Civil Services Prelims Sees 59% Turnout In Hyderabad
The exam was conducted nationwide in over 75 centres, including Hyderabad and Warangal in Telangana, and four locations across Andhra Pradesh
HYDERABAD: Only 25,661 of the 43,676 aspirants who registered from Hyderabad appeared for the civil services preliminary examination held on Sunday, marking a turnout of just under 59 per cent. The exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), was held in two sessions across multiple centres, according to Hyderabad district collector Anudeep Durishetty.
Results are likely within two weeks
This year, the Centre notified 979 vacancies across several all-India services, down from 1,056 in 2024. The exam was conducted nationwide in over 75 centres, including Hyderabad and Warangal in Telangana, and four locations across Andhra Pradesh.
Aspirants and faculty alike described the General Studies Paper I as balanced but tough. “The questions were not impossible, but they were designed to eliminate rather than select,” said Arun Mothe, an aspirant appearing for the second time. “It felt like a pressure test.”
An expert at a coaching institute told Deccan Chronicle, “It’s been over a decade since this pattern was introduced and later tweaked. A public consultation is long overdue. When difficulty crosses a certain threshold, aspirants give up.”
The paper had 16 questions each from Indian history and polity, followed by economy (15), geography (14), environment (13), current affairs (12), science (9), and general knowledge (5). Based on the difficulty level, qualifying marks are expected to dip compared to last year — 79 for general, 77.5 for OBC, 75 for EWS, 71.5 for SC, and 68 for ST.
Durishetty, who visited multiple examination centres including at the University College of Science, Saifabad, and Government Women’s College, Begumpet, said arrangements were as per UPSC guidelines. At the Saifabad centre (code 95), special provisions were made for 123 visually challenged candidates.
“In both morning and afternoon sessions, officials ensured that there was no disruption. The process of handling OMR sheets to transporting question paper bundles was closely monitored with police security,” Durishetty added during his visit to the centre at the OU PG College of Law.