So, you’ve decided to prepare for a civil service exam, but there’s a little confusion – APSC or UPSC? Which one should you go for? Wait, aren’t they somewhat similar? Well, yes!
Let’s break it down in simple terms. APSC (Assam Public Service Commission) and UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) are like cousins in the big family of government exams—different but with many similarities. If you’re someone who has a dream of becoming a civil servant, understanding their commonalities can help you plan better.
1. Both Are About Public Service
At the heart of it, both APSC and UPSC exams are meant to select officers who will serve the country. Whether it’s the UPSC selecting IAS, IPS, and IFS officers at the national level or APSC selecting ACS (Assam Civil Service) or APS (Assam Police Service) officers for the state, the ultimate goal is the same: governance and public welfare.
“Public service is not just a career, it’s a commitment.”
2. APSC and UPSC: Exam Structure and Stages
Both APSC and UPSC follow a three-stage selection process:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) –
For APSC
| Details | Paper I (General Studies I) | Paper II (General Studies II) |
| Number of Papers | One (Compulsory) | One (Compulsory) |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Duration | Two Hours | Two Hours |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 80 |
| Type of Questions | Objective/MCQ Type | Objective/MCQ Type |
| Medium of Language | English | English |
| Negative Marking | One-fourth of the marks for each question | One-fourth of the marks for each question |
For UPSC
| Details | Paper I (General Studies I) | Paper II (General Studies II) |
| Number of Papers | One (Compulsory) | One (Compulsory) |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Duration | Two Hours | Two Hours |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 80 |
| Type of Questions | Objective/MCQ Type | Objective/MCQ Type |
| Medium of Language | English/Hindi | English/Hindi |
| Negative Marking | One-third of the marks for each question | One-third of the marks for each question |
In the UPSC Preliminary Exam, the medium of language is both English and Hindi, whereas in APSC, it is only English. Additionally, the negative marking scheme differs: UPSC deducts one-third of the marks per incorrect answer, while APSC deducts one-fourth.
- Mains Examination (Descriptive/Subjective Type) – 20 questions; 10 questions carrying 10 marks and 10 carrying 15 marks.
APSC Mains Pattern
The APSC Mains Examination consists of six papers: one Essay paper and five General Studies (GS) papers. Each paper carries 250 marks and has a duration of 3 hours.
| Papers | Type |
| Paper 1 | Essay |
| Paper 2 | General Studies-I |
| Paper 3 | General Studies-II |
| Paper 4 | General Studies-III |
| Paper 5 | General Studies-IV |
| Paper 6 | General Studies-V (General Subject Paper on Assam) |
UPSC Mains Pattern
The written examination (main) will consist of the following nine papers, but only 7 papers will be counted for the final merit ranking. Each paper carries 250 marks. Thus, the total mark for the Main exam is 1750.
For the rest two papers(qualifying paper), the candidate should secure the minimum marks prescribed by UPSC each year. For each of the qualifying papers, it is usually 25% i.e. 75/300 marks.
| Papers | Type |
| Paper 1 | Essay |
| Paper 2 | General Studies-I |
| Paper 3 | General Studies-II |
| Paper 4 | General Studies-III |
| Paper 5 | General Studies-IV |
| Paper 6 | Optional subject – Paper I |
| Paper 7 | Optional subject – paper II |
| Qualifying Paper A | Indian Language |
| Qualifying Paper B | English Language |
- Interview/Personality Test – 275 marks for UPSC & 175 marks for APSC
Comparison of UPSC and APSC exam marking schemes: UPSC Mains (7 papers) carries 1750 marks, with an interview of 275 marks, totaling 2025 marks. APSC Mains (6 papers) has 1500 marks, with an interview of 175 marks, totaling 1675 marks.
| UPSC | APSC |
| Written Examination (Paper 1 to Paper 7) = 1750 | Written Examination (Paper 1 to Paper 6) = 1500 |
| Interview (After qualifying in Written Examination) = 275 | Interview (After qualifying in Written Examination) = 175 |
| Total Marks = 2025 | Total Marks = 1675 |
The structure ensures a meticulous selection process for assessing candidates on their general knowledge, analytical skills, writing ability and personality.
Approximately 10-12 lakh candidates apply for UPSC CSE, with around 5-6 lakh appearing for the preliminary exam. About 2-3% of those who appear for the prelims qualify for the mains. Regarding APSC, around 60000 to 70000 candidates appear for the preliminary examination, and around 30000 qualify for the mains examination.
In short, APSC, being a state-level exam, has a comparatively higher selection ratio at the prelims stage. However, both require rigorous preparation to clear the final stages.
3. Syllabus Overlap (General Studies)
A significant portion of the syllabus in both exams is very similar, especially for General Studies (GS) :
History – Ancient, Medieval, Modern History, and Indian Freedom Struggle, while for upsc you require World history, but for APSC you don’t.
Geography – Indian and World Geography, Physical and Economic Geography
Polity – Indian Constitution, Governance, Public administration
Economy – Indian Economy, Budget, Economic Policies
Science & Technology – General Science, Space Technology, IT, Biotechnology
Current Affairs – National & International News, Assam-specific news in APSC
Environment & Ecology – Climate Change, Conservation, Biodiversity.
The only major difference? UPSC has a wider national and international focus, while APSC has more Assam-specific content. If you’re an Assamese aspirant, your knowledge of Assam’s history, culture, and economy will be a big plus in APSC.
💡 Quick Tip: If you’re preparing for UPSC, don’t ignore Assam’s regional topics—you might as well be preparing for APSC simultaneously!
4. Age Limit & Eligibility Criteria
Both exams have similar eligibility criteria:
- Age Limit – Generally, 21-38 years for APSC, and 21-32 years for UPSC (with relaxations for reserved categories).
- Educational Qualification – You need to be a graduate from any recognized university for both.
The slight difference in age limits means APSC gives you a little more time if you’re crossing the UPSC age limit.
5. Focus on Current Affairs
Both exams emphasize current affairs, requiring candidates to stay updated with national and international news. However:
- UPSC covers national and global events in greater depth
- APSC gives more weightage to Assam-specific current affairs
Aspirants in both exams must follow newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and Assam Tribune (might not be necessary for UPSC preparation) and stay updated on government policies.
6. Role of NCERT Books in Preparation
For both UPSC and APSC, NCERT books (Class 6–12) are essential for building a strong foundation in History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science.
NCERTs provide a clear conceptual understanding. They are beginner-friendly and cover fundamental topics asked in both exams.
Most toppers recommend reading NCERT books before moving on to standard reference books.
7. Essay Writing and Ethics Paper
Both exams include:
Essay Writing – Candidates must write structured, well-argued essays on socio-political and economic issues.
Ethics & Integrity – APSC recently introduced an Ethics paper similar to UPSC, focusing on governance, integrity, and case studies.
Essay and Ethics papers test analytical thinking, argument-building, and value-based judgment.
8. Importance of Previous Year Papers
Solving previous year question papers is crucial for both APSC and UPSC aspirants. It helps:
- Understand the exam pattern
- Identify frequently asked topics
- Improve answer-writing skills
Both exams have a trend of repeating questions, especially in history, polity, and economics.
Key Differences Between APSC and UPSC
While there are similarities, some key differences exist:
| Feature | APSC | UPSC |
| Exam Level | State-Level(Assam) | National level(India) |
| Vacancies | Limited(Less than 500 per year) | High(Approx. 900-1000 per year) |
| Difficulty level | Moderate | Very High |
| Focus area | Assam Specific + National Issues | National and International Issues |
| Optional Subjects | NA | More than 25 choices |
| Language preference | Assamese and English | English and Hindi |
While UPSC is more competitive, APSC is state-focused with an emphasis on Assam’s history, geography, and economy.
Also Read: APSC vs UPSC
Final Thoughts: Can APSC Aspirants Transition to UPSC?
Yes! Since APSC and UPSC have overlapping syllabi, APSC aspirants can transition to UPSC with additional preparation in:
- International Relations & Foreign Policies
- More In-depth Analysis of National & Global Affairs
- Tougher Essay & Ethics Papers
Many APSC aspirants eventually attempt UPSC by expanding their study materials and refining their answer-writing skills.
Both APSC and UPSC demand consistency, strategy, and a smart approach to preparation. If you’re preparing for APSC, you’re already covering a major portion of the UPSC syllabus—so why not aim higher.