The first step to prepare for the civil services examination is to know the format and the requirements of the examination. The examination is divided into two parts ? the preliminary and the main. For the preliminary examination one has to write two papers ? general studies and an optional paper of one?s choice.

You have to answer 150 multiple-choice questions for the paper on general studies. There are 23 optional papers on offer for the preliminary and 25 for the main examination. Total marks for the general studies paper is 150. For the optional paper there are 120 multiple-choice questions of two-and-a-half marks each (for mathematics one has to answer 100 questions). You will then be assessed for a total mark of 450. You have to pass this examination to qualify for the main examination.

It is difficult to predict the cut-off mark for qualification, as this is not indicated when one qualifies for the main examination. Generally, between seven and ten thousand students are selected for the main examination. A good guess is that between 325 and 350 should be adequate.

Pattern of exam

The main examination is based on broad essay-type questions and has several papers. The compulsory papers are:

a) one of the Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution - 300 marks

b) English: 300 marks.

These two papers are of Class X standard and are merely of a qualifying nature.

c) Essay: 200 marks and

d) General studies: two papers of 300 marks each. In addition, one has to offer two optional subjects. Each subject has two papers of 300 marks each. So the total marks for the optional papers are 1200. Finally, there is the interview test for those who pass the main examination. This carries 300 marks.

The prospectus published in the Employment News along with the notification should be carefully studied for the optional subjects on offer and their syllabi. The details of the general studies syllabi are also given here. We have seen that the optional subject/s for both the preliminary and the main examination carry more marks and, therefore, should be chosen with care.

Guidance

It is a basic assumption that the motivation and effort should come from the candidate himself/herself. However, some form of professional guidance may be of help. Printed study materials and question papers for the last few years are available in some bookshops. Looking at the questions for the last few years would also indicate the changes in the patterns. It is a tough examination and the pattern may suddenly change from the one followed in the previous years. It might also help to subscribe to one or two professional magazines, which are published regularly. The standard of these magazines may not be very high, but if used with discretion they may be of use.

Joining one of the professional training institutes could help. But one should be certain that these are run professionally and have a good success rate. There are many such well-known centres in Delhi. In Calcutta there are now three centres: the IAS Study Centre at IISWBM, the IAS Training Centre at Presidency College and a new centre at the Institute of Modern Management.

Joining a centre may give you the chance to work in a group and share the experiences of others. Another advantage would be the opportunity of taking regular mock tests. It is also possible to get postal tuition from Brilliants or Rau?s IAS study Circle.

Subhas Chakraborty teaches history at Presidency College, Calcutta, and is also the course coordinator of the IAS training Centre at the college

At a glance

Preliminary examination: 450 marks; Main examination: 2000 marks; Interview: 300 Marks

Optionals for prelims:

• Agriculture, animal husbandry and veterinary science, botany, chemistry, civil engineering, commerce, economics, electrical engineering, geography, geology, Indian history, law, mathematics, mechanical engineering, medical science, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, statistics, zoology. Both the general studies and the optional papers will be of two hours’ duration.

Optionals for the mains:

• All the subjects mentioned above with the exception that commerce becomes commerce and accountancy and political science becomes political science and international relations; the new subjects are anthropology and management.

• All the papers for the main examination are of three hours’ duration.

• An important point to note for those who have studied in the vernacular medium: All the papers, except for English, may be answered in any language included in the Eighth Schedule.