In 2023, approximately 1.3 million candidates appeared for the UPSC Prelims exam, with 14,624 qualifying for the Mains. This exam is held annually to recruit for prestigious government roles like IPS, IAS, IFS, IRS, etc. Previously, in 2022, the total number of applicants was 11,35,697. The selection rate remains low, with only around 0.2% of candidates passing each year. This article highlights the participation statistics and competitiveness of the UPSC Civil Services exam in recent years.
How Many Candidates Qualified Prelims 2023?
In May 2023, approximately 13 lakh candidates appeared for the UPSC Prelims exam held across 79 centers in India, competing for 1105 vacancies. After the result announced on June 12th, 2023, only 14,624 candidates cleared the cutoff to advance to the UPSC Mains. These candidates completed the UPSC DAF-1 form and subsequently sat for the Mains exam from September 15th to 24th, 2023.
Number of Students Appeared for Mains 2023
Out of the 14,624 candidates who qualified for the Mains, 2916 were selected for the personality test at Dholpur House, New Delhi. This selection represents just 0.22% of the initial 13 lakh candidates, underscoring the rigorous competition and difficulty level of the UPSC Civil Services examination.
How Many Candidates Appear for UPSC? – Trend Analysis
Here is a trend analysis of the UPSC Examination from 2007 to 2023, highlighting the number of candidates at various stages of the selection process:
| Year | Number of Students applied | Number of Students Who appeared for Prelims | Number of Students Who qualified for Mains | Number of Students Who appeared for Interview | Number of Students Who Cleared the Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 333,680 | 161,469 | 9,158 | 1,883 | 553 |
| 2008 | 325,433 | 167,035 | 11,669 | 2,136 | 734 |
| 2009 | 409,110 | 193,091 | 11,894 | 2,431 | 881 |
| 2010 | 547,698 | 269,036 | 12,271 | 2,589 | 989 |
| 2011 | 499,120 | 243,236 | 11,837 | 2,415 | 965 |
| 2012 | 550,080 | 271,442 | 12,795 | 2,674 | 999 |
| 2013 | 776,604 | 324,279 | 14,800 | 3,001 | 998 |
| 2014 | 947,428 | 446,623 | 16,706 | 3,308 | 1,122 |
| 2015 | 945,908 | 465,882 | 15,008 | 2,797 | 1,236 |
| 2016 | 1,128,262 | 459,659 | 15,382 | 2,961 | 1,078 |
| 2017 | 969,065 | 462,848 | 13,300 | 2,564 | 1,056 |
| 2018 | 1,065,552 | 500,484 | 10,419 | 1,992 | – |
| 2019 | 1,135,261 | 493,972 | 11,845 | 2,034 | 829 |
| 2020 | 1,057,948 | 482,770 | 10,564 | 2,053 | 796 |
| 2021 | 1,093,948 | 508,619 | 10,000 | – | 761 |
| 2022 | 1,135,697 | 573,735 | 13,090 | 2,529 | 933 |
| 2023 | 1,300,000 | – | 14,624 | 2,916 | – |
How Many Candidates Applied for UPSC 2023?
In 2023, the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination attracted a staggering number of applicants aiming for prestigious positions in India’s civil services. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the application and selection process for UPSC 2023:
Candidates Applying for UPSC Prelims
In 2023, the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination attracted a staggering number of applicants aiming for prestigious positions in India’s civil services. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the application and selection process for UPSC 2023:
Candidates Applying for UPSC Prelims
The UPSC Prelims exam is the initial stage of selection, where candidates are primarily screened based on their performance. For UPSC Prelims 2023, approximately 13 lakh candidates applied, competing for a total vacancy of 1255 positions. The Prelims exam was conducted across 79 centres throughout India. Historical trends suggest that around 5-6 lakh candidates typically appear for the Prelims.
Candidates Applying for UPSC Mains
Following the announcement of UPSC Prelims results on June 12th, 2023, 14,624 candidates cleared the cut-off marks required to qualify for the UPSC Mains exam. These candidates proceeded by filling the Detailed Application Form (DAF-1) to confirm their participation in the Mains stage. The Mains examination for UPSC 2023 took place from September 15th to 24th, 2023, with a majority of qualified candidates expected to participate.
Candidates Applying for UPSC Interview
In 2023, the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam witnessed a significant number of candidates applying across its various stages. Here’s a detailed overview of the application statistics for UPSC 2023:
Preliminary Examination Application
- Total Applicants: Approximately 13 lakh candidates applied for the UPSC Preliminary Examination 2023.
- Vacancies: The total number of vacancies available for UPSC 2023 Prelims was 1255 positions.
- Examination Centers: The Preliminary exam was conducted at 79 centers spread across different cities in India.
- Expected Attendance: Historically, around 5-6 lakh candidates appear for the Preliminary exam, although exact figures for 2023 are not specified.
Mains Examination Application
- Qualifying Candidates: Out of the initial 13 lakh applicants, 14,624 candidates qualified for the UPSC Mains Examination 2023.
- Application Process: Qualified candidates filled out the Detailed Application Form (DAF-1) to confirm their participation in the Mains stage.
- Exam Dates: The UPSC Mains 2023 was held from September 15th to 24th, 2023.
Interview Stage Application
- Shortlisted Candidates: Based on the Mains results, 2916 candidates were shortlisted for the Interview stage.
- Location: The interviews were conducted at Dholpur House, New Delhi.
- Selection Percentage: The percentage of candidates shortlisted for the interview stage from the initial 13 lakh applicants was approximately 0.22%.
How many candidates applied for UPSC 2022?
In 2022, the number of candidates applying for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Preliminary Examination reached a significant figure of 11.52 lakh. Here’s a detailed overview of the application statistics for UPSC 2022:
Candidates Applying for UPSC Prelims: The UPSC Preliminary Examination serves as the first stage of the rigorous selection process for civil services. Held on June 5th, 2022, at numerous examination centers across India, it attracted a massive pool of applicants aiming to secure a spot in the prestigious services. The examination is the gateway for candidates to qualify for the mains stage.
Candidates Applying for UPSC Mains: After the announcement of results from the UPSC Prelims on June 22nd, 2022, a total of 13,090 candidates successfully cleared the preliminary stage. This number represents approximately 1.13% of the total applicants who initially applied for the UPSC examination in 2022. These qualified candidates then advanced to the mains examination phase, which was conducted from September 16th to 25th, 2022, across 24 centers in India.
Candidates Applying for UPSC Interview: After the completion of the UPSC Mains examination, the results were announced on December 6th, 2022. Out of the candidates who appeared for the mains, 2,529 candidates successfully cleared this stage and qualified for the interview round. This figure represents about 0.219% of the initial total applicants for the UPSC examination in 2022. The interview, or the Personality Test as it is known, is the final stage in the UPSC selection process before candidates are recommended for various prestigious civil service positions.
UPSC CSE Exam Analysis
The analysis of UPSC CSE (Civil Services Examination) statistics provides insights into the competitive nature and success rates of this prestigious exam. Despite the daunting figures, there are positive interpretations that can be drawn from these statistics.
1. Applicant Turnout vs. Serious Candidates: In 2025, while approximately 9,45,908 candidates applied for the UPSC CSE exam, only 4,65,882 candidates actually appeared for it. This stark difference indicates that a significant portion of applicants might not be fully committed to the exam, participating perhaps due to external pressures rather than genuine dedication.
2. Percentage of Serious Candidates: Assuming around 45,000 candidates are genuinely serious about cracking the UPSC CSE exam, the success rate drastically changes. With 1078 candidates making it to the final list in 2024, the success rate for serious candidates becomes approximately 2%. This figure is notably higher than the commonly cited success rate of less than 1%, highlighting the importance of dedication and focused preparation.
3. Prelims and Mains Qualification Rates: Out of the 4,65,882 candidates who appeared, around 15,008 candidates cleared the Preliminary examination. This suggests that 1 in 4 serious candidates managed to qualify for the Mains stage, translating to a Prelims success rate of 25%. Subsequently, out of these, 2,797 candidates qualified for the final interview, indicating a success rate of about 15%.
4. Final Interview Success Rate: Among those who appeared for the interview, half of them (approximately 1,398 candidates) were selected. This yields a final interview success rate of 50%, showcasing that candidates who reach this stage have a strong chance of securing a coveted position in the civil services.
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