Know this. State PSC timelines are unpredictable, so most aspirants prepare for UPSC and their state PSC together, since the syllabi overlap heavily apart from the state-specific parts.
- Run by
- Each state's Public Service Commission, for example UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh: Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services, 'PCS'), BPSC (Bihar: Integrated Combined Competitive Examination, CCE), MPSC (Maharashtra State Services), RPSC (Rajasthan: RAS/RTS), TNPSC (Tamil Nadu: Combined Civil Services Group I, II and IV), KPSC (Karnataka), WBPSC (West Bengal Civil Service) and others.
- Admits you to
- State civil service posts such as Deputy Collector/SDM, Deputy Superintendent of Police, block development officer, commercial tax officer and many state Group A/B posts; the lower-level combined exams (for example TNPSC Group IV) fill clerical and junior posts.
- Who can sit
- For the main state civil service exam, usually a bachelor's degree in any subject; lower-group exams may need only Class 10 or 12. Age limits are set by each state (commonly a minimum of 21 and a maximum between about 35 and 42 for general candidates), with state-specific relaxations; some states require knowledge of the state language, and reserved-category benefits usually apply only to state domiciles.
- Pattern
- Most follow the UPSC model: an objective Preliminary exam (general studies, often with a qualifying aptitude paper), a descriptive Main exam (general studies, essay, and in some states the state language), and an interview. Syllabi add state-specific history, geography and economy.
- When
- Irregular and state-specific; many PSCs publish an annual calendar, but notifications and exams often slip by months or years.
- Limits
- Set by each state; many have no attempt limit within the age band, some cap attempts.
Courses it leads to
Sources, checked 2026-09-28: uppsc.up.nic.in · bpsc.bihar.gov.in · www.tnpsc.gov.in · rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in