Personal Guidance Program – UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS)

About the course

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other central services. It has three stages: the Preliminary exam (two objective papers), the Main exam (nine descriptive papers) and the Personality Test.

The Personal Guidance Program covers all three stages end to end. You are taught in a batch of not more than 25 students, given a personal mentor who tracks your tests and answer writing, and prepared with the same rigour as the leading institutes in Delhi — from Anna Nagar, Chennai, or live online.

Who should join

• Graduates and final-year students starting UPSC preparation from the beginning
• Aspirants who want a single programme that covers Prelims, Mains and the Interview
• Working professionals who can attend the online or hybrid batch

Scholarships

Eligibility

Criteria	Details
Education	A degree from a recognised university (final-year students can apply for Prelims)
Age	21 to 32 years for General category; relaxation of 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST
Attempts	6 (General/EWS), 9 (OBC), unlimited up to the age limit (SC/ST)
Nationality	Indian citizen for IAS, IPS and IFS

Exam pattern

Preliminary Examination (objective)

Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
Paper I – General Studies	100	200	2 hours
Paper II – CSAT (qualifying, 33%)	80	200	2 hours

One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Only Paper I marks decide who qualifies for Mains.

Main Examination (descriptive)

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper A	Indian language (qualifying)	300
Paper B	English (qualifying)	300
Paper I	Essay	250
Paper II	GS I – Heritage, culture, history, geography, society	250
Paper III	GS II – Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice, international relations	250
Paper IV	GS III – Technology, economy, environment, security, disaster management	250
Paper V	GS IV – Ethics, integrity and aptitude	250
Papers VI & VII	Optional subject – Paper 1 and Paper 2	250 each
	Written total (merit)	1,750

Personality Test (Interview)

Stage	Marks
Interview	275
Final merit (Mains + Interview)	2,025

Syllabus covered

Prelims – General Studies

• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and the Indian National Movement
• Indian and world geography
• Indian polity and governance
• Economic and social development
• Environment, ecology, biodiversity and climate change
• General science

Prelims – CSAT

• Comprehension and interpersonal skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision making and problem solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level)

Mains – General Studies I to IV

• GS I: Indian heritage and culture, history, world history, society, geography
• GS II: Constitution, polity, governance, social justice, international relations
• GS III: Economy, agriculture, science and technology, environment, internal security, disaster management
• GS IV: Ethics, integrity, aptitude and case studies

Essay and Optional

• Two essays from a choice of topics, with structure and practice
• Optional subject: two papers of 250 marks each (Public Administration is taught at the academy; ask about other optionals)

How you will be taught

• Small batches of not more than 25 students, so every student gets personal attention from the trainers.
• Daily MCQ test at the end of each class, based on the previous class.
• Current affairs classes every week, with monthly compilations and feature articles.
• Weekly live doubt-clearing session with faculty (also for online students).
• Complete printed study material, plus revision notes and practice books.
• Daily Mains answer writing with written feedback from faculty.
• Mock interview panels and DAF analysis for the Personality Test.