UPSC released the notification for Civil Services Examination 2016. The full notification can be viewed
here.In this post we are giving important points, highlights and summary of the notification. We are also including a FAQs to help the aspirants know about the application process and other requirements.
Highlights & Summary
1. Important dates
a) Date of prelims exam – 7 August 2016
b) Starting date of online application – 27 April 2016
c) Last date of online application – 27 May 2016
d) Probable date of mains examination – December 2016
2. Vacancies : 1079
3. Scheme of prelims examination
Two papers – GS paper 1 and GS paper 2 (informally called CSAT). Both will be of 200 marks. However,marks of only GS paper 1 will be taken into account to generate the list of candidates qualified for Mains. In GS paper 2 (CSAT), a candidate need to score at least 66 marks. These marks will not be calculated in deciding the list of qualified candidate.
4. Qualifying marks in English Compulsory paper (Mains) - 75 out of 300
Qualifying marks in Indian Language paper (Mains) – 75 out of 300. Please note that this paper is also calledpaper A in UPSC mains. You will need to fill your choice for this paper A while filing the application form during prelims stage itself.
5. Timing of prelims exam
Paper 1 – 9:30 to 11:30
Paper 2 – 2:30 to 4:30
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to apply?
2. Can I apply Offline?
No
Payment of fee
3A. How much fee has to be paid?
Rs 100
3. What is the procedure to pay the fee for the examination?
There are three options for the payment of fee-Pay
i) by Cash in any branch of State Bank of India,
ii) Pay by credit/debit Card and
iii) Pay by Net Banking facility of SBI.
4. Is there any other bank in addition to SBI where fee can be deposited by cash?
No, the fee may be deposited in cash only in any branch of State Bank of India.
5. I have taken the print of pay-in-slip by clicking on the “Print” option. I have to deposit the cash in a branch of SBI through this Pay-in-slip. How will I re-enter the system to submit my transaction details of the fee if I log out of the system now?
An applicant, after having obtained the TRANSACTION ID number, should again log in by making use of the Registration ID number generated at the time of submission of Part-I of application & the date of birth of the applicant and thereafter enter the relevant particulars in the remaining columns. The Registration ID is also available on the Pay-In-Slip.
6. Is there any other form/challan to pay fee by cash apart from the pay-in-slip?
No. An applicant must make use of the pay-in-slip generated by the system. The Bank(SBI) will not accept the fee (in cash) by any form or challan.
7. Do I need to send the print outs/hard copy of the application to the commission by post?
NO
Photograph and Signature
8. In which format the scanned photograph and signature should be?
The images of the photograph and signature should be scanned in the .jpg format. (Please note till last year .png format was also allowed, but not this time)
9. Whether the photograph should be in Black&white or should it be in a colour ?
Both are acceptable as long as they are as per the given specifications and quality of photograph is good enough to be identifiable and acceptable.
10. What should be the size of the scanned photograph and the signature?
The candidate should scan his/her signature which has been put on white paper with black ink pen.
SIZE – Each of the scanned images of the photograph/signature should not exceed 40 KB in size.
PIXELS
For photograph, the pixel size is 140 pixels height x110 pixels width
For sign it should be 110 pixels height x140 pixels width
11. If the Photograph is not of the proper pixel size given, then how to convert it?
12. If the Photograph is not in the desired format, then how to convert it?
13. My photograph and signature as I loaded on the site are not appearing right. What should I do?
After uploading the photograph and the signature a fresh page shows the preview of the uploaded images. If, the applicant is satisfied with the uploaded images he may click on Confirm Upload button. In case the applicant is not satisfied with the uploaded images, he may click on the Reload Photograph or Reload Signature button. The reloaded photograph/ signature can again be viewed by clicking on the Image refresh button. The process can be repeated till satisfaction. The Candidates may please note that if the quality of photograph/signature is poor, the application is liable to be rejected After having clicked on the Confirm Upload button, the system will not allow any changes in the photograph/signature.
14. Can I make any changes after I submit my application?
No
15. How do I know that my application is registered?
The successful submission of the online application requires the completion of two parts of the application correctly. After completing the part-I of the application the system generates a unique number which is known as the Registration ID (RID). After the completion of all the columns in part-II, a fresh page displays the message that the application has been submitted successfully. The generation of the unique registration ID number combined with the display of this message indicates that the application has been registered.
16. Will I receive any e-mail intimation for registration of my application?
Yes.
17. What If I do not receive e-mail confirmation?
It may happen that you do not receive e-mail confirmation after submitting your application. You can go to view your application at
http://upsconline.nic.in/viewapplication.php . If you can view your application, there is no need to worry.
18. What details should I provide to make correspondence with the Commission?
In case of correspondence with the commission an applicant must mention these details -Name of Examination, Applicant’s name, father’s name, date of birth and the Registration Identity Number(RID).
Age
19. How eligibility of age are calculated?
It is calculated based on cut-off date & it is 01-08-2016 for CSP-2016.
19B. What is the age for general category candidates?
A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August, 2016 i.e., he/she must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1984 and not later than 1st August, 1995.
Centre of examination
20. Can I change my centre after submission of application?
Change of Centre cases are normally discouraged by UPSC. However, written request duly signed addressing to Joint Secretary (Exam), UPSC may be sent for change of centre request towards its consideration based on its merit.
21A. Do I need to provide the centre for mains exam now itself?
Yes.
21. Do I need to give the same centre for prelims and mains?
Not necessary. You may opt for different or same centre for prelims and mains based on your convenience.
22. Can I change the mains centre later?
Normally no. However, written request duly signed addressing to Joint Secretary (Exam), UPSC may be sent for change of centre request towards its consideration based on its merit.
Mistakes
22. What should I do in case some mistake found in my application after its submission?
You can submit multiple applications & required to pay the fee with new RID in case you are not a fee exempted candidate and your RID for latest submitted completed application will be considered for processing and all earlier submitted applications will be canceled by online system.
23. If I apply multiple times then?
In that case, your application with the highest RID will be considered.
24. I am unable to apply Part-2 of application as it is showing unsafe / untrusted ?
Preferably use Google Crome Browser to apply for Part-2 with RID & DOB. Please go ahead with the option to proceed even if it is suggested unsafe / untrusted as security certificate not installed properly.
25. I received an SMS from UPSC saying your candidature is not valid as you have not submitted your chosen centre.
Please ignore the SMS as it is an Alert to candidates in case you have already submitted your completed application. Please take a hard copy & check for all fields including centre is printed and keep it for future reference & not be sent to UPSC unless asked for any reason.
Admit Card
26. When I will receive Admit Card (AC) once I had submitted my completed application.
The date for the admit card will be notified on the commission’s website http://www.upsc.gov.in/. It will be available three weeks before the commencement of exam.
27. I am a reserved category candidate. Do I need to give some certificate for the age/fee relaxation claim?
No. You do not need to provide any certificate. BUT, you need to provide the certificate date of your respective category certificate.
28. What is certificate date?
In case you are claiming any relaxation against a certificate you are having with you, its date may be mentioned against certificate date.
29. Which pen is to be used for filling the circles in prelims exam.
Only black ball point pen. (No pencils)
30. Do I need to indicate my optional subject for mains exam now itself?
Yes
31. Can I change my optional subject later?
No
32. Will my attempt be counted if I only apply for the exam, but do not appear?
No. Your attempt will be counted only if you appear for any of the paper (either 1 or 2 or both)
33. Is CSAT now a qualifying paper?
Yes. The Commission will draw a list of candidates to be qualified for Civil
Service (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies PaperII of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by the Commission”
34. Is there any change in the syllabus of optional papers?
No.
Suggestions
#1. Do not wait for the last date to apply. Apply as soon as you can.
