UPSC Civil Services Exam Interview UPSC Civil Services Exam Interview 2026 Mock Test Series

• Carry the original photo identity card mentioned in the e-Summon letter.
• Report to the UPSC Dholpur House premises strictly at the scheduled time.
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, and electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited inside the interview hall.
• Ensure all original certificates for educational qualifications, caste, and age proof are organized for verification.
• Bring two recent passport-sized photographs as per the instructions in the e-Summon letter.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Interview, officially termed the Personality Test, serves as the final stage of the selection process. Candidates are assessed by a board chaired by a UPSC Member on matters of general interest, mental alertness, analytical ability, and integrity. The personality test carries 275 marks, bringing the total assessment to 2025 marks. Official updates regarding the schedule are published exclusively on the UPSC official website (upsc.gov.in) under the 'What's New' section for qualified candidates.

To download the official UPSC Civil Services Examination notification, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official website: https://upsc.gov.in.
2. Navigate to the 'Examination' tab in the main menu.
3. Select 'Active Examinations' from the dropdown list.
4. Locate the 'Civil Services (Main) Examination' or the specific year's notification link.
5. Click on the 'Notice' icon to download the PDF document.

Vacancies for the Civil Services Examination are determined annually by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The breakdown is as follows:

• Total Vacancies: Approximately 1,000–1,200 (varies annually).
• Category-wise: Reservation is provided for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD as per Government of India norms.
• Post-wise: Distributed across IAS, IPS, IFS, and various Central Services (Group A and B).

The application fee for the Civil Services Examination is as follows:

• General/OBC/EWS Male candidates: Rs. 100.
• SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates: Exempted from fee payment.
• Payment Modes: Online via SBI Net Banking, Credit/Debit cards, or offline via SBI Bank Challan.

The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August of the year of examination.

• SC/ST: Up to 5 years.
• OBC: Up to 3 years.
• PwBD: Up to 10 years.
• Ex-Servicemen: Up to 5 years.

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from any recognized university. Final year students awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the Preliminary examination, provided they produce proof of passing at the time of the Main examination.

1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type).
2. Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written/Descriptive).
3. Personality Test (Interview).
4. Document Verification.
5. Medical Examination.

The starting basic pay for entry-level officers (Level 10) is Rs. 56,100 per month, excluding Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA).

The e-Summon Letter for the Personality Test can be downloaded from https://upsconline.nic.in. Candidates must carry the original photo identity card (Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport) as mentioned in the DAF.

Official answer keys for the Preliminary Examination are released by the UPSC only after the final results of the entire examination cycle are declared.

The final merit list is prepared by aggregating marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Personality Test. The Personality Test assesses the candidate's mental caliber, social traits, and interest in current affairs.

Focus on a thorough review of the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Prepare your home state, district, and educational background in detail. Stay updated with current national and international events. Conduct mock interviews to improve articulation and body language.

The following data represents the official cut-off marks for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (Final Selection), sourced directly from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) official result write-ups and final marksheet notifications. Data is presented as the minimum qualifying marks secured by the last recommended candidate in the final stage (Written + Personality Test).

UPSC Civil Services Examination: Final Selection Cut-off Marks (2016-2023)

Source: Official UPSC Civil Services Examination Final Result Write-ups (2016-2023). Note: EWS category was introduced in the 2019 examination cycle.

UPSC Civil Services Examination: PwBD Category Final Cut-off Marks (2023)

Source: Official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023 Final Result Write-up (Ref: F.No. 1/1/2024-E.I(B)).