Ankuron ACS Academy01
Preliminary Examination
Two objective papers of 200 marks. A screening test — its marks do not count in the final merit.
// three_stages
Three stages, one rank.
Vacancies this cycle: about 933, including 33 for persons with benchmark disabilities.
Figures on this page are from UPSC's documents for CSE-2026 (Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026), checked against upsc.gov.in on 21 September 2026. The next notification can change them; the official documents are listed at the end of this page.
02
Main Examination (written)
Two qualifying language papers, then seven papers counted for ranking — 1750 marks.
03
Personality Test
275 marks, no minimum. The seven Mains papers plus the interview make the final rank — 2,025 marks.
Who goes through to each stage
- The Prelims is a screening test; its marks do not count towards the final merit.
- About 12 to 13 times the vacancies are admitted to the Mains.
- Essay, General Studies and optional papers are evaluated only if you score 25% in both qualifying language papers.
- About twice the vacancies are called to the Personality Test — 275 marks, with no minimum.
- The final rank is the seven counted Mains papers plus the Personality Test: 2,025 marks.
// prelims
The Preliminary Examination.
Both papers on the same day; missing either one means neither is evaluated.
Prelims papers
400 marks · screening only| Paper | Format | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I · General Studies Paper IThe Prelims cut-off is decided on this paper alone. | Objective, multiple choice | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II · General Studies Paper II (CSAT)Qualifying — the minimum is 33%. You must sit both papers to be evaluated at all. | Objective, multiple choice | 200 | 2 hours |
Negative marking
A third (0.33) of the question's marks is deducted for each wrong answer; marking more than one option counts as wrong. Prelims papers are set in Hindi and English.
What each paper covers is on the UPSC syllabus page.
// mains
The Main Examination.
Conventional essay-type papers, three hours each. The two language papers only have to be passed; the other seven are counted.
Mains papers
1,750 counted + 275 interview = 2,025| Paper | Format | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A · Indian LanguagequalifyingMatriculation standard; 25% needed, or the other papers are not evaluated. Marks do not count for ranking. Any Eighth Schedule language, Assamese and Bodo included. | Written, qualifying | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper B · EnglishqualifyingMatriculation standard; 25% needed. Marks do not count for ranking. | Written, qualifying | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper I · Essay | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper II · General Studies-IIndian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper III · General Studies-IIGovernance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper IV · General Studies-IIITechnology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper V · General Studies-IVEthics, Integrity and Aptitude | Written | 250 | 3 hours |
| Papers VI and VII · Optional Subject250 marks each. Set at roughly honours-degree level — bachelor's level for engineering, medical science and law. | Written, two papers | 500 | 3 hours each |
// cutoffs.cse_2025
What it took last cycle.
Marks of the last recommended candidate in each category at each stage of CSE-2025, published by UPSC.
CSE-2025 cut-offs
published 9 March 2026| Stage | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD-1 | PwBD-2 | PwBD-3 | PwBD-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims (GS Paper I, out of 200) | 92.66 | 89.34 | 92.00 | 84.00 | 82.66 | 76.66 | 54.66 | 40.66 | 40.66 |
| Mains written (out of 1,750) | 739 | 706 | 717 | 700 | 694 | 703 | 708 | 536 | 451 |
| Final (out of 2,025) | 963 | 926 | 931 | 905 | 902 | 917 | 944 | 804 | 631 |
The Prelims cut-off is on GS Paper I only. The Mains figure also required 10% in each of the seven counted papers.
// eligibility
Who can apply.
- A graduate of a recognised university. Final-year students may sit the written stages, but must show proof of passing if called to the Personality Test.
- Aged 21 to 32 on 1 August 2026 — born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005.
- Upper age limit relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST, 3 for OBC and 10 for persons with benchmark disabilities, with further relaxations for defence personnel and ex-servicemen.
- Six attempts for General and EWS candidates; nine for OBC and for PwBD candidates in the General, EWS and OBC categories; unlimited for SC/ST within the age limit.
Sitting it from Assam
- Prelims centres in Assam: Dispur and Jorhat.
- Mains centre: Dispur (Guwahati) — one of four centres with no ceiling on candidates.
- Mains papers may be answered in any Eighth Schedule language, Assamese and Bodo included.
- Assamese and Bodo literature are both on the list of optional subjects.
Dates, CSE-2026
- Online applications closed: 24 February 2026
- Preliminary Examination: 24 May 2026
// past_papers
This year's Prelims papers.
Published by UPSC after the 24 May 2026 Prelims. Earlier years are on upsc.gov.in.
// keep_reading
Where to go from here.
- The UPSC syllabus, paper by paper — and the full list of optional subjects.
- UPSC coaching in Guwahati — batches, faculty and the weekly answer-writing clinic.
- The APSC CCE pattern — Assam's state civil services exam, the same three stages with a paper on Assam.
Official sources
// admissions_open
Start the long game in Guwahati.
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