Exams conducted by UPSC and Schedule

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central government agency in charge of conducting examinations for the recruitment of staff

Exams conducted by UPSC and Schedule

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central government agency in charge of conducting examinations for the recruitment of staff and officers into various sectors of the central government.

The Civil Service exam, along with many other exams administered by the UPSC, is one of the most well-known and important exams given each year. UPSC is based at Dholpur House in New Delhi and operates with its own secretariat.

This article contains detailed information about UPSC exams as well as other relevant information.

UPSC's annual examination schedule

You will learn about the important examinations held by UPSC each year in this section.

The Exam for Engineering Services (IES)

The UPSC conducts the Engineering Service Examination to meet the government's technical and managerial needs, which is an important sector. Members who pass the examination of IES get themselves hired in various engineering departments such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and electronics and telecommunication engineering in government sectors.

IES recruits for various engineering departments such as power, roads, and manufacturing.

  • This exam is divided into three phases and consists of two papers.
  • The preliminary examination is followed by the main examination in the case of IES.
  • To take this IES examination, the candidate must be an engineering graduate.
  • Candidates taking the IES examination have a certain age requirement that the candidate must be at least 21 years old and no older than 30 years old. For OBC candidates, the maximum period of relaxation is three years, and for SC/ST candidates, the maximum period of relaxation is five years.

There is no time limit for taking this exam until the candidate reaches the upper age limit.

The Civil Service Examination

The Civil Service Examination is a single-window entry through which candidates gain access to a variety of government services such as the IAS, IPS, IRS, and IFS.

  • These positions are given to candidates based on their grades and ranks. All India Services and Central Services provide around 25 services.
  • A candidate must have graduated from a recognized Indian university in any field and it is a basic requirement. Final-year students are also allowed to take the exam.
  • The minimum age to appear for this examination is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 32 years for general and backward castes, but 4 years for SC/ST.
  • There is a maximum of 6 attempts for general, 9 attempts for OBC, and no limit on the number of attempts for SC/ST until the person reaches a certain age limit.

An Exam for the Indian Forest Service

The Indian Forest Service Examination is used to fill positions in the Indian government's foster care system. Officers of the IFoS serve the country on their own, without help from district governments.

  • They have full legal, administrative, and financial control over their domain.
  • The chosen candidate has full authority and is the head of the respective state's forest department. These officers can work for both the federal and state governments.
  • The main job of the IFS service is to carry out the national forest policy, which makes sure that the environment is stable and that ecological balance is kept, and it also focuses on reducing harmful effects on forests and the environment.
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The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in any one of the following subjects if they want to be eligible for giving the examination of IFS: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science; Chemistry; Botany; Statistics; Physics, Mathematics, and Zoology; or a degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from an Indian university.
  • Candidates must be at least 21 years old and no older than 32 years old to take this IFS examination. There is a three-year relaxation for OBC candidates and defence service personnel, and a five-year relaxation for SC/ST candidates, thus an advantage to them.
  • The maximum number of attempts for general is nine, while there is no limit for SC/ST/OBC until they reach the age limit.

Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

Every year, the UPSC conducts a test for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners, whose responsibility it is to oversee the work of recovery, enforcement, accounts, cash, legal, administration, computers, and pensions, which include not only the statutory but also administrative functions.

  • APFC officers also conduct investigation work in order to settle claims. general cash book administration, etc.
  • A bachelor's degree from a recognized institute is required for eligibility.
  • Applicants who register themselves for this examination of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner should be under the age of 35 at the time they fill out the form.
  • There is no limit to attempts which means there is no limit to the number of times you can take this exam.

Examinations for the Indian Economic Service and the Indian Statistical Service

Indian Economic Service and the Indian Statistical Service were established as Group A services of India's executive branch.

  • This division encompasses all statistical positions held by various departments and ministers.
  • A candidate who wants to apply for the Indian Economic Service examination must have a postgraduate degree in Economics, Business Economics, Applied Economics, or any such related field from a university established by an act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or from another educational institute established by an act of Parliament of India.
  • A candidate for the Indian Statistical Service Examination should have a bachelor's degree in Statistical/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics, etc. as one of the subjects, or a master's degree in applied statistics/mathematical statistics/statistics, etc.
  • The age limit for appearing for these examinations for the candidate is at least 21 years and no more than 30 years. The general category will have six chances to appear in this examination.

Exam for Special-Class Railway Apprentices

UPSC holds this examination to recruit Special Class apprentices into the Indian Railway Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering for admission to the undergraduate mechanical engineering program.

  • The recruitment process consists of two steps: the written examination and the personal interview, after which there will be a selection of the candidate.
  • Those who pass the interview round after the written exam are chosen for the position.
  • The candidate who wants to apply for this examination of special class railway apprentices must have passed the intermediate examination in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognized board in order to sit for this examination.
  • The candidate must be between the ages of 17 and 21, and there is no limit to the number of attempts.

Exams for the National Defense Academy and the Naval Academy

UPSC gives the NDA and NA exams twice a year so that people can get into the Indian Naval Academy and National Defence Academy.

  • This exam is for candidates seeking entry into the Indian Defense Forces, which include the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • All candidates are trained in the academy prior to attending pre-commissioning training. Admission is by written examination followed by an SSB interview.
  • After both of these tests, the candidate is told to give a medical exam to check their health and fitness.
  • A candidate must pass the class 12th examination in order to qualify for an army wing.
  • The candidates for the air force and navy must have passed the 12th class examination administered by the state education board or a university, with physics and mathematics as the main subjects.

The candidate taking this exam should be between the ages of 16 and a half and 19 and a half at the time of the exam. There is no limit to the number of attempts.

Exam for the Combined Defense Services

This examination is a three-stage examination that includes a written exam, a personal interview, and a medical test in the form of three different stages. The examination is held twice a year, most probably in the months of February and November.

  • Those who pass this examination are recruited as officers in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers' Training Academy, with a monthly stipend of INR 21,000 provided. Only unmarried candidates are eligible to take these exams, and married candidates have restrictions here.
  • The examination for Air Force Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, the Indian Military Academy, and the Officers Training Academy all have different requirements that need to be considered.
  • Bachelor's degree from a recognized university for OTA, bachelor's degree in engineering or technology for AFA, bachelor's degree in engineering or technology for IMAQ, and bachelor's degree in engineering or technology for IN.

The age limit for giving the following examination of  AFA is 19 to 23 years, 19 to 22 years for INA, 19 to 24 years for IMA, and 19 to 25 years for OTA.

However, there is no limit to the number of times these exams can be taken.

Combined Medical Services Exam.

The goal of the Combined Medical Service Examination is to find medical officers for the Indian Ordnance Factory Service, Indian Railways, and other services.

  • The candidate must be a qualified doctor to take this examination, and the forms are usually available in September, while the exam is held in July. Candidates are chosen based on a written examination followed by an interview.
  • The candidate who wants to apply for this examination must have passed all of the MBBS written and practical exams. Candidates in their final year of MBBS may also apply for the examination for being a medical officer.
  • Candidates who pass the computer-based examination will be commissioned and considered for this test. A candidate who is doing a rotating internship can also take the test, but only after the internship is over.
  • The candidate taking this examination should not be older than 32 years old, but the upper age limit may be relaxed in some cases. Aside from that, there is no restriction on the number of attempts.

An Examination for Central Armed Police Officers

This examination of central armed police officers is mainly held to recruit candidates for the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal.

  • A bachelor's degree from a recognized institute or university is required as a qualification for this test. The candidate must also meet the physical standards set by UPSC. Females are not permitted to apply for the BSF or ITBP.
  • The minimum age for this examination is 20 years, and the maximum age is 25 years, with a three-year relaxation for OBC and a five-year relaxation for SC/ST.

Aside from that, there is no limit to the number of attempts a candidate may make for the examination by central armed police officers.

Examinations by geoscientists and geologists

The UPSC conducts this examination to hire geologists, chemists, and geophysicists for the Indian Geological Survey, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Water, etc.

  • In addition, after this examination, people are being sought for positions as hydrogeologists in the Central Groundwater Board.
  • Candidates for the position of Geologist Grade A must have a master's degree in geological science, geology, applied geology, geo exploration, or marine geology. Then they can be qualified for this examination.
  • Candidates for geophysicist grade A must have an MSC in either physics, applied physics, or integrated physics, and then they can qualify for this test.
  • A general qualification is a master's degree in geology, applied geology or marine geology required for junior hydrogeologists in Group A.
  • Candidates for geophysicists, chemists, and geologists must be between the ages of 21 and 32, while candidates for junior hydrogeologists must be between the ages of 21 and 35.

Conclusion

Every year, UPSC holds a slew of exams to fill vacancies in various services and departments. Each examination has an age limit, a qualification requirement, and a set number of attempts.

In this article, you will learn about the qualifications, age limits, and other details for various UPSC examinations. Take a look at the list to learn more about the complete information.

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