About CSE Exam

The Civil Services Examination will consist of two successive stages:

1. Preliminary Examination: Objective type for selecting candidates for the Main Examination. Generally conducted every year by May/June.
2. Main Examination: This includes Written and Interview for selecting candidates for various Services. Main Exam usually held in October & result declared in December/January, interview starts in January, and final result declared by April.

Candidates selected for the following services based on their rank and reservation:

1. Indian Administrative Service
2. Indian Foreign Service
3. Indian Police Service
4. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
5. Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
6. Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
7. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
8. Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
9. Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
10. Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
11. Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’
12. Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’
13. Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’
14. Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’
15. Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
16. Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes), Group ‘A’
17. Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), Group ‘A’
18. Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
19. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
20. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’
21. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’
22. Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’
23. Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’

Age Limit: 21 to 32 years as on 1st August of the exam year.

Relaxation:

• SC/ST: Up to 5 years
• OBC: Up to 3 years
• Defence Personnel: Up to 3 years (subject to conditions)

Educational Qualification: A degree from any recognized university under a Parliament or State Legislature Act.

Number of Attempts: SC/ST – Unlimited, OBC – 9, PwBD – 9

📎 For more detailed and updated information, refer the official UPSC Notification.