UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025: Complete Details
The Union Public Service Commission has announced the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025. This prestigious examination is conducted annually to recruit officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services.
Important Dates for UPSC CSE 2025
| Notification Release Date | 22 January 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 22 January 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 11 February 2025 |
| Preliminary Examination Date | 25 May 2025 |
| Main Examination Date | September 2025 (Tentative) |
| Interview/Personality Test | December 2025-January 2026 (Tentative) |
UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Pattern
The Civil Services Examination consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Objective type (MCQs) – Qualifying in nature
- Main Examination: Written descriptive papers
- Personality Test/Interview: To assess the candidate’s suitability for a career in public service
Preliminary Examination Pattern:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying – need 33% to qualify) | 200 | 2 Hours |
Main Examination Pattern:
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Any Indian Language from the 8th Schedule (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography) | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, etc.) | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, etc.) | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 |
| Total Written Examination | 1750 | |
| Personality Test/Interview | 275 | |
| Grand Total | 2025 | |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, etc.
Educational Qualification:
Candidates must hold a degree from a recognized University or possess an equivalent qualification.
Age Limit:
- General Category: 21-32 years (born not earlier than 2 January 1993 and not later than 1 January 2004)
- OBC: 21-35 years
- SC/ST: 21-37 years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per rules
- Persons with Benchmark Disability: 21-42 years
Number of Attempts
- General Category: 6 attempts
- OBC (NCL): 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (within the age limit)
- PwBD: 9 attempts for General PwBD, unlimited for SC/ST PwBD (within the age limit)
Application Process
- Visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in)
- Click on the “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC” link
- Register by providing your basic details
- Fill in Part-I of the application form
- Fill in Part-II of the application form
- Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications
- Pay the application fee
- Submit the application and take a printout for future reference
Application Fee
The application fee for UPSC CSE 2025 is:
- General/OBC: ₹100
- SC/ST/Female/PwBD: Exempted
Vacancies
The exact number of vacancies will be determined by the UPSC based on the requirements of various services. The detailed category-wise vacancies will be announced later.
How to Prepare for UPSC CSE 2025
- Understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern
- Create a comprehensive study plan covering all topics
- Focus on NCERT books for building a strong foundation
- Read newspapers daily to stay updated with current affairs
- Make notes for revision purposes
- Practice answer writing for the Mains examination
- Take mock tests regularly to improve performance
- Choose an optional subject based on your interest and background
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India. However, with dedicated preparation, the right strategy, and consistent effort, you can achieve success in this prestigious examination.
Keep checking the official UPSC website for the latest updates on UPSC CSE 2025. We will also update this page as soon as any new information is released.