The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is one of India’s most prestigious and competitive examinations, drawing thousands of aspirants yearly who aim to serve the nation through administrative roles. Scheduled for 2025, the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), Indian Police Services (IPS), IFS (Indian Foreign Service) etc. Exams demand strict preparation due to their exhaustive selection process. This blog delves into the detailed exam pattern for UPSC 2025, providing insights into the stages of the exam, marking scheme, syllabus, and essential preparation tips to help candidates navigate this challenging journey with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or looking to refine your strategy, understanding the exam pattern is the first step towards success.

What is the UPSC Exam Pattern 2025?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 follows a three-stage process, the Preliminary Examination (Prelims), the Main Examination (Mains), and the Personality Test (Interview). The Prelims serve as a screening test and include two objective-type papers General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). While both papers are for 200 marks each, only the General Studies Paper I marks count toward selection, as CSAT is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33%. The Mains stage is descriptive and includes nine papers, out of which two are qualifying, while the remaining seven covering essays, general studies, and optional subjects are counted for merit, making up a total of 1750 marks. Finally, the Personality Test, carrying 275 marks, evaluates a candidate's suitability for public service based on qualities like mental alertness, judgment, and moral integrity. The final merit is calculated by combining the Mains and Personality Test scores, making it a rigorous process to select candidates for the prestigious Civil Services roles.

UPSC Prelims 

The prelims of UPSC consist of 2 papers. General Studies and CSAT. Both Papers are objective. Both the papers are of 200 marks each, which makes the total 400 marks. A total of 120 minutes (2 hours) is allotted to complete each paper. 

General Studies or Paper 1:

• No. of questions: The GS Paper contains 100 questions.
• Total marks: This paper comprises a of total 200 marks.
• Marking Scheme: While each correct answer is for 2 marks, there is a 1/3rd negative marking for each incorrect answer.

CSAT or Paper 2:

• No. of questions: The CSAT paper contains a total of 80 questions
• Total marks: This paper comprises a of total 200 marks.
• Marking scheme: While each correct answer is for 2 marks, there is a 1/3rd negative marking allotted for every incorrect answer.  

Paper 1 and paper 2 both are conducted on the same days. The type of questions asked in both papers is objective with multiple choices provided per question. 

UPSC Mains 

The structure of the UPSC Mains examination differs significantly from that of the Preliminary exam. Here's an overview of the main exam pattern:

• Number of Papers: The Mains consists of 9 descriptive papers, which include 4 General Studies (GS) papers, 1 Essay paper, 2 Language papers, and 2 papers based on your chosen Optional Subject.
• Total Marks: The examination carries a total of 1750 marks. While the Language papers collectively account for 300 marks, all other papers are worth 250 marks each.
• Negative Marking: Since the Mains is a subjective, answer-writing-based examination, there is no system of negative marking.

Mains Exam Pattern Summary 

UPSC Interview Round 

The interview round is the third and final stage of the UPSC exams. If you will clear the Mains examination, you will be called for the interview round. The interview is been conducted within 3-4 months after the UPSC Mains exam. This interview is of 275 marks, which makes up a total of 2025 marks in the final merit (1750 marks in Mains + 275 marks in the interview). In this stage of the process, a panel of unbiased and skilled professionals will conduct your interview to evaluate your overall personality.

The interview questions may cover a broad spectrum, including:

• Personal Background: Your interests, hobbies, educational qualifications, and work experience.
• Current Affairs: Key national and international issues making headlines.
• Socio-Economic Issues: Ongoing challenges or developments in the country or your local region.
• Situational Scenarios: Designed to gauge your decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Opinion-Based Questions: Aimed at assessing your analytical thinking and moral principles.

The evaluation focuses on how closely your mental and social characteristics align with the attributes of an ideal IAS officer.

Key traits the panel will look for include critical thinking, balanced judgment, leadership skills, the ability to foster social harmony, mental alertness, effective communication, a diverse range of interests, and strong intellectual and ethical values.

To ensure you meet the requirements for the examination, you can review the updated UPSC CSE 2025 Eligibility Criteria.

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims & Mains 

The concept of negative marking plays a crucial role in the UPSC Prelims, making it essential for aspirants to strategize their attempts wisely. Unlike the Prelims, the UPSC Mains exam does not involve negative markings since it is a subjective paper that evaluates the quality of descriptive answers provided by candidates.

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims

The UPSC Prelims consists of two objective-type papers General Studies (GS) Paper 1 and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). The marking scheme for both papers includes penalties for incorrect answers, which are as follows:

• Penalty for Incorrect Answers: For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
• Multiple Answers Rule: If a candidate selects more than one answer for a single question, even if one option is correct, it will be treated as incorrect, and the same penalty will apply.
• No Penalty for Unattempted Questions: Questions left unanswered do not attract any negative marking.

Conclusion 

The UPSC Civil Services Exam Pattern for IAS and IFS 2025 reflects the high standards and rigorous process designed to identify capable and visionary candidates. Understanding the exam's structure, from the Prelims to the Interview, is essential for a focused preparation strategy. Each stage evaluates distinct skills, such as analytical ability, in-depth knowledge, and decision-making. With dedication, proper guidance, and a thorough understanding of the exam pattern, aspirants can significantly improve their chances of success. Remember, clarity about the exam structure is the first step toward achieving your dream of becoming a civil servant.