UPSC Civil Services Exam – Application Process and Minimum Qualifications

Every year, aspirants are checking the UPSC Civil Services Exam application process and minimum qualifications. The exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of India’s most competitive exams. This is due to the fact that Civil Services jobs are considered to be prestigious jobs.

The posts are categorized into two groups: Group A and Group B. There are about 24 services which come under the civil services exam, these include, among others:

This article will help aspirants get an idea on what qualifications are required and how to apply for the exams.

UPSC Exam Eligibility

  • Qualification: Graduation        
  • Age Limit: 21-32 years
  • Nationality: Indian Citizens Only

Note- For further details on eligibility criteria, click on this article: UPSC Civil Services Exam Eligibility Criteria – 3 Very Important Points

UPSC Exam Date 2021

The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2021 will be held on the following dates:

  • Step 1: UPSC Prelims – Sunday, October 10, 2021
  • Step 2: UPSC Mains – Revised Dates to be out (Earlier Dates: September 17, 2021 onwards)
  • Step 3: Interview – Revised Dates to be out

Exam Frequency

  • Conducted once every year
  • The examination schedule is announced during January-March, after which the selection is made in three stages. (Preliminary, Mains and Interview)
  • Restrictions on attempts:
    • 6 (General)
    • 9 (OBC& PwBD – General)
    • No limits for SC/ST candidates

Application Process for the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Important Notes

  • Candidates should have details of one id card:
    • Aadhar Card
    • Voter Card
    • PAN Card
    • Passport, etc.
  • All Candidates should ensure that all the columns should be filled correctly. No correspondence will be tolerated by the Commission from candidates to change any of the entries made in the online Detailed Application Form.
  • The facility of withdrawal is available for those who do not want to appear for the Civil Services Examination.

How to Apply for the UPSC Civil Services Exam

1. Candidates who have been declared qualified in the written part of the Examinations have first to get themselves registered before filling up the Online Detailed Application Form (DAF) at the website www.upsc.gov.in.

2. Candidates will be required to create registration accounts by clicking appropriately on the link provided below the “login” button.

3. On the registration module, Name (as recorded in the matriculation/ secondary examination certificate), Roll Number (in six-digit format) and Date of Birth (as recorded in the matriculation/secondary examination certificate) and email address are to be provided.

4. All the fields are compulsory. Candidates should ensure that they have provided a valid and active email address in the email address field as the login credentials will be sent to the respective registered email addresses provided by the candidates.

5. After clicking the submission button, the candidates will get a message on their screen, clearly mentioning the name and email that they have been registered and a password will be sent to the Candidate’s email address.

6. After this, the candidates’ will be required to go back to the website and login into the login module with their Roll Number (six-digit numbers) along with the password.

7. Online DAF has SIX modules as indicated above, namely- Personal, Educational Information, Parental Information, Employment Information, Upload documents and Final Submission.

8. Candidates are required to fill all the modules before finally submitting the Form ONLINE, using the Final Submission Module.

9. Candidates should save each module after completing the same. However, candidates will have the option to make changes in any module before final submission of DAF. Once Final Submission has been made, no change will be possible Online.

10. Candidates are required to upload scanned copies of documents like proof of Age, Educational Qualification, Community Certificate, P.H. Certificate etc. as mentioned in the Instructions to Candidates for filling in the Detailed Application Form.

11. Candidates may note that some of the fields namely Candidate’s name, Date of Birth, Father’s Name, Mother’s name, email address, Physically Challenged category, Disability percentage etc. have been prepopulated using the information provided by the Candidate at the time of filling up the earlier Online Application Form for writing the Written Examination/Preliminary Written Examination. The Candidate cannot change such fields.

However, if a Candidate notes any error/discrepancy in these fields, he may make a separate detailed representation to the Commission, including all relevant documents, in support of his claim. The Commission will decide each such case on merit, and its decision in such cases shall be final.

Summary

The Civil Services Examination is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Police Service.

Essential points covered in this article

  • UPSC Civil Services Exam Eligibility criteria
  • UPSC Civil Services Exam Dates
  • UPSC Civil Services Exam Application Process
  • How to Apply for the UPSC Civil Services Exam

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