No, in fact it is an integrated whole which gives a comprehensive understanding. Same holds true for the preparation. The whole subject should be understood in its entirety. Only then the requirement for the Preliminary and Mains could be fulfilled through particular emphasis on the orientation. The orientation for Prelims is towards a mix of factual information and understanding with a bias towards the former. Whereas the orientation of Mains is basically the in- depth understanding of the whole Subject and Concept Clarity.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. UPSC has been constantly changing its pattern over the years to make the civil services exam preparation accessible and possible to students from every set of background. It's Endeavour is to neutralize the effect of coaching so that all candidates come on a equal platform. However, the fact remains – most of the candidate who succeed have taken coaching at some point of their preparation. This is chiefly due to:
• The vast syllabus, especially in general studies which the candidates find very difficult to do on their own in a shortest possible period. Moreover, the students are flooded with so many books that they get confused about consulting which ones. Class notes and Material provide a solution to this.
• The candidates many times in their quest for acquiring knowledge lose track of time. They overdo the studies in some subjects at the cost of others. Coaching institutes cover the syllabus within the time period and thus are sought after.
However, the need for coaching could be removed wholly if the candidates could get the right study material and the right guidance for the examination.
A word of caution also needs to be included here. If a candidate has made his mind to enrol himself in any coaching, he must go for the best reputed ones. There are many coaching institutes which advertise very attractively, boasting on claims for producing toppers, which is many times false. The candidates who get attracted eventually land up in these institutes which take a toll on their valuable time, money and energy. The candidates must personally make queries about the coaching institutes & It is better to attend WORKSHOP or FEW DEMO CLASSES to ascertain the facts whether it is suiting his/her needs or not before taking admission.

Yes, you can choose any optional subject from amongst the UPSC's list of optional subjects for Civil Services Main Exam.

No, only candidates belonging to communities which are included in the Central list of OBC's are eligible for such relaxation.

• If you opt to write the Civil Services Main Exam in English, you may choose either English as the medium for the interview or Hindi or any other Indian language opted by you for the compulsory Indian Language Paper in the written part of the civil services mains examination as the medium for interview. However, if you are exempted from the Compulsory Indian Language paper, you will have to choose either English or Hindi as a medium of discussion.
• If you opt for an Indian Language medium for the written part of the Civil Services Main Exam, you can choose either the same Indian Language, English, or Hindi as the medium for the Interview or Personality Test.

The candidate must hold a degree (graduation) from any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University Under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

Yes, candidates who have appeared at an examination the passing of which would render them educationally qualified for the Commission's examination but have not been informed of the results as also the candidates who intend to appear at such a qualifying examination will also be eligible for admission to the Preliminary Examination.