1. All the question papers for the examination will be of conventional (essay) type.

2. All Question Papers Must Be Answered In English. Question Papers Will Be Set In English Only.

3. The duration of each of the papers referred to above will be three hours.

4. The Commission have discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the papers of the examination.

5. If a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, deduction will be made on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him/her.

6. Marks will not be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.

7. Credit will be given for orderly, effective and exact expression combined with due economy of words in all subjects of the examination.

8. In the question papers, wherever required, SI units will be used.

9. Candidates should use only international form of Indian numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) while answering question papers.

10. Candidates will be allowed the use of Scientific (Non-programmable type) calculators at the conventional type examinations of UPSC. Programmable type calculators will however not be allowed and the use of such calculators shall tantamount to resorting to unfair means by the candidates. Loaning and interchanging of calculators in the Examination Hall is not permitted. It is also important to note that candidates are not permitted to use calculators for answering objective type papers (Test Booklets). They should not therefore bring the same inside the Examination Hall.

11. Candidates should note that if any irrelevant matter/signages/marks etc. are found written in the answer script(s), which would not be related to any question/answer and/or would be having the potential to disclose the candidate’s identity, the Commission will impose a penalty of deduction of marks from the total marks otherwise accruing to the candidate or will not evaluate the said script(s) on this account.

12(i). Candidates must write the papers in their own hand. In no circumstances will they be allowed the help of a scribe to write the answers for them. The Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the category of low vision, will be provided the facility of scribe, if desired by the person. In case of other category of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as defined under section 2(r) of the RPWD Act, 2016, the facility of scribe will be allowed to such candidates on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has physical limitation to write, and scribe is essential to write examination on behalf, from the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent of a Government Health Care institution as per proforma

(ii) The candidates have discretion of opting for his/her own scribe or request the Commission for the same. The details of scribe i.e. whether own or the Commission’s and the details of scribe in case candidates are bringing their own scribe, will be sought at the time of filling up the application form online.

(iii) The qualification of the Commission’s scribe as well as own scribe will not be more than the minimum qualification criteria of the examination. However, the qualification of the scribe should always be matriculate or above.

(iv) The Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the category of low-vision will be allowed Compensatory Time of twenty minutes per hour of the examination. In case of other categories of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, this facility will be provided on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has physical limitation to write from the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent of a Government Health Care institution as per proforma