IAS Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, Compulsory Subjects

IAS Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, Compulsory Subjects

IAS Exam Pattern talks about the distribution of questions, marking scheme, sectional weithtage and duration. It is dicided by the Union Public Service Commision (UPSC) each year.  The brief for all the three stages of IAS are:

IAS Prelims: It has papers of objective type and carries a maximum of 400 marks. It is qualifying round and the marks scored will not be added to the total IAS score. Check IAS Syllabus

IAS Mains: There are two types of Papers - Qualifying Papers and Papers that will be counted for Merit formation. The former part will consist of two language exams, one of candidate's choice and other of English. The latter part will consist of 7 papers and will have about 300 questions each. Mains will comprise of both essay writing and objective type questions. The sum total of all papers and the score secured in the direct interview will be used for ranking of candidate.

IAS Personality Test: A test of 275 Marks would be taken of the candidates qualified in Mains Exam. This would include Psychometric Test, Assessment Test as well as the Personal Interview. Marks obtained in the test would be added in the calculation for the declaration of the final Merit list.

IAS is conducted for selection of officers for Indian Administrative service. The exam is also known as Civil Services Exam (CSE). This year, IAS Prelims is scheduled for June 2, 2019. The registration window will open on February 19, 2019. Check IAS Eligibility

IAS Exam Patterns for Prelims

The Prelims stage of IAS will consist of 2 compulsory papers - General Ability Test (GAT) and Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT). This will test the analytical skills of the candidates.

All questions will be objective in nature. Candidates will be required to choose any one of the 4 answer choices given for each question.

Questions will be set in both English and Hindi Language. However, questions relating to the English Language Comprehension skills of class 10th level will be tested through a passage from English language only without providing Hindi translation there of in the question paper.

IAS Prelims is qualifying in nature. Candidates have to get a minimum of 33% to be qualified for the Mains.

The number of candidates to be admitted to Mains will be about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this examination.

Here are the highlights of IAS Exam Pattern for Prelims:

IAS Marking Scheme for Prelims

Each question in General Studies paper carries 2 marks.

Each question in Civil Service Aptitude Test paper carries 2.5 marks.

For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and the penalty will be the same as mentioned above for that question.

If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.

Candidates will have to score a minimum of 33% t qualify for the exam.

IAS Exam Pattern for Mains 

IAS Mains is also an offline exam. Each paper will carry 250 marks.

Each paper is of 3 hours. 30 minutes are given extra to blind students.

The exam will contain 7 papers. A candidate will be tested on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Questions will be both - objective and subjective in nature. They will be given in both Hindi and English language.

IAS Mains is further divided into two types - Qualifying Exam and Merit Exam. It is compulsory to appear in both.

Qualifying Papers:

Paper A: (One of the Indian Language to be selected from the ones included in the 6th Scheduled of the Constitution - 300 Marks)

Paper B: English - 300 Marks

Merit Exams - Candidate will have to score a minimum percentage in the qualifying exam to qulaify for the exam. The question papers are prepared to test the intellectual and interpersonal skills of the candidate. The essay type questions will test the students understanding of the subject and the concept. The students will be tested on the strength of an Indian Language.

There would be two optional papers which the candidates would have to select.

The following table will enrich the candidates for the compulsory papers, the marks allotted in which would be added to calculate Merit:

IAS Marking Scheme for Mains

The total marks of the Mains Examination are 1750 marks.

Each question will carry 2.5 marks.

Candidates will be graded on basics of opinion, Content flow, understanding the problems/ situation, offering feasible solutions/strategies, presentation, and language

Candidates can choose two optional papers on which they will be questioned.

List of Optional Subjects

IAS Exam Pattern for Personality Test

All candidates qualifying the Mains examination will proceed towards the Personality Test.

This would include the Psychometric Test, Assessment Test as well as the Personal Interview.

The objective of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in pubic service by a board of competent and unbiased observers. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest.

The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate.

In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interst in current affairs.

Some of the qualities to be judged are 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.

This test will be conducted in the language of choice.

The interview will be graded for 275 marks.  The total marks of IAS is 2025 marks

Candidates will be ranked on basis of the grand total and called for the final interview.

Check IAS Selection Procedure

IAS Preparation Books 

Here are some of the most recommended books for IAS Preparation. We suggest you make vital use of your time and go through these books.

Candidates are advised to plan their studies well in advance. Keep a track of the current events and happening. Candidates are asked to carry an additional set of all necessary stationery for safety purposes. The admit card is mandatory and candidates are asked to carry it with them till the final selection. Time management is key, so plan your time accordingly. 
All the very best!!!