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UPSC Competitive Exams 2023


The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a country wide competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of top officers for various civil services of the Government of India.

Some of the civil service postings are: Tax collectors and revenue commissioners, Civil service commissioned police officers, Permanent representative(s) and employees in the United Nations and its agencies, Chairman, Managing Director, Member of the Board of Management of various Public Sector. Undertakings, Corporations, Banks and Financial Institutions. But, all appointments in the rank of Joint Secretary to Government of India and above, and other major appointments are done by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. However, all appointments in the rank below Joint Secretary are done by the Civil Services Board. As stated above, civil service officers are often appointed as The administrators in the central government and state government, Emissaries in the foreign missions/embassies.

Engineering Service Examination (ESE)

Engineering Services Examination (ESE) is also conducted by UPSC annually to recruit enginners in the sectors like Mechanical, Electronics, Electronics, Telecommunication. Candidates selected after exam are often posted in various departments and ministries like Railways, Central Public Work Department, National Highways, Naval Armaments, Engineering services. But they can also move to any government organisation, agency, department or ministry. All these final selected candidates are designated as class-1 officers.

Indian Forest Service (IFS)

Indian Forest Service is one of the important Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of officers for the scientific management of Indian forests. Here, an IFS officer is largely independent of district administration and exercises administrative, judicial and financial powers in their own domain (forest).

Positions for IFS officers are Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Conservator of Forests (CF) and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) etc. The highest ranking IFS official in each state is the Head of Forest Forces (HoFF).

Combined Geo-Scientist & Geologist Exam (CGSE)

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) also conducts a competitive examination for recruitment and selection to the post of Geologists and Geophysicists. These are officers are offered posting as Scientist, Junior Hydro-geologist and Junior Scientist in various scientic organisations run by the government of India.

Special Class Railway Apprentice Exam (SCRA)

It is a special entrance exam, conducted by UPSC for offering engineering positions to candidates in Railway Department. Most of the recruited candidates are treated as a Class - I service officer and given high ranking posts in the Mechanical Department of the Indian Railways. These officials constitute the top rung cadre of the mechanical wing of the Indian Railways.

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA, NAE)

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (shortly called NDA exam) to recruit candidates to the Army, Navy and the Air force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA). After clearing the Written Exam and the Intelligence and Personality Test by the Services Selection Board (SSB) successfully, the selected candidates undergo rigorous training in respective Academies.

Postings are different according to the training received in the academies. Indian Military Academy Army (IMA), Cadets, known as Gentlemen Cadets, on successful completion of training are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant. Candidates selected for training at the Indian Naval Academy will be appointed as Cadets under the Graduate Cadet Special Entry Scheme (GSES) Course. After the successful completion they are granted Permanent Commission into the Indian Navy. Candidates recommended by the Air Force Selection Boards (AFSBs) under go special pilot training. After successful completion of training, the candidates are granted permanent commission in the rank of Flying Officer.

Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts CMSE for recuriting medical graduates (MBBS) in various government departments. The services/ posts are Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways, Assistant Medical Officer in Indian Ordnance Factories Health Services and Medical Officer (Junior Scale Posts) in Central Health Services.

Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination (IES)

The Union Public Service commission (UPSC) conducts Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination every year to recruit Grade IV officers. These officers are placed in the Planning Commission, Planning Board, Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Sample Survey and other Allied Offices where Experts in Economics and Statistics.

Some of the posting are Higher Administrative Grade, Principal Adviser, Senior Administrative Grade (SAG), Economic Adviser, Adviser, Junior Administrative Grade (JAG), Joint Director, Deputy Economic Adviser, Senior Time Scale (STS), Deputy Director, Assistant Economic Adviser, Senior Research Officer, Assistant Director, Research Officer.

Central Police Forces Commandant (CPFC)

Central Police Forces Commandant (CPFC) Exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission. Every year around 200-300 vacancies are recruited Armed Police Forces deployed throughout the country. Officers selected after the exam will be posted as Assistant Commandant in Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Security Force (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)