The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is instrumental in shaping India’s administrative framework by selecting competent candidates for various civil services. Beyond just examinations, the UPSC also emphasises the significance of ethical governance and public service values in its recruitment process. It is responsible for conducting various exams for recruitment to Civil Services.
In that connection, the often-asked question is: How many exams are there in UPSC India? There are around 15 different types of exams, conducted for different purposes. Of them, the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is the most sought-after; and the toughest. Let’s learn more in this discussion.
UPSC Full Form
The full form of UPSC is the Union Public Service Commission. It is India’s premier central agency responsible for conducting various competitive examinations for recruitment to various civil services and posts under the Government of India. Established on October 1, 1926, UPSC plays a role in selecting candidates for key positions, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.
The commission conducts exams like the Civil Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, and Combined Medical Services Examination, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process for civil services in India.
How Many Exams are there in UPSC?
- Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
- Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination (IES/ISS)
- Employees Provident Fund Organisation EO/AO Examination
- Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
- Combined Defence Services Examination (I and II)
- National Defence Academy (I and II)
- Naval Academy Examination (I and II)
- SO-Steno (GD-B-GD-I) LDCE
- CISF AC(EXE) LDCE
- Combined Medical Services Examination
- Engineering Services Examination
- Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination
- Geologist Examination
Purpose Key UPSC Exams
| Examination | Purpose |
| Civil Services Exam (CSE) | Selects candidates for public administration roles. Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), etc. |
| Engineering Services Examination (ESE) | Selects candidates for Indian Engineering Services (IES). Various engineering positions in government departments |
| Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS) | Selects medical professionals for various government services |
| Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) | Selects candidates for admission to defence academies, e.g. Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy |
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | Selects candidates for the National Defence Academy |
| Indian Naval Academy Examination | Admission to the Indian Naval Academy |
| Special Class Railway Apprentices (SCRA) | Selects candidates for Mechanical Engineering in Indian Railways |
| Indian Forest Service Exam (IFoS) | Selects candidates for the Indian Forest Service |
UPSC IAS Exam Pattern (UPSC CSE)
UPSC CSE exam pattern is considered one of the toughest in the world. The exam goes through three primary stages: UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains, and UPSC Personality Test. UPSC Prelims is an objective type exam, while UPSC Mains is a descriptive type exam, and the Personality Test is an in-person test. The whole exam is conducted over an year, approximately.
The total mark of the UPSC is 2025, including the marks for the interview test. Candidates who clear all three stages of the exam will be inducted into various Civil services positions, including for IAS and IPS. So, how many exams are there in UPSC CSE? You can safely say there are three exams.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Subjects | No. of questions | Total Marks | Duration | Negative marks |
| General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM) | 0.66 Marking |
| CSAT | 80 | 200 | 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) | 0.83 Marking |
How many exams are there in UPSC Prelims? UPSC exam structure for prelims consists of two papers: General Studies and CSAT. However, both are qualifying exams only. Candidates who qualify in the UPSC Prelims with a minimum of 33% of marks will be eligible for entry to UPSC Mains.
The total marks in UPSC Prelims are 400, but they’re not counted for final merit list preparation. Candidates must attend both the papers if they want to proceed to UPSC Mains.
Moreover, UPSC Prelims is completely an objective type exam. Candidates have to answer multiple-choice questions. An OMR sheet will be provided for candidates to mark their answers. Wrong answers, for any reason, will attract a penalty. The success rate in UPSC Prelims is said to be 5% of the candidates who appeared for the UPSC Prelims.
UPSC Mains Paper Pattern
| UPSC Mains Paper | Paper Duration | Total Marks | Nature of Paper |
| Paper A – Compulsory Indian Language Paper | 3 hours | 300 | Qualifying in nature |
| Paper B – English Language Paper | 3 hours | 300 | |
| Essay | 3 hours | 250 | Considered for Merit List |
| General Studies I | 3 hours | 250 | |
| General Studies II | 3 hours | 250 | |
| General Studies III | 3 hours | 250 | |
| General Studies IV | 3 hours | 250 | |
| Optional Paper I | 3 hours | 250 | |
| Optional Paper II | 3 hours | 250 | |
| Total Marks in UPSC Mains | 1750 | ||
| Interview/ Personality Test | 275 | Considered for Merit List | |
| Grand Total | 2025 | ||
How many exams are there in UPSC Mains? That is the most asked question. UPSC Mains consists of 9 exams in total. Each of the exams is compulsory. While the first two papers are language papers, there are 4 General Studies Papers and two optional subject papers. It is an entirely descriptive exam, where candidates have to write answers in a booklet.
The total marks in the UPSC Mains are 1750. Marks obtained are counted towards the final merit list. Those who clear the UPSC Mains proceed towards the interview stage. However, as with the Prelims, candidates can get rejected at this stage.
Posts Recruited through UPSC CSE
All India Services
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
Group ‘A’ Civil Services
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
- Indian Post & Telecommunication Finance Services (IP&TAFS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
- Indian Trade Service (ITS)
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQ CS)
Group ‘B’ Civil Services
- DANICS
- DANIPS
- Pondicherry Civil Service
- Pondicherry Police Service
UPSC Eligibility Criteria (CSE)
| Criteria | Requirements |
| Nationality | Indian citizen, Nepalese/Bhutanese subject, or Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1962 |
| Age Limit | Minimum 21 years, Maximum 32 years (relaxations for reserved categories) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate degree from a recognised university (final-year students can apply) |
| Number of Attempts | General: 6 attempts, OBC: 9 attempts, SC/ST: unlimited attempts until age limit |
| Physical Standards | Must meet physical fitness standards set by UPSC for respective services |
Conclusion
How many exams are there in UPSC? We have learned that there are 14 main exams. But the UPSC journey requires more than academic preparation; it demands resilience and adaptability, especially the Civil Services Exam. Candidates should cultivate a strong understanding of governance, ethics, and social issues, as these are integral to the role of civil servants in shaping India’s future and addressing the challenges faced by society.
FAQs
How many papers are there in UPSC mains?
There are total 9 papers in the UPSC Mains: 2 language papers, 4 General Studies, and 2 Optional subject papers. All are conducted in descriptive mode only.
How many exams are there in UPSC in India?
There are around 15 exams in the UPSC India, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Engineering Services Exam (ESE), and Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS).
What is the list of exams conducted by UPSC after the 12th?
- National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination
- Naval Academy Examination
- Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination
- Special Class Railway Apprentices (SCRA) Examination
What are the total marks of the UPSC CSE exam?
The total marks for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is 2025, which includes 1750 marks from the Mains exam and 275 marks from the Personality Test (interview).
