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Punjab State Civil Services 2025 (PSCS-2025), conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), is a recruitment process for selecting officers for various positions in Punjab’s government departments. The exam is an opportunity for graduates seeking prestigious government roles in the state. The registration deadline for the exam is 31st January 2025. Below, we will cover each aspect of the exam, including the structure, marks distribution, and more, as per the 2025 pattern.

Punjab PCS Exam Pattern 2025

Punjab PCS Exam is conducted to recruit candidates to various administrative positions in the state. The exam consists of three main stages:

• Preliminary Exam

• Mains Exam

• Interview/Personality Test

1. Punjab PCS Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

Punjab PCS Prelims exam is a screening test, and its primary purpose is to shortlist candidates for the Mains exam. It comprises two papers:

Paper 1: General Studies (GS)

This paper will focus on General Studies, which include subjects such as history, geography, polity, economics, general science, current affairs, etc.

• Total Marks: 200
• Number of Questions: 200
• Duration: 2 hours
• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

This paper will focus on General Studies, which include subjects such as history, geography, polity, economics, general science, current affairs, etc.

Paper 2: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

CSAT paper assesses the candidate’s logical reasoning, decision-making abilities, analytical skills, and comprehension. The qualifying nature of the CSAT means that candidates need to score a minimum of 33% to pass the exam.

• Total Marks: 200
• Number of Questions: 80
• Duration: 2 hours
• Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Punjab PCS Prelims Exam Pattern:

2. Punjab PCS Mains Exam Pattern 2025

Candidates who qualify the Prelims are eligible for the Mains Exam, which consists of written exams followed by an interview. The written part consists of the following papers:

Paper I – Punjabi (Compulsory):

• Marks: 100
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: This paper assesses the candidate’s proficiency in the Punjabi language, written in the Gurumukhi script. It is a compulsory paper and aims to evaluate language comprehension, writing skills, and the ability to express ideas clearly in Punjabi.

Paper II – English (Compulsory):

• Marks: 100
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: This paper tests the candidate’s ability to read, write, and communicate in English. It focuses on grammar, comprehension, and written expression, helping to assess the candidate’s proficiency in the English language.

Paper III – Essay:

• Marks: 150
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: The essay paper requires candidates to write a detailed essay on a given topic. This section evaluates the candidate’s ability to organize thoughts, present a structured argument, and demonstrate writing skills in expressing their views clearly.

Paper IV – General Studies Paper 1 (History, Geography, and Society):

• Marks: 250
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: This paper covers topics related to history, geography, and societal issues. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of India’s history, geographical features, and the social dynamics within the country.

Paper V – General Studies Paper 2 (Indian Constitution & Polity, Governance, and International Relations):

• Marks: 250
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: This paper focuses on the Indian Constitution, governance structure, political system, and international relations. It assesses candidates’ knowledge of the political framework, governance challenges, and India’s position in the global arena.

Paper VI – General Studies Paper 3 (Economy, Statistics, and Security Issues):

• Marks: 250
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: This paper is focused on the economy of India, economic policies, statistical methods, and security issues. Candidates must have a clear understanding of national economic issues, statistical tools, and internal and external security concerns.

Paper VII – General Studies Paper 4 (Science & Technology, Environment, Problem-solving & Decision-Making):

• Marks: 250
• Duration: 3 hours
• Details: This paper covers science and technology topics, environmental issues, and tests problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Candidates should be familiar with advancements in science and technology, environmental challenges, and demonstrate their ability to solve complex issues effectively.

Punjab PCS Mains Exam Pattern 2025:

3. Punjab PCS Interview

Punjab PCS Interview is the final stage of the selection process for the Punjab State Civil Services. After successfully clearing the Preliminary and Mains Exams, candidates who have qualified will be called for the Interview.

Interview is an essential part of the selection process and plays a crucial role in assessing the overall suitability of candidates for administrative positions in the Punjab government. Unlike the written exams, which evaluate a candidate’s knowledge in various subjects, the Interview focuses on assessing the candidate’s personality, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and aptitude for handling administrative challenges.

Punjab PCS Interview:

• Total Marks: 150
• Purpose: To assess the candidate’s personality, leadership qualities, clarity of thought, and ability to interact with others in different situations.
• Panel: The interview is conducted by a panel of experienced civil servants and experts who will ask questions on various topics, ranging from current affairs and general knowledge to specific administrative challenges.
• Nature of Questions: The questions during the interview are designed to test the candidate’s intellectual ability, presence of mind, mental alertness, and logical reasoning. The panel may also ask situational questions, assessing how well a candidate can handle real-life administrative problems.

Total Marks in Punjab PCS Exam

The Punjab Civil Services (PCS) exam has a total score of 1500, which comprises marks from both the written examination and the interview stage.

Punjab PCS Marks Distribution

• Prelims:

Prelims Exam Total Marks: 400

• Paper 1 (General Studies): 200 marks
• Paper 2 (CSAT): 200 marks

• Mains:

Mains Exam Total Marks: 1350

• Paper I (Punjabi – Gurumukhi Script – Compulsory): 100 marks
• Paper II (English – Compulsory): 100 marks
• Paper III (Essay): 150 marks
• Paper IV (General Studies Paper 1 – History, Geography, Society): 250 marks
• Paper V (General Studies Paper 2 – Indian Constitution and Polity, Governance and International Relations): 250 marks
• Paper VI (General Studies Paper 3 – Economy, Statistics and Security Issues): 250 marks
• Paper VII (General Studies Paper 4 – Science and Technology, Environment, Problem Solving and Decision-Making): 250 marks

• Interview:

Interview/Personality Test: 150 marks.

Checkout the Punjab PCS Prelims Crash Course’24 here.

Punjab PCS Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs