Everything You Need to Know About UPSC CSE 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, one
of the most competitive and prestigious examinations in India. This examination recruits candidates for
various Group A and Group B services, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and others. Let’s delve deeper into the
details.

Important Dates

• Notification Release Date: January 22, 2025
• Application Deadline: February 11, 2025 (till 6 PM)
• Preliminary Exam Date: May 25, 2025
• Admit Card Release: May 2025
• Main Examination: September 2025
• Personality Test/Interview: Early 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality:

• For IAS and IPS: Must be a citizen of India.
• For other services: Citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (arriving before January 1,
  1962), and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries are eligible.

Age Limit: 21 to 32 years as of August 1, 2025. Relaxations:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• PwBD: 10 years

Education: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Final-year students can
apply provisionally but must provide proof of graduation by the Main Exam date.

Vacancy Details

Approximately 979 vacancies, including 38 reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), will
be filled through this examination. The exact distribution of vacancies among services and categories
will be announced later.

Examination Structure

Preliminary Examination

• Papers: Two (General Studies – 200 marks and CSAT – 200 marks)
• Duration: 2 hours each
• Nature: Objective-type; qualifying in nature (CSAT requires 33% to qualify).

Main Examination

Consists of nine descriptive papers, including two qualifying papers (Indian Language and English) and
seven papers for merit ranking.

• Essay (250 marks)
• General Studies I-IV (250 marks each)
• Optional Subject Paper 1 & 2 (250 marks each)
• Personality Test/Interview (275 marks)

How to Apply

Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC website: upsconline.gov.in. One-Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory before application.

Steps to Apply:

1. Visit the UPSC website and complete the OTR process.
2. Fill out the online application form carefully, including personal, educational, and service
   preference details.
3. Upload necessary documents, including photo and signature.
4. Pay the application fee online or through a bank challan.
5. Submit the application and download the confirmation for future reference.

Application Fee

• General/OBC: ₹100
• SC/ST/PwBD/Female: Exempted

Why Choose Civil Services?

The civil services offer unparalleled opportunities to contribute to society, shape policies, and lead
transformative changes. Officers enjoy job security, a high level of respect, and numerous perks,
including a lucrative salary, official residence, and other allowances.

Key Preparation Tips

Aspire to ace the examination? Here are some tips:

• Understand the syllabus thoroughly.
• Read NCERT books and standard reference materials.
• Stay updated with current affairs using newspapers, magazines, and government publications.
• Practice mock tests and previous year’s papers.
• Maintain consistency and a positive mindset.