CSAT 2013 - Civil Services Aptitude Test 2013

Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is a test conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) every year to select candidates for the Civil Services Mains Exam. Those who pass the Mains Exams and Interview, can join prestigious Indian Government services like IAS, IPS etc.
How to apply for CSAT?
The next CSAT, CSAT 2013, will be held on May 19, 2013. The application process will start in February 2013.
CSAT has 2 papers - paper I (General Studies and current affairs) which is generally very tough and paper II (General Aptitude) which is generally very easy. Assuming those difficulty levels, a combined score (total score from both the papers) of about 50% is good for general category candidates to qualify for Mains.

Age limit for CSAT
Indian nationals who have attained the age of 21 years, and not have attained the upper age limit on 1st August of the year in which he/she attempts the exams are eligible. The upper age limit is given in the table below for various categories
General Category: 30 years
SC/ST: 35 years
Physically Handicapped: 40 years

Educational Qualification:
The candidate must hold any degree in any discipline from any recongnized university
Final year degree students who will obtain degree by August 1, 2013 are also eligible for CSAT 2013
The degree can be of any class (distinction, first, second etc.)
Degree obtained by distance education/open university is also eligible if the university is a recognized university

No. of attempts allowed
For some candidates there is a limit on the number of times you can attempt IAS Exams (Civil Services exams)
Even attending to one paper of CSAT (IAS prelim exam) counts as an attempt
Applying for CSAT (IAS prelim exam) but not attending for any paper DOES NOT count as an attempt
General Category - 4
OBC - 7
Physically Handicapped - 7
SC & ST - No limit on number of attempts