UPSC Exam Details

UPSC Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, is considered India’s most difficult competitive entrance exam. It leads candidates to positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.

Let’s check the essential dates, application process requirements, eligibility criteria and examination preparation essentials.

Important Dates for UPSC 2025

The succeeding list showcases essential dates regarding the UPSC 2025 examination to help candidates prepare efficiently for their applications.

Note: The application period for UPSC 2025 now lasts until February 18, 2025.

Application Process

Future UPSC CSE 2025 examination candidates need to follow this sequential application process.

1. One-Time Registration (OTR):
   • Candidates must log into the official UPSC website found at https://upsconline.nic.in/. 
   • The OTR registration demands candidates to fill in their complete personal data along with contact information and academic qualifications.
2. Filling the Application Form:
   • Log in using OTR credentials.
   • Complete the necessary information in which candidates must provide their selected service choice and preferred exam centre information.
   • The application requires candidates to upload their signed photograph alongside their signature and required supporting documents.
3. Application Fee Payment:
   • General and OBC candidates: ₹100.
   • SC/ST/PwBD and female candidates: Exempted.
   • The application fee can be paid online through net banking and credit or debit cards or offline through an SBI bank challan.
4. Submission:
   • Review the application carefully.
   • After verification, please print your application form for future use.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates seeking admission to UPSC 2025 must satisfy the national, age and education requirements and attempt restriction standards.

• Nationality:
  • Candidates aspiring to become IAS, IPS, or IFS must show citizenship in India.
  • Other services accept applications from Nepalese citizens, Bhutanese citizens, and Tibetan refugees with pre-January 1, 1962 refugee status and people of Indian origin from designated countries.
• Age Limit:
  • Minimum: 21 years.
  • Maximum: 32 years as of August 1, 2025 (i.e., born between August 2, 1993, and August 1, 2004).
  • Age relaxations:
    • OBC: 3 years.
    • SC/ST: 5 years.
    • PwBD: 10 years.
• Educational Qualification:
  • A bachelor’s degree is an eligibility requirement for entry-level acceptance into this position at any recognised university worldwide.
  • Students who finish their final year and graduate are qualified to take the Main Examination but must first show their graduation documents.
• Number of Attempts:
  • General: 6 attempts.
  • OBC: 9 attempts.
  • SC/ST: Unlimited until the age limit.

Note: Participants who enrolled previously but did not attend their exams do not count towards the total number of attempts.

Exam Pattern

All candidates should understand the UPSC CSE 2025 examination format. It is divided into three segments, which begin with Prelims, move to Mains, and end with the Interview phase.

Preliminary Examination

• Note: The qualifying nature of CSAT requires candidates to achieve, at minimum, a score of 33%.

Main Examination

• Total Marks for Mains: 1750.
• Note: A minimum of 25% marks is required for both qualifying papers (A and B).

Personality Test (Interview)

• Marks: 275.
• Purpose: Assesses personality traits, communication skills, and suitability for a career in civil services.
• Final Merit Calculation: The final merit total is calculated by adding the mains score (1750 marks) to the Interview score (275 marks) to reach 2025 marks.

Syllabus Overview

The exam syllabus for UPSC CSE 2025 assesses candidates through Prelims and Mains sections that measure their knowledge of basics, ability to conduct analysis, and understanding of complex subjects thoroughly.

Preliminary Examination

• General Studies (Paper I):
  • Current events (national and international)
  • History of India and the Indian National Movement
  • Indian and World Geography
  • Indian Polity and Governance
  • Economic and Social Development
  • Environmental Ecology and Climate Change
  • General Science.
• CSAT (Paper II):
  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision-making and problem-solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level)

Main Examination

• Essay Paper:
  • The requirement involves composing multiple essays on different topics, which showcases a candidate’s ability for clear thinking and refined delivery.
• General Studies Papers:
  • Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.
  • Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
  • Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
  • Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
• Optional Subjects:
  • During the civil services examination, candidates can choose from literature, public administration, geography, history, and multiple other subjects.

Preparation Tips

The UPSC CSE 2025 requires applicants to master various subjects through proper planning since it tests subject knowledge and analytical abilities. The following preparation strategies will support your concentration and improve your odds of success in the UPSC CSE 2025.

• Your preparation should follow specific stages, which handle prelims first after mains tests and finally end with the interview portion.
• Determine specific periods for studying subjects relative to their weightage and relative difficulty level.
• Regularly use government reports and media content from PIB and Rajya Sabha TV.
• Develop expertise in writing Mains responses from the beginning of your preparation period.
• Solve previous annual question papers along with mock tests during your preparation period.
• Thoroughly focus on CSAT because it is a qualifying exam, so maintain at least 33% performance.
• Devote every day to practicing both quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning skills.