The GPSC (Gujarat Public Service Commission) Class 1-2 examination is Gujarat's premier civil services exam, filling posts equivalent to the IAS at the state level. Gujarat GK — home of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, the Rann of Kutch, Gir lions, and India's largest chemical-petrochemical complex — gives this exam its unique character.
| Stage | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims (GS) | 200 MCQs, 2 hours | 200 |
| Mains Essay | Descriptive | 200 |
| Mains GS Papers I–IV | Descriptive, 3 hrs each | 200 each |
| Interview | Personality test | 175 |
Harappan civilization sites in Gujarat (Dholavira — UNESCO World Heritage, largest Harappan site in India; Lothal — world's first planned dockyard). Solanki dynasty (Modhera Sun Temple, Rani ki Vav stepwell — UNESCO). Mughal period, Maratha period in Gujarat. Modern history: Mahatma Gandhi (born in Porbandar, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (born in Nadiad — Iron Man of India, integration of princely states), Kathiawar region history.
Rann of Kutch (largest salt marsh in the world, white desert), Gir Forest (only wild Asiatic lion habitat), Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Kutch, Sabarmati and Mahi rivers, Banas and Rupen rivers. Gujarat has India's longest coastline (1,600 km). Ports: Mundra (largest private port), Kandla, Hazira. Saurashtra, Kutch, North Gujarat, South Gujarat — four distinct regions.
Gujarat is India's industrial powerhouse: GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, India's first international financial services centre), Surat as diamond cutting and textile hub (processes 90% of world's rough diamonds), Jamnagar petrochemical complex (world's largest oil refinery complex — Reliance), DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat), White Revolution (Operation Flood originated from Amul dairy cooperative in Anand), space technology (ISRO Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad).
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Prelims (200 MCQs, 200 marks, 2 hours, qualifying), Mains (Essay 200M + GS Papers I-IV × 200M each = 1000M), and Interview (175 marks). Total Mains + Interview = 1175 marks determines final merit.
Dholavira in Kutch district is one of the five largest Harappan sites and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. It is frequently tested in GPSC as it represents Gujarat's ancient history and is a source of pride for the state's heritage. Questions on its water conservation systems and town planning are common.
General: 20–35 years. SC/ST/SEBC (OBC): relaxation as per Gujarat government norms (typically 5 years additional). Female candidates get 5 years relaxation over upper age. Ex-Servicemen: as per norms.
Class 1 (Group A): Deputy Collector, DSP, Deputy Director, Senior Section Officer, Administrative Officer in various state departments. Class 2 (Group B): Mamlatdar, Section Officer, Circle Officer, Nayab Mamlatdar. Class 1 posts are the most prestigious and equivalent to IAS at the state level.
GPSC focuses heavily on Gujarat-specific GK (40–60% of Prelims questions), while UPSC focuses on national topics. GPSC posts serve within Gujarat, and proficiency in Gujarati is required. GPSC also has a longer age limit (up to 35 for General vs. 32 for UPSC) and typically has fewer vacancies but also fewer serious competitors.
प्रारंभिक (200 MCQ, 200 अंक), मुख्य परीक्षा (निबंध + GS I-IV), और साक्षात्कार (175 अंक)।
धोलावीरा (UNESCO हरित स्थल), मोढेरा सूर्य मंदिर, रानी की वाव, गांधीजी और सरदार पटेल का गुजरात से संबंध, कच्छ का रण, गिर वन (एशियाई शेर), GIFT City, सूरत हीरा उद्योग।
स्नातक डिग्री अनिवार्य। आयु 20–35 वर्ष (सामान्य)। गुजरात अधिवास जरूरी।
ParikshaExamPrep.com पर मुफ्त GS मॉक टेस्ट। /tests पर जाएं।
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