The premier administrative examination for Deputy Collectors and DySP in Gujarat.
Mandatory educational background, age limits, pay scale, and service designations
The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination for Gujarat Administrative Service (GAS Class 1), Gujarat Police Service (GPS Class 1), and District Registrar posts. Featuring a 2-paper objective Prelims (400 marks total) with 0.3 negative marking, GPSC Mains consists of 6 descriptive papers of 150 marks each (900 marks total) including Gujarati and English language papers, followed by a 100-mark interview.
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification.
20 to 36 Years
Male of Reserved Category (EWS, SEBC, SC, ST) of Gujarat: 5 years (up to 41) | Female General: 5 years (up to 41) | Female Reserved: 10 years (up to 45)
General / UR: No attempt limit (Up to 36 years of age)
OBC: No attempt limit (Up to 41 years of age)
SC / ST: No attempt limit (Up to 41 years of age)
Pay Matrix Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) for Class 1 & Level 8/7 for Class 2 + DA, HRA & allowances
Annual Vacancies: Approx. 150 – 300 vacancies annually
Stage-wise breakdown, paper timing, question distribution, and negative marking rules
Negative Marking Rule: 0.3 marks deducted per incorrect answer in Prelims (5 options: A, B, C, D, and E for unattempted).
Mode: Offline OMR (5 options) for Prelims, Descriptive Sheets for Mains, In-Person Interview in Gandhinagar | Medium: Bilingual (Gujarati / English); Paper 1 Gujarati and Paper 2 English.
Two objective papers of 200 marks each. Crucially, BOTH Paper 1 (GS-I) and Paper 2 (GS-II) are scored and totaled together (400 Marks) to determine the cutoff for Mains. GPSC utilizes 5-option OMR sheets with 0.3 marks negative marking.
| Paper / Component | Format | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: General Studies I History of India and Gujarat (Indus Valley, Solanki, Sultanate, British), Cultural Heritage of India and Gujarat (Architecture, Folk Dances, Garba, Handloom, Literature), Indian Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations, General Mental Ability (Math, Reasoning, Data Interpretation - 50 Marks) | Objective (MCQ) | 200 | 200 | 3 Hours | Combined with Paper 2 for Mains qualification list (15x vacancies) |
Paper 2: General Studies II Indian Economy and Planning with special focus on Gujarat Economy (Ports, Petrochemicals, SEZs), Geography of India and Gujarat (Physical, Social, Economic, Climate), Science and Technology (Space, Nuclear, IT, Biotechnology, Defense), Current Events of Regional, National and International Importance | Objective (MCQ) | 200 | 200 | 3 Hours | Combined with Paper 1 for Mains qualification list |
6 conventional descriptive papers of 150 marks each (3 hours per paper) conducted over two weekends in Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad. All 6 papers count towards the final 900-mark written score; no optional subject.
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: Gujarati Language Essay (40 Marks), Letter Writing, Report Writing, Press Release, Translation from English to Gujarati, Gujarati Grammar (20 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 2: English Language Essay (40 Marks), Letter Writing, Report Writing, Formal Speech, Translation from Gujarati to English, English Grammar (20 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 3: Essay Three essays of 50 marks each (800 words each) covering socio-economic, political, cultural, or philosophical themes | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 4: General Studies I History of India and Gujarat (50 Marks), Cultural Heritage of India and Gujarat (50 Marks), Geography of India and Gujarat (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 5: General Studies II Indian Polity and Constitution (50 Marks), Public Administration and Governance (50 Marks), Ethics in Public Service (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 6: General Studies III Science and Technology (50 Marks), Indian Economy and Gujarat Economy (50 Marks), Current Affairs of National and International Importance (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Board interview conducted at GPSC headquarters at Sector 10-A, Gandhinagar evaluating administrative aptitude, trade leadership, and awareness of Gujarat state initiatives.
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Personality Interview Board Personal record & DAF, Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and GIFT City developments, Port-led industrialization (Mundra, Kandla, Dahej) and petrochemical hubs, Water grid management (Sardar Sarovar Dam & SAUNI Yojana) | Interview | 100 | 20 – 30 Minutes | Added to Mains marks for 1000 Grand Total Merit |
Detailed curriculum modules categorized by standard foundations vs. high-yield scoring chapters
Phase-by-phase roadmap, daily study schedule, topper golden rules, and fatal pitfalls to avoid
GPSC has completely abolished Optional subjects, leveling the playing field. In Prelims, both Paper 1 and Paper 2 count toward the 400-mark merit cutoff with 0.3 negative marking (mandating option E for unattempted questions). In Mains, Gujarati Language (150 marks) and English Language (150 marks) constitute one-third of the written merit score. Combining precise linguistic drafting with in-depth knowledge of Gujarat history and industrial initiatives is essential.
Gujarat University Granth Nirman Board textbooks, Liberty / World Inbox Gujarat GK
Paper 1 Gujarati, Paper 2 English, Paper 3 Essay, GS Papers 4, 5, and 6
Full syllabus revision, Math/Reasoning (50 Qs), Gujarat Current Affairs
Full 6-paper simulation, interview coaching in Gandhinagar
Topper-validated standard reference books and chapter-wise question banks
Author: Granth Nirman Board / Liberty Editorial | Pub: University Granth Nirman Board Ahmedabad
The official academic reference for ancient to modern Gujarat history, Solanki rulers, and freedom movements.
Author: Dr. Nilesh Trivedi / World Inbox | Pub: World Inbox Publications
Exhaustive guide for GPSC Paper 1 formal report drafting, press releases, vocabulary, and grammar.
Author: M. Laxmikanth | Pub: McGraw Hill
Essential guide for Mains Paper 5 (Constitution, Polity, and Public Administration).
Author: Liberty Publications Editorial Board | Pub: Liberty Career Academy Ahmedabad
Compiles all past GPSC Class 1 & 2 Prelims exams with detailed bilingual explanations.
Official past category-wise cutoffs to benchmark your target mock scores
| Cycle / Tier / Service | General (UR) | OBC | EWS | SC | ST | Scope & Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 Prelims (Out of 400 Marks) | 184.77 Marks | 184.77 Marks (SEBC) | 184.77 Marks | 184.77 Marks | 152.00 Marks | Combined cutoff of Paper 1 (200) + Paper 2 (200); equalized across general categories. |
| 2021-22 Prelims (Out of 400 Marks) | 139.00 Marks | 139.00 Marks | 139.00 Marks | 139.00 Marks | 114.50 Marks | Screening cutoff for Mains examination entry. |
| 2021-22 Final Merit (Out of 1000 Marks) | 512.00 Marks (Deputy Collector) | 485.00 Marks | 492.00 Marks | 468.00 Marks | 420.00 Marks | Final aggregate out of 1000 (Mains 900 + Interview 100). |
From initial application to final cadre allocation and joining the training academy
Apply online at gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in with post preferences.
Appear for Paper 1 (GS - 200 marks) and Paper 2 (GS - 200 marks). Combined score qualifies top 15x for Mains.
Write 6 descriptive papers (900 marks total) over two weekends in Gandhinagar / Ahmedabad.
Attend board interview in Sector 10-A, Gandhinagar (100 Marks).
Merit ranking out of 1000 determines allocation to Gujarat Administrative Service (Class 1), GPS (Class 1), or Mamlatdar (Class 2) followed by training at SPIPA Ahmedabad.
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