UPSC 2018: Prelims on June 3, notification out in February
What's the story
The UPSC has just released its 2018 test calendar. The prelims will be held on June 3.
Since some years, the prelims have been held in August, but this time too, it was conducted in June. In 2013, it was held in May.
The notification for next year's exam will be out on February 7. Candidates can apply till March 6.
The exam
What is the UPSC Civil Service Examination?
The Civil Service Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission annually.
The gruelling three-stage exam (prelims, mains, interview) which spans almost a year recruits officers for the elite services including Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Foreign Service, among others.
About half-a-million candidates appear every year for about a thousand posts.
In 2018, the number of vacancies is estimated to be 980.