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UPSC Career Guidance 2024 - Know in Detail about Exams based on Eligibility & Interest

UPSC Career Guidance 2024 - Know in Detail about Exams based on Eligibility & Interest

Updated on Feb 14, 2024 05:40 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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UPSC CSE  Exam Date : 22 Aug' 2025 - 24 Aug' 2025

The UPSC released the official notification for the UPSC IAS 2024 on 14 February 2024. The IAS 2024 Notification is available for download in the form of a PDF on the UPSC’s official website upsc.gov.in. The UPSC CSE exam is one of the many national exams conducted by the Union Public Services Commission.

UPSC Career Guidance 2024 - Know in Detail about Exams based on Eligibility & Interest
UPSC Career Guidance 2024 - Know in Detail about Exams based on Eligibility & Interest

Other exams conducted by the UPSC include NDA, CDS, CAPF, IES, IFS, CMS and CISF. It is in candidates’ best interest to receive UPSC Career Guidance before applying for these exams, as it can help candidates reach their career goals even through stiff competition. Candidates can benefit from receiving the career guidance of UPSC exams as it gives them clarity on which exams to apply for and how to prepare. It is estimated that 70 to 80 lac candidates apply for various UPSC exams on a yearly basis, yet only a minute fraction of them succeed due to the tough competition. Below, we have addressed the topic of UPSC Career Guidance 2024 for the benefit of UPSC aspirants.

We discuss different commonly faced UPSC preparation issues and suggest the most appropriate UPSC exams based on the candidate's eligibility and interests and also look into the probability of the candidate clearing the exam. Aspirants are encouraged to go through the material below for PSC 2024 Career Guidance.

What is UPSC?

Before heading towards the UPSC career guidance 2024 exams, aspirants must first know about the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC). Basically, UPSC is one of India's largest recruitment agencies, headquartered in New Delhi. It is also India's premier central recruiting organization responsible for some of the toughest yet popular exams which require the most effective career guidance for UPSC exams.

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Some of the exams conducted by UPSC recruit candidates for gazetted posts which are difficult to qualify without UPSC guidance for preparation. UPSC was founded in 1926 and its current chairperson is Dr. Manoj Soni. The official website of UPSC is upsc.gov.in, however, to apply for the various exams it conducts and to download the admit card for the respective exams candidates must visit UPSC's website which is upsconline.nic.in.

How Many Exams are Conducted by UPSC?

UPSC conducts 13 of the most popular exams which can be cracked with the help of UPSC career guidance. These exams include -

  • UPSC CSE

  • UPSC CMS

  • UPSC ESE

  • UPSC CDS

  • UPSC NDA

  • UPSC IFS

  • UPSC IES/ISS

  • UPSC Combined Geoscientists and Geologists Examination

  • UPSC CAPF

UPSC IAS/CSE - The Civil Services Exam (CSE is conducted by UPSC to recruit candidates for civil services administrative posts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central allied services like IRS, etc. According to an estimate, approximately 11 lac candidates appear for the UPSC CSE exam every year and the vacancies released are between 700 to 900. It's one of the toughest exams that needs career guidance for UPSC civil services exam preparation from prelims to interview level. The UPSC CSE posts guarantee a superior career both in terms of power and position.

UPSC ESE - The Engineering Services Exam which was earlier known as the Indian Engineering Services exam is conducted by UPSC for engineering aspirants. There are many coaching institutes where proper UPSC career guidance is provided for different engineering stream candidates such as Civil, Mechanical, Telecommunications as well as Electronics and Electricals. Through this exam, UPSC recruits candidates for the post of engineers in Indian Railway, Indian Defence, Indian Ordnance Factories, Central Water Engineering etc.

UPSC CMS - The Combined Medical Services exam is conducted by UPSC to recruit candidates as Medical Officers in various government organisations, hospitals, medical institutions etc. To apply for this exam candidates must have an MBBS degree (Medicinae Baccalaureus Baccalaureus Chirurgiae), commonly known as the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.

UPSC CDS - UPSC conducts the Combined Defense Services twice a year to recruit candidates into the Indian Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy for officer posts. Graduate candidates can appear for this exam.

UPSC NDA - Apart from CDS, UPSC also conducts the National Defense Academy exam twice a year to recruit candidates for the post of Lieutenant in the Army, Sub-Lieutenant in the Navy or Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force. However, the eligibility criteria for NDA is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates who qualify for the NDA exam will undergo an academic as well as a training course.

UPSC IFS - The UPSC Indian Forest Service exam is conducted by the exam conducting authority to recruit candidates for various posts of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, Forest Range Officer etc. After qualifying for this exam candidates might also get posted in remote areas to look after wildlife conservation, work against poachers and also plan policies as well as promote forest conservation. The IFS exam preparation is also similar to the IAS for UPSC career guidance to qualify prelims exam jointly.

UPSC IES/ISS - UPSC conducts the IES/ISS exam to recruit candidates in Government Ministries/ Departments for economic and social sectors and also on a deputation basis to serve in domestic and international organizations. It is one of those exams where vacancies are not in large numbers. Selected candidates are recruited in financial organisations where they are entitled to policymaking, work related to budgetary concerns etc.

UPSC Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination - This exam is conducted by UPSC on an annual basis to recruit eligible candidates for Group 'A' services for the post of Geophysicist, Geologist, Junior Hydro-geologist and Scientist etc. Shortlisted candidates are posted in areas where they are responsible for research and work areas such as geophysics.

UPSC CAPF - UPSC conducts the Central Armed Police Forces exam to recruit Assistant Commandants for Group A services in various armed forces of the BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB. Apart from the age limit and academic qualification, there are some physical requirements.

How to Choose the Best Exam for Me?

Choosing and qualifying for any exam solely depends upon the candidate's ability to crack as well as eligibility to appear along with the best career guidance for the UPSC exam. Apart from these major factors, there are other factors as well that help candidates choose the best exam for themselves like - interest, academic qualification, accessibility etc.

Candidates must know that once they qualify for any UPSC exams, they have splendid career growth, a high-class salary full of benefits, perks and various opportunities to scale up in life.

Exams

Eligibility Criteria

Interest

UPSC CSE

Graduation/Post Graduation

Interest in public administration-related work. Officer work, power and position.

UPSC CMS

MBBS Degree

MBBS candidates are interested in the medical field and health sectors.

UPSC ESE

BTech/MTech

Those Engineers who are looking for top-level jobs in PSUs.

UPSC CDS

Graduation

For officer-level work in the Indian armed forces.

UPSC NDA

10+2 (PCM)

Young bloods who want to work for the Indian armed forces as officers and want to scale to greater heights in the hierarchy.

UPSC IFS

Graduation

Wildlife enthusiasts, those candidates who want to work in nature and wildlife conservation.

UPSC IES/ISS

Graduation (Economics)

Candidates having a knack for Economics, Statistics and policymaking.

UPSC Combined Geoscientists and Geologists Examination

PG in Geological Science or Geology or Applied Geology etc.

Candidates who are interested in research and survey work to look for minerals, water level and various other minerals and soils.

UPSC CAPF

Graduation along with Physical requirements

Candidates are interested in heading Indian armed forces like BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB as Commandants.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which job is best in UPSC?

UPSC conducts a lot of exams to recruit candidates for gazetted and non-gazetted posts. It depends upon the candidate which exam he/she is eligible for and which exam they can qualify for.

2. Which post is high in UPSC?

The Chief Secretary or the Cabinet Secretary is the highest post. Candidates can achieve this post after qualifying for the IAS with the top ranking and better performance wherever they are posted. This post can be achieved after several years of service and promotions.

3. Do all IAS become DM?

No, this a common misconception that after qualifying for the CSE exam one will become the DM. There are close to 24 services that fall under the CSE. Candidates get to choose their services while applying for the DAF, but it all depends upon the ranking of the candidate and their work post getting selected.

4. Is IAS tougher than IIT?

No exam is tougher or easier, it is all the mentality of an individual. If one believes that they can qualify for IAS/IIT, then no one can stop them. So, don't compare both the exams, both have their own perks, benefits, career growth etc.

5. What are UPSC exam career options are available?

The UPSC offers various career options for aspirants, they can check the exam list in the above article. There is a lot of UPSC scope in future.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello

This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):

Notification Release: February
Online Application Window: February to early March
Prelims Exam: May or June
Mains Exam: September/October

As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.

To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!

A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process

If a person has undergone heart surgery for ASD which means Atrial Septal Defect and is now medically fit then they can apply for the IAS exam There is no restriction for such candidates if their physical and mental condition is stable and they can perform the duties required in civil services However selection to IAS also depends on passing the medical test conducted after clearing the main exam and interview If the person has any lasting disability due to the heart condition and it is certified by a government medical board then they may be considered under the benchmark disability category as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act In such cases the candidate may come under reservation for persons with disabilities in the specific category mentioned by the medical authority It is always advised to check the official UPSC notification and consult with a government hospital for proper disability certification before applying

Hello ,

If you want to give IAS exam then you should complete your graduation first or also if you are in your last year of graduation then you can fill the application form.

To know more, refer this:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-application-form

I hope this helps you!

If you want to become an IAS or IPS officer after completing your 12th in PCMC ,  focus on graduation because the UPSC Civil Services exam requires you to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. You can choose any graduation stream, but many students prefer degrees like Political Science, Public Administration, History, or Sociology because these subjects help build a strong foundation for the UPSC syllabus. it’s not mandatory to pick these; you can also pursue Science, Commerce, or Arts as long as you complete your graduation. Along with your degree,  start preparing for the UPSC exam early by reading newspapers, improving your general knowledge, and practicing answer writing. So, after 12th, pick a degree you are comfortable with, and plan your UPSC preparation alongside

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