Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026

 Eligibility Criteria

Criteria Details

Nationality: Indian

Education Graduate from a recognized university

Age Limit 21 to 32 years (as of Aug 1 of exam year)

Available Number of Attempts:

General – 6, OBC – 9, SC/ST – Unlimited (till age limit)

What is UPSC Exam, each and every detail you need to know

 

1. Exam Conducted by

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) — a central agency that recruits officers for All India Services and Central Civil Services.

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📚 2. Stages of the Exam

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) has three stages:

Stage 1 – Preliminary Exam (Prelims)

• Type: Objective (MCQs)

• Papers:

  1. General Studies Paper I – 200 marks
     (History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Current Affairs, etc.)

  2. CSAT (Paper II) – 200 marks
     (Comprehension, Reasoning, Maths, Decision-making)

• Duration: 2 hours each

• Nature: Qualifying for Mains (CSAT requires 33% to qualify)

• Usually held in: May/June

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Stage 2 – Main Examination (Mains)

• Type: Descriptive (written)

• Total Papers: 9

  1. Paper A – Indian Language (qualifying)

  2. Paper B – English (qualifying)

  3. Essay Paper

  4. GS Paper I – Indian Heritage, History, Geography

  5. GS Paper II – Polity, Governance, IR

  6. GS Paper III – Economy, Environment, Science & Tech

  7. GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
     8–9. Optional Subject Paper I & II

• Total Marks (for merit): 1750

• Usually held in: September

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Stage 3 – Personality Test (Interview)

• Marks: 275

• Conducted in Delhi at UPSC Office

• Purpose: To assess personality, communication, judgment, and awareness.

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🧾 3. Final Merit

• Based on Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 marks

Zero Budget Natural Farming

 Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a type of chemical-free farming where the total cost of growing and harvesting plants comes out to be zero (taking into consideration the costs incurred by the farmers are recovered through inter-cropping).

The topic, ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming,’ gained prominence when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned it in her 2019 budget speech, speaking of it as a source of doubling farmers’ income. This article will mention the important facts about Zero Budget Natural Farming to help IAS Exam aspirants for GS-III preparation.

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZNBF) is the practice of growing crops without the use of any external inputs, such as pesticides and fertilisers. The phrase “Zero Budget” refers to all crops with zero production costs. The farmers’ revenue is increased as a result of ZBNF’s guidance towards sustainable farming methods that help to maintain soil fertility, assure chemical-free agriculture, and ensure a cheap cost of production (zero cost). Simply said, ZBNF is a farming technique that emphasises cultivating crops in harmony with the environment. Under the specific programme known as Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), the government has been encouraging organic farming. This programme supports all different types of chemical-free agricultural methods, including Zero Budget Natural Farming.

Principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming

Below are key principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming:

• Zero external inputs
• Crops to cover the soil for 365 days (Living Root)
• Soil disturbance at a minimum
• Biostimulants as essential catalysts
• Utilize native seed for mixed farming
• Mixed cropping
• The incorporation of trees onto the farm
• Conservation of moisture and water
• Bring animals into farming
• More organic debris in the soil
• Using plant extracts to control pests
• No artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers

Benefits of Zero Budget Natural Farming

Below are some of the major benefits of Zero Budget Natural Farming:

• For all crops, ZBNF methods use between 50 and 60 per cent less water and electricity compared to non-ZBNF methods.
• Through multiple aerations, ZBNF greatly lowers methane emissions.
• By using mulching, it is also possible to prevent the burning of residue.
• In ZBNF, cultivation costs are lower.
• The primary reason for debt and suicide amongst farmers is the rising expense of external inputs (seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides). Over half of all farmers are in indebtedness, and nearly 70% of households in the agricultural sector spend more than they make, according to data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
  • The cost of production could be decreased and agriculture could be turned into a “zero budget” endeavour since under ZBNF there is no requirement of spending money or taking out loans for external inputs.
  • This will enable many small farmers to escape the debt cycle and pave the way for the income of farmers to double.
• As ZBNF is a completely chemical-free technique, it is environmentally friendly and produces organic yields which fetch the farmers higher profits than from normal agricultural yields.
  • Organic foods thus avoid diseases which used to be caused by non-organic foods, in a long run will not only make people healthy but also reduce the burden on the healthcare infrastructure in general.
• It suits all crops in all agro-climatic zones.

Concerns with Zero Budget Natural Farming

• Government spending is low: In 2018, the government introduced the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a centrepiece programme for the Green Revolution, with an appropriation of Rs 3,745 crore for the fiscal year 2019–20. While just Rs 325 crore was allotted to the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was created to encourage organic farming and soil health.
• After observing that their ZBNF yields began to decline after a few years, many farmers switched back to conventional farming.
• While ZBNF has unquestionably contributed to maintaining soil fertility, its impact on increasing productivity and farmers’ income is still inconclusive.
• The first organic state in India, Sikkim, has noticed some yield declines since switching to organic farming.
• The long-term effect and viability of the ZBNF Model should be properly validated before it is widely pushed across the nation, according to agricultural scientists.
• ZBNF adoption on a large scale could have a negative influence on farmer income and food security. So it is necessary to conduct a proper scientific confirmation of ZBNF’s effectiveness.

Components of Zero Budget Natural Farming

There are four primary ZNBF components and models:

1. Bijamrita: As native cow species are more adapted to our region’s climatic circumstances and easier for small and marginal farmers to maintain, the seeds are treated with formulations made using their dung and urine. While neem leaves and pulp, tobacco, as well as green chilli extracts are used to manage insects and pests, bijamrita is utilised to treat seeds.
   Benefits: Fungal and other seed- and soil-borne infections may impact the seeds sowed in the field. The seeds are shielded against illnesses by the “Bijamrita” seed treatment.

2. Jiwamrita/Jeevamrutha: A natural resource utilised to restore the fertility and nutritional value of soil is cow dung. A gramme of cow dung may contain 300–500 billion helpful microorganisms. These bacteria help decompose the soil’s biomass and transform it into readily usable nutrients for crops. Cow dung and cow urine are used to make Jiwamrita. It is a component of the plants’ diet. It is a fermented microbial culture made from uncontaminated soil, jaggery, cow dung, urine, and pulse flour. When applied to soil, this fermented microbial culture enriches the soil with nutrients and acts as a catalyst to encourage the activity of earthworms and microorganisms. For each hectare of land, 500 litres of jeevamrutha should be applied twice a month; following three years, the system might become self-sustaining. A single native cow is adequate 30 acres of land.
   Benefits: By promoting soil microbial activity, this culture improves the availability of nutrients to plants, shields crops from soil diseases, and raises the carbon content of the soil.

3. Acchadana/Mulching: The process of mulching involves adding cover crops, organic debris, or agricultural residue to the topsoil.
   Benefits: Decomposing the materials used for mulching results in humus, which not only improves soil nutritional status but also conserves topsoil, boosts soil water retention, reduces evaporation loss, and promotes soil fauna. It also inhibits weed growth.

4. Waaphasa/Moisture (Soil Aeration): For plants to grow and thrive, the soil must have adequate aeration.
   Benefits: Applying Jiwamrita and mulching promotes soil aeration, humus content, availability of water, water retention capacity, and soil structure, all of which are essential for crop growth, particularly during dry spells.

Cropping Model of Zero Budget Natural Farming

The approach is based on producing polycultures, or short- and long-term (main crop) crops together, in order to recover the cost of raising the main crops from the income from the short-term crops, resulting in “zero” spending for the main crop. Accordingly, the term “Zero Budget Natural Farming” is used for this farming model.

Motivation for Clearing Indias Toughest Examination UPSC CSE

 Staying motivated during UPSC exam preparation can be challenging, given its extensive nature. Here are some strategies:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define your short-term and long-term goals. Knowing what you're working towards can help you stay focused and motivated.

2. Create a Realistic Schedule: Break down your study sessions into manageable chunks. A realistic study schedule helps prevent burnout and allows for consistent progress.

3. Understand the Importance: Reflect on why you chose to pursue the UPSC exam. Recognize the impact success can have on your career and the opportunities it can provide.

4. Diversify Study Techniques: Incorporate various study methods to keep things interesting. This could include reading, note-taking, group discussions, or using online resources. Variety can prevent monotony.

5. Stay Positive: Cultivate a positive mindset. Focus on your strengths and achievements, and learn from setbacks. Positive affirmations and visualizing success can enhance motivation.

6. Connect with Peers: Join study groups or online forums to connect with others preparing for the UPSC exam. Sharing experiences, tips, and challenges can provide mutual support and motivation.

7. Take Breaks: Allow yourself breaks to avoid burnout. Short breaks can refresh your mind and prevent fatigue. Incorporate activities you enjoy during these breaks.

8. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on current affairs and relevant topics. Understanding the real-world application of your studies can make them more engaging.

9. Health and Well-being: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Ensure adequate sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet. Physical health contributes significantly to mental resilience.

10. Reward Yourself: Celebrate milestones, whether they are completing a challenging topic or achieving a certain score in a practice test. Acknowledging your progress can boost motivation.

Remember that staying motivated is a gradual process, and it's okay to have ups and downs. Consistency and a positive mindset will contribute significantly to your success in preparing for the UPSC exam.

Upsc Ias 1st feb 2017 material

1st Feb 2017

Visit Daily.

Crucial Material for Aspirants targrting UPSC IAS 2017.

1. Unacademy Hindu Editorial {Very Important covered in 10 mins very useful}

https://unacademy.com/lesson/30th-january-2017-daily-summary-and-analysis-of-the-hindu/0ZHTU84F

2. Unacademy Daily Current Affairs MCQs by Roman Saini

https://unacademy.com/lesson/25th-january-2017-daily-mcqs-on-current-affairs-for-government-exams-upsc-cseias-exam/30L3S592?utm_source=web_push_notification

3. Insights current affairs daily and editorials

http://www.insightsonindia.com/current-affairs/

4. Insights secure for Mains

http://www.insightsonindia.com/insights-secure-2017-current-affairs-questions-upsc-ias-mains-exam-2017/

5. Only Ias Youtube Channel 

Daily Hindu Editorial and Prelims focussed news discussion in Hindi. Very simple to understand

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4f3NyOzqGwZfwTSX78QfQ

Other Material

Insights into yojna jan 2017

http://www.insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Jan-2017-Yojana.pdf

Free SSC CGL 2016 Test papers

SSC CGL 2016 mock question papers


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SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 16 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 15 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 14 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 13 ESIC SSO 2011 - Mock Test Paper 12 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 11 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 10 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 9 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 8 SSC CGL TIER I - Mock Test Paper 7 SSC CGL TIER I – Mock Test Paper 6 SSC CGL TIER I – Mock Test Paper 5 SSC CGL TIER I – Mock Test Paper 4 SSC CGL TIER I – Mock Test Paper 3 SSC CGL TIER I – Mock Test Paper 2 SSC CGL TIER I – Mock Test Paper 1

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Maharashtra Public Services Commission MPSC 2015 results declared.

Below is the link of the pdf of the final list.

MPSC results 2015

https://www.mpsc.gov.in/Site/Upload/Pdf/STATE%20SERVICES%20MAIN%20EXAMINATION-2015.pdf


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