State services exams differ from the UPSC Civil Services exam primarily in scope and complexity. While both aim to select candidates for administrative roles, UPSC focuses on a national level with a broader and more challenging syllabus, as it recruits for all-India services. State exams typically concentrate on regional issues, languages, and state-specific policies. Additionally, the selection processes may vary, with state services often involving fewer stages compared to UPSC, allowing for a different preparation strategy tailored to local governance.