Preliminary Examination is the first stage of Civil Services Examination and is just a screening test.
It consists of Two Question Papers worth 200 marks each and Two hours duration.
At this stage you face a stiff competition as a large number of candidates appear in Preliminary Examination.
Your result is solely dependent on marks secured in Paper I (General Studies) as Paper II (Aptitude Test) has been made qualifying.
On Thursday 11th June 2009
It is now clear that the negative marking would be applicable in the Preliminary Examination 2011. There will be Penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers marked by candidates except some of the questions where the Negative Marking will be inbuilt in the form of different marks being awarded to the most appropriate and not so appropriate answer for such questions.
On Wednesday 4th May 2011 UPSC has moved a step ahead with CSE 2011 and in addition to cut down on ‘guesses’ and ‘luck’ with penalty on wrong answers introduced few years back, now UPSC is insisting on candidates who have the aptitude for the job in question - Civil Services by means of some questions with inbuilt negative marking.
Last Update Wednesday 4th May 2011
On Thursday 11th June 2009 Introduction of ‘Negative Marking’ is one such bold step which is intended to provide help to serious candidates and will require core understanding of the topic and the subject.
Last Update Thursday 11th June 2009
On Thursday 11th June 2009 To tackle the ‘Negative Marking’ one needs to develop clear conceptual clarity, sharp memory and recall which can eliminate the chances of getting confused in examination hall.
Last Update Thursday 11th June 2009
On Sunday 3rd July 2016
Broad Classification of General Studies Syllabus and a little brief about each constituent listed in the Preliminary Examination Paper I syllabus.
On Sunday 17th January 2010
Last Update Tuesday 2nd August 2016
On Monday 26th January 2015
A large number of candidates are going to face Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015 that is scheduled to be staged on August 23, 2015. We sincerely hope that all of you are indulged in serious preparation to face it confidently. Here are some tips that will be useful in while attempting question papers in examination hall.
On Monday 18th April 2011
By now, you must have covered a lot of syllabus and would be moving according to the plan.
On Friday 22nd January 2010
Last Update Sunday 3rd July 2016
On Wednesday 8th April 2009
Preliminary Examination Paper I syllabus
On Monday 7th March 2011
Broad Classification of General Studies Syllabus and a little brief about each constituent listed in the Preliminary Examination Paper I syllabus.
On Sunday 15th March 2015
On the face of it, Preliminary Examination papers look easy to moderate but, this step alone has made it more challenging and most of the candidates are finding it difficult to crack it.
On Monday 26th January 2015
As the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for August 23, 2015, it is time for action. All of you aspiring for Civil Services Examination 2015 would be glued to your study-material and would leave no stone unturned to make your preparation effective. Success in Prelims only will get you chance for the next step – Main Examination.
On Sunday 23rd December 2012
Be it Preliminary, Main Examination or Interview, many candidates look out for cut-off to make own strategy while preparing for Civil Service Examination.
On Friday 7th January 2011
The framework for syllabus clearly indicates richness and complexity would require a move in the strategy for Preliminary Examination for effective preparation.
On Wednesday 4th January 2012
Suggested Book-List for important constituents for Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: PAPER I (General Studies) and PAPER II (Aptitude Test)
On Saturday 5th May 2012
While preparing for Preliminary Examination, with an effective preparation along with tips to score better, you can get away without worrying much about the ‘Negative Marking’.
On Saturday 5th May 2012
When you are concentrating on preparation, you must recognize the link between your accumulated knowledge and the examination techniques for a brilliant performance.
On Sunday 6th May 2012
Preparation for Civil Services Examination requires awareness and alertness. A realistic assessment of the requirement and your preparation make it easy.
On Tuesday 13th August 2013
Preliminary Examination is proving to be a road-block for many; don’t agree, look at the recent Prelims 2013 results. Simple and straightforward nature of the new-look Prelims makes it tougher as more and more candidates get chance to score. Stiffer competition resulting in higher cut-off and possibly this is what has been witnessed this year.
On Friday 8th March 2013
The notification for Civil Services Examination 2013 got delayed by almost a month; the Preliminary Examination has been deferred by a week to May 26, 2013; in such a situation crossing the first hurdle is a big challenge.
On Sunday 17th January 2010
‘Efficiency with accuracy’ is the key and with practice, you can develop sharpness and habit of making quick decisions.
On Sunday 6th May 2012
Handling objective type tests is an art and for an examination of this level, it is prudent to test your level of preparation and learn some examination techniques to face it confidently.
On Sunday 17th January 2010
You will gain nothing if you are not able to find a place in list of successful candidates called for Mains (Written) examination and would have to start afresh next year by appearing in Prelims again if you are left with more attempts available.
On Sunday 27th May 2012
The first and most significant stage of the examination, Preliminary Examination is nothing but screening test to shortlist serious and focused aspirants for second stage Mains Examination. In the beginning, some candidates look first at Preliminary examination and wish to know the minimum time required for an effective preparation.
On Friday 20th February 2009
It is an old article; The scheme for Preliminary Examination changed in 2011 when optional subject paper was replaced by Aptitute Test. From CSE 2013, as per the changes in Main Examination pattern, now, candidates are to take only 'One' optional subject.
On Tuesday 8th May 2012
As not much time left, don't think too much and trust what you have studied in past few months. Revision and Practice are going to play a vital role in handling this examination effectively.
On Thursday 18th April 2013
As the Preliminary Examination is just 37 days away, it is time for action. All of you aspiring for Civil Services Examination 2013 would be glued to your study-material and would leave no stone unturned to make your preparation effective. Success in Prelims only will get you chance for the next step – Main Examination.
On Saturday 25th May 2013
The D-day has come. On May 26, 2013, a large number of candidates are going to face Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013. We sincerely hope that all of you are well prepared to face it confidently. Here are some tips that will be useful in while attempting question papers in examination hall.
On Wednesday 20th March 2013 It is nice to have high ambitions; but, that alone is not enough; you have chosen an examination that is too mighty; an Exam-Plan that involves multi-stage program and diverse skill-sets to counter challenges each stage of examination throws.
Last Update Wednesday 20th March 2013
On Sunday 11th December 2011 Competition is getting stiffer and you are to prove yourself better than the others with some serious attempt that takes you to the level of subject knowledge the CSE demands.
Last Update Sunday 11th December 2011
