Basics about IAS/UPSC Exams

IAS/UPSC Exams consists of three steps:
1.Prelim
2.Mains
3.Interview

Prelim exam consist of general studies paper-1 and CSAT and duration of both the exams is of one day.
It is objective type paper.
Paper -1 i.e. General Studies consist of 100 questions and each question carry 2 marks each i.e. paper is of 200 marks and
Paper – 2 i.e.CSATconsist of 80 questions and each carry 2.5 marks each again this paper is also of 200 marks.

Before 2011 the paper used to be based on facts like some dates or places for which you had to mug up whole junk but its not the scenario right noe the paper is conceptual based not fact based. As trend changes, Union Service Public Commission is concerned about the more and more clarity of topics. To solve each and every question candidate have to acquire clarity of basics and fundamental concepts of each and every subject. Candidate has to study thetopics thoroughly for getting good marks in UPSC.
Question paper of general studies consist of questions from Polity, History, Geography, Science and tech, Economics, Ecology, General science.
Question paper of Paper –1 consist of
18 questions from Polity  ,
15 questions from Geography ,
14 questionsfrom Ecology,
13 questions from Economics,
21 questions from History,
12 questions from science and tech and
7 questions from miscellaneous. Question paper of CSAT consist of comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, logical Reasoning, General Mental Ability and English Language Comprehension skills. In CSAT i.e.
general studies paper – 2 most of the area dominated by the passage reading. Most of the candidate feels comfortable with this paper of UPSC. Persons who will clear the prelim exam are eligible for mains.

Mains comprise of General Studies, Essay,
Two languages one is English and other mentioned in schedule 8 of our constitution and two optional papers. The duration of main exam is 21 days. Mains are subjective type exam.
General studies paper is of 600 marks and consist of 2 papers, Essay consist of 200 marks and two optional papers also consisting of two papers and are of 600 marks each.
Language papers are qualifying papers.

General studies = 600marks
Optional 1 = 600marks
Optional 2 = 600 marks
Essay = 200 marks
Total 2000 marks
Those people who will clear mains will enter into interview. Interview consist of 300 marks and  so grandtotal of IAS exam is 2300 marks.