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Civil services entrance · Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

UPSC CSE Mock Tests, Syllabus & Complete Exam Guide

Civil Services Examination. Practise 40 full-length mock tests on the official pattern, drill every topic, and get the eligibility, syllabus, cut-off, rank and college details you need — all in one place.

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UPSC CSE at a glance

Questions (GS-I)
100
Total marks
200
Duration
2 hours
Marking
+2 / −0.66
ModeOffline (pen-and-paper, OMR) for Prelims
FrequencyOnce a year
LanguagesEnglish & Hindi
By the ExamguruX Editorial TeamReviewed for pattern accuracy against Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)Last updated 30 September 2026

UPSC CSE full-length mock tests

Attempt 40 full-length UPSC CSE mock tests built on the official 100-question pattern. The first mock is free — every test comes with instant results and a step-by-step solution for each question.

UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 01

Free
100 Qs · 200 marks120 min7.0K attemptsModerate
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 02

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min9.9K attemptsHard
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 03

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min12.9K attemptsEasy
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 04

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min15.8K attemptsHard
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 05

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min18.8K attemptsEasy
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 06

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min21.7K attemptsModerate
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 07

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min24.7K attemptsHard
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 08

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min27.6K attemptsModerate
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UPSC Prelims GS Paper I — Full Mock 09

100 Qs · 200 marks120 min30.6K attemptsHard
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UPSC CSE — full access

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UPSC CSE topic-wise tests & syllabus

348 topic tests across 7 subjects — a focused set of 15 tests for every topic in the UPSC CSE syllabus, tagged with approximate exam weightage so you practise where the marks are.

348 topic-wise tests · 15 per topic across 7 subjects. Pick a subject, expand a topic, and start drilling.

Constitution & Preamble — Test 01

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min83.7K attemptsModerate
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 02

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min101K attemptsEasy
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 03

25 Qs · 50 marks30 min119K attemptsHard
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 04

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min137K attemptsModerate
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 05

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min4.6K attemptsEasy
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 06

25 Qs · 50 marks30 min22.3K attemptsHard
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 07

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min40.0K attemptsModerate
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 08

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min57.8K attemptsEasy
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 09

25 Qs · 50 marks30 min75.5K attemptsHard
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 10

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min93.2K attemptsModerate
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 11

15 Qs · 30 marks18 min111K attemptsEasy
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Constitution & Preamble — Test 12

25 Qs · 50 marks30 min129K attemptsHard
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UPSC CSE sample questions

A few real UPSC CSE questions with answers and step-by-step solutions, in the exact style of the full mock tests.

GeographySample 1

Flowing westward through a rift valley, the Narmada river empties into which water body?

  • A.Bay of Bengal
  • B.Arabian Sea
  • C.Gulf of Mannar
  • D.Chilika Lake

Solution: The Narmada flows west through a rift valley and drains into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat.

EconomySample 2

In India, the repo rate is decided by which of the following?

  • A.Ministry of Finance
  • B.SEBI
  • C.Reserve Bank of India
  • D.NITI Aayog

Solution: The repo rate is set by the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as a tool of monetary policy.

Science & TechnologySample 3

Which organ in the human body produces the hormone insulin?

  • A.Liver
  • B.Pancreas
  • C.Kidney
  • D.Thyroid

Solution: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Current AffairsSample 4

Where is the headquarters of the United Nations located?

  • A.Geneva
  • B.New York
  • C.Paris
  • D.Vienna

Solution: The UN headquarters is in New York City, USA; several UN agencies are based in Geneva.

About the UPSC CSE exam

Recruitment to the All-India Services and Central Civil Services (Group A & B) — including the IAS, IPS and IFS.

What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

The Civil Services Examination (CSE), conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission, is India's most prestigious and competitive recruitment examination. It selects officers for the All-India Services and the Central Civil Services — most notably the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

The CSE is a three-stage process: the Preliminary examination (objective, screening), the Main examination (nine descriptive papers) and a Personality Test (interview). Every year around a million candidates apply, of whom only a few thousand clear the Prelims and roughly a thousand are finally recommended — making a disciplined, exam-accurate practice routine essential from the very first stage.

Why the Prelims is a game of accuracy and elimination

The Prelims General Studies Paper I has 100 questions for 200 marks in two hours, with a one-third negative marking. Because only GS Paper I counts towards the cut-off and the paper spans polity, history, geography, economy, environment, science and current affairs, breadth of coverage matters more than depth in any single area.

The negative marking makes intelligent guessing and option elimination a core skill: clearing the cut-off is about maximising net score, not raw attempts. Practising full-length mocks that reproduce the real question mix, the OMR interface and the two-hour clock is the surest way to build the calibrated risk-taking that separates candidates who clear the Prelims from those who narrowly miss.

UPSC CSE eligibility & exam pattern

Check whether you meet the UPSC CSE eligibility criteria and understand exactly how the paper is structured and marked before you plan your preparation.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifying degree
A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university; final-year students may appear for the Prelims.
Age limit
21 to 32 years for the General category as on 1 August of the exam year, with relaxations for reserved categories.
Number of attempts
6 attempts for General, 9 for OBC, and unlimited (up to the age limit) for SC/ST candidates.
Nationality
For the IAS and IPS a candidate must be a citizen of India; other services allow certain other categories per the rules.
Reservation
UPSC follows Government of India norms for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates.
Physical standards
Certain services (e.g. IPS) have additional physical and medical standards to be met at a later stage.

Exam pattern & marking

SubjectQuestionsMarks
GS Paper ICounts for merit — decides the Prelims cut-off100200
CSAT (Paper II)Qualifying only — must score 33% (66 marks)80200
Total180200

In both papers, each correct answer earns +2 (GS-I) and marks are deducted by one-third of the allotted marks for every wrong answer (about −0.66 in GS-I). Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Only GS Paper I is counted for the Prelims merit list; CSAT (Paper II) is merely qualifying, requiring at least 33%.

Duration: GS Paper I — 2 hours; CSAT (Paper II) — 2 hours (qualifying).

How to prepare for UPSC CSE

A fresher-friendly UPSC CSE roadmap — understand the paper first, follow a month-by-month plan, build a weekly routine and peak with reviewed full-length mocks.

Beginner-friendly roadmap

Your UPSC CSE plan: first day to exam day

Start with the paper structure, build concepts in layers, then use timed practice and review to turn preparation into a repeatable score.

Coverage7 subjects
Exam clockGS Paper I — 2 hours; CSAT (Paper II) — 2 hours (qualifying)
MarkingIn both papers, each correct answer earns +2 (GS-I) and marks are deducted by one-third of the allotted marks for every wrong answer (about −0.66 in GS-I). Unattempted questions carry no penalty. Only GS Paper I is counted for the Prelims merit list; CSAT (Paper II) is merely qualifying, requiring at least 33%.

The first 12 weeks

A plan a fresher can actually follow

  1. Month 1

    Understand the paper and build your base

    Read the official pattern first, then make a realistic subject map for 7 subjects. Begin with Polity & Governance, History & Culture, Geography. Focus on concepts before speed.

    Take one diagnostic topic test. Its purpose is to find gaps, not to judge your score.
  2. Month 2

    Finish the core syllabus through practice

    Cover the remaining syllabus, including Economy, Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, while revising Month 1 every week. Move from untimed questions to short timed sets.

    Keep a single error log: concept missed, why it happened and the correct method.
  3. Month 3

    Build exam temperament with mocks

    Use the real exam time limit (GS Paper I — 2 hours; CSAT (Paper II) — 2 hours (qualifying)) in full-length practice. Review every mock longer than it took to attempt it; the review is where improvement happens.

    Turn each weak area from your error log into a 30–45 minute repair session.

Your repeatable week

The study loop that makes revision stick

  1. 1
    Learn

    Read one focused concept block and make a short revision sheet.

  2. 2
    Solve

    Immediately answer topic questions; do not wait until you have ‘finished’ the syllabus.

  3. 3
    Review

    Log mistakes by concept, not just by score. Revisit them after 2–3 days.

  4. 4
    Simulate

    Use a timed section or mock to practise decisions under the clock.

Mock-test ladder

Don’t start with a full mock every day

  • Month 1: topic tests after each completed concept.
  • Month 2: one timed sectional test each week, plus error-log revision.
  • Month 3: one or two full mocks weekly under the real GS Paper I — 2 hours; CSAT (Paper II) — 2 hours (qualifying) clock.

UPSC CSE-specific priorities

What to focus on as you move through the plan

  1. 1

    Build a strong NCERT foundation

    Read the NCERT textbooks (classes 6–12) for history, geography, polity and economy before moving to standard reference books. They give you the conceptual base on which every advanced topic and current-affairs linkage rests.

  2. 2

    Make current affairs a daily habit

    Follow a good newspaper and a monthly compilation every single day, and connect each item back to the static syllabus — a large and growing share of Prelims questions are current-affairs driven.

  3. 3

    Revise relentlessly with notes

    The syllabus is vast, so success depends on revision, not just first-time reading. Maintain crisp, consolidated notes and revise them in spaced cycles so that what you study in June is still fresh in May.

  4. 4

    Master negative marking with mocks

    Take full-length Prelims mocks under the real two-hour, OMR-style setting, and after each one study which guesses paid off and which cost you — this calibrates how many risks to take to maximise your net score.

  5. 5

    Don't ignore CSAT

    CSAT (Paper II) is only qualifying, but every year candidates fail to clear its 33% bar. If comprehension or basic maths is a weak area, drill it steadily rather than assuming you'll clear it comfortably.

  6. 6

    Integrate Prelims and Mains preparation

    Prepare topics with both stages in mind from the start. Answer-writing practice for Mains deepens the very understanding that helps you eliminate tricky options in the Prelims, so treat the two as one continuous effort.

Final 7 days

Revise your short notes and error log; do not begin major new topics.

Take only the number of mocks you can properly review; protect sleep and routine.

Confirm the official admit-card instructions, reporting time, centre and permitted items.

Want personal support?

Request an online trainer for your UPSC CSE preparation.

Get help with your study plan, difficult concepts and mock-test review, subject to trainer availability.

Request a trainer

UPSC CSE marks vs rank & cut-offs

Use this practice benchmark to understand score ranges, qualifying cut-offs and the selection stages for UPSC CSE. The conducting authority sets official merit and appointments.

UPSC CSE marks vs. rank

Score rangeSafe zoneLikely outcome
110+ / 200Very safeClears the cut-off comfortably in almost any year
95–110SafeAbove the General cut-off in most years
85–95BorderlineAround the General cut-off — year-dependent
75–85RiskyMay clear in a tough paper; often below General cut-off
65–75Reserved-category zoneAround SC/ST/OBC cut-offs in many years
Below 65UnlikelyGenerally below all category cut-offs

Qualifying cut-offs by category

General~ 88–100

Indicative marks: out of 200 (GS Paper I)

EWS~ 82–90

Indicative marks: out of 200

OBC~ 86–95

Indicative marks: out of 200

SC~ 74–82

Indicative marks: out of 200

ST~ 70–80

Indicative marks: out of 200

The exam pattern and marking reflect the current UPSC CSE format; dates are indicative of the 2026 cycle. Cut-off ranges and service closing ranks vary significantly every year with vacancies and paper difficulty and are shown only as indicative guidance. Always verify current-year specifics on the official website, upsc.gov.in.

Services filled through the UPSC CSE

A single UPSC Civil Services rank, together with your service preference, determines which of the two dozen-plus services you are allotted. The list below shows the premier services filled through the CSE, with indicative closing ranks at which General-category candidates are typically allotted each — final allocation depends on rank, preference, category and the year's vacancies.

ServiceCadreGroupCSE rank (indicative)
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)State cadresGroup A≈ AIR 1–90 (Gen)
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)All-India / abroadGroup A≈ AIR 1–150 (Gen)
Indian Police Service (IPS)State cadresGroup A≈ AIR 1–250 (Gen)
Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 300
Indian Revenue Service (IRS-IT)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 400
Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 450
Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 500
Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 550
Indian Information Service (IIS)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 600
Indian Postal Service (IPoS)All-IndiaGroup A≈ AIR up to 650
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil ServiceNew DelhiGroup B≈ AIR up to 800
Pondicherry / Delhi & other AGMUT rolesUT cadresGroup B≈ AIR up to 900

A representative view of services and selection routes linked to UPSC CSE. Confirm vacancies, stages and final appointments in the current official notice.

UPSC CSE important dates

The typical UPSC CSE recruitment timeline, from notification to result and document verification. Dates are tentative until the official notice is released.

  1. CSE 2026 Prelims

    24 May 2026

  2. Prelims result (13,343 qualified)

    15 June 2026

  3. CSE 2026 Mains

    21 – 23 & 29 – 30 August 2026

  4. Mains result

    Expected November 2026

  5. Personality Test (interviews)

    Expected February – March 2027

  6. CSE 2027 notification / Prelims

    13 January 2027 / 23 May 2027

UPSC CSE news & guides

The latest dates, notices and preparation guides for UPSC CSE, checked against official sources.

UPSC CSE — frequently asked questions

Quick, reliable answers to the questions UPSC CSE aspirants ask most.

What is the UPSC Prelims exam pattern and marking scheme?

The Prelims has two papers of 200 marks each, taken on the same day. General Studies Paper I has 100 objective questions and decides the cut-off; CSAT (Paper II) has 80 questions and is only qualifying at 33%. Each correct answer in GS-I earns +2, and one-third of the marks (about 0.66) is deducted for every wrong answer, with no penalty for unattempted questions.

What is the eligibility and age limit for UPSC CSE?

You need a Bachelor's degree in any discipline, and final-year students may appear for the Prelims. The age limit is 21 to 32 years for the General category (as on 1 August of the exam year), with relaxations and more attempts for OBC, SC, ST, EWS and PwBD candidates. General candidates get 6 attempts, OBC 9, and SC/ST are unlimited up to the age limit.

How many stages are there in the Civil Services Examination?

There are three stages: the Preliminary examination (objective screening), the Main examination (nine descriptive papers totalling 1750 marks) and a Personality Test / interview of 275 marks. The final merit is based on the Mains and interview together; the Prelims score only decides who qualifies for the Mains.

What is a good score to clear the UPSC Prelims?

It varies every year with paper difficulty, but a net GS Paper I score of roughly 95–100 out of 200 is generally safe for the General category, while the cut-off has occasionally fallen closer to 88. Reserved-category cut-offs are lower. Because of negative marking, your net (not raw) score is what matters.

Which services can I get through the UPSC CSE?

The CSE fills over two dozen services, headed by the IAS, IPS and IFS, and including the IRS, IA&AS, IRMS, IDAS, IPoS and several Group A and Group B central services. The service you are allotted depends on your final rank, your stated preferences, your category and the vacancies available that year.

How should I use mock tests to prepare for the Prelims?

Begin with subject-wise and topic tests to build accuracy across polity, history, geography, economy, environment, science and current affairs, then move to full-length Prelims mocks under the real two-hour clock. Analyse every mock closely — especially your guessing decisions under negative marking — since managing net score is the core skill the Prelims tests.

Official sources & references

Use Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)'s official sources below to verify the latest UPSC CSE pattern, marking, eligibility, dates and notices. Exam details can change each cycle, so confirm current specifics before relying on them.

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Devaseelan

Devaseelan

Cleared NEET