Is a calculator allowed in UPSC prelims?

No, calculators are not allowed in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Prelims) for either the General Studies (GS) or CSAT papers. Candidates must perform all calculations manually, as even scientific non-programmable calculators and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.

Can we use a calculator in UPSC prelims?

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Preliminary stage for the General Studies (GS) Paper I, candidates are not permitted to use calculators. The UPSC strictly prohibits the use of any electronic devices, including calculators, during the exam.

What is the 7 5 3 rule in UPSC?

The 7-5-3 technique is a simple framework that helps UPSC aspirants structure their answers in a logical and impactful way. 7 – Write 7 points in the body of your answer. 5 – Finish your answer in 5 paragraphs (Intro, Body – 3 Paras, Conclusion).

Is a calculator allowed in UPSC ESE prelims?

Be it a scientific (non-programmable type) or programmable type calculator, candidates cannot take it inside the exam hall on the UPSC Prelims exam day as per the rules.

What is the 80 20 rule in UPSC?

The 80/20 UPSC principle, inspired by the Pareto Principle, suggests that roughly 20% of the syllabus fetches nearly 80% of the marks. Understanding this distribution is the real secret behind efficient, innovative, and strategic preparation.

I Never Failed UPSC Prelims — Here’s the Strategy Behind 6/6 Prelims Success.

Who is the rank 1 girl in UPSC?

Shakti Dubey emerged as the All India Rank 1 holder for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. She is the top-ranked candidate among the 1009 successful aspirants. In fact, she is the top female candidate to secure All India Rank 1 in UPSC in the past few years.

Is 800 a good score in UPSC?

Generally, a score of 800 may be considered good if it falls within or above the cutoff range for the UPSC Civil Services Exam for that year. Subject and Paper Weightage: Different papers and optional subjects have different weightages.

Who got 1126 marks in UPSC?

The record for the highest marks ever in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is held by Anudeep Durishetty, who topped the exam in 2017 with a staggering total of 1126 marks out of 2025.

Is CSAT harder than CAT?

The difficulty level of the CAT exam is moderate to difficult as compared to CSAT. One to two months is enough for preparation of the CSAT paper. It will take around 6 months to prepare CAT exam.

Which is the toughest optional subject in UPSC?

Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) stands out as the toughest optional subject due to its vast syllabus and conceptual depth. However, anthropology for upsc is widely regarded as the easiest optional subject due to its concise syllabus and high scoring potential.

Who got 175 marks in essay UPSC?

Apurva Pandey is a ForumIAS Academy Student. She has secured Rank 39 and is the Topper from Uttarakhand. She has secured 175 marks in Essay which is the highest score this year among selected candidates.

How to write fast in UPSC?

How to Develop Writing Speed for UPSC Essays Without Losing...

1. Practice Handwriting Regularly. ...
2. Create a Quick Outline Before Writing. ...
3. Use Simple and Direct Language. ...
4. Time Management During the Exam. ...
5. Write from Your Knowledge Base. ...
6. Develop a Consistent Writing Style. ...
7. Use Abbreviations and Symbols (Where Appropriate)

How to score 120 in UPSC prelims?

The general strategy to prepare for prelims is given below:

1. Make a study plan with dedicated time to revise a subject, current affairs notes and solve at least 50 questions daily. ...
2. Focus on the NCERT books and revise what you have already read.
3. After covering the basics, revise sources other than the NCERTs.

Is solving PYQ enough for UPSC prelims?

Incorporating PYQs in UPSC preparation is not just recommended; it's essential. They offer invaluable insights into the exam's structure, help you identify key topics, improve your answer writing skills, and boost your overall confidence.

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam?

There isn't one single "first toughest exam," as difficulty is subjective, but the Gaokao (China's college entrance exam), India's UPSC Civil Services Exam, and India's IIT-JEE are consistently ranked among the world's most challenging due to immense competition, vast syllabi, and low success rates, often determining life paths for millions. Other famously tough tests include the Master Sommelier Diploma, USMLE (Medical Licensing), and CFA (Finance).
 

Is 40 a good score in CAT?

Students can expect the cutoff percentile for 40 marks in CAT 2025 to be around 68th. It is not at all considered a good score for MBA admission across the top business schools in India. For top-tier colleges like the IIMs, IMT Ghaziabad, and others, students must score at least 90 to 95+ percentile in the CAT exam.

Which year was the CSAT toughest?

Since 2023, UPSC has noticeably raised the difficulty level of the CSAT, and the 2025 paper was no exception. In fact, to say the least, it is one of the toughest CSAT Papers that UPSC has set in recent years.

How much did Tina Dabi score?

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination, she secured 868 marks in the written exam and 195 in the personality test, bringing her total to an impressive 1063 marks. According to media reports, Tina cleared the UPSC exam on her very first attempt at the age of just 22.

Who is rank 1 IAS topper?

Shakti Dubey from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024, securing All India Rank 1.

What is the salary after passing UPSC?

UPSC Salary IAS Salary in India Per Month

An IAS officer starts at ₹56,100 basic pay per month (Pay Level 10). Adding Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), and other perks, the IAS salary per month can reach about ₹80,000–₹1,00,000 gross initially.

What is the 80 20 rule for UPSC?

The Pareto Principle. 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort.

Was UPSC prelims 2025 easy?

Ans. The UPSC Prelims 2025 exam, conducted on 25th May 2025, was generally considered moderately challenging. General Studies Paper 1 emphasized analytical and application-based questions across subjects like Polity, Geography, History, Economy, and Current Affairs.

What is the highest score ever in UPSC?

Who Scored the Highest Marks in UPSC Ever? Anudeep Durishetty scored the highest marks in the UPSC Civil Services Examination ever, with a total of 1126 marks in 2017. He is a graduate of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and cleared the UPSC exam on his fifth attempt.