For students aspiring to serve the nation and build a career in civil services, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts several national-level exams every year. While many UPSC exams require a graduation degree, there are a few that students can appear for immediately after Class 12.
For young aspirants, knowing the list of exams conducted by UPSC that they can appear after passing Class 12 is crucial. Early preparation not only gives a competitive edge but also lays the foundation for UPSC CSE exam that offers posts like IAS, IPS and IFS.
UPSC Exams that you can appear after Passing Class 12
UPSC conducts a few exams specifically for candidates who have completed their 12th standard. The most notable among these is the National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam.
NDA & NA Examination
The NDA & NA Exam recruits young cadets for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
- Eligibility: 12th standard for Army; 12th with Physics and Mathematics for Navy & Air Force
- Age Limit: 16.5 to 19.5 years
- Selection Process: Written exam followed by Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview
- Career Opportunity: Direct entry into armed forces with officer training
Early preparation for NDA builds a strong foundation in mathematics, reasoning and general studies, skills that are essential for higher UPSC exams later.
Now, let us have a look at the entire list of exams conducted by UPSC.
How Many Exams are Conducted by UPSC?
UPSC conducts more than 10 national-level exams annually, divided broadly into two categories:
- Civil Services Exams: Focused on administrative roles such as IAS, IPS and IFS.
- Specialized Exams: Require technical or domain-specific knowledge in fields like engineering, economics, statistics and defense.
While the total number of UPSC exams may vary each year based on recruitment requirements, the core exams conducted regularly include:
- Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
- Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
- Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
- National Defence Academy Examination (NDA)
- Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)
- Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination (CAPF AC)
- Indian Statistical Service/Indian Economic Service Examination (ISS/IES)
- Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE)
- Central Industrial Security Force (Assistant Commandants) Examination (CISF AC)
UPSC Exams that can be applied after completing Graduation
Most UPSC exams require a graduation degree. These exams allow candidates to specialize in administrative, technical, medical, or economic roles. Some of the major exams include:
-
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
The CSE is the most sought-after UPSC exam, recruiting for prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services.
- Eligibility: Graduation from any recognized university
- Age Limit: 21–32 years (age relaxations for reserved categories)
- Selection Process: Preliminary exam → Mains exam → Interview
-
Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
Conducted to recruit engineers for technical posts in railways, defense and public works.
- Eligibility: Engineering degree (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication)
- Age Limit: 21–30 years
- Selection Process: Preliminary → Mains → Interview
-
Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
Recruits officers dedicated to forestry and wildlife management.
- Eligibility: Graduation in Forestry, Botany, Chemistry, or Engineering
- Age Limit: 21–32 years
- Selection Process: Preliminary (shared with CSE) → Mains → Interview
-
Indian Economic Service (IES)
For economists in policy formulation and advisory roles.
- Eligibility: Postgraduate in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics
- Age Limit: 21–30 years
- Selection Process: Written exam and Interview
-
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)
Recruitment for Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy.
- Eligibility: Graduation (Army); Engineering/12th with Physics & Math (Navy & Air Force)
- Age Limit: 19–25 years (varies by academy)
- Selection Process: Written exam → SSB Interview
-
Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination
Recruits medical graduates for government hospitals and health services.
- Eligibility: MBBS degree
- Age Limit: Up to 32 years for unreserved candidates
- Selection Process: Written exam and Interview
-
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Examination
Recruits Assistant Commandants in forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB.
- Eligibility: Graduation
- Age Limit: 20–25 years
- Selection Process: Written exam, Physical Test and Interview
-
Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
Recruits statisticians for government policy, research and data analysis.
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics
- Age Limit: 21–30 years
- Selection Process: Written exam and Interview
-
Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE)
Recruits for roles in geology, environmental science and water resource management.
- Eligibility: Master’s degree in Geology, Hydrology, or related fields
- Age Limit: 21–32 years
- Selection Process: Preliminary → Mains → Interview
-
CISF AC (EXE) & Other Specialized Exams
Recruits for industrial security, paramilitary forces and government organizations with specialized roles.
Why Start UPSC Preparation for various exams after Class 12?
Beginning UPSC preparation immediately after Class 12 provides young aspirants with a strategic advantage, helping them build a strong foundation and avoid losing valuable years later.
- Early Foundation in Core Concepts: Preparing early allows aspirants to develop strong fundamentals in subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs and Economics using NCERTs and standard newspapers. This ensures conceptual clarity essential for UPSC CSE.
- Focused Approach: Starting early trains aspirants to develop a goal-oriented mindset, helping them maintain focus like a bull’s eye on their UPSC target, minimizing distractions and wasted efforts in the future.
- Skill Enhancement: Continuous preparation strengthens analytical thinking, reasoning, comprehension, and answer-writing skills, which are crucial for both prelims and mains.
- Time Optimization: Balancing board exams with early UPSC preparation teaches effective time management, so aspirants can cover the vast syllabus without panic or stress.
- Mentorship and Guidance from Day One: Early engagement with expert faculty ensures aspirants receive structured guidance, personalized strategies, and regular feedback–avoiding trial-and-error learning later.
- Future Readiness: Laying the groundwork early reduces the chances of losing a year or more later and increases confidence to attempt higher-level exams that provides posts like IAS, IPS, IFS or specialized services efficiently.
How APTI PLUS Supports Class 12 Pass Aspirants in Preparing for UPSC Exams
APTI PLUS, recognized as the Best UPSC Coaching in Kolkata provides:
- Expert Faculty from Delhi: Mentorship from educators with 15 to 25 years of subject expertise.
- Structured Curriculum: Step-by-step syllabus coverage of UPSC CSE exam.
- National level UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains Mock Tests of best quality: Regular assessment to improve accuracy and speed.
- High quality UPSC Current Affairs and Static study materials: A to Z books, notes, PYQ workbook practice, current affairs and magazines for the best preparation.
- Personalized Guidance: One-to-one dual mentorship for each and every aspirant.
This approach ensures that students are exam-ready from an early stage and gain confidence for future UPSC attempts.
Conclusion
The list of exams conducted by UPSC after class 12 provides young aspirants early opportunities to join the armed forces and start their civil service journey. Graduates have a broader range of UPSC exams to choose from, including Civil Services, Engineering, Medical, Statistical and Economic services.
With the right guidance and preparation, aspirants can confidently pursue a career in civil services and government roles. Starting early provides a strategic advantage and builds the foundation for a successful UPSC journey.
