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UPSC 2025: Prelims & Mains Calendar (Out) Check CSE Updates
Jan 21, 2025
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UPSC 2025: Prelims & Mains Calendar (Out) Check CSE Updates

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most renowned national-level examinations in India giving thousands of applicants excellent chances to prepare for prestigious government jobs for which the UPSC Calendar is published in advance. nation's development as a civil servant with positions like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A and Group B services. With the announcement of UPSC 2025 Prelims and Mains Calander, Aspirants can now prepare themselves for the exam systematically and strategically.

Exam dates for several state-level exams are included in the updated UPSC Exam Calendar 2025, which was released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on November 7, 2024. On the official UPSC website, www.upsc.gov.in, you may find the yearly UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 in PDF format. Candidates who intend to take the UPSC exams in the following year should review the commission's announced tentative exam dates, notification release dates, and online registration deadlines.

This comprehensive guide aims to delve deeper into authentic and valuable insights about the UPSC 2025 exam calendar, pattern, syllabus, and updates for the upcoming year. Let’s explore deeper into the details helping candidates to remain updated and informed and plan their preparation effectively and efficiently.

UPSC Calendar 2025 Out

The annual UPSC Exam Calendar 2025, which includes all of the exams that UPSC will administer for the fiscal year 2024–2025, has been formally published by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at www.upsc.gov.in. Each exam's detailed schedule has been updated using the exam calendar. Candidates should be aware of the UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 to stay up to date on all of the positions under the Indian Forest Service (IFS), Civil Services, NDA-NA I & II, CDS I & II, engineering services, combined geoscientist, ISS, IES, CPF, and other exams that are used to hire competent individuals for a variety of positions in different departments within the central government.

UPSC 2025 Exam Calendar Overview

The UPSC CSE 2025 calendar is essential for candidates as it showcases the important dates for all the phases of the examination. Let’s have a quick look at the important dates for UPSC CSE 2025.

Event

Date

UPSC Exam Calendar 2025

April 25, 2024

UPSC 2025 Exam Notification

22 January 2025

UPSC 2025 exam application form (Acceptance dates)

22 January 2025 to 11 February 2025

UPSC 2025 admit card

To be released

UPSC 2025 Civil Services Prelims exam

25 May 2025

UPSC 2025 Civil Services Mains exam

From 22 August 2025 (Five days)

UPSC Posts and Vacancies

UPSC conducts civil service examination exams for two categories of posts. Posts are divided into two categories, they are Group A and Group B. However, we have listed the posts of Group A and Group B mentioned below:

  1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
  2. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
  3. Indian Police Service (IPS)
  4. Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’
  5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
  6. Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’
  7. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
  8. Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’
  9. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
  10. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group ‘B’
  11. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group ‘B’

For detailed information, candidates are suggested to visit the official website of UPSC (www.upsc.gov.in).

UPSC Civil Services Exam Stages

The Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE) is conducted in three stages. An overview of all three stages is given below:

  1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims): The preliminary exam consists of two papers:
  2. General Studies Paper 1: The exam is often referred to as GS Paper 1 or GS-1 and covers a broad range of topics such as history, geography, polity, economy, current affairs and environment.
  3. General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT): Concentrates on understanding, basic numeracy, and logical reasoning. The CSAT exam requires candidates to secure 33% marks as it is qualifying in nature.
  • Total Marks: 400 (200 marks per paper)
  • Duration: 2 hours per paper
  • Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the allotted marks for each question.

b. Main Examination (Mains)

The Mains is a descriptive exam consisting of 9 papers:

  1. Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying)
  2. Paper B: English (Qualifying)
  3. Paper I: Essay
  4. Papers II to V: General Studies (GS) I to IV
  5. Papers VI and VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II
  • Total Marks: 1750 (excluding qualifying papers)
  • Duration: 3 hours per paper

c. Interview/ Personality Test: Aspirants who clear the Main Examination (Mains) will be invited for an interview at the UPSC office, which evaluate their personality, decision-making ability, and suitability for civil services.

  • Total Marks: 275

The final merit list is produced based on the Mains (1750 marks) and Interview (275 marks) bringing the total to 2025 marks.

UPSC 2025 Prelims Syllabus

General Studies Paper I

  • History: Indian History, Freedom Struggle, Ancient and Medieval India
  • Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World
  • Polity: Indian Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy
  • Economy: Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty
  • Environment: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Ecology
  • Science & Tech: General Science, Innovations, and Technological Developments
  • Current Affairs: National and International Events

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
  • Decision-Making and Problem Solving
  • Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation

UPSC 2025 Mains Syllabus

The main exam curriculum demands in-depth knowledge and is lengthy. Here is a quick summary:

General Studies (GS) Papers

  1. GS I: Indian Heritage, History, Geography, and Society
  2. GS II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, International Relations
  3. GS III: Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security
  4. GS IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Optional Subjects

Candidates must choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects, including Public Administration, History, Geography, and Anthropology.

Essay Paper

This paper tests the aspirant’s ability to articulate and analyze topics coherently.

Preparation Strategy for UPSC 2025

a) Prelims Preparation

  • Focus on NCERTs for conceptual clarity.
  • Read a reliable newspaper daily, such as The Hindu or Indian Express.
  • Practice previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
  • Revise current affairs monthly.

b) Mains Preparation

  • Develop answer-writing skills by practicing daily.
  • Cover all GS papers comprehensively using standard books.
  • Allocate dedicated time to your optional subject.

c) Personality Test Preparation

  • Stay updated on current events.
  • Develop communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Participate in mock interviews to gain confidence.

Best Books for UPSC 2025 Preparation

Prelims

  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
  • Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
  • Environment by Shankar IAS Academy
  • Ancient India by R. S. Sharma
  • General Science by Lucent’s

Mains

  • India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
  • Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Subba Rao
  • Geography of India by Majid Husain
  • Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya

UPSC 2025 Application Process

  • Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.
  • Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process.
  • Fill out the online application form.
  • Upload the required documents.
  • Pay the application fee online.

Conclusion

UPSC CSE 2025 provides a complex yet promising path for candidates willing to join the esteemed civil service of India. Now that the calendar is accessible, it is time to make a thorough study schedule and start getting ready. Remain focused and disciplined, and never forget that the secret to achieving this test is constant work.

Visit the official UPSC website and reliable preparation sites for additional updates. Good luck with your planning!

Candidates must turn 21 years of age and should be less than 32 years of age as of 1 August 2025. Aspirants must be born between 2nd August 1993 and not later than 1 August 2004. The details for the age limit are given below:

Category

Minimum Age Limit for UPSC

Maximum Age Limit for UPSC

IAS exam Age limit for General Category

21

32

EWS

21

32

SC/ST

21

37

IAS OBC Age Limit

21

35

 

The UPSC online application fee is Rs. 100, which candidates must pay in cash at any State Bank of India branch or using any bank's Net Banking service, visa, master card, RuPay, credit card, debit card, or UPI payment. Candidates who are female, SC, ST, or have a benchmark disability are excluded from paying the cost.

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