The IAS exam comprises of 3 stages namely-
Preliminary exam- This is a 2-hour long offline mode test with bilingual options- English and Hindi. The candidate must clear 2 papers weighed 200 marks each, comprising of objective questions. The cleared candidates can proceed to the next stage by reapplying for the main exams.
Main exam- The candidate must clear 7 papers weighing 1750 marks within the allotted time of 3 hours. This offline exam comprises of objective and subjective answers with bilingual options (Hindi & English). Note, there is a negative marking of 0.33 for objective answers.
Personal interview- This round has no specific format or pattern. The interview panel can question anything ranging from a general knowledge question to checking your problem-solving skills.