IAS Exam Pattern 2021- Prelims, Mains, Interview, Marking scheme and Papers

IAS Exam Pattern

IAS Exam Pattern for Prelims

• The Prelims stage of IAS consists of 2 compulsory papers- General Ability Test (GAT) and the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT). This will test the analytical skills of the candidates.
• All questions are objective in nature. Candidates are required to choose any one of the 4 answer choices given for each question.
• Questions are set in both Compulsory English Language Paper and Hindi Language. However, questions relating to the English Language Comprehension skills of the class 10th level is tested through a passage from the English language only without providing Hindi translation thereof in the question paper.
• IAS Prelims is a qualifying exam. Candidates have to get a minimum of 33% to be qualified for the Mains.
• The number of candidates to be admitted to Mains is about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this examination

IAS Marking Scheme for Prelims

• Each question in the General Studies paper carries 2 marks.
• Each question in the Civil Service Aptitude Test paper carries 2.5 marks.
• For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.
• If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and the penalty will be the same as mentioned above for that question.
• If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.
• Paper-II (CSAT) in the IAS exam is of qualifying nature and candidates should score a minimum of 33 per cent in this paper to qualify for the next stage of the IAS exam i.e. the Mains.

Negative Marking

The aspirants may get negative marks in the IAS Prelims Exam. More specifically, in the case of three incorrect answers, the aspirants will get a deduction of 1 mark. That is, the aspirants will get a 1/3 mark deduction for every incorrect answer. On the other hand, there will be no deduction if the candidates will leave blank any of the answers.

IAS Exam Pattern for Mains

• IAS Mains is also an offline exam. Each paper will carry 250 marks. 
• Each paper is for 3 hours. 30 minutes are given extra to blind students.
• The exam will contain 9 papers. A candidate will be tested on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the subject
• Questions will be subjective in nature. They will be given in both Hindi and English language.
• Every paper is compulsory to appear to qualify for the IAS interview round. 

Qualifying Papers

1. Paper A: (One of the Indian Languages to be selected from the ones included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution – 300 Marks)
2. Paper B: English – 300 Marks

UPSC Qualifying Marks

Candidates will have to score a minimum percentage in the qualifying exam to qualify for the exam. The question papers are prepared to test the intellectual and interpersonal skills of the candidate. The essay type questions will test the student's understanding of the subject and the concept. The students will be tested on the strength of an Indian Language. There would be two optional papers that the candidates would have to select.

IAS Marking Scheme for Mains

• The total marks of the Mains Examination are 1750 marks.
• Candidates will be graded based on opinion, Content flow, understanding the problems/ situation, offering feasible solutions/strategies, presentation, and language
• Candidates can choose two optional papers on which they will be questioned.

IAS Exam Pattern for Personality Test

• All candidates who secured the cutoff marks of the Mains examination will proceed towards the Personality Test.
• This would include the Psychometric Test, Assessment Test as well as Personal Interview.
• The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest.
• The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate.
• In broad terms, this is an assessment of not only the candidate’s intellectual qualities but also his social traits and his 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 judgment, variety, and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.
• This test will be conducted in the language of choice.
• The interview will be graded for 275 marks. The total marks of IAS (UPSC CSE) are 2025 marks
• Candidates will be ranked based on the grand total and called for the final interview.

Check IAS Selection Procedure