Check How to Apply for UPSC Civil Service Preliminary Exams 2015; All You Need to Know

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has initiated the application process for the preliminary exam of civil service examinations.

The candidates can apply for the exam online only through the official website of the commission till 19 June.

This year, UPSC has encouraged female candidates to appear for Indian Administrative Services and Indian Police Services exams.

"Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply," according to the exam notification published on 23 May.

Apply for Civil Service Prelimenary Exams Here

The preliminary exam, which will be conducted on 23 August will have Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 200 marks. The exam will be carried out at more than 71 centres across the country and the candidates will receive the admission cards only via online by August first week.

More than 13 lakh candidates are expected to attend the exam this year for 1,129 seats compared to last year's 9.45 lakh applicants.

The UPSC has also set 33% as the pass mark for the exams and will continue with the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) states that the candidates, who attended the exams in 2011 can try again this year.

Th UPSC conducts the civil service exams in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select apt IAS, IFS and IPS officers.