UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024: Notification, Admit Card, Results and Important Dates.

February 26, 2024

5 Minutes

Do you want to join India's top government services and help make a positive change? The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 is your chance! This guide will explain everything about the UPSC CSE 2024, how to know if you can apply, the types of questions on the exam, what to study, and how to sign up for the test.

UPSC Notification 2024

The official announcement about the UPSC CSE 2024 was released on February 14th, 2024. This is where you'll find details like when the exam will happen, what you need to study, how many job openings there are, and how to apply. Click here to download the official notification document.

UPSC Exam Dates for 2024

Here's a simple list of dates you absolutely need to remember:

Make sure to adhere to these dates and plan your preparation accordingly to stay ahead in the UPSC CSE 2024 journey. 

Note: According to the notification, the UPSC Prelims was supposed to take place on 26th of May, 2024 but as the date clashed with General Elections 2024, the updated UPSC Prelims Exam date is June 16, 2024. 

UPSC Vacancies and Posts

The UPSC CSE 2024 has offered 1056 job openings, including some set aside for people with disabilities. These openings are for different positions in both Group A and Group B services. This means you could work in areas like government leadership, police work, foreign countries, taxes, accounting, and more!

Here are some of the most important positions you could get:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)

Other important services under the UPSC CSE 2024

• Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
• Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
• Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)
• Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
• Indian Information Service (IIS)
• Indian Trade Service (ITS)
• Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
• Indian Railway Protection Force (IRPF)

Important Note: The specific positions you'll be considered for depend on your exam scores, your preferences, and how many openings there are each year. Additionally, 150 openings for Indian Forest Service (IFS) have also been announced.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024

1. Nationality:

• For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service, and the Indian Police Service, candidates must be citizens of India.
• For other services, candidates must be either:
  • Citizens of India
  • Subjects of Nepal, Bhutan
  • Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling
  • Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Candidates belonging to categories (b), (c), (d), and (e) must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

2. Age Limits

• Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years old as of August 1, 2024.
• Age relaxations are available for:
  • Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes (up to 5 years)
  • Other Backward Classes (up to 3 years)
  • Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations (up to 3 years)
  • Ex-servicemen (up to 5 years)
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (up to 10 years)
• Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwBD categories are eligible for cumulative age-relaxation.

3. Minimum Educational Qualification

• Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university or institution.
• Candidates appearing in a qualifying examination are also eligible, but they must produce proof of passing the examination before the Main Examination.

4. Number of Attempts:

• General category candidates can attempt the exam six times.
• SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts within the age limit.
• OBC candidates can attempt the exam nine times.
• PwBD candidates have nine attempts for GL/EWS/OBC categories and unlimited attempts for SC/ST categories.

5. Restrictions on Applying

• Candidates already appointed to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, or Indian Police Service based on earlier examination results are not eligible to apply.
• Candidates appointed to the Indian Police Service based on earlier examination results cannot opt for the Indian Police Service based on the CSE-2024 results.

6. Medical and Physical Standards

• Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards for admission to the Civil Services Examination, 2024, as per guidelines provided.

7. Fee

• Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempt from the fee.
• OBC/EWS candidates must pay the prescribed fee in full.
• Candidates must pay the fee either by remitting the money in any branch of the State Bank of India by cash or by using Net Banking facility of any bank or by using Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment.

Note: Candidates are encouraged to refer to the official notification for detailed eligibility criteria and guidelines.

Nationality: You need to be an Indian citizen, or a citizen of a few other specific countries.

UPSC Exam Pattern

Knowing the structure of the UPSC exam is important for getting ready. The UPSC CSE 2024 has three main parts:

Preliminary Exam: This part has two papers - General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). It's all about answering objective-type questions.

Mains Exam: This is a written test with nine papers covering different subjects.

Interview: In this stage, your personality is assessed to see if you're suitable for civil services.

Each of these stages has its own role in selecting candidates. They test different parts of what you know, how you think, and what kind of person you are.

Check out a detailed overview of UPSC CSAT syllabus here.

UPSC Application Process

To sign up for UPSC CSE 2024, here's what you need to do:

• Fill the Form: Go to the UPSC website between 14th February and 5th March 2024. There, you'll find an online registration link and you'll have to generate your OTR, a registration number that will be used to log into the UPSC portal. In the portal, fill the form carefully.
• Provide Correct Information: Make sure all the details you enter are accurate. Also, upload any necessary documents they ask for.
• Double-Check: Before hitting submit, review all the information you've entered. It's important to ensure everything is correct.
• Make Corrections (if needed): If you realize you've made a mistake after submitting, don't worry. You can use the application correction window from 6th March to 12th March 2024 to fix any errors.
• Download and Keep a Copy: After you've submitted the form, download and print it for your records. It's always good to have a copy for future reference.
• Follow Instructions: Pay close attention to any instructions given and make sure you meet all the deadlines. This will help you complete the application process smoothly.

UPSC Admit Card 2024

Getting your admit card is crucial for taking the UPSC CSE exams. Here's how you can do it:

• Visit the Official Website: Go to the UPSC website.
• Find the Admit Card Section: Look for the section that mentions Admit Card.
• Select Your Exam: Choose the Civil Services Examination (CSE) from the options provided.
• Enter Your Details: You'll need to enter some information like your registration number or roll number. Make sure you have these details handy.
• Download and Print: Once you've entered the required details, you should be able to download your admit card. Print it out immediately.
• Check Your Details: Before heading to the exam center, double-check all the information on your admit card. Make sure everything is accurate and matches the information you provided during registration.
• Take it to the Exam Center: On the day of your exam, don't forget to carry the printed copy of your admit card with you. It's a mandatory document for entry into the exam center.

UPSC Syllabus

The syllabus for UPSC CSE 2024, which is included in the official notification, covers a broad range of topics across different subjects. Here's a simple breakdown of what you need to focus on for both Prelims and Mains:

Prelims Syllabus: This part includes General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) topics. You'll need to study subjects like history, geography, polity, economy, science, current affairs, comprehension, logical reasoning, and basic numeracy.

Mains Syllabus: For the Mains exam, you'll need to be prepared in Indian languages, English, essay writing, and general studies (I, II, III, IV). Additionally, you'll have the option to choose optional subjects based on your preferences.

If you're finding it difficult to select your optional subject, please check out our comprehensive blog: How to Pick the Right Optional Subject for UPSC?

It's important to refer to the detailed syllabus provided by UPSC and study each subject diligently to do well in the exams. Make sure you understand the topics thoroughly and practice regularly to excel in the UPSC CSE 2024.

To know the best way to start your preparation and take it forward in the most efficient way, check out our detailed blog on How to Prepare for UPSC?

Struggling with Answer Writing? Check out our comprehensive blog on Answer Writing for USPC

Conclusion

Embarking on the UPSC CSE 2024 journey requires dedication, perseverance, and strategic preparation. With thorough understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and eligibility criteria, coupled with consistent effort and guidance, you can enhance your chances of success in this prestigious examination. Stay focused, stay motivated, and embark on this transformative journey towards serving the nation as a civil servant. Best of luck!