Eligibility

A bachelor's degree in any discipline is the common baseline. Age bands vary by state — roughly 21–40 years for UPPSC, 20/21–37 for BPSC and 19–38 for MPSC (open category), with category and state-specific relaxations. Non-domicile candidates can usually appear but generally without reservation or age-relaxation benefits; a few posts and exams are domicile-restricted. Attempt limits vary — most states impose none within the age limit.

Age limit: Varies by state; commonly 21–40 years (UPPSC 21–40, BPSC up to 37, MPSC 19–38 open category) with relaxations

Exam pattern

Almost all states mirror the UPSC three-stage model: an objective Preliminary exam (General Studies, often with a qualifying Civil Services Aptitude Test-style paper), a descriptive Mains with essay, General Studies and state-specific papers, then an interview. Details differ sharply by state — BPSC Prelims is a single 150-question General Studies paper (from the 72nd CCE it carries one-third negative marking with a fifth 'not attempted' option E, and leaving a question fully blank is also penalised), UPPSC has a qualifying CSAT and two Uttar Pradesh-specific Mains papers, and MPSC has moved to a UPSC-style descriptive Mains. Negative marking, language requirements and paper counts are set by each commission, so the individual notification is the only authority.

Syllabus at a glance

Roughly 70–80% overlaps the UPSC Civil Services syllabus: Indian history, polity, geography, economy, environment, science and current affairs, plus aptitude. The decisive extra layer is state-specific General Knowledge — the state's history, geography, economy, culture, demographics and current government schemes — often examined through dedicated papers or sections.

Upcoming dates

Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.

Free prep material

Standard books

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
• Lucent's General Knowledge by Dr Binay Karna and team
• Know Your State series (state-specific volumes) by Arihant Experts

How toppers play it

• The General Studies core overlaps 70–80% with UPSC Civil Services, but the state-specific section decides selection — maintain a dedicated notebook on your state's history, geography, economy, culture and current schemes.
• Never assume one pattern fits all: BPSC Prelims is a single General Studies paper (now with negative marking and a 'not attempted' option), UPPSC has a qualifying aptitude paper, and MPSC Mains is now descriptive — read each notification's pattern and negative-marking rules before strategising.
• Complete One Time Registration (OTR) early where required (UPPSC and others) and apply well before deadlines — commission servers routinely choke in the final days.
• Solve that commission's own previous papers rather than generic material; state PSCs repeat their own question styles and favourite state-GK areas far more than UPSC does.
• If age and domicile rules permit, appear for two or three state exams plus UPSC in the same cycle — the shared syllabus makes marginal effort small, but track each state's separate current-affairs stream.