The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a national level competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to the various Civil Services of the Government of India , including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) etc.
The examination is conducted in two phases - the Preliminary examination (CSAT), consisting of two objective-type papers (General Studies and Aptitude Test), and the Main examination, consisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type followed by the Personality Test (Interview).
The Civil Services Examination of India is considered to be amongst of the most difficult competitive examinations and is rightly regarded as 'mother of all competitive examinations'. On an average, every year about 4 lakh candidates apply for the examination. Candidates compete a three-stage process, which ultimately decides the final merit.

Stage I : Preliminary examination - Now known as Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). This is qualifying test held in May/June every year. Notification for this is published in January/February. Results are published in the first half of april.

Stage II : Mains examination - This is the main test, held in October/November every year. Results are usually published in the second week of March. Only those candidates who qualify CSAT can appear in this exam.

Stage III : Personality Test (Interview) - It is the final test and is held in April/May every year. Final results are usually announced a few days before the next preliminary examination.
The candidates declared successful then undergo training in designated institutions.