UPSC Full Form
The Full form of UPSC is Union Public Service Commission. It is a constitutional body in India responsible for conducting civil service examinations. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of the most prestigious institutions in India. Established in 1926, it is responsible for conducting various competitive exams, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination, Engineering Services Examination (ESE), and many others. Let us Explore more about UPSC Full Form and its other Functions.
The CSE, commonly known as the IAS exam, is considered the most prestigious exam conducted by the UPSC. It is conducted in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The exam is intended to recruit candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian government, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Functions of UPSC
The primary function of UPSC is to conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the Union. Article 320 of the Constitution outlines the duties of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Conducting Examinations:
The main responsibility of UPSC is to organize examinations to select candidates for various services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and more.
- Development of Recruiting Schemes:
UPSC is actively involved in formulating and developing recruiting schemes and methods, ensuring fair and transparent selection processes.
- Consultation on Personnel Matters:
UPSC provides valuable consultation to the government on a range of personnel matters. This includes recruitment, appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary cases, and pension claims.
Examinations Conducted by UPSC
To comprehend the scope of UPSC’s role, candidates should be familiar with the various examinations conducted by the commission. The list includes:
👉Indian Statistical Service Examination (ISS)
👉Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS)
👉Indian Civil Services Examination (ICSE):
👉For the recruitment of officers to IAS, IPS, IRS, and other allied services.
👉Combined Medical Services Examination
👉Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)
👉Including exams for UPSC EPFO and other specialized positions.
👉Indian Engineering Services Examination
👉Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination
👉National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA)
👉Indian Economic Service Examination (IES)
👉Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination
The diverse range of examinations conducted by UPSC reflects its commitment to ensuring merit-based appointments across different sectors, contributing to the overall efficiency and integrity of the country’s administrative and defense services.
UPSC Age Limit
The age limit for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exams in India varies depending on the category of the candidate. Here are the general age limits for different categories:
For the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS)Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS):
General Category: 21-32 years
OBC (Other Backward Classes): 21-35 years
SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): 21-37 years
✅Exam Pattern of UPSC Civil Service
➢The Preliminary exam is conducted in two papers – General Studies and Aptitude Test. It is an objective-type exam that tests the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, Indian polity, economics, science, and technology. The Aptitude Test assesses the candidate’s logical reasoning and comprehension skills.
➢Candidates who qualify in the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains exam. The Mains exam consists of nine papers, including two qualifying papers in English and any Indian language of the candidate’s choice. The other papers include Essay, General Studies I, II, III, and IV, and two optional papers that candidates choose based on their academic background.
➢The Interview round is the final stage of the selection process. Candidates who clear the Mains exam are called for an interview, which is conducted by a panel of experts. The interview tests the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the administrative services.
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Pattern
| Name of the Paper | No of Questions | Marks Allotted | Time Allotted | Nature of Exam |
| Paper I: General Studies (Objective-type) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | The score will be considered for Cut-off |
| Paper-II: General Studies-II (CSAT) (Objective-Type) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying Nature- Candidates will have to score 33% to qualify CSAT. |
UPSC CSE Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Total marks | Time Allotted | Nature of paper | Type of Paper |
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian language | 3 hours | 300 | 3 hours | Qualifying | Descriptive |
| Paper B | English | 3 hours | 300 | 3 hours | Qualifying | Descriptive |
| Paper I | Essay | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
| Paper-II | General Studies I | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
| Paper VI | Optional I | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
| Paper VII | Optional II | 3 hours | 250 | 3 hours | Merit | Descriptive |
✅How to Prepare
➢Preparing for the UPSC exam requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and patience. Candidates need to have a thorough understanding of the syllabus and should follow a disciplined study routine. They should read newspapers, journals, and magazines regularly to keep themselves updated with current affairs. Joining coaching institutes and online study groups can also be helpful.
Some of the Important Books for the UPSC Civil Service Preparation:
| Name of the Book | Author’s name |
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth |
| Important Judgments that Transformed India | Alex Andrews George |
| Important Acts that Transformed India | Alex Andrews George |
| Ancient and Medieval India | Poonam Dalal Dahiya |
| Indian Art and Culture | Nitin Singhania |
| Certificate Physical And Human Geography | Goh Cheng Leong |
| Geography of India | Majid Husain |
| Modern Indian History | Sonali Bansal and Snehil Tripathi |
| Science and Technology | Ravi P. Agrahari |
| Environment and Ecology | Vaishali Anand |
| Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | Niraj Kumar |
✅Opportunity
➢UPSC exams are highly competitive, and the selection process is rigorous. However, success in the exam can lead to a fulfilling career in the Indian government. It offers candidates the opportunity to serve the country, work towards its development, and make a positive impact on society.
UPSC exam is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. It tests the candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, and personality and is the gateway to a fulfilling career in the Indian government. Preparing for the exam requires dedication, hard work, and patience, but success can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling career.
FAQ,s
What is UPSC Full Form?
The Full Form of UPSC is Union Public Service Commission.