The Public Service Commissions (PSC) in India are constitutionally mandated (Articles 315 – 323) to assist the respective state governments in matters of recruitment, transfers and disciplinary actions.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the prestigious IAS Exam every year. The IAS Exam is the common entry point for 20-odd Group A and Group B services.
Similarly, the State Public Service Commissions conduct recruitment exams which act as an entry point for coveted services in the state administration.
In this article, aspirants can find consolidated information on PSC Exams in India. Every Public Service Commission has its own website, exam pattern, eligibility conditions and syllabus. However, broadly speaking, there is a significant overlap between PSC Exams and UPSC Exam.
The pragmatic approach for civil service aspirants is to prepare for state PSC exams and UPSC simultaneously.
In the table given below, we have listed the various Public Service Commissions along with their details for the exam year 2019-2020 and also for 2018 where the exam process is still underway.
Public Service Commission (PSC) | |||
PSC | PSC Exam | PSC Syllabus | PSC Eligibility |
Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) | KAS Exam | KAS Syllabus | KAS Eligibility |
Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) | Kerala KAS Exam | Kerala KAS Syllabus | Kerala KAS Eligibility |
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) | PCS Exam | PCS Syllabus | PCS Eligibility |
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) | RAS Exam | RAS Syllabus | RAS Eligibility |
Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) | MPSC Exam | MPSC Syllabus | MPSC Eligibility |
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) | Group 1 Exam | Group 1 Syllabus | Group 1 Eligibility |
Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) | Group 1 Exam | Group 1 Syllabus | Group 1 Eligibility |
Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) | BPSC Exam | BPSC Syllabus | BPSC Eligibility |
Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) | GPSC Exam | GPSC Syllabus | GPSC Eligibility |
Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) | MPPSC Exam | MPPSC Syllabus | MPPSC Eligibility |
West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) | WBPSC Exam | WBCS Syllabus | WBCS Eligibility |
Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) | JPSC Exam | JPSC Syllabus | JPSC Eligibility |
Aspirants should bookmark this page and check it regularly as we will be updating and adding more PSC details of other states.
Calendar of PSC Exams
The State Civil Services Examinations are conducted by different states in different names.
Highlight on some of the State Public Service Commission Exams for the year 2020 are given below. Also, the status of the examination amid Coronavirus Outbreak is mentioned:
PSC Exams 2019-2020 | |||
PSC Exam Name | Conducting Body | Important Dates | Change in Dates due to Covid-19 |
Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) | Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) | KAS Prelims: 17th May 2020 (KPSC KAS 2017-18)
KAS Mains: To be Announced For further details, check- https://kpsc.kar.nic.in/ |
No official notification stating the postponement of KAS Prelims has been uploaded in the official website |
Kerala Administrative Services (KAS) | Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) | PSC KAS Prelims 2019: 22nd February 2020
PSC KAS Mains: To be Announced For further details, check- https://keralapsc.gov.in/ |
|
Provincial Civil Services (PCS) | Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) | PCS Prelims: 21st June 2020
PCS Mains: 15th October 2020 For further details, check- https://uppsc.up.nic.in/ UPPSC Calendar 2020:- Download PDF Here |
UPPSC PCS Mains 2019 examination that was scheduled from 20th April 2020 onward has been postponed |
Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) | Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) | RAS Prelims: June/July 2020 (Tentative)
RAS Mains: August 2020 (Tentative) For further details, check- https://rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in/ |
No official notification stating the postponement of RAS Prelims has been uploaded in the official website |
MPSC State Services Examination | Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) | MPSC Prelims 2020: 05-04-2020
MPSC Mains: 07-07-2020 to 10-07-2020 MPSC 2020 Calendar (Tentative Schedule):- Download PDF Here MPSC Prelims: 24-03-2019 MPSC Mains: 13-07-2019 to 15-07-2019 For further details, check- https://mpsc.gov.in/ MPSC Calendar 2019:- Download PDF Here |
MPSC Prelims 2020 date postponed indefinitely |
TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group-I Services) | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) | TNPSC Notification 2020 – 20th January 2020
TNPSC 2020 group 1 Prelims: 5th April 2020 TNPSC 2019 Group 1 Prelims:3rd March 2019 TNPSC 2019 Group 1 Mains: To Be Announced For Further Details, check- https://tnpsc.gov.in/ TNPSC Calendar 2019:- Download PDF Here |
TNPSC 2020 Group 1 Prelims date postponed. Revised Date has not been announced yet. |
APPSC Group-I Services | Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) | APPSC Group 1 Prelims: 26-5-2019
APPSC Group 1 Mains: 4th February onwards For Further Details, Check- https://psc.ap.gov.in/ APPSC Calendar 2019:- Download PDF Here |
No official notification stating the postponement of APPSC exams has been uploaded in the official website |
BPSC Combined Competitive Exam | Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) | BPSC 66th CCE Prelims: June 2020 (Tentative)
BPSC Mains: To Be Announced For Further Details, Check- https://bpsc.bih.nic.in/ BPSC Calendar 2020-21:- Download PDF Here |
No official notification stating the postponement of BPSC 66th CCE Prelims has been uploaded in the official website |
Gujarat Administrative Service (Class-1) | Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) | GPSC Prelims: 13-10-2019
GPSC Mains: 23-02-2020, 08-03-2020, 15-03-20 For Further Details, Check- https://gpsc.gujarat.gov.in/ GPSC Calendar 2019:- Download PDF Here |
No official notification stating the postponement of GPSC Mains has been uploaded in the official website |
MPPSC State Service Exam | Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) | MPPSC Prelims 2019: 12th January 2020
MPPSC Prelims 2020: To be announced MPPSC Prelims Result: 31-01-2020 MPPSC Mains: Yet to be announced For Further Details, Check- https://mppsc.nic.in/ MPPSC Calendar 2019:- Download PDF Here |
No official notification stating the postponement of MPPSC Prelims has been uploaded in the official website |
West Bengal Civil Service Exam/ West Bengal Civil Service (EXE.) etc. Exam | West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) | WBPSC Prelims 2020: 09-02-2020
WBPSC Mains 2020: 27-06-2020 to 05-07-2020 WBPSC Prelims 2019:09-02-2019 WBPSC Mains:25-08-2019 to 28-08-2019 For Further Details, Check- https://pscwbonline.nic.in/ WBPSC Calendar 2019:- Download PDF Here |
WBCS Mains 2020, scheduled from 27th June 2020 are postponed till further notice. |
JPSC 6 (Jharkhand Combined Civil Service Exam) | Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) | JPSC 2016 Interview: 24th February 2020 – 7th March 2020
JPSC 2017-2020 Prelims: 5th April 2020 (Cancelled) For Further Details, Check- https://gpsc.gov.in/ Calendar awaited |
No official notification stating the postponement of any PSC exams has been uploaded in the official website |
PSC Online – From Application to Preparation
Gone are the days when candidates were at the mercy of physical coaching centres and printed study material alone. With the internet, not only are the Public Service Commissions changing their application process but also the candidates are using online preparation material. On the lines of the Union Public Service Commission, the state PSCs have made the registration and application process online. Also, the admit cards are issued online instead of postal dispatches.
In this light, BYJU’S aims to provide all PSC exams relevant information at the fingertips of aspirants.
In the articles linked above, candidates can find:
- PSC Exam Dates and 2019-20 Calendar
- Information about the respective Public Service Commission including official website and contact details
- Latest PSC Notification for the state civil service exam (Candidates can download PDFs for quick reference)
- Detailed Eligibility Criteria – Nationality, Age Limit, Number of Attempts, Educational Qualification, Physical Fitness
- List of Posts, Services and Salaries (Pay Scale)
- Updated and detailed PSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern for 2020 Exams (Also, candidates can download the syllabus PDFs)
- Preparation strategy and previous year question papers
- Study Material including daily Current Affairs from The Hindu, PIB, RSTV, Yojana, Comprehensive News Analysis etc
- List of best books for UPSC and PCS Exam preparation (including NCERT PDFs and Notes)
- PSC Online Application Process (login, registration and application fee)
PSC v/s UPSC
The IAS Exam which is conducted by the UPSC is widely considered to be the toughest exam in India. The comprehensive UPSC Syllabus and the sheer volume of aspirants competing for 900-1000 vacancies make it a very tough nut to crack. Adding to the burden of candidates, the three-stage exam process lasts for almost a year.
The PSC Exams are not so different. They are also highly competitive and their syllabus and pattern are quite similar to UPSC. However, the candidates who hail from the respective state can avail the benefits of reservation. Candidates should carefully go through the PSC recruitment notification to check all the details for the same.
In the case of PSC, most state governments have been lax when it comes to ensuring that the Public Service Commission is conducting exams regularly. In fact, it is not uncommon to see in the news that some PSC has landed in fresh controversy regarding delays, corruption, nepotism and cheating.
Often there is an uncomfortable time gap between the release of PSC online application notification and the actual date of exam. As most exams have strict age limits, the delays endanger the careers of many bright young minds. In this regard, simultaneous preparation for other PSC and UPSC helps immensely.
As far as preparation is concerned, candidates have to keep the following 10 things in mind:
- Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern
- The importance of Current Affairs
- Preparing the state-specific topics and sections for PSC
- Starting with NCERTs and State Board books
- Standard reference books like Polity by Laxmikanth, History by Bipin Chandra etc are much more valuable resources than generic compilations for static parts of the syllabus
- The habit of reading and making notes from a newspaper (The Hindu/The Indian Express)
- Making time table with space for adequate study (and relaxation) and adhering to it without fail.
- Practising MCQs and doing answer writing practice
- Going through previous years’ question papers
- Ignoring the naysayers
Perhaps, the most important keys to success are perseverance and efficiency. If candidates study regularly from the right study material, then there is no reason why they can’t become IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS officers.
Here, you can find out about aspirants who cleared the IAS Exam in their very first attempt!!
Related Links:
NCERT Notes | How to Read Textbooks for UPSC Exam Explained with Examples |
Bipin Chandra Books for UPSC | Key Tips to cover Bipan Chandra’s ‘India’s Struggle for Independence’ |
The exams like UPSC and PSC are also inclined towards current affairs. BYJU’S provide the Daily News Analysis for such exams. Candidates may check the linked article.
While preparing for UPSC/PSC exams, aspirants can track their preparation by referring to UPSC Quiz in the linked article.
I want to know the examination centre of upsc in ut of jammu and kashmir
Hi
For residents of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu and Srinagar are the centres for Preliminary Exam and only Jammu for Mains exam. To get more details, refer to UPSC Notification 2020 page.