UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam 2023: Exam day guidelines

The Civil Services Mains exam comprises 9 subjective papers including one essay paper, four GS papers, two optional papers and two language papers.

The entire process is carried out within five days with two papers conducted per day.

Candidates who clear the Civil Services Mains exam will be called for the interview/ personality test round.

UPSC CSE Mains 2023: Guidelines for exam day

– Remember to reach the exam centre 30 minutes prior to the exam time to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

– Candidates can carry basic stationery items such as pen, scale etc. However, no digital stationery will be allowed inside the exam hall.

– You must carry an admit card, one identity proof and passport size photographs.

– Candidates can carry a transparent water bottle and a small bottle of hand sanitiser. There should be no text on the bottle.

– There is no designated dress code for appearing in the exam but any electronic devices and digital watches are prohibited in the examination hall.

– Remember to time your arrival to the exam hall keeping in mind the possibility of traffic jams or roadblocks.

UPSC CSE Mains 2023: Tips for exam day

– Divide your time keeping in mind the exam pattern. You will have 170 minutes to attempt questions, ensure you divide that time as per your confidence level on the 10 or 15 mark questions. Also, allow 7 to 10 minutes for things like signing the attendance OMR sheet and going to the restroom. It is important to plan your time accordingly.

– Ensure you have read the question properly before you start answering the problem. Also, remember that it is important to concentrate on keywords and terms. Ensure your answer has a proper structure — introduction and conclusion. If the question is divided into sections, begin each section’s answer with a distinct heading.

– Stick to the facts, i.e. to make sure your answer stands out and catches the evaluator’s eye, try and add facts and (correct) data wherever possible.

– Write in clear handwriting, and avoid cutting (striking) your answers. The clearer you have written, the better the evaluator will be able to understand. To draw the evaluator’s attention to your areas of strength in the answer, use the underlining method.