UPSC/State PSC

The conducting authority depends on the service and region:

• UPSC conducts recruitment for central civil services and related examinations.
• Respective State Public Service Commissions conduct the civil services examinations for their states.

Official verification sources

• UPSC website: https://upsc.gov.in
• Respective State PSC official portal
• State PSC notification archive
• State PSC application portal

For every cycle, check:

1. notification PDF,

2. eligibility rules,

3. category-wise reservation details,

4. exam pattern,

5. syllabus,

6. exam calendar,

7. admit card instructions.

Educational Qualification

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is the standard minimum qualification.

Age Limit

• The usual age range is 21 to 40 years.
• The exact upper age limit varies by state, service, and category.
• Age relaxation applies as per the applicable rules.

Nationality / Domicile

• Indian citizenship is generally required.
• State domicile may be required for certain posts or quota-based provisions in some states.

Age Relaxation

Relaxation rules vary by state and by notification. Always refer to the official advertisement for the exact applicable benefit.

Reservation is implemented according to the relevant government rules and the state’s recruitment policy.

Common reservation categories

• SC
• ST
• OBC
• EWS

Horizontal reservation

• Women
• PwBD
• Ex-servicemen

Reservation, domicile preference, and horizontal quota details are state-specific and can differ across PSCs.

Selection Stages

1. Prelims

2. Mains

3. Interview / Personality Test

Paper structure

Key notes

• Prelims is usually a screening stage.
• Mains marks and paper count vary by state.
• Some PSCs include compulsory language papers and state-specific papers.
• Optional subject rules also vary by commission.

The typical selection process is:

1. Online application

2. Preliminary examination

3. Mains examination

4. Interview / personality test

5. Final merit list

6. Document verification and medical examination, where applicable

Prelims

• General Studies
• Current affairs
• Indian history
• Geography
• Polity
• Economy
• Environment
• General science
• State-specific awareness
• Aptitude / reasoning for CSAT-type paper

Mains

• General Studies papers
• Essay
• Optional subject
• Language / qualifying papers
• State-specific subjects, where prescribed

Optional Subject

• Many State PSCs allow an optional subject in Mains.
• The list of optional subjects depends on the notification.

Language Papers

• Some PSCs include qualifying language papers in the regional language and/or English.

For the detailed syllabus, always use the official State PSC portal or the syllabus PDF attached to the latest notification.

Online application steps

1. Visit the official State PSC portal.

2. Register with basic details.

3. Fill in the application form.

4. Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.

5. Select the exam and service preferences, if applicable.

6. Pay the application fee.

7. Submit the form and save the confirmation page.

Documents commonly required

• Passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Educational certificates
• Identity proof
• Caste/category certificate, if applicable
• Domicile certificate, if required
• PwBD / ex-servicemen certificate, if applicable

• General category: ₹100–₹600
• Reserved categories: Lower fee, as per state rules

Fee amounts vary by state PSC and recruitment cycle.

State PSC civil services vacancies vary by commission and year. The umbrella guide commonly covers vacancies for administrative, police, revenue, and forest services.

Common posts

• SDM
• DSP
• Tehsildar
• RFO
• Assistant Commissioner
• Deputy Collector
• Allied Group A/B state services

• Pay level: Level 8–10
• Starting pay: ₹47,600+
• Allowances: Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Travel Allowance, and other state-approved benefits

In-service benefits

• Stable government job
• Official accommodation, where applicable
• Medical and pension-related benefits as per prevailing rules
• Promotions through departmental and cadre hierarchy

Cutoffs differ by state, category, number of vacancies, and paper difficulty.

• Prelims General category: often around 90–130 out of 200
• Mains: merit varies widely by state and service

Use only the latest official result notices for actual cutoff values.

10–14 month plan

1. Build NCERT and basic concept clarity.

2. Cover static GS thoroughly.

3. Read newspapers and monthly current affairs regularly.

4. Study state-specific history, polity, geography, and governance.

5. Choose the optional subject carefully.

6. Practice answer writing for Mains.

7. Revise multiple times before Prelims.

8. Take mock tests and analyze mistakes.

Recommended sources

• NCERT textbooks
• State board books
• Daily newspaper
• Standard UPSC-level reference books
• Official PSC syllabus and previous papers

A typical progression may include:

PCS Officer → SDM → DM / Collector-level responsibility → Secretary or equivalent senior administrative roles

Depending on cadre, service, and seniority, officers may also move into revenue, police, forest, finance, or general administration leadership roles.

• https://upsc.gov.in" class="inlink">UPSC official website
• Respective State PSC official portal
• State PSC notification archive
• State PSC application portal
• State PSC syllabus PDF
• State PSC result archive
• State PSC admit card page

1. What is the UPSC / State PSC Combined Civil Services exam?

It is an umbrella civil services recruitment exam for state-level administrative services conducted by State PSCs and, for central services, by UPSC.

2. Which authorities conduct State PSC civil services exams?

The respective State Public Service Commissions conduct these exams for their states. UPSC conducts central civil services examinations.

3. What is the minimum educational qualification for this exam?

A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is the minimum qualification.

4. What is the age limit for State PSC civil services exams?

The usual age range is 21 to 40 years, but exact limits depend on the state and post.

5. Is domicile required for all State PSC posts?

No. Domicile requirements vary by state and by post. Some services may require state domicile, while others do not.

6. What are the main stages of the exam?

The main stages are Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

7. What is the exam pattern for Prelims?

Prelims usually has two papers: General Studies and CSAT, with 400 total marks and 2 hours for each paper.

8. Is there negative marking in Prelims?

Yes. The usual negative marking is 1/3 for wrong answers.

9. How many papers are there in Mains?

Mains usually has 5 to 8 papers, depending on the state PSC and the notification.

10. What is the syllabus for the civil services exam?

The syllabus generally includes history, geography, polity, economy, current affairs, state-specific topics, optional subject content, and language papers where applicable.

11. Can I choose an optional subject for Mains?

Yes, many State PSCs include an optional subject in Mains. The list of allowed subjects depends on the official notification.

12. What posts can I get through State PSC civil services?

Common posts include SDM, DSP, Tehsildar, RFO, Deputy Collector, and other Group A/B state services.

13. What is the reservation policy for this exam?

Reservation follows state government rules for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, women, PwBD, and ex-servicemen categories.

14. How do I apply for the exam online?

Visit the official PSC portal, register, fill the form, upload documents, pay the fee, and submit the application.

15. What is the application fee range?

The usual fee range is ₹100 to ₹600 for general category candidates, with lower fees for reserved categories.

16. What is the usual salary for State PSC officers?

The usual pay band is Level 8 to Level 10, with starting pay from ₹47,600 plus allowances.

17. Are there physical or medical standards for any posts?

Yes. Some posts, especially in police, forest, or uniformed services, may require physical fitness or medical standards.

18. How many attempts are allowed in State PSC civil services exams?

Attempt limits vary by state and category. Always check the latest notification for the exact rule.

19. How can I check the official notification and syllabus?

Use the official State PSC portal or UPSC website, and download the latest notification PDF and syllabus document.

20. What is the career progression after selection?

The career progression may move from PCS officer to SDM, then to higher administrative positions such as DM or secretary-level roles, subject to cadre and seniority.