For entry to the civil service, there s a multi-step examination process. The entire process takes a full calendar year. There is one on general studies and another on an optional subject. The question papers are set in both Hindi and English. Each paper is for a duration of two hours.
General study covers history, geography, economics and so on.
The question papers have objective type multiple choice questions. The general studies paper carries 150 marks. The syllabus for the optional subject is the same as that for graduation level. The question paper for the optional subject carries 300 marks. The preliminary round is basically a screening round.