groups:
Group A Services
| Indian Administrative Service(IAS) | Indian Post and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service |
| Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) | Indian Postal Service |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) | Indian Railway Accounts Service |
| Indian Corporate Law Service | Indian Railway Personnel Service |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service | Indian Railway Traffic Service |
| Indian Defence Estates Service | Indian Revenue Service (Custom and Central Excise) |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | Indian Revenue Service(IRS) (Income Tax) |
| Indian Information Service (Junior Grade) | Indian Trade Service (Gr. III) |
| Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Assistant Works Manager, Administration) | Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force |
| Indian Police Service(IPS) | -- |
Group B Services
| Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (Section Officer’s Grade) | Pondicherry Civil Service |
| Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Services | Pondicherry Police Service |
| Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Services | - |
Latest Updates on IAS/IPS officer Salary
IAS Previous Years’ Prelims Question Papers
How to Check IAS (UPSC CSE) Result 2021?
UPSC will declare IAS Preliminary Exam Result in July 2021 at upsc.gov.in.Candidates can follow the below steps to access IAS Result 2021:
- Visit the official website of IAS i.e. upsc.gov.in
- Click on the link which says ‘View IAS Result 2021’
- Find your roll number in the list of the roll numbers mentioned in the PDF
- Download PDF for future reference
IAS (UPSC CSE) 2021- Previous Years’ Cut-off
- IAS Cutoff Marks is the minimum score that must be obtained by the candidate in order to qualify for the exam.
- Candidates scoring more than or equal to the cutoff marks are eligible for the next stage of the IAS selection process.
- The cutoff for both prelims and main depends upon a number of factors like the difficulty level of the exam, vacancies available and the number of appearing candidates, etc.
- The cutoff for each stage is released by the authorities post the completion of the entire process of civil services examination.
Meanwhile, candidates can check IAS Previous Years’ Cutoff for different categories as tabulated below:
IAS (UPSC CSE) Selection Process 2021
The selection process of the IAS Exam is a 3 stage assessment, wherein, candidates have to appear for Prelims, main and Personal Interview round.
- A preliminary exam is basically a screening test in which, over 8 lakh candidates participate every year.
- There are two papers for candidates to attempt compulsorily in IAS Exam 2021 Prelims.
- Further, on the basis of the IAS Exam 2021 result for prelims, candidates register for the main exam.
- IAS main exam will cover 9 conventional essay-type papers, 2 being optional in them.
- The main exam and interview session form the basis of a candidate’s selection.
- After the IAS Exam 2021 main examination of 1750 marks, candidates have to clear the cutoff as decided by UPSC.
- Those who clear the cutoff are called for the Interview session which is the last stage of the IAS Selection Process.
- Marks obtained in personal interviews out of the total of 275 marks will also be considered while preparing the list of finally selected candidates.
IAS 2021 FAQs
Ques. What is the salary of an IAS officer?
Ans. The 7th Pay Commission recommendations were approved by Cabinet on May 19, 2016. Now the basic pay of entry-level IAS officers is INR 56100. Allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA) will be extra. The salary will increase as experience increases. The basic pay of the Cabinet Secretary is fixed at INR 2,50,000.
So, IAS Salary = Basic Pay + DA + HRA + TA
Ques. What are some useful websites to prepare for IAS?
Ans. Candidates preparing for IAS can take help from websites such as ClearIAS.com, cleariasexam.com, Mrunal.org, insightsonindia.com, iasbaba.com, gktoday.in, iasscore.in etc.
Ques. What are the minimum qualifying marks for clearing the IAS interview?
Ans. There are no minimum marks to qualify for the interview round. However, the interview round carries 275 marks.
Ques. What is the number of vacancies available through IAS each year?
Ans. The number of available vacancies is noted in each of the advertisements. They vary every year. However, in the last 4 years, the number of vacancies has varied between 1000-1200.
Ques. When will IAS 2021 Notification be released?
Ans. UPSC will release IAS 2021 Notification and Application Form tentatively in February 2021.
Ques. I have studied at an Open University? Am I eligible to apply for IAS?
Ans. Yes, you can apply only if it is a recognized university and you possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam.
Ques. How many times can I appear for IAS?
Ans. A candidate from General Category can sit for IAS a maximum of 6 times. Candidates from reserved categories can sit as many times as they want. There is no restriction.
Ques. I don’t have my class X and XII Marksheet. Can I still sit for IAS?
Ans. Yes, provided the graduation has been completed from a recognized University and you possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam.
Ques. How and when will the students be able to fill the IAS 2021 application form?
Ans. Students will be able to fill the IAS 2021 Application form from February 2021 to March 2021 in online mode only, tentatively.
Ques. When and what are the different phases in which the IAS 2021 exam conducted?
Ans. The IAS 2021 exam will be held in two different phases i.e. Prelims and main followed by an interview round. Prelims will be conducted on June 27, 2021, and the main exam will be held on September 17-22, 2021.
Ques. If students are unable to clear the Phase II exam can they able to appear for the interview round?
Ans. No, students qualifying IAS main exam will only be called for the interview round.
Ques. Are 12th pass candidates eligible to appear for the IAS 2021 examination?
Ans. No, for appearing in the IAS 2021 Exam, the student must possess a graduation degree from a recognized college or university.
Ques. What should be the students' maximum and minimum age required to fill the IAS 2021 Application form?
Ans. The student’s minimum age should be 21 years and the maximum age should be 32 years as of August 1, 2021.
Ques. In which year students must be born so that they are able to fill the application form.
Ans. Students must have been born not earlier than August 2, 1987, and not later than August 1, 1998.
The age limit for different categories is as:
| Category | Upper age limit |
|---|---|
| General | 32 years |
| OBC | 35 years |
| SC/ ST | 37 years |
| PWD | 42 years |
| J & K Domicile | Gen = 37 years, OBC = 40 years, SC/ ST = 40 years, PH = 50 year |
| Disabled Servicemen | Gen = 37 years, OBC = 40 years, SC/ ST = 40 years |
Ques. Other than Indian students who else can apply for the IAS 2021 exam.
Ans. Except for Indian Students, a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan or a Refugee from any other country can apply for IAS 2021 Exam but they must have a permanent plan to settle in India
Ques. What are the important details that students need to provide while filling the application form?
Ans. The details that students need to provide while filling the application form are the applicant's name, father's name, mother's name, address, contact no., and email ID, etc.
Ques. What are the documents that students need to bring along with them on the exam day?
Ans. On the examination day, students need to bring their admit card and ID proof along with them.
Ques. How much is the IAS 2021 Application fee and what are the methods to pay the fees?
Ans. For the general category, male candidates have to pay INR 100/- as application fees and SC/ ST/ PWD/ Female candidates don’t have to pay the application fees. Online or offline are both the mode to pay the application fees.
Ques. Other than Visa Card/ Debit Card or Credit card is there any other method for paying the online application fees.
Ans. No, online application fees can only be paid via Visa Card/ Credit Card or Debit card through net banking of SBI branches throughout India.
Ques. Except for the branches of SBI bank can students pay the application fees to other banks?
Ans. No, the application fees can only be paid at SBI branches.
Ques. Name the subjects from which the questions will be asked in IAS 2021 Prelims exam?
Ans. In IAS 2021 Prelims exam, the questions will be asked from the subjects namely General Studies and Aptitude Test.
Ques. In how many sections the IAS 2021 main exams are divided and name the subjects from which the questions will be asked.
Ans. The IAS 2021 Main exam is divided into 9 sections and the subjects from which the questions asked are Modern Indian Language Skills, English Language Skills, Essay Writing, General Studies – I, General Studies – II, General Studies – III, General Studies – IV, Optional Subject Paper – 1, and Optional Subject Paper – 2.
Ques. In which medium the exam is conducted and what is the total time duration to complete the paper?
Ans. The exam is conducted in both the English and Hindi medium. For the prelims exam, the total time duration given to complete per paper is 2 hours and for Main, to complete per paper 3 hours will be given.
Ques. What are the types of questions asked in both the Prelims and main exam?
Ans. The questions in the prelim exam are of objective type and for the main exam; the questions are of both objective and subjective type.
Ques. What is the marking scheme of the IAS 2021 Prelims exam? Is there is any marks deduction for wrong answers?
Ans. In IAS 2021 Prelims exam, each question in general studies carries 2 marks, and the civil service aptitude test carries 2.5 marks. For every incorrect answer, 0.33 marks will be deducted as a penalty.
Ques. How many marks will students get for every correct answer in IAS 2021 main exam? Will the marks have deducted for wrong answers?
Ans. For every correct answer, students will get 2.5 marks. While 0.33 marks will only be deducted for every wrong objective type answer.
Ques. If students are unable to submit the filled-in application form, will they be able to download the admit card?
Ans. No, only those students are able to download the admit card who have successfully submitted their application form
Ques. When and who will release the IAS 2021 Admit card and what is the mode to download it?
Ans. The admit card will be released on the official website in the last week of May 2021. It can download through online mode only.
Ques. What if students did not bring the admit card on the examination day?
Ans. Those who did not bring the admit card will not be able to sit for the exam.
Ques. What information do students need to enter for downloading the admit card?
Ans. Students need to enter their registration number and date of birth for downloading the admit card
Ques. Where to report if the students found any discrepancy in the admit card?
Ans. In the case of any discrepancy in the admit card, students have to instantly report to the higher authorities.
Ques. Why the cut-off marks are so important in the recruiting process and who will consider them?
Ans. Cut off are important in the recruiting process for shortlisting the students. UPSC board will consider the cut-off marks.
Ques. List down the impact of cut-off marks in all the stages while shortlisting the candidates?
Ans. At the time of the prelims exam, cut off marks is applicable to shortlist the candidates for IAS main exam Cut off of the main exam helps to select students for the personal interview
Ques. When is the result of the IAS 2021 Prelims exam announced? Who is responsible for declaring it?
Ans. The IAS 2021 Prelims result will be announced in July and it will be declared by Commission on the official website.
Ques. How many rounds that students have to clear for their final selection?
Ans. For the student’s final selection they have to clear the three rounds i.e. Preliminary exam, Main Exam, and Personal Interview round.
Ques. How will the final merit list be prepared and when is the merit list declared?
Ans. For preparing the final merit list, both the marks of the written test and final interview will be taken into consideration and the merit list will be prepared after the declaration of the result.
Ques. How many times can students appear for an IAS exam? Is there any kind of restriction that students need to face for appearing in the exam?
Ans. General category candidates can sit for the exam a maximum of 6 times. There is no restriction for reserved category candidates (OBC- NCL category- 9 attempts), they can appear as many times as they want.
Ques. What is the total number of vacancies available for IAS and who will release it?
Ans. The total number of vacancies released by the UPSC every year for civil services is 782.
Ques. If a student writes the exam in English can they interview in Hindi or any other language?
Ans. No, if a student writes the exam in the English language they can give the interview in the same language only.
Ques. Can final year students of graduation apply for IAS 2021 examination?
Ans. Yes, final year students of graduation can apply for IAS 2021 but they have to give their passing proof.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.