Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam 2009 on May 17

The Union Public Service Commission has invited applications for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, the first stage of the process for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and certain other Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ Central Services/Posts.

The Examination will be held on 17th May, 2009 at various centres across the country.

Applicant should not be less than 21 years of age and not more than 30 years of age as on 1st August, 2009. The upper age limit is relaxable for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes and certain other categories of candidates to the extent specified in the detailed Notice.

Applicant should hold a Degree of a recognized University or an equivalent qualification and must be physically fit according to the Regulations given in Appendix-III of Rules for the Civil Services Examination, 2009 published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated 6th December, 2008.

The maximum number of attempts permissible to different categories of applicants who are otherwise eligible are as follows:
(i) General Category - Four(ii) Physically Handicapped Candidates belonging to General Category - Seven(iii) Other Backward Classes - Seven(iv) Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) - No limit.
Application has to be submitted in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for its examinations, which can be purchased from designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices (specified in Appendix-III of the Notice published in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar), throughout the country against cash payment of Rs.20/-.
A fee of Rs. 50/- has to be paid by the applicants through Central Recruitment Fee Stamp only. SC/ST/PH candidates are exempted from payment of fees while OBC candidates are required to pay full fees).

Completed Applications should reach ‘Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110 069’, either by hand or by Post/Speed Post or by Courier, on or before 5th January, 2009.

In respect of candidates residing abroad or in certain remote areas specified in the Notice, the last date for receipt of applications by Post/Speed Post only (Not by Hand or by Courier) is 12th January, 2009.

The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of objective type (multiple-choice questions) carrying a maximum of 450 marks. Paper – I (General Studies) will carry 150 Marks and Paper - II, which will be one of the optional subjects to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects, will carry 300 Marks. Question Papers will be set in English & Hindi.
For details, visit http://www.upsc.gov.in