The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has initiated the registration process for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. Registrations for Indian Forest Services (IFS) Prelims through CSE have also started. The prelims will be held on May 26.

How to apply

Candidates must apply online through the website upsconline.nic.in.

• Register on the One Time Registration (OTR) portal by clicking the New Registration button.
• The applicant should first register on the One Time Registration (OTR) platform, available on the Commission’s website, and then proceed to fill out the online application for the examination.
• If the candidate is already registered, they can proceed directly to fill out the online application.
• After registration, log in (using Email ID/Mobile Number/OTR ID) to verify the already registered OTR application.
• Navigate to the Latest Notification tab in the OTR application.
• Apply for the desired exam.

Last date

Online applications can be submitted until 6 pm on March 5, after which the link will be disabled. Eligible candidates will receive an e-Admit Card on the last working day of the preceding week before the examination date. The e-Admit Card will be available for download on the UPSC website. No Admit Card will be sent by post.

Educational qualification

Candidates must hold a graduate degree from any university incorporated by an Act of the central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions recognized under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

Number of attempts

Candidates, if otherwise eligible, are permitted six attempts at the CSE. However, candidates from SC/ST/OBC and PwBD categories may have relaxation in the number of attempts.

Fee

Candidates (Except Female/SC/ST/PwBD Candidates exempted from fee payment) are required to pay a fee of Rs. 100. Payment can be made by remitting money in any branch of State Bank of India, using Net Banking facilities, or through Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment.

Eligibility conditions

Nationality: For IAS, IFS, and IPS, the candidate must be a citizen of India. For other services, candidates must meet specific nationality criteria.

Age limit: The candidate must be between 21 and 32 years old as of August 1, 2024, with relaxations for certain categories.

Prelims and mains

The Civil Services Examination consists of two successive stages:

(i) Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective type) for the selection of candidates for the Main Examination, and

(ii) Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) for the selection of candidates for various services and posts.

Things to note

• Penalty (negative marking) applies for wrong answers in Objective Type Question Papers.
• Allotment of centres is on a "first-apply-first-allot" basis.
• Candidates should arrive at the examination venue at least 30 minutes before each session; late entry will not be allowed.

Vacancies

Approximately 1056 vacancies are expected to be filled through the examination, including reserved positions for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category.