UPSC Civil Services Examination 2027 exam pattern: papers, marks and marking scheme
How the paper is built: subjects, number of questions, marks and the marking scheme, read from the official bulletin.
These figures are for: 2027 dates from UPSC's calendar. Rules from the 2026 notice, until the 2027 notice on 13 January 2027.
| Stages | Preliminary (objective), Main (written), then the Interview / Personality Test |
|---|---|
| Preliminary | Two objective papers (multiple choice) of 200 marks each, 400 in all, two hours eachThe Preliminary is a screening test. Its marks do not count in the final merit. |
| Preliminary Paper II | Qualifying only: you need at least 33% |
| Negative marking in the Preliminary | One-third (0.33) of a question's marks is deducted for a wrong answerMore than one answer marked counts as wrong. |
| Who reaches the Main | About twelve to thirteen times the number of vacancies |
| Main: qualifying papers | Paper A (an Indian language) 300 marks and Paper B (English) 300 marks, of Matriculation standardMarks in these do not count for ranking. |
| Main: papers that count | Essay 250. General Studies I, II, III and IV, 250 each. Optional subject Paper I and Paper II, 250 each |
| Main: totals | Written 1750 marks, Personality Test 275 marks, grand total 2025 marks |
| Main: duration | Each paper is three hours |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice (the latest published rules). Checked on 10 November 2026.
Not announced yet for the next cycle: The 2027 notification (scheduled for 13 January 2027): the final eligibility, age limits, number of attempts, vacancies and fee for 2027; Any change to the syllabus and scheme for 2027. See the UPSC CSE page for the latest dates.
More on UPSC CSE: dates, how to apply, eligibility, application fee. Official site: upsc.gov.in.