Exam · Rajyaseva / State Service
MPSC Group A pattern, eligibility & series
MPSC गट अ
Maharashtra Public Service Commission State Service (Rajyaseva) — Group A gazetted posts across administration, finance and specialised cadres.
Prelims + Mains + Interview...
Pattern
12–18 months
Prep time
Marathi / English
Medium
Yes — as per MPSC scheme
Negative marking
⚠️ Important Notice | महत्त्वाची सूचना
Please verify the latest and official exam information on the respective Exam Body’s official website.
परीक्षेची अद्ययावत व अधिकृत माहिती संबंधित परीक्षा संस्थेच्या अधिकृत वेबसाइटवरून पडताळून घ्यावी.
Overview
What this exam is
Maharashtra Public Service Commission State Service (Rajyaseva) — Group A gazetted posts across administration, finance and specialised cadres.
Conducting body: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Roles after selection
Pattern
Prelims + Mains + Interview · objective & descriptive
Eligibility
Graduation from a recognised university (as per MPSC notification)
Pay band
7th Pay — Level 10 and above (as notified)
Typical prep
12–18 months
At a glance
Key facts aspirants ask first
Prelims
GS Paper I + CSAT Paper II
CSAT
Usually qualifying
Next stages
Mains → Interview
Portal
mpsc.gov.in
Selection
Stages you will face
Prelims
Objective GS + CSAT. CSAT is typically qualifying; GS decides the Mains shortlist.
Mains
Descriptive / language and GS papers as per the State Service scheme for that year.
Interview
Personality test for candidates who clear Mains — confirm marks weightage on the advertisement.
Written pattern
Papers at a glance
Typical scheme — confirm question count and duration on the official advertisement.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims Paper I — GS | 100 (typical) | 200 | 2 hours | History, geography, polity, economy, science, MH-specific GK & current affairs |
| Prelims Paper II — CSAT | 80 (typical) | 200 | 2 hours | Comprehension, reasoning, numeracy — usually qualifying |
| Mains (language + GS / optional) | As notified | As notified | As notified | Confirm language and optional papers on mpsc.gov.in for the current State Service scheme |
| Interview | — | As notified | — | Personality test after Mains |
Section marks
Written paper breakup
Prelims GS — History & culture (India + MH)
High weight in GS
As notified questions
Prelims GS — Polity & governance
High weight in GS
As notified questions
Prelims GS — Economy & geography
High weight in GS
As notified questions
Prelims GS — Science, environment & CA
High weight in GS
As notified questions
CSAT (qualifying)
200
80 (typical) questions
Syllabus map
What to study
Topic clusters summarised for practice planning — verify the official syllabus PDF.
Prelims GS themes
- Indian & Maharashtra history
- Geography (India + MH)
- Polity & governance
- Economy & budget basics
- Environment & science
- Current affairs
CSAT themes
- Comprehension
- Logical reasoning
- Numeracy & data interpretation
- Decision-making basics
Mains focus
- Language papers as notified
- GS descriptive answer writing
- Optional / specialised papers if listed
- Maharashtra administration awareness
Application desk
Documents, fees & apply tips
Keep ready
- ✓ Graduation certificate and marksheets
- ✓ Age / caste / EWS proofs as claimed
- ✓ Photo identity and recent photographs
- ✓ Domicile / language certificates if the notice requires them
Fees
MPSC publishes category-wise fees in each State Service advertisement. Apply only on the official MPSC portal.
Before you submit
- → Track the State Service advertisement for age, attempts and optional papers.
- → Build GS notes for 12–18 months; keep CSAT weekly so it stays qualifying.
- → After Prelims, switch immediately to Mains answer-writing practice.
- → Keep interview biodata and Maharashtra administration notes ready after Mains.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Graduation from a recognised university (as per the State Service advertisement).
- Age limits, attempts and local-language rules follow the current MPSC notice.
- Physical / medical standards apply only where the post requires them.
Syllabus outline
Subjects to cover
Preparation
How to practise this paper
Build a 12–18 month GS notes cycle covering Maharashtra + national polity and economy.
Treat CSAT as a weekly habit so it never becomes a surprise qualifying paper.
Sit timed Prelims mocks, then switch to Mains answer writing once the Prelims window closes.
Revise Maharashtra current affairs every week — high scoring in GS.
Series
Practice series for MPSC Group A
Timed mock series for this family are coming soon. Read the guide above for pattern and eligibility.
Mocks coming soon
MPSC Group A series
Guides and pattern notes are live. Timed store series will appear here when published.
Browse live exams →Related exams
Other papers in this family
FAQ
Quick answers
What posts come under Group A?
Typical State Service cadres include Deputy Collector, DSP, Tahsildar and other gazetted services named in that year’s advertisement.
Should I wait for the notification to start mocks?
The Prelims GS + CSAT pattern is stable enough to practise now. Re-read the advertisement for any scheme change before you apply.
Is CSAT counted in merit?
CSAT is usually qualifying. Confirm the year’s scheme — GS Paper I typically drives the Prelims shortlist.
Where do I apply?
Only through the official MPSC online application system linked from mpsc.gov.in.
Sit a timed MPSC Group A mock
Same login on web and Android. Rank and solutions after every attempt.