Civil Services & Govt Jobs — Exams, Dates & Prep Guide

Key Exams

Always confirm exact dates on the official site before applying — schedules shift.

Graduate

Union Public Service Commission Prelims ~May/June, Mains ~August-September

The gateway to IAS, IPS, IFS and allied central services. Three stages: Prelims, Mains, Interview.

Official site

Graduate

Staff Selection Commission Notification usually mid-year

Recruits for group B and C posts across central government ministries and departments.

Official site

Graduate

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Annual cycle, notification varies

Common recruitment process for Probationary Officer and Clerk posts across public sector banks.

Official site

Class 12 pass (NDA) / Graduate (CDS)

Union Public Service Commission Twice yearly (I and II)

Entry into the Army, Navy and Air Force as a commissioned officer.

Official site

What actually helps, and what quietly wastes your time.

Start reading a newspaper and building current affairs notes from day one of preparation.
Merge static syllabus topics with current affairs as you go, rather than treating them separately.
Practice Mains answer writing weekly, well before your Mains attempt.
Choose your optional subject early and commit — switching mid-preparation costs months.
Take full-length Prelims mocks regularly as the exam approaches, not just in the final weeks.

Don't collect too many sources for the same topic — depth in fewer sources beats breadth across many.
Don't neglect CSAT — it's qualifying, but many capable candidates fail Prelims on CSAT alone.
Don't delay starting answer writing practice until right before Mains.
Don't copy a topper's exact strategy blindly — study habits that work for one person don't transfer directly.
Don't treat one failed attempt as the end — most successful candidates clear it on a later attempt, not the first.

Official sources only — no third-party "sample paper" sites.