UPSC 2023

The Union Public Service Commission has unveiled the timetable for the UPSC 2023. Candidates who missed the UPSC cut-off by 1 or 2 marks in 2022 have the opportunity to reapply for UPSC 2023. Whether it’s your initial attempt or your final one, explore this article to gain insights into the UPSC Exam 2023 Application Process, Notification Date, Syllabus and more.

UPSC CSE Interview 2022 Update: The initial interview phase took place from January 30, 2023, to March 10, 2023, involving a total of 1026 candidates. The second phase is scheduled from March 13, 2023, to April 21, 2023, for 918 candidates. The third interview phase is set for 518 candidates from April 24, 2023, to May 18, 2023.

About UPSC Exam

The UPSC Civil Services Examination, commonly referred to as the UPSC Exam or IAS Exam, is an annual examination administered exclusively by the Union Public Service Commission, the sole authority for its conduct. Operating under the provisions outlined in Article 320, UPSC organizes a range of examinations for recruitment to various Union services, all of which are detailed in the official UPSC Calendar 2022.

UPSC 2023 Prelims

According to the official announcement from the UPSC, the IAS Exam Prelims 2023 is slated for May 28, 2023.

Here are some key points regarding the CSE Prelims:

• It serves as the initial stage of the UPSC Exam.
• The examination comprises two papers: GS-I and CSAT.
• Both papers consist of objective-type questions (MCQs).
• GS-I includes 100 questions, while CSAT has 80.
• Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.
• The CSAT paper is of a qualifying nature; only candidates scoring a minimum of 66 marks in this paper have their GS Paper 1 assessed.
• Marks from both the prelims papers do not contribute to the final merit list.

For information on the syllabus, exam pattern, and negative marking in UPSC Prelims, refer to the linked article.

UPSC 2023 Mains

The UPSC’s official examination calendar has announced the commencement of UPSC 2023 Mains, starting from September 2023.

Here are key points to note about this stage of the UPSC exam:

• The Mains examination is centered around theory, requiring candidates to provide subjective answers, unlike the prelims that involve selecting the correct answer from multiple-choice options.
• It comprises nine papers, with two language papers serving a qualifying purpose.
• A candidate must attain a minimum of 30 percent in the Indian language paper and 25 percent in the English Language paper; failure to do so results in the non-evaluation of the remaining papers (GS, Essay & Optional).
• Marks obtained in the language papers do not contribute to the final evaluation.
• Candidates must choose one optional subject from the Commission’s list of 48 subjects, with two papers based on the selected optional subject.
• Language papers are graded out of 300 marks, while the remaining seven papers are each worth 250 marks.

For insights into the strategy for each paper of UPSC Mains, refer to the linked article.

After covering the Mains syllabus, candidates can initiate UPSC Mains Answer Writing. In this phase, we provide questions designed to align with current exam trends. Engaging in this practice helps you become acquainted with your strengths and weaknesses in expressing your knowledge on paper.

UPSC 2023 Interview

Only those candidates who successfully clear the mains examination will be invited to participate in the UPSC 2022 interview. The initial phase of interviews took place from January 30, 2023, to March 10, 2023, involving a total of 1026 candidates. The second phase is scheduled from March 13, 2023, to April 21, 2023, for 918 candidates, while the third phase for 518 candidates will be conducted from April 24, 2023, to May 18, 2023. Typically, the number of candidates appearing for the personality test is twice the number of vacancies allocated for that year.

Explore the IAS Interview process in the linked article, where we provide a comprehensive explanation, details about the types of questions asked, and guidance tips.

For those interested, there is also information on what to do if they do not succeed in a UPSC interview.

How to apply for UPSC 2023?

The official notification from UPSC is typically released in February. Prospective candidates need to download it from the Commission’s official website. Following a thorough review of the instructions, syllabus, and exam pattern for the Civil Services Examination (CSE), applicants are required to submit their preliminary stage application online.

For detailed guidance on the UPSC online registration and application process, refer to the information provided in the linked article.

UPSC 2023 Notification Date – 1st February 2023

UPSC 2023 Eligibility

The Commission outlines the eligibility criteria for the recruitment year in its official notification. The criteria encompass:

• Eligibility Criteria for General Category
• Eligibility Criteria for SC/ST
• Eligibility Criteria for OBC
• Eligibility Criteria for PwBD

Candidates may also request age exemption for the examination, provided they meet the specified eligibility criteria.

For the general category in UPSC 2022, the fundamental eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Minimum age limit – 21
• Maximum age limit – 32
• Number of attempts – 6
• Minimum Educational Qualification – Graduate Degree/Final Year Student

UPSC 2023 Preparation

Candidates are frequently advised to pursue ‘integrated preparation’ when it comes to UPSC exam readiness, implying simultaneous preparation for both prelims and mains. Since the sources of preparation do not vary significantly between these stages, candidates are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive strategy that incorporates tips and tricks for each.

Now, let’s enumerate the key subjects featured in the UPSC Exam:

• History – Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian, World
• Indian Polity – Governance, Constitution
• Geography – India, World
• Economy – Indian Economy
• Environment – Ecology
• Art & Culture
• Science & Technology
• Ethics

Each of these subjects can be studied using some highly recommended books, some of which are endorsed by IAS toppers every year. Let’s delve into a list of some of these below:

Subject	Books
History	NCERT Class 6-12Tamil Nadu State Board Class 11-12
Indian Polity	NCERT Class 11-12M.Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity
Geography	NCERT Class 6-12BlackSwan Atlas
Economy	NCERT Class 12
Environment	NCERT Class 12 Chemistry, Biology [Relevant Chapters]
Art & Culture	NCERT Class 11-12
Science & Technology	Class 6-10

Supplementing the aforementioned books, candidates may find the following reference books beneficial:

• Norman Lowe’s “Mastering Modern World History”
• Rajiv Ahir’s “Brief History of Modern India”
• Subhash Kashyap’s “Constitution of India”
• Ramesh Singh’s “Indian Economy”
• G.C. Leong’s “Certificate Physical and Human Geography”
• Majid Hussain’s “Environment & Ecology”

A crucial aspect of the UPSC Exam is Current Affairs. Although there is no dedicated section for this, questions from various subjects are influenced by events of national and international importance.

Aspirants can enhance their self-prepared notes by incorporating Thoughtchakra Notes on key subjects.

Tips to study for UPSC Exam 2023

• Download the UPSC Syllabus and commit it to memory. Familiarize yourself so thoroughly with the syllabus that you can effortlessly identify which topics belong to each paper after complete memorization.
• Initiate your preparation with NCERT Books as they serve as the foundation for any topic. Additionally, utilize reference books to fill in any gaps in your understanding.
• Right from the start, carefully analyze and select an optional subject for preparation. Refer to the linked article for a list of optional subjects.
• Create notes only for those topics that are challenging to comprehend, and revise them regularly. Learn effective note-making techniques for UPSC in the linked article.
• Candidates should incorporate periodic revisions into their UPSC journey for the notes they prepare. Refer to the linked article for the best revision techniques for UPSC.
• Enroll in a comprehensive prelims test series and consistently take mock tests. Utilize these opportunities to learn, unlearn, and relearn important facts.
• Consider starting the UPSC Mains test series once you have covered over 50 percent of the syllabus for each subject.

UPSC 2022 – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How should I prepare for UPSC 2023?

Ans. To prepare for UPSC 2023, it is advisable to allocate at least eight months to one year for comprehensive study. Begin by covering the UPSC syllabus thoroughly, preceded by a detailed analysis of the trends in both prelims and mains papers over the last five years. If you are employed, explore strategies tailored for working professionals aiming to crack UPSC.

Q2. Am I eligible to apply for UPSC 2023?

Ans. A candidate meeting the UPSC Eligibility Criteria is eligible to apply for UPSC 2023. The minimum age limit is 21, and the maximum age limit is 32. Some candidates may be granted age exemptions and a greater number of attempts based on reservation criteria.

Q3. What is the schedule for UPSC exam 2023?

Ans. UPSC 2023 Prelims is scheduled for May 28, 2023, while UPSC 2023 Mains are set to commence in September 2023. These dates are provisional, and any official changes will be reflected on the UPSC Exam Date Page.

Q4. Will Optional subjects be eliminated from UPSC 2023?

Ans. There is no official statement from the Union Public Service Commission confirming the removal of Optional Subjects from UPSC 2023. It is advisable to prepare for the optional subject without delaying, pending any official updates.

Q5. What is the syllabus for UPSC 2023?

Ans. The Union Public Service Commission releases both prelims and mains syllabi along with the official notification for the civil services examination. Refer to the syllabus for UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains for detailed information.

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