“Should I prepare for UPSC or State PSC?” This is one of the most common dilemmas among civil service aspirants.
While UPSC offers **national prestige**, State PSCs offer **local relevance and higher success odds**. But which is truly easier to crack? Let’s compare them across 5 critical parameters.
📌 Quick Overview
| Parameter | UPSC Civil Services | State PSC (e.g., UPPSC, MPPSC) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission | State Public Service Commission (e.g., UPPSC, MPPSC) |
| Posts Offered | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS (All India Services) | State Civil Services (e.g., PCS, RAS, APPS) |
| Syllabus | Extremely vast (GS I–IV + Essay + Optional) | 50–70% similar to UPSC + State-specific GK |
| Competition | ~10 lakh applicants for ~1,000 posts | ~2–5 lakh applicants for ~300–800 posts |
| Success Rate | ~0.1% | ~0.5–1.0% |
🎯 Detailed Comparison
1. Syllabus & Depth of Study
UPSC:
- Covers global, national, and conceptual topics
- Optional subject (250 marks) adds extra burden
- Essay and Mains demand analytical depth
- Current Affairs: 18–24 months of integration
State PSC:
- 50–70% syllabus overlaps with UPSC Prelims
- State-specific focus: history, geography, schemes, culture
- No optional subject in most states (e.g., UPPSC, MPPSC)
- Current Affairs: Focused on last 6–12 months + state news
✅ State PSC is narrower in scope — easier to master.
2. Competition & Success Rate
| Exam | Applicants (2024) | Vacancies | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE | 10,00,000+ | 1,051 | ~0.1% |
| UPPSC PCS | 4,20,000 | 450 | ~0.36% |
| MPPSC State Services | 2,80,000 | 350 | ~0.45% |
| TNPSC Group I | 1,50,000 | 120 | ~0.8% |
✅ State PSC has 3–8x higher success rate than UPSC.
3. Cut-Off Trends (Prelims)
- UPSC Prelims (2024): General – 95–105/200
- UPPSC Prelims (2024): ~105–115/200
- MPPSC Prelims (2024): ~100–110/200
→ Cut-offs are similar, but State PSC has fewer toppers per seat.
4. Preparation Time & Strategy
UPSC:
- Requires 12–24 months of dedicated prep
- Need strong answer-writing practice for Mains
- High burnout rate due to uncertainty
State PSC:
- Can be cracked in 6–12 months
- Focus on state GK + NCERTs + standard books
- Lower psychological pressure
5. Career & Posting
- UPSC: All-India posting, national impact, faster promotions to top roles (e.g., Secretary, DG)
- State PSC: Posting only in home state, local impact, but closer to family and culture
Many State PSC officers later clear UPSC through “State Service to IAS” promotion quota.
✅ Which One Is Easier for YOU?
Choose UPSC if you:
- Dream of national-level impact (IAS/IPS/IFS)
- Can commit 2+ years with high uncertainty
- Have strong answer-writing and analytical skills
- Are okay with being posted anywhere in India
Choose State PSC if you:
- Want a government job faster (1–2 years)
- Prefer working in your home state
- Have strong grasp of state-specific GK
- Plan to use it as a stepping stone to UPSC later
💡 Pro Strategy: Prepare for Both!
Since **70% of Prelims syllabus overlaps**, prepare for UPSC first. Then, 2 months before your State PSC exam, add state-specific notes. Many toppers clear both!
Master the common syllabus with daily UPSC & PSC MCQs — no login, auto-updated!
→ Practice UPSC & PSC MCQsNote: Data based on UPSC 2024, UPPSC 2024, MPPSC 2024, and TNPSC 2024 official results.