This exam is possibly one of the most difficult in the world. You need an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of history, geography, economics and everything in between and the ability to marshal all those facts to answer a question like :<p>&quot;The internet is a manifestation of Max Weber&#x27;s iron cage of rationality. Discuss&quot;<p>In just 10-15 minutes.<p>Here&#x27;s a question paper :
<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.upsc.gov.in&#x2F;questionpaper&#x2F;2013&#x2F;CSM%202013&#x2F;GS%20I.pdf" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.upsc.gov.in&#x2F;questionpaper&#x2F;2013&#x2F;CSM%202013&#x2F;GS%20I....</a><p>And<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.upsc.gov.in&#x2F;questionpaper&#x2F;2013&#x2F;CSM%202013&#x2F;GS%20I.pdf" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.upsc.gov.in&#x2F;questionpaper&#x2F;2013&#x2F;CSM%202013&#x2F;GS%20I....</a><p>And this is just one of the subjects. You have papers on English, an Indian language and also a paper on your subject of specialization and more ..<p>Some people question the merits of choosing civil servants based on such an exam but getting through a pretty impressive feat. I&#x27;d compare it to being a polymath Jeopardy champion or something. I&#x27;m pretty sure Indian Civil Servants are among the sharpest in the world.<p>In terms of effectiveness however , our bureaucracy is amongst the worst. Quite the paradox.