JKPSC Exam Pattern – Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission 2025

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JKPSC Exam Pattern is a crucial topic for every aspirant preparing for the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services. The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), popularly known as the JKAS exam, which follows a three-stage selection process: Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test. Understanding the JKPSC Exam Pattern in detail is essential to strategize your preparation effectively.

While the JKPSC Exam Pattern has its unique structure, it aligns significantly with the UPSC Civil Services pattern. As a result, candidates preparing for UPSC CSE often find themselves well-prepared for JKPSC as well. With its multi-stage process, the JKPSC CCE demands conceptual clarity, consistent practice, and a strong understanding of the examination framework.

Stages of JKPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)

The JKPSC Exam Pattern consists of the following three successive stages:

1. Preliminary Examination

This is the first stage of the JKPSC CCE and comprises two papers of 200 marks each:
- General Studies Paper-I
- General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)
Both papers are of objective type (Multiple Choice Questions).
General Studies Paper-II is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33% to qualify.
The language of the question papers is English.
Qualifying the Prelims is mandatory to appear in the Mains examination.

2. Main Examination

The second stage of the JKPSC Exam Pattern is the Mains, which includes eight descriptive papers. The structure is similar to UPSC but tailored for JKPSC standards.

All papers are conventional essay type.
Out of the eight papers, marks of seven papers are considered for the final merit list.
The English paper is qualifying in nature.

3. Personality Test (Interview)

Candidates who qualify in the written part (as per JKPSC cut-off in Papers I–VII) are called for the Interview.
The number of candidates summoned will be up to three times the number of vacancies.
The Interview carries 250 marks.
There are no minimum qualifying marks in the Interview.

Final Merit Calculation

Marks scored in the seven mains papers (except the qualifying English paper) and the Personality Test are considered for the final ranking. The total is calculated out of 2000 marks.

Table: Marks Distribution Counted for Final Merit

Paper	Subject	Marks
Qualifying Paper	English (Minimum Qualification Standard – 25% / 75 Marks)	300
Paper-I	Essay	250
Paper-II	General Studies–I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World and Society)	250
Paper-III	General Studies–II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations)	250
Paper-IV	General Studies–III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)	250
Paper-V	General Studies–IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)	250
Paper-VI	Optional Subject – Paper 1	250
Paper-VII	Optional Subject – Paper 2	250
Sub Total (Written Test)		1750
Personality Test		250
Grand Total		2000

Eligibility Criteria for JKPSC Exam

To appear for the JKPSC CCE, the following criteria must be met:

Must be a domicile of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir
Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized Indian or foreign university (recognized by the government in consultation with JKPSC)

Age Criteria

Category	Age Limit
OM (Open Merit)	32 years
Reserved Category & In-Service Candidates	34 years
Physically Challenged Candidates	35 years

Number of Attempts – JKPSC Exam Pattern

Every eligible candidate is permitted six attempts.
For SC/ST candidates, there is no limit on the number of attempts.
Candidates belonging to RBA/OBC/ALC/IB categories can attempt nine times.
Physically challenged candidates will have attempts based on their category, but General Category PWDs are allowed nine attempts.

Note: An attempt at the Preliminary Examination will be considered an attempt at the JKPSC CCE, even if the candidate appears in just one paper. Even if the candidature is later canceled or disqualified, the appearance will still count as an attempt.

Why Understanding the JKPSC Exam Pattern Matters?

Grasping the JKPSC Exam Pattern helps aspirants plan their journey effectively by understanding:

The weightage of each paper
Importance of qualifying vs merit-based papers
Balance between static subjects and current affairs
Strategy to select the right optional subject
Planning time for answer writing practice and interview readiness

Some Useful Links:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – JKPSC Exam Pattern

1. What is the JKPSC Exam Pattern for the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)?

The JKPSC Exam Pattern for CCE includes three stages:

Preliminary Examination – 2 Objective-type papers (200 marks each)
Mains Examination – 8 Descriptive-type papers, 7 of which count towards the final merit
Personality Test (Interview) – 250 marks

2. How many papers are there in the JKPSC Mains Examination?

There are a total of eight papers:

1 Qualifying Paper (English)
1 Essay Paper
4 General Studies Papers (GS-I to GS-IV)
2 Optional Subject Papers (Paper 1 and 2)

3. Is the English paper in the JKPSC Mains counted for merit?

No. The English paper is qualifying in nature. A minimum of 75 marks (25%) out of 300 is required to qualify, but it is not counted for the final merit list.

4. What is the qualifying criterion for the CSAT (General Studies Paper-II) in the Preliminary exam?

The CSAT paper is qualifying. Candidates must score a minimum of 33% (i.e., 66 out of 200 marks) to clear it.

5. How is the final merit in JKPSC CCE calculated?

The final merit is calculated based on:

1750 marks from the seven Mains papers (excluding English)
250 marks from the Personality Test (Interview)
Total = 2000 marks

6. What is the medium of examination in JKPSC CCE?

All papers are conducted in English, including the question papers for both Prelims and Mains.

7. How many attempts are allowed for JKPSC CCE?

General category: 6 attempts
RBA/OBC/ALC/IB: 9 attempts
SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
PWD (General): 9 attempts
Note: Appearing in even one Prelims paper is counted as an attempt.

8. What is the age limit for JKPSC CCE 2024?

General category: 32 years
Reserved & In-service candidates: 34 years
Physically Challenged: 35 years

9. Can candidates from outside Jammu & Kashmir apply for JKPSC CCE?

No. Only domicile holders of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are eligible to apply.

10. What are the optional subjects in the JKPSC Mains exam?

JKPSC allows candidates to select one optional subject, with two papers (Paper VI & VII) in the Mains exam. The list of optional subjects is provided in the official notification.

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JKPSC Exam Pattern – Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission 2025