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1. Exam Overview
UPSC Civil Services Officers (IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS) lead district administration, policy execution, diplomatic missions, and central government ministries. Work involves public governance, law enforcement, revenue administration, and strategic policy formulation.
2. Posts and What They Involve
IAS, IPS, IFS and other All-India / Central Services
Accessibility: Suitable
Government of India Β· Level 10 and above β career to the topmost administrative posts
The Civil Services Examination recruits to the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Group A and B services. A VI candidate can become an IAS or IRS officer β several have.
Accessibility & Quota note: Blindness and Low Vision are eligible services-wise (7 VI posts this cycle). Scribe and 20-minutes-per-hour compensatory time apply at every stage β Prelims, Mains and Interview.
3. Vacancies β Total & Reserved Quotas
Total: 933 posts total. Breakdown by service to be published with final merit list.
Reserved / PwBD: Visually Impaired (VI): 7 posts reserved (Blindness & Low Vision) out of 933 total vacancies.
4. Exam Structure and Pattern
Prelims
Two objective papers, on one day
Duration: 2 hours per paper; 2 hours 40 minutes with compensatory time
General Studies Paper 1100 Q Β· 200 marks
CSAT Paper 2 (qualifying at 33%)80 Q Β· 200 marks
Total: 200 marks Β· Minus one-third per wrong answer
Only GS Paper 1 counts for the cut-off; CSAT is qualifying. Prelims is a screening test β marks do not carry forward.
Mains
Nine descriptive papers
Duration: 3 hours per paper; 4 hours with compensatory time
Essay0 Q Β· 250 marks
General Studies IβIV0 Q Β· 1000 marks
Optional Subject (two papers)0 Q Β· 500 marks
Two language papers (qualifying)0 Q Β· 600 marks
Total: 1750 marks Β· Not applicable (descriptive)
The two language papers are only qualifying; 1750 marks count for the merit.
Personality Test (Interview)
Board interview
Duration: As scheduled
Total: 275 marks Β· Not applicable
Final merit: Mains (1750) plus Interview (275) = 2025 marks.