The exam is held in two phases. The first phase of the exam is called the Preliminary Examination. Those who qualify in the Preliminary Exam are eligible to appear in the Mains.

Preliminary Examination (objective type):

The Combined Preliminary Examination will be of a Test for selection of candidates for the Main Examination for the different categories of posts, mentioned in the first paragraphs, and would comprise the following subjects:

Note:

(i) Both Parts A & B will be of objective type (multiple choice type).
(ii) Question Papers (Test Booklets) for both the Parts in Preliminary Exam will be set both in English and Hindi.

Main Examination (Conventional type):

Note: (i) All the question papers for the main examination will be of conventional essay type.

(ii) All the question papers except that of Paper I and Paper II will be printed both in English and in Hindi. Only those candidates who qualify in all the papers as well as in the aggregate would be eligible to be considered for being called for the personality test which will carry a maximum of 100 marks for all candidates.

(iii) Paper I will be compulsory for all the candidates. However, this will be of qualifying nature only for the candidates who are opting for the post of Assistants. (For candidates who are opting for the post of Assistants, the marks secured in this paper will not be counted for preparation of the final select list. The commission shall have the discretion to fix the qualifying standard in this paper. Scripts of the remaining papers will be evaluated only of those candidates who secure the minimum qualifying standard in Paper I of the Main Examination.)

(iv) Candidates will have the option to answer Paper III, Paper IV and Paper V either in Hindi or English. Medium opted in Preliminary Examination (Hindi or English) will remain the same in Main Examination.