This examinations is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission of India (UPSC) every year to which recruits and selects candidates for the civil services of the country. These service include some of the highly visible services like Indian Administrative Service IAS, Indian Foreign Service IFS, Indian Police Service IPS, Indian Revenue Service, IRS and so on. The UPSC examination is an entry point for the candidates who are interested to work for the nation in some of the major administrative and bureaucratic services.”
UPSC 2025 Exam Calendar
Comprehensive Guide to India’s Premier Civil Services Examination
UPSC Civil Services Examination is ranked among all the exams conducted in India, having a pass rate below 1%. Crores of candidates sit for the Preliminary stage, but only a few are in the lucky few to make it through the final list. Those who pass the exam are endowed with the honor of serving the nation and its population.
Important Dates for UPSC 2025
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 | 25 April 2024 |
| Release of UPSC 2025 Notification | 22 January 2025 |
| Application Form Acceptance | 22 January – 11 February 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| UPSC 2025 Prelims Exam | 25 May 2025 |
| UPSC 2025 Mains Exam | From 22 August 2025 |
UPSC Posts & Vacancies
UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination to recruit candidates for two categories of posts: Group A and Group B below are some major jobs:
Group A Posts:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Central Excise)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service
Group B Posts:
Armed Forces Head Quarter Civil Service for Section Officer’s Grade
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service and Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Island Police Service.
Lakshadweep Police Service
A brief of the posts and the respective vacancies for 2025 will be mentioned in the official notification. To put it into perspective, the 2024 examination was conducted for 1,056 vacancies indicating the kind of competition that exists.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
- Prospective aspirants of IAS and IPS should be an Indian citizen. For other posts eligibility also goes up to a certain other categories as mentioned in detail notification given.
Age Limit:
As of August 1, 2025, candidates must have the age of no more than 32 years and have at least 21 years old. Category-wise age relaxations are provided as follows:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 21 | 32 |
| OBC | 21 | 35 |
| SC/ST | 21 | 37 |
| PwBD | 21 | Varies |
Number of Attempts:
| Category | Number of Attempts |
|---|---|
| General/EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC/ST | Unlimited |
| PwBD | 9 (General/EWS/OBC); Unlimited (SC/ST) |
Application Process
Online Registration:
The online application process involves two parts:
- Part 1: Basic details such as name, age, and address.
- Part 2: Selection of exam center, fee payment, and document uploads (photo, signature, ID proof).
Application Fee:
Candidates must pay Rs. 100/- as the application fee through any of the following methods:
- SBI Branch deposit (cash)
- Net Banking
- Debit/Credit Card/UPI
Fee Exemptions: Female candidates, SC/ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are exempted from paying the fee.
Exam Pattern
UPSC CSE consists of three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims):
- Two objective-type papers:
- General Studies Paper I: 100 questions, 200 marks
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT): 80 questions, 200 marks (Qualifying with 33%)
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies I | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Yes |
| CSAT (GS II) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours | Yes |
2. Main Examination (Mains):
- Nine descriptive papers (only seven are counted for merit):
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 3 hours | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 3 hours | 250 |
3. Interview/Personality Test:
- Marks: 275
- Total marks for merit list consideration: 2025
Syllabus Overview
Prelims Syllabus:
- General Studies Paper I:
- Indian Polity, Economy, History and Geography
- Science & Technology
- Environment and Biodiversity
- Current Affairs
- CSAT:
- Comprehension and Communication SkillsEnd and success of this part of the study are in the measurement of comprehenson and communication skills.
- Critical thinking skills also known as problem solving skills or analytical aptitude test.
- Elementary Arithmetic and Decision Making
Mains Syllabus:
- Essay: Topics of general interest.
- General Studies (I-IV):
- Indian Heritage, Governance, Technology, Ethics, etc.
- Optional Subjects: Literature, Public Administration, Anthropology, etc.
Admit Card
The admit cards of the UPSC will be released by the commission three weeks prior to the date of the exam in the year 2025. The admit cards can be downloaded from the official website by providing either Roll Number or Registration ID.
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus and Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam.
- Choose Optional Wisely: Select a subject you are comfortable with and have sufficient resources for.
- Study Resources: Utilize NCERT books and standard references like Laxmikanth for Polity and Bipin Chandra for History.
- Practice: Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests.
- Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily and focus on national and international developments.
Recommended Books:
| Subject | Book |
|---|---|
| Polity | Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth |
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence |
| Geography | Certificate Physical Geography |
| Economy | Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania |
| Ethics | Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When will the UPSC 2025 Prelims be conducted?
- The Prelims exam is scheduled for 25 May 2025.
- How many attempts are allowed for General category candidates?
- Six attempts are permitted.
- Is there any age relaxation for SC/ST candidates?
- Yes, the maximum age limit is 37 years.
UPSC 2025 is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for aspirants. With strategic preparation and perseverance, candidates can achieve their dream of becoming civil servants.