Assam PSC CCE / State Civil Services
What is Assam PSC CCE?
Home / State PSC / Assam PSC CCE (State Civil Services)
*Assam Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination for Assam civil services and allied state services*
Quick facts
- Exam type: State civil services recruitment
- Service group: Group A / Group B state services
- Mode: Online application; written examination + interview
- Stages: Prelims → Mains → Interview
- Frequency: As-notified
- Official portal: https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">apsc.nic.in
https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">Official Notification / Apply on APSC Portal
Assam PSC CCE stands for Assam Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination. It is the state-level recruitment examination used to select candidates for important administrative and police services in Assam.
Through this exam, APSC recruits candidates for roles such as:
- Assam Civil Service (ACS)
- Assam Police Service (APS)
- Other allied Assam government services, as notified in the vacancy advertisement
These posts lead to administrative responsibilities across districts, subdivisions, and state departments. A successful candidate can progress from field-level administration to senior leadership roles in the state machinery.
Career progression in Assam civil services
A typical progression in the administrative stream is:
ACS Officer → SDM/Sub-Divisional level roles → District-level responsibilities → Deputy Commissioner and higher administrative assignments
Exam Snapshot
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Assam PSC CCE |
| Full form | Assam Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination |
| Conducting body | APSC, Guwahati |
| Scope | State |
| State | Assam |
| Services | ACS, APS, allied state services |
| Frequency | As-notified |
| Mode of application | Online |
| Selection stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Official portal | [apsc.nic.in](https://apsc.nic.in) |
Important Dates
Latest cycle timeline
- Notification: 2025
- Application window: 2025
- Prelims: 8 June 2025
- Mains: October 2025
- Interview / Result: 2026
Previous exam dates
| Cycle | Notification Date | Exam Date(s) | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | Prelims 8 Jun 2025, Mains Oct 2025 | 2026 |
| 2023 | 2023 | Prelims 2023 | 2024 |
| 2022 | 2022 | Prelims 2022 | 2023 |
| 2019 | 2019 | Prelims 2019 | 2020 |
| 2018 | 2018 | Prelims 2018 | 2019 |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Domicile / residence
- Assam domicile is preferred for state recruitment context.
- Candidates should check the latest official notification for any residence or local eligibility conditions.
Educational qualification
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is required.
Age limit
- General category: 21 to 38 years
- OBC / MOBC: Upper age relaxation of 3 years
- SC / ST: Upper age relaxation of 5 years
Age relaxation table
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | No relaxation |
| OBC / MOBC | +3 years |
| SC | +5 years |
| ST | +5 years |
Other conditions
- Candidates should ensure they meet any post-specific medical or service conditions mentioned in the official notification.
- Final eligibility is always governed by the latest APSC advertisement.
Reservation Policy
APSC CCE follows the Assam Government reservation policy.
Vertical reservation
Common reserved categories include:
- SC: around 7%
- ST (Plains + Hills): around 15%
- OBC / MOBC: around 27%
- EWS: around 10%
Additional Assam-specific categories may also be covered as per government rules, including:
- Moran
- Matak
- Tea tribe communities
Horizontal reservation
Horizontal reservation may apply to:
- Women
- PwBD
- Ex-servicemen
Reservation is applied as per the latest Assam government rules and the specific recruitment advertisement.
Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
The prelims consist of 2 objective papers.
| Stage | Papers | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | GS-I, GS-II (CSAT) | 400 | 2 hours each | None |
Stage 2: Main Examination
The mains consist of 8 papers.
| Stage | Papers | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mains | Essay, GS x4, Optional x2, Language | 1400 | 3 hours each | None |
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Interview | 200 |
Selection flow
1. Preliminary examination
2. Mains examination
3. Interview / personality test
4. Final merit list and document verification
Selection Process
The Assam PSC CCE selection process is typically:
- Prelims: screening test
- Mains: merit-forming written examination
- Interview: personality assessment and suitability test
- Final selection: based on mains and interview performance as per notification rules
Prelims is usually qualifying in nature for the next stage, while mains and interview determine final merit.
Syllabus Overview
Prelims syllabus
The prelims generally cover:
- Current affairs
- General studies
- Indian history
- Indian polity
- Economy
- Geography
- Environment
- Science and technology
- Assam-specific topics
- Logical reasoning and comprehension for CSAT
Mains syllabus
The mains syllabus broadly includes:
- Essay writing
- General Studies papers
- Assam history, culture, polity, economy, and geography
- Indian polity and governance
- Indian economy
- Science and technology
- Ethics and integrity
- Optional subject papers
- Language paper
Optional subject
The mains includes 2 optional papers from the chosen optional subject.
Assam-specific topics to prioritise
Focus on:
- Assam history
- Assam geography
- Culture and society of Assam
- Administrative structure of Assam
- Current state affairs
- Tribal and socio-economic issues of Assam
- Major government schemes and development indicators in Assam
How to Apply
Online application steps
1. Visit the official website: https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">apsc.nic.in
2. Open the latest CCE notification
3. Register on the online portal
4. Fill in personal, educational, and category details
5. Upload required documents
6. Pay the application fee
7. Submit the form and save the application receipt
Documents usually required
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Educational certificates
- Age proof
- Caste/category certificate, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Domicile/residence documents, if required by notification
- ID proof
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering an incorrect category or age
- Uploading unclear documents
- Missing fee payment confirmation
- Using inactive contact details
- Waiting until the last day to submit the application
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹297.20 |
| SC / ST | ₹197.20 |
| PwBD | ₹47.20 |
Fee payment is to be completed through the online mode specified in the official portal.
Vacancies
Latest vacancy cycle
| Year | Total Posts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 262 | ACS + allied services |
| 2023 | ~250 | |
| 2022 | ~200 | |
| 2019 | ~250 | |
| 2018 | ~200 |
Posts commonly filled
- Assam Civil Service (ACS)
- Assam Police Service (APS)
- Other allied Assam government services
Salary, Pay Level, and Benefits
Pay structure
- Pay Level: Level 10
- Basic pay: ₹56,100 and above
- Allowances: As per Assam government rules
Typical benefits
- Dearness allowance
- House rent allowance, where applicable
- Travel and official duty allowances
- Government accommodation or related benefits, subject to posting and rules
- Pension and service benefits as per applicable government policy
Service progression
After joining, officers generally undergo probation and field training before being assigned substantive administrative responsibilities.
Cutoff Trends
Prelims cutoff
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~240 | ~230 | ~210 | ~200 |
Trend note
The Assam PSC CCE is a competitive state civil services exam. The cutoff generally reflects:
- number of vacancies,
- paper difficulty,
- number of applicants,
- category-wise reservation,
- and overall performance trends.
A strong Assam-specific preparation base is essential for clearing prelims and mains.
Preparation Strategy
3-phase study plan
Phase 1: Foundation
- Build NCERT-level basics for history, polity, geography, economy, and science
- Read Assam-focused material alongside standard GS books
- Start current affairs notes from the beginning
Phase 2: Core preparation
- Cover mains-oriented topics in depth
- Begin answer writing practice
- Choose and study the optional subject systematically
- Revise Assam history, geography, society, and current issues
Phase 3: Test and revision
- Take full-length prelims mocks
- Practice mains answers and essays
- Revise current affairs and static topics
- Focus on weak areas and time management
Recommended resources
- NCERT books
- Standard GS reference books
- Assam-specific state government materials
- Newspaper and monthly current affairs compilations
- Previous year papers and mock tests
Assam-specific preparation focus
- State history and polity
- District and regional geography
- Economy and livelihood issues
- Floods, environment, and disaster management
- Culture, tribes, and socio-political developments
- Current affairs related to Assam governance
Career Path
Services and postings
Selected candidates may serve in:
- Assam Civil Service (ACS)
- Assam Police Service (APS)
- Other state administrative and allied services
Responsibilities
- Revenue and administrative work
- Law and order coordination, in police services
- Public service delivery
- Development implementation
- District and subdivision administration
Promotion ladder
A civil services career in Assam can progress from junior administrative roles to:
- Sub-divisional leadership
- District administration
- Senior policy and field leadership roles
Official Sources
- https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">APSC Official Website
- https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">Latest Notification
- https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">Online Application Portal
FAQs
1. What is Assam PSC CCE and which services does it recruit for?
Assam PSC CCE is the Combined Competitive Examination conducted to recruit candidates for Assam state civil services and allied posts, including ACS and APS.
2. Which body conducts the Assam PSC Combined Competitive Examination?
The examination is conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), headquartered in Guwahati.
3. What is the minimum educational qualification for Assam PSC CCE?
A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is the minimum educational qualification.
4. What is the age limit for Assam PSC CCE candidates?
For the general category, the age limit is 21 to 38 years.
5. Is Assam domicile mandatory for Assam PSC CCE?
Indian citizenship is required, and Assam domicile is preferred for this state recruitment. Always check the latest notification for specific residency rules.
6. What are the main stages of the Assam PSC CCE selection process?
The selection process has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
7. How many papers are there in the prelims and mains of Assam PSC CCE?
Prelims has 2 papers, and mains has 8 papers.
8. Is there negative marking in Assam PSC CCE prelims?
No, there is no negative marking in the prelims.
9. What is the total marks structure for prelims, mains, and interview?
Prelims carries 400 marks, mains carries 1400 marks, and the interview carries 200 marks.
10. What subjects are included in the Assam PSC CCE syllabus?
The syllabus includes general studies, current affairs, Assam history, geography, polity, economy, culture, environment, science and technology, essay, language, and optional subjects.
11. Does Assam PSC CCE include an optional subject in the mains?
Yes, the mains includes 2 optional papers from the chosen optional subject.
12. What is the application fee for Assam PSC CCE?
The application fee is ₹297.20 for General, ₹197.20 for SC/ST, and ₹47.20 for PwBD candidates.
13. How can I apply for Assam PSC CCE online?
You can apply through the official APSC website by registering, filling the form, uploading documents, paying the fee, and submitting the application online.
14. Which posts are generally filled through Assam PSC CCE?
The exam generally fills ACS, APS, and other allied Assam government services.
15. What is the salary of an Assam PSC officer?
The pay is generally at Level 10, starting from ₹56,100+, along with applicable government allowances.
16. What are the category-wise age relaxations for Assam PSC CCE?
OBC/MOBC gets 3 years relaxation, and SC/ST get 5 years relaxation over the general upper age limit.
17. How many vacancies were announced in the latest Assam PSC CCE cycle?
The latest cycle announced 262 vacancies.
18. What was the cutoff for Assam PSC CCE prelims in recent years?
For 2023, the prelims cutoff was around 240 for General, 230 for OBC, 210 for SC, and 200 for ST.
19. What is the career progression after selection through Assam PSC CCE?
A common progression is ACS Officer → SDM level roles → district administration responsibilities → Deputy Commissioner and senior posts.
20. Where can I find the official Assam PSC CCE notification and application portal?
Both the notification and the application portal are available on the official website: https://apsc.nic.in" class="inlink">apsc.nic.in.