CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION -by NELLAI KAVINESAN

CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION -by NELLAI KAVINESAN 

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts civil services examination every year for the recruitment to the services and posts in different cadres. Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) are important services which attract most of the candidates who aspire for all India services. Civil services are considered to be the backbone of Indian government.

The Civil Services Examination is conducted for the following important services:

              I.      Indian Administrative Service

            II.      Indian Foreign Service

          III.      Indian Police Service

         IV.      Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’

           V.     Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

         VI.      Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’

       VII.      Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

     VIII.      Indian Revenue Service (I.T.) Group ‘A’

         IX.      Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ [Assistant Works Manager Administration)

           X.      Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’

         XI.      Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

       XII.      Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’

     XIII.      Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

   XIV.     Indian Railway PersonalService,Group ‘A’

     XV.      Post of Assistant Security Commissioner inRailway Protection Force, Group ‘A’

   XVI.      Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’

 XVII.     Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’

XVIII.      Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Gr. III)

   XIX.      Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’

     XX.      Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)

   XXI.      Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadara & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’

 XXII.      Delhi Andman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group ‘B’

XXIII.      Pondicherry Civil Service, Group ‘B’

XXIV.      Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’  

             The authority, responsibility and accountability of the important services are listed below: 

INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (IAS)

          Indian Administrative Service is considered to be the prestigious service which is preferred by most of the civil services aspirants because of its status and authority. The IAS officers involve in framing and implementations of the government policies. They may be appointed as the District Collector to maintain law and order and general administration of the district. There are promotional chances to become deputy secretary, joint secretary of the various departments in the administration of state and central government.

INDIAN POLICE SERVICE (IPS)    

           Indian Police Service is concerned with maintenance of law and order in the state and central government. The IPS officers are accountable for preventing crimes providing safety and security to the public. The major functions of IPS officers are in the areas of maintenance of public investigation, and deduction, collection of intelligence, VIP security, economic offenses, correction and public life, protection of environment etc. Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Inspector of Police, Additional Director General of Police, Director General of Police are the promotional chances available in this service.    

INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE (IFS)  

            Indian Foreign Service is established with the objective to create political and economic co-operation, trade and cultural interaction and press and media liaison among different countries of the world. The selected candidates for Indian Foreign Service are posted as the third secretaries. There are chances for them to move forward in the promotion ladder like first secretary, Director, Minister /DCM Ambassador and Ambassador / High Commissioner.     

INDIAN P&T ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE SERVICE

          Indian P&T Accounts and Finance service was established in the year 1972 and is one of the Group ‘A’ Central civil services of India. The selected candidates are to be posted in Head quarters or field units. The designations available in the Head Quarters / Office of the controller of communication Accounts are like Assistant Chief Accountant Accounts Officer, Deputy Controller of Communication Accounts, Director / Joint Controller of Communication Accounts, Deputy Director General / Communication Accounts, Senior Deputy Director General and Advisor (Finance). The designation in the field units of DOT are Assistant Chief Accounts Officer, Chief Accounts Officer, Deputy General Manager, General Manager and principal General Manager.

INDIAN AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS SERVICE (IA & AS) 

         Indian Audit and Accounts Service is accountable for compilation of accounts of state governments and many departments such as provident fund and pensionary benefit of state government. It also conducts both regularity audit and efficiency cum performance audit to the state governments, government companies, autonomous bodies substantially financed by union and state governments. The Indian audit and accounts department is controlled by Comptroller and Audit General of India (CAG).        

INDIAN CIVIL ACCOUNTS SERVICE (ICAS)

          Indian Civil Accounts Service is co-ordinating on behalf of ministries and department with the Budget Division and Comptroller General of India in accounts matters. It provides general guidelines and principles of accounting relating to Union / State Governments. It is also responsible for co-ordinating and assisting in the introduction of management accounting system in the ministries.

INDIAN POSTAL SERVICE

           Indian Postal Service is controlled by Director General of Posts. The major functions of the officers in the postal service are creating and maintaining co-ordination with government agencies like, Railways, Airlines, Department of Finance, and Law and Order etc.,  

INDIAN ORDNANCE FACTORIES SERVICE

             Indian Ordnance Factories Service is a multi disciplinary cadre including engineers, metallurgists, chemist and technologist. It provides equipments spares and machineries to the defence services. It also interacts with Research and Development Organisations to fulfill the product development and the product management.

INDIAN DEFENCE ACCOUNTS SERVICE

           Indian Defence Accounts Service is controlled by the ministry of defence and is playing a vital role in policy formulation on all matters related to delegation of financial powers, accounting procedures, changes in the terms of contract and procedures on Internal Audit for Defence.

INDIAN RAILWAY ACCOUNTS SERVICE (IRAS)

           Indian Railway Accounts Service is providing advice to the management of Railways on financial matters and maintenance of accounts. It is responsible for setting all claims against the Indian Railways. It also controls the operations of computers, and management information systems. The apex level of hierarchy is Financial Commissioner (Railways).

INDIAN RAILWAY PERSONNEL SERVICE (IRPS)

            Indian Railway Personnel Service is connected with recruitment, selection, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, disciplinary action and retirement of Indian Railways. The major functions of IRPS Personnel are implementation of rules, regulations, various laws and acts and also to look after the welfare of the staff members in the organization.

IDNIAN DEFENCE ESTATE SERVICE (IDES)    

             Indian Defence Estate Service is managed by Ministry of Defence. The major functions of the IDES officers are management of defence land, auditing of defence land, usage and providing civil and municipal administration. They are responsible for handling litigation and court cases pertaining to defence lands, construction and maintenance of rules and infrastructure and conducting elections, and census related activity in the cantonment area.

INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE (IIS)

             Indian Information Service is governed by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It administers the operation of government owned broadcasting and advertising agencies. All India Radio, Doordarshan, and DAVP are the major organizations which provide different designations in the field of print and visual media.

INDIAN REVENUE SERVICES (IRS)

             Indian Revenue Service (I.T.) is the assessment and collection of Income Tax from the employed, business man and the public. Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Excise Duty) is responsible for calculating, collecting and maintaining accounts of Customs and Excise Duty.

ELIGIBILITY

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

             Candidate who possesses a degree of the recognized university is take eligible to write the Civil Service Examinations. However, final year degree students are also permitted to the preliminary examination. But the candidates should pass in their degree examination before taking the Civil Services Main Examination.

AGE:       

           Candidate who have attained the age of 21 years can apply to write Civil Services Examination. The upper age limit is fixed as 33 for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 35 years for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe (SC/ST) candidates. 

FEE

           Application can be sent to the UPSC both through online and off-line. Candidates applying through online should pay Rs.50/- through State Bank of India.

          On off-line, common application form may be obtained from designated Head Post Office/Post Offices through out the country for rupees 30/-. The Preliminary Examination fee Rs. 100/- should be paid through a single Central Recruitment Stamp in the Post Office and cancellation is necessary in the Stamp. Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC/ST and Physically Handicapped category are exempted from the payment of the prescribed fees.

           It is compulsory for all candidates who are selected for Main Examination are to pay Rs. 200/- as the Main Exam fee.

APPLICATION

           To send the application through on-line candidates are advised to visit the website http;//www.upsconline.nic.in for getting necessary information. On off line, the filled in common application form should be sent to –

The Controller of Examination,

Union Public Service Commission, 

Dholpur House,

Shahjahan Road

,

New Delhi – 110 069

For further guidance and clarification regarding applications candidates can approach directly to the UPSCs facility counter. Candidates can also contact the UPSC over telephone number 011-23385271 / 011-233281125 and 011-23098543. 

EXAMINATION

          

Civil Services Examination takes place in three stages:

1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
2. Civil Services (Main) Examination
3. Interview Test

1. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

             Preliminary Examination is conducted to select the candidates for Main Examination. It includes two compulsory papers namely paper I and paper II. Each paper is of two hours duration and will consist of multiple choice questions (objective type). The question paper for this examination is in English and Hindi. It is a screening test which carries a maximum of 400 marks for both Paper – I (200 marks) and Paper II (200 marks). 

            Based on the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination, the qualified candidates are allowed to take Main Examination. Union Public Service Commission has the discretionary power to fix the qualifying marks in the examination. Preliminary examination will be conducted based on the following areas. The candidates are not allowed to use calculators for answering questions in this Exam.

Paper – I

v     Current events of national and international importance

v     History of Indian and Indian National Movement

v     Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic, Geography of India and the World.

v     Indian Policy and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayat Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

v     Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

v     General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.

v     General Science

Paper – II

v     Comprehension

v     Interpersonal skills including communication skills

v     Logical reasoning and analytical ability

v     Decision – making and problem solving

v     General mental ability

v     Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

               Questions relating to English Language (Comprehension skills of Class X level) (last item in the Syllabus of Paper II) will be tested through passages from English language only without providing Hindi translation in the question paper.   

2. MAIN EXAMINATION

  

              The Main Examination is written examination in the subjective or essay type format. It is conducted to assess the overall intellectual trait and understanding skill of the candidates. This examination consists of 9 papers namely:

Paper I -Indian Language

Paper II – English,

Paper III – Essay,

Papers IV and V – General Studies,

Paper VI, VII, VIII and IX – Optional Subjects

              Optional Papers (any two subjects are to be selected) optional subjects set out in para 2 below. Each subject will have two papers.

              The details about the Main Examination are given below:

PAPER I (INDIAN LANGUAGES)

            One of the Indian languages is to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. It will carry 300 marks and will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard    

              For Indian language papers the script to be used by the candidates will be as follows.

Language	Script
Assamese	Assamese
Bengali	Bengali
Bodo	Devangari
Dogri	Devanagari
Gujarati	Gujarati
Hindi	Devanagari
Kannada	Kannada
Kashmiri	Persian
Konkani	Devanagari
Maithili	Devanagari
Malayalam	Malayalam
Manipuri	Bengali
Marathi	Devanagari
Nepali	Devanagari
Oriya	Oriya
Punjabi	Gurumukhi
Sanskrit	Devanagari
Santali	Devangari or Olchiki
Sindhi	Devanagari or Arabic
Tamil	Tamil
Telugu	Telugu
Urdu	Persian

               This paper is designed to evaluate the candidates communication ability in any one of the Indian languages. The candidates are permitted to write answers in their respective Indian language.

              The performance of the candidates in Indian languages is tested in the following areas:

1. Comprehension of given passage
2. Precis writing
3. Usage and Vocabulary
4. Short Essay
5. Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.

2. PAPER II (ENGLISH)

          Paper II (English) carries 300 marks with matriculation or equivalent standard. It also concentrates on the following areas –

1. Comprehension of a given passage
2. Precis writing
3. Usage of Vocabulary
4. Short Essay

           The candidates are allowed to write answers in English only.

           Paper – I and Paper – II are considered as qualifying papers but the marks scored in these papers are not considered for ranking the candidates.

PAPER III ESSAY

            

           Paper – III (Essay) carries 200 marks. It is used for assessing the ability of the candidates in writing essays. The effective and exact expression, clarity of thought, orderly arrangement of ideas and conciseness of essay.                

PAPER IV & V (GENERAL STUDIES)

           Papers IV and V are for General Studies, which carry 300 marks each, It is used for assessing the candidates general awareness. Paper IV includes the following important areas.

1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture
2. Geography of India
3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity
4. Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance

 Paper V covers the areas of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 –

1. India and the World
2. India’s Economic Interaction with the World
3. Developments in the Field of Science and Technology, IT and space
4. International Affairs and Institutions
5. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams 

The syllabi for these papers are given below:

PAPER IV (GENERAL STUDIES)

1. History of Modern India and Indian Culture: The History of Modern India will cover history of the country from about the middle of nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects of India besides principal features of literature, arts and architecture.
2. Geography of India: In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.
3. Constitution of India and Indian Polity: This part will include questions on the Constitution of India as well as all constitutional, legal, administrative and other issues emerging from the politico-administrative system prevalent in the country.
4. Current National Issues and Topics of Social relevance: This part is intended to test the candidate’s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following:

(i)                 The Indian economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

(ii)               Issues arising from the social and economic exclusion of large sections from the benefits of development.

(iii)             Other issues relating to the development and management of human resource.

(iv)             Health issues relating to the development and management of Public Health, education and ethical concerns regarding health-care, medical research and pharmaceuticals.

(v)               Law enforcement, internal security and related issues such as the preservation of communal harmony.

(vi)             Issues relating to good governance and accountability to the citizens including the maintenance of human rights, and of probity of public life.

(vii)           Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage.

PAPER V (GENERAL STUDIES)              

1. India and the World: 

           

           This part will include questions to test candidate’s awareness of India’s relationship with the world in various spheres such as the following:

            Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighbouring countries and in the world.

             Security and defence related matters. Nuclear policy, issues, and conflicts. The Indian Diaspora and its contribution toIndia and the world.

2. India’s Economic Interaction with the World:

         In this part, questions will be on economic and trade issues such as foreign trade, foreign investment, economic and diplomacy issues relating to oil, gas and energy flows; the role and functions of I.M.F., World Bank, W.T.O., WIPO etc. which influence Indian’s economic interaction with other countries and international institutions.

3. Developments in the Field of Science and Technology, IT and space:

          In this part, questions will test the candidate’s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology, information technology, space and basic ideas about computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and related issues regarding intellectual property rights.

4. International Affairs and Institutions:    

         This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

5. Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams:

         This part will test the candidate’s ability to draw conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to interpret them.

PAPERS VI, VIII, VIII AND IX – OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

List of Optional Subjects (25) for Main examination

          1) Agriculture 2) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science 3) Anthropology 4) Botany, 5) Chemistry, 6) Civil Engineering 7) Commerce and Accountancy 8) Economics 9) Electrical  Engineering 10) Geography, 11) Geology, 12) History, 13) Law, 14) Management, 15) Mathematics, 16) Mechanical Engineering, 17) Medical Science, 18) Philosophy, 19) Physics, 20) Political Science and International Relations, 21) Psychology, 22) Public Administration, 23) Sociology, 24) Statistics and 25) Zoology   

           Candidates can choose any one of the following languages as one optional paper. Arabic, Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Chinese, Dogri, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Pali, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. But it is necessary to choose another one optional from the optional subjects prescribed .

            The combination of following subjects is not permitted for the candidate to select optional subjects.

(a)   Political Science and International Relations and Public Administration

(b)   Commerce and Accountancy and Management

(c)   Anthropology and Sociology

(d)   Mathematics and Statistics

(e)   Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science

(f)     Management and Public Administration

(g)   Of the Engineering subjects, viz., Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering – not more than one subject

(h)  Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science and Medical Science 

             Candidates are allowed to write the examination for 3 hours .For the questions of Essay paper, General studies papers and optional papers, the candidates are permitted to write answers in any one of the languages in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution.

EXAMINATION CENTRES

The Preliminary Examination will be held at the following Centres:

CENTRES OF EXAMINATION
AGARTALA	CHANDIGARH	IMPHAL	LUCKNOW	RANCHI
AHMEDABAD	CHENNAI	ITANAGAR	MADURAI	SHAMBALPU
AIZAWL	CUTTACK	JAIPUR	MUMBAI	SHILLONG
ALIGARH	DEHRADUN	JAMMU	NAGPUR	SHIMLA
ALLAHABAD	DELHI	JODHPUR	PANAJI (GOA)	SRINAGAR
AURANGABAD	DHARWAD	JORHAT	PATNA	THIRUVANNANTHAPURAM
BANGALORE	DISPUR	KOCHI	PUDUCHERRY	TIRUPATI
BAREILLY	GANGTOK	KOHIMA	PORT BLAIR	UDAIPUR
BHOPAL	HYDERABAD	KOLKATA	RAIPUR	VISHAKHAPATNAM

             However, the Examination Centres for the Main Examination will be decided by the UPSC according to their convenience.

INTERVIEW TEST

             Candidates who have passed in the Main Examination will be called for Interview Test to assess their personal suitability for the career in public service. Their performance evaluation is made on the mental calibre, social traits and their interest in current affairs of the candidates. The candidates’ qualities related to mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity are also evaluated in the interview process.

             The selection of number of candidates for these will vary from year to year according to the requirements for the services.              

              Candidates have to first go through the Employment News supplementary on CSE. It would be the very basis for the examination. The candidates are advised to prepare well in accordance with the syllabus, content question pattern and interview. Hard work, perseverance and self confidence would definitely yield latter results.

              “In the confrontation between lock and water, water succeeds not by strength but by perseverance”.  

                                                                                                                                                                                       Dr.S.NARAYANA RAJAN, M.B.A., PhD.,