UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017 - Detailed information along with Previous Papers


The UPSC CSE 2017 was one of the most competitive editions of the Civil Services Exam with over 9.5 lakh applications. The year saw analytical and dynamic questions in both Prelims and Mains, making strategic preparation more crucial than ever.

Important Dates – UPSC 2017

  • Notification Release: February 22, 2017
  • Last Date to Apply: March 17, 2017
  • Prelims Exam: June 18, 2017
  • Mains Exam: October 28 – November 3, 2017
  • Interview Dates: February – April 2018
  • Final Result: April 27, 2018

Preliminary Exam Pattern:

PaperSubjectMarksDuration
Paper IGeneral Studies2002 Hours
Paper IICSAT (Qualifying)2002 Hours

Main Examination Pattern:

  • Essay – 250 marks
  • General Studies I-IV – 250 marks each
  • Optional Subject I & II – 250 marks each
  • Qualifying Language Papers – English & Indian Language
  • Total (Mains): 1750 marks + Interview: 275 marks


Topper of UPSC 2017

  • Name: Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1)
  • Optional Subject: Anthropology
  • Background: IRS Officer, Graduate from BITS Pilani

Topper Strategy – Anudeep Durishetty

  • Focused answer writing practice every day
  • Used self-notes for quick revision
  • Practiced mock tests for both Prelims & Mains
  • Followed limited sources with multiple revisions
  • Used online platforms and forums for guidance

Popular Optional Subjects in 2017:

  • Anthropology
  • Geography
  • PSIR (Political Science & IR)
  • Sociology
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Law

Observations from CSE 2017

  • Prelims GS was tough and highly analytical
  • Cutoff dropped significantly to 105.34 (General)
  • Essay and Ethics papers were game-changers
  • Dynamic current affairs-based questions dominated


Resources Used by Aspirants

  • The Hindu / Indian Express for current affairs
  • Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (History)
  • NCERT Books (Class 6–12)
  • Economic Survey, Budget, NITI Aayog reports
  • Vision IAS, ForumIAS, Insights test series

Download UPSC 2017 Question Papers

📥Download Prelims 2017 GS & CSAT Papers (PDF)

📥Download Mains 2017 Papers – GS, Essay, Optional (PDF)


Conclusion:

UPSC CSE 2017 was a landmark year due to the increased analytical nature of questions and reduced cutoff. Anudeep Durishetty's journey is a testimony to the power of perseverance, consistency, and smart preparation. Future aspirants should focus on basics, current affairs, writing practice, and most importantly — self-belief.


Stay updated with Examsportalhub for more such detailed UPSC exam analysis, paper downloads, and smart preparation strategies. 

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