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Exams Conducted by UPSC – UPSC Exams List after 12th and Graduation

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

Exams Conducted by UPSC – UPSC stands for the Union Public Service Commission, which is responsible for conducting a range of prestigious exams to recruit individuals for various positions in the government of India. These exams are designed to examine a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in their respective field. The UPSC Exams list includes a wide range of subject-specific exams, civil services exams, defence services exams, engineering services exams, medical services exams, and more. Exams conducted by UPSC provide a unique opportunity for candidates to pursue a career in the government and contribute to the nation’s growth and development.

Some of the most popular exams conducted by UPSC are the Civil Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, National Defense Academy Examination, and Combined Defense Services Examination. The purpose of these exams is to verify that the selected candidates have the required knowledge and skills to perform their duties skillfully and successfully. Candidates can understand the exams conducted by UPSC below to get a clear picture of the different competitive exams they can appear for to pursue a career in the Indian government.

Exams Conducted By UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission conducts several exams for recruitment to various civil services and posts in the Indian government. Some of the important exams conducted by UPSC include:

  • Civil Services Examination (CSE)
  • Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE)
  • Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
  • Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)
  • National Defence Academy Examination (NDA)
  • Indian Economic Service Examination (IES)
  • Indian Statistical Service Examination (ISS)
  • Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)
  • Naval Academy Examination (NA)
  • Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination (CGG)
  • Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF)
  • Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA)

Civil Services Examination

The Civil Services Examination is a highly prestigious exam in India, conducted annually by the UPSC. It selects candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian government, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and allied services. UPSC Eligibility requires Indian citizenship, Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university, and candidates must age between 21 and 32.

The exam consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interviews. Based on combined marks obtained in the Mains and Interview, UPSC prepares a merit list and candidates are allotted positions according to their rank and preference.

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Indian Forest Service Examination

The Indian Forest Service is a competitive exam conducted by the UPSC to recruit officers for the Indian Forest Service. The IFoS officers are responsible for managing and protecting the forests and wildlife in India. The eligibility criteria for appearing in the IFoS exam include a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university, a minimum age of 21 years, and Indian citizenship.

To become an IFoS officer, candidates need to go through a tough selection process. They have to study hard and have good knowledge of forestry, the environment, and ecology. IFoS officers have important responsibilities like taking care of forests, protecting animals, and balancing development with environmental protection.

Read: Indian Forest Officer Salary

Engineering Services Examination

The Engineering Services Exam is conducted by the UPSC to recruit engineers for various government departments and organizations. The examination is also known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) examination. To become an engineering officer in the government, candidates need to prepare well and have good knowledge about their engineering discipline.

The selected candidates are appointed to different government departments and organizations as Class 1 officers, and they have important duties related to engineering projects and development. Based on Mains and Interview marks, a merit list that has been prepared by UPSC assigns positions according to rank and preference. Selected candidates are appointed to various engineering services across the country.

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Combined Defence Services Examination

UPSC conducts Combined Defence Services Exam twice a year to recruit candidates for defence services like Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree in any discipline for IMA, INA, and OTA, and a science or engineering degree for AFA. The CDS Exam has two stages: Written and Interview. Candidates who pass the written exam are called for an interview, consisting of group discussions, psychological tests, and personal interviews.

Following the completion of both stages of the CDS Exam, the UPSC prepares a comprehensive merit list, taking into account the marks obtained by candidates in both stages. They are subsequently assigned positions in the list based on their respective ranks. And then they are appointed as officers in the corresponding defence services.

National Defence Academy Examination

UPSC conducts an NDA Exam to select candidates for admission into the National Defence Academy, a joint services academy of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The eligibility criteria for candidates appearing in the NDA exam include passing or appearing in the 12th class or an equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University. The candidates should also meet the age and physical fitness criteria specified by the respective academies.

Candidates must undertake extensive preparation and possess a comprehensive understanding of subjects relevant to mathematics and general knowledge in order to pass the NDA Exam. Once candidates get selected, they undergo three years of training at the National Defence Academy, where they are entrusted with significant responsibilities pertaining to national security and defence.

Indian Economic Service Examination

The IES Exam by UPSC recruits officers for the Indian Economic Service, a specialized branch of the Indian Civil Services for economic analysis and policy-making. To apply for Indian Economics Service Examination, candidates must have a postgraduate degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Business Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Commerce with Economics as one of the subjects.

The written examination includes six papers, and the interview assesses the candidate’s personality, suitability, and knowledge of current affairs. UPSC prepares a merit list based on the aggregate marks obtained by candidates, and those who achieve success are appointed to the prestigious Indian Economic Service. These accomplished candidates are responsible for providing economic advice and policymaking to the government.

Indian Statistical Service Examination

The Indian Statistical Service Examination selects officers for the Indian Statistical Services, a specialized branch of the Indian Civil Services responsible for statistical analysis, planning, and policymaking. The eligibility criteria for appearing in the ISS exam include having a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subjects or a Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics from a recognized university. The candidates should also meet the age and physical fitness criteria specified by the UPSC.

The selection process is highly competitive, and candidates need to prepare thoroughly and have a strong knowledge of subjects related to statistics and mathematics. The selected candidates are appointed to various government departments and ministries as Class A officers and have important responsibilities related to statistical analysis and policymaking.

Combined Medical Services Examination

The UPSC conducts the CMS exam annually in July to recruit medical officers for government organizations like Railways, Municipalities, and Indian Ordnance Factories. To be eligible for the Combined Medical Services Examination, candidates must possess a recognized medical qualification or be in their final year of a medical degree. Additionally, they must meet the age and physical fitness requirements set forth by the UPSC.

The exam has two stages – Computer and Personality Tests. Paper I and II each have 120 questions and are of two hours in duration. Paper I comprises 120 questions from General Medicine, Traumatology, Orthopedics, and Ophthalmology. Paper II comprises 120 questions from Surgery, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and Preventive and Social Medicine. The CMS exam is tough, and candidates should prepare thoroughly with an emphasis on general medicine and Pediatrics. Successful candidates become medical officers in government departments/organizations, responsible for crucial healthcare and public welfare duties.

Naval Academy Examination

The Naval Academy Examination, also known as the NDA and NA Examination, is conducted by the UPSC twice a year in April and September to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and for the INAC. For eligibility, candidates must have passed the 10+2 pattern of School Education or an equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics for the Air Force and Naval Wings, and for Army Wing, candidates can have passed an equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or University.

Candidates who successfully complete the selection process and are admitted to the Indian Naval Academy undergo four years of training in various naval disciplines. After completing the training, they are commissioned as officers in the Indian Navy and serve in various capacities, such as combat operations, logistics, and administration.

Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination

UPSC conducts the Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination annually in June to recruit qualified candidates for the post of Geologist, Geophysicist, and Chemical Group ‘A’ in the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board of Group ‘A’ and Junior Hydro-geologist Group ‘B’. The educational requirements vary based on the position. For instance, to become a Geologist, one must possess a master’s degree in geological science or related fields from a recognized university, while a Junior Hydrogeologist must have a master’s degree in geology or hydrogeology.

The selection process involves a written examination and an interview/personality test. After successfully completing the selection process, candidates are selected as geologists and geoscientists in different government departments and organizations. They are responsible for studying the earth’s surface and subsurface to identify natural resources, geological hazards, and environmental impact.

Central Armed Police Forces Examination

The CAPF Examination, conducted annually in August by the UPSC, aims to recruit candidates for various paramilitary forces in India such as the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetian Border Police, and Sashastra Seema Bal. Physical standards are set by the respective paramilitary forces, which include height, chest, weight, and vision requirements.

Upon completion of the selection process, successful candidates in the CAPF examination are appointed to different paramilitary forces in India as Assistant Commandants. The UPSC prepares a merit list based on the candidate’s rank, which is determined by their performance in the written examination, physical standards/physical efficiency tests, and interview/personality test.

Special Class Railway Apprentice

The UPSC conducts the SCRA Examination annually in January to select candidates for the undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jamalpur. To be eligible for the examination, candidates must have passed the Intermediate or an equivalent examination with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

The SCRA examination consists of a written examination followed by a personality test/interview. Upon successful completion of the examination and selection process, candidates are admitted to the four-year undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering at IRIMEE, Jamalpur, and receive a stipend during their training. After completion of the program, they are employed as mechanical engineers in the Indian Railways.

List of Exams Conducted By UPSC After 12th

The Union Public Service Commission conducts various exams for recruitment to various civil services, including the following exams that can be taken after 12th:

  • National Defence Academy (NDA)
  • Naval Academy Examination (NA)
  • Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA)

List of Exams Conducted By UPSC After Graduation

There are several exams conducted by UPSC after graduation for various posts in government sectors. Here is the list of important exams conducted by UPSC after graduation:

  • Civil Service Examination (CSE)
  • Engineering Service Examination (ESE)
  • Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
  • Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination (IES/ISS)
  • Combined Defence Service Examination (CDS)
  • Central Armed Police Force Examination (CAPF)

Importance of UPSC Conducted Exams

Exams conducted by UPSC are considered to be one of the most important exams in India and hold significant importance for several reasons:

  • Hiring for the Civil Service: The civil services exam conducted by UPSC is one of India’s toughest exams and serves as the gateway to various administrative services, such as IAS, IPS, and IFS. These exams recruit essential civil officials who play an important role in policymaking and the execution of policies.
  • Recruiting Based on Merit: The exams conducted by UPSC are based on merit, and candidates are selected based on their performance in the written exam and the interview.
  • Options for Many Career Paths: UPSC exams offer a variety of career paths to candidates based on their interests and qualifications, including administrative, technical, medical, and armed forces services.
  • Integration of the Nation: UPSC exams promote national integration and diversity by providing a field for candidates from various backgrounds and regions, ensuring that individuals from different parts of the country represent the government.
  • Prestige and Benefits: UPSC exams provide high job security, prestige, good salary, housing, medical benefits, and other facilities that make it a highly coveted career option in India.
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