1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type): This is the first stage of the CSE exam and consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (also known as CSAT). Both the papers are objective-type with multiple-choice questions. General Studies Paper I consists of questions on subjects like Indian Polity, Economy, History,

Geography, Environment, and Current Affairs. General Studies Paper II (CSAT) tests the candidate’s aptitude and comprehension skills.

2.     Main Examination (Descriptive Type): Candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the Main Examination. The Main Examination consists of 9 papers, out of which 7 papers are compulsory, and 2 are optional. The compulsory papers are Essay, General Studies I, General Studies II, General Studies III, General Studies IV, Indian Language, and English Language. The optional papers are chosen by the candidate based on their specialization.

3.     Interview (Personality Test): Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for an Interview (also known as Personality Test). This stage tests the candidate’s overall personality and suitability for the services they have applied for. The Interview is conducted by a panel of experts, and the questions can be related to a candidate’s background, interests, and general knowledge.