UPSC CSE 2027
3 Stages · 2,025 Marks
Exam Pattern
UPSC Exam Pattern 2027: Prelims, Mains and Interview, Marks, Negative Marking and Qualifying Rules
UPSC CSE has three stages: an objective Prelims to screen candidates, a written Mains, and a Personality Test. Final rank is based on 2,025 marks.
PRELIMS
Screening only
MAINS
1,750 marks
INTERVIEW
275 marks
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Quick Answer
The UPSC CSE 2027 exam has three stages: Prelims, Mains and Interview. The Prelims has two objective papers of 200 marks each; only GS Paper I decides who reaches the Mains, and CSAT needs 33%. The Mains has nine descriptive papers, of which seven (1,750 marks) count for merit. The Interview carries 275 marks. Final rank is based on Mains + Interview = 2,025 marks; Prelims marks are not added.
Last updated: 26 October 2026 · Official source: upsc.gov.in. Dates from the UPSC calendar are tentative and can change; always confirm on the official website.
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Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I | 100 | 200 (2 each) | 2 hours | 0.66 per wrong answer |
| GS Paper II (CSAT) | 80 | 200 (2.5 each) | 2 hours | 0.83 per wrong answer |
- Objective, multiple choice: Four options per question, with one-third of the marks deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions get no penalty.
- Both papers are compulsory: CSAT must be cleared at 33%, and the Mains shortlist is drawn from GS Paper I scores.
- Language: Question papers are in Hindi and English.
- Shortlist size: About 12–13 times the number of vacancies; 13,343 candidates qualified in 2026.
2️⃣
Stage 2: Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Counts for merit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian language | 300 | No, 25% to qualify |
| Paper B | English | 300 | No, 25% to qualify |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Yes |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | Yes |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | Yes |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | Yes |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 | Yes |
| Paper VI | Optional Paper 1 | 250 | Yes |
| Paper VII | Optional Paper 2 | 250 | Yes |
- Duration: 3 hours per paper, held over five days.
- Medium: Answers can be written in English or in any language of the Eighth Schedule. Language papers are written in that language.
- Qualifying papers first: The merit papers are evaluated only if you score at least 25% in both Paper A and Paper B. Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim are exempt from Paper A.
- Interview shortlist: About 2.5 to 3 times the number of vacancies; 2,736 candidates were called in 2025.
3️⃣
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
- Marks: 275, with no minimum qualifying mark.
- Purpose: To assess suitability for a career in public service: mental alertness, balance of judgement, clarity of expression, leadership and integrity.
- Venue: UPSC, Dholpur House, New Delhi, before a board of experts.
- Basis: Mostly the candidate’s Detailed Application Form (DAF), plus current affairs and opinions.
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How Final Merit Is Calculated
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Mains (seven merit papers) | 1,750 |
| Personality Test | 275 |
| Total for final rank | 2,025 |
| Prelims | Not counted |
| Paper A and Paper B | Not counted (qualifying) |
Services and cadres are allotted on the basis of rank, the candidate’s preferences in the DAF and the vacancies in each category.
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How the Pattern Has Changed
- 2011: CSAT replaced the optional paper in the Prelims.
- 2013: The Mains moved to four GS papers, one Essay and one Optional (two papers), replacing two optionals.
- 2015: CSAT became qualifying at 33%.
- Since then: No change to the structure. For CSE 2027 nothing new has been notified; check the notification due on 13 January 2027.
PwBD candidates: Eligible candidates can use a scribe and get compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of the exam, as per UPSC rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exam pattern of UPSC CSE?
Three stages: an objective Prelims (GS Paper I and CSAT, 200 marks each), a written Mains (nine papers, seven counting for 1,750 marks) and an Interview (275 marks).
Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
Yes. One-third of the marks for a question are deducted for each wrong answer: 0.66 in GS Paper I and 0.83 in CSAT.
Are Prelims marks counted in the final result?
No. The Prelims only screens candidates for the Mains. Final rank depends on Mains plus Interview marks.
Can I write the UPSC Mains in Hindi or Odia?
Yes. Mains answers can be written in English or in any Eighth Schedule language, including Hindi and Odia.
How many marks is the UPSC interview?
275 marks, with no minimum qualifying score.
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Related Resources on Strive Edge IAS
- Paper-wise syllabus: UPSC Syllabus 2027
- Cut-offs: UPSC Cut-off
- CSE 2027 essentials: UPSC Notification 2027, UPSC Calendar 2027, UPSC Syllabus 2027 and UPSC Eligibility 2027
- Daily practice: Daily Current Affairs, Prelims Pinpointer and Mains Answer Writing
- Previous papers: UPSC Prelims PYQs and UPSC Mains PYQs
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Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination rules and notification (upsc.gov.in). Compiled by the Strive Edge IAS editorial team.
