What are the different stages of the Civil Services Examination (CSE)?

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) comprises three stages. The first stage is the
Preliminary Examination, which consists of two objective-type papers – General Studies
Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). Candidates who qualify the Prelims move to
the second stage, the Mains Examination. The Mains Examination includes nine
descriptive papers, covering subjects like Essay, General Studies (four papers), and an
optional subject (two papers). Candidates who perform well in the Mains qualify for the
final stage, the Personality Test or Interview. The interview panel assesses candidates’
personalities, communication skills, leadership qualities, and suitability for a career in civil
services. Candidates need to pass each stage to progress to the next, and the final merit
list is based on the combined scores of the Mains Examination and the Personality Test.