UPSC Syllabus 2025 : Dates And Exam Pattern

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India, attracting thousands of candidates every year. In 2025, the UPSC will conduct this examination to select individuals for various civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others. The exam is known for its rigorous selection process, which consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview). Each stage is designed to assess a candidate's knowledge, analytical skills, and suitability for a career in public service. With proper preparation and dedication, aspiring candidates can achieve their dream of serving the nation through these esteemed positions

Important Dates For UPSC 2025.

 

UPSC Prelims exam 2025 - 25th may 2025

The UPSC Prelims exam for 2025 is scheduled for May 25. Aspiring candidates should focus on comprehensive preparation, covering topics from Indian polity, history, geography, and current affairs. Regular practice with previous years' papers and mock tests will enhance their chances of success in this competitive examination.

Eligibility Criteria For UPSC 2025

Nationality

•  Indian citizens can apply for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). For other services, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or migrants from certain countries (as per the rules) may also apply

Age Limit for UPSC Exams:

• General: 21 to 32 years

• OBC: 21 to 35 years (3 years relaxation)

• SC/ST: 21 to 37 years (5 years relaxation)

Educational Qualification for UPSC Exams

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent.

Number of Attempts for UPSC Exams:

• General: 6 attempts

• OBC: 9 attempts

• SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (until the age limit)

UPSC Syllabus  2025

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) syllabus for 2025 typically follows the same structure as previous years, with two main stages: the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination, followed by the Interview/Personality Test. Here's an outline of the syllabus for both stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

The Prelims consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). Both are objective type.

General Studies Paper I (200 Marks)

• Current events of national and international importance

• History of India and Indian National Movement

• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World

• Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

• Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change

• General Science

General Studies Paper II (CSAT) (200 Marks)

• Comprehension

• Interpersonal skills including communication skills

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability

• Decision-making and problem-solving

• General mental ability

• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level)

• Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency) (Class X level)

Note: CSAT is qualifying in nature, requiring 33% to pass.

2. Main Examination (Mains)

The Main Exam consists of 9 papers (7 merit-based papers and 2 qualifying papers). The Mains syllabus is descriptive.

Qualifying Papers

• Paper A: Compulsory Indian Language (300 marks)

• Paper B: English (300 marks)

Merit-Based Papers

1. Essay (250 marks)

2. General Studies I (250 marks): Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society

3. General Studies II (250 marks): Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations

4. General Studies III (250 marks): Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

5. General Studies IV (250 marks): Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

6. Optional Subject Paper I (250 marks): Candidate's chosen optional subject

7. Optional Subject Paper II (250 marks): Continuation of chosen optional subject

Each candidate must choose one optional subject, which has two papers. Some optional subjects include:

• Literature (of various languages)

• Anthropology

• History

• Political Science and International Relations

• Sociology

• Geography

• Public Administration

• Psychology

• and more.

3. Personality Test/Interview (275 Marks)

This assesses the candidate's overall personality, leadership qualities, communication skills, and depth of understanding.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2025

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) pattern for 2025 is expected to remain consistent with previous years. The exam consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains), and the Personality Test/Interview. Each stage filters out candidates progressively, leading to the final selection.

Here’s a detailed look at the exam pattern for all three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

The Prelims consists of two compulsory papers. Both papers are objective type (Multiple Choice Questions) and are used for screening purposes only.

Paper I: General Studies (GS)

• Marks: 200

• Duration: 2 hours

• Questions: 100

• Syllabus Coverage: Current affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, etc.

• Purpose: This paper is counted for merit ranking to qualify for Mains.

Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

• Marks: 200

• Duration: 2 hours

• Questions: 80

• Syllabus Coverage: Comprehension, Logical reasoning, Analytical ability, Decision-making, Problem-solving, Basic numeracy, and Data interpretation (Class X level).

• Purpose: This paper is qualifying in nature. Candidates need to score a minimum of 33%.

Note: Only the marks obtained in General Studies Paper I are considered for ranking in Prelims, but candidates must pass CSAT Paper II to qualify for the next stage

2. Main Examination (Mains)

The Mains examination is descriptive in nature and consists of 9 papers in total, out of which 7 papers are counted for merit. The other two papers are qualifying in nature.

Qualifying Papers

• Paper A: One of the Indian Languages (chosen by the candidate from the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution)

• Marks: 300

• Note: Not mandatory for candidates from the North-Eastern states.

• Paper B: English

• Marks: 300

Note: Both papers are qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 25% in each to be eligible for merit-based assessment.

Merit-Based Papers

1. Essay Paper

• Marks: 250

• Candidates are required to write essays on specific topics, drawing on their understanding of socio-political, cultural, and other dimensions.

2. General Studies Paper I

• Marks: 250

• Topics: Indian Heritage, Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.

3. General Studies Paper II

• Marks: 250

• Topics: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.

4. General Studies Paper III

• Marks: 250

• Topics: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.

5. General Studies Paper IV

• Marks: 250

• Topics: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.

6. Optional Subject Paper I

• Marks: 250

• Based on the candidate's chosen optional subject (e.g., History, Geography, Sociology, etc.).

7. Optional Subject Paper II

• Marks: 250

• Continuation of the candidate's chosen optional subject.

Note: The Mains papers contribute to the final ranking. Candidates can select their optional subject from a list of about 48 subjects (including literature of languages).

3. Personality Test/Interview

• Marks: 275

• Total Marks for Final Ranking: 2025 (1750 from Mains + 275 from Interview)

• Purpose: The interview assesses the candidate's overall personality, including qualities such as clarity of expression, presence of mind, social traits, and leadership skills. The interview panel consists of experienced members who engage the candidate in discussions on a range of topics, from their DAF (Detailed Application Form) to general awareness.

Marking and Merit Calculation

• Prelims: Only the marks in Paper I (GS) are counted for qualification.

• Mains: Marks from all the merit-based papers (7 papers totaling 1750 marks) are counted for merit.

• Interview: 275 marks are added to the Mains score to arrive at the final merit list.

Final Selection: Candidates are ranked based on their performance in the Mains (1750 marks) and Interview (275 marks), for a total of 2025 marks.

Key Points to Remember

• Negative Marking: Prelims has negative marking for incorrect answers (1/3rd of the marks for the question).

• CSAT Qualifying: Even though Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying, it’s essential to prepare for it to clear the required 33% threshold.

• Mains Writing Practice: The Mains papers are descriptive, and good writing skills are crucial for success.

• Interview: It’s more of a personality test, so preparing for situational questions and mock interviews can help.

How to Apply UPSC 2025

Applying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 involves several steps, from registration to submission of the application. Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply:

Steps to Apply for UPSC 2025

1. Visit the Official UPSC Website

• Go to the UPSC official website.

• Click on the "Examinations" tab and then on "Active Examinations."

• Find the notification for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 (usually released around February) and click on the application link.

2. Complete the Registration Process

The application is divided into two parts:

1. Part I Registration: Basic details

2. Part II Registration: Fee payment, document upload, and final submission.

Part I Registration

• Click on the "Apply Now" link for the Civil Services Examination 2025.

• Read the instructions carefully and click on "Yes" at the end of the page to proceed.

• Fill in your personal details:

• Name

• Date of Birth

• Gender

• Nationality

• Email ID and Phone Number

• Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS)

• Residential Address

• Educational Qualifications

• Preference for Indian Forest Service (if opting for both CSE and IFS)

After filling in these details, you will receive a Registration ID. Save this ID for future reference.

Part II Registration

• Use the Registration ID to log in and proceed to the second part of the application.

• Fee Payment: Pay the application fee (unless exempted). The fees are:

• ?100 for General and OBC candidates

• No fee for SC/ST/PH and female candidates

• Payment can be made online (via net banking, credit card, debit card) or offline (via challan at any SBI branch).

• Document Upload:

• Upload a scanned passport-sized photograph (in JPEG format).

• Upload a scanned signature (in JPEG format).

• Upload a photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, etc.).

Make sure the size and format of the uploaded documents meet the requirements mentioned in the instructions.

3. Choose Your Exam Center

• Select your preferred Preliminary Exam center from the available list.

• Exam centers are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early to get your desired center.

4. Fill in Optional Subject and Language

• Choose your optional subject for the Mains examination from the list provided.

• Select the language in which you want to write the exam (you can choose from English or any other language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution).

• Choose the medium for the Personality Test/Interview (English or any other regional language).

5. Agree to the Declaration

• After filling in all details and uploading documents, read the declaration carefully.

• Tick the checkbox to agree to the terms and conditions.

• Click on Submit.

6. Download and Print the Application Form

• After submitting the application form, download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

• You’ll receive a confirmation email with your application details.

Application Fee Details

• General/OBC/EWS: ?100

• Female/SC/ST/Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Exempted (no fee)

Fees can be paid either:

• Online: Through net banking, credit/debit card

• Offline: By generating a SBI challan and paying it at any SBI branch

Documents Required

Before applying, keep the following documents handy:

• Photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport)

• Scanned Photograph (in JPEG format, size: 20 KB to 300 KB)

• Scanned Signature (in JPEG format, size: 20 KB to 300 KB)

• Educational Qualification Certificates

Contact Information

For any technical queries or assistance during the application process, you can contact UPSC through:

• Helpline Number: Given on the official website.

• Email: Available under the "Contact Us" section on the UPSC website.

Book for UPSC Preparation

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires a strategic selection of books to cover the vast syllabus effectively. Here’s a list of highly recommended books for each subject, categorized for Prelims and Mains. These resources are commonly used by successful candidates.

 

Books for UPSC Prelims

1. General Studies Paper I

History

• NCERT Textbooks (Class 6-12) – For building a foundational understanding of ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history.

• India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra – For Modern Indian History.

• A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) – For concise coverage of modern history and important events.

Geography

• NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 6-12) – Basic concepts of physical, human, and economic geography.

• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong – Covers physical geography topics like climate, mountains, and oceans in detail.

• Oxford School Atlas by Oxford – Essential for map-based questions.

Polity

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth – A comprehensive book for Indian polity, covering the Constitution, governance, and political structure.

• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu – A more detailed understanding of constitutional law.

Economy

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh – Covers basic and advanced economic concepts relevant for both Prelims and Mains.

• NCERT Economics Textbooks (Class 9-12) – For a clear understanding of basic concepts.

Environment & Ecology

• Environment by Shankar IAS Academy – Comprehensive coverage of environmental issues, biodiversity, climate change, and international agreements.

• NCERT Biology (Class 12) – The last few chapters on ecology are useful for basics.

Science and Technology

• NCERT Science Textbooks (Class 6-10) – Build basic understanding.

• Current Affairs – Regularly reading newspapers and magazines for updates on technological developments, space missions, etc.

Current Affairs

• The Hindu/The Indian Express (Newspaper) – For daily updates on national and international issues.

• Yojana/Kurukshetra (Magazines) – For government schemes and socio-economic topics.

• PIB (Press Information Bureau) – Follow updates for government policies.

 

2. General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

• CSAT Paper II Manual by Tata McGraw Hill – Comprehensive guide for logical reasoning, analytical ability, and reading comprehension.

• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal – For practicing reasoning and analytical ability.

• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal – Covers basic numeracy and math concepts.

 

Books for UPSC Mains

1. General Studies Paper I

History & Culture

• A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum – For modern history.

• India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma – For ancient Indian history.

• The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Basham – For understanding India’s cultural heritage.

• Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania – For art, architecture, and culture topics.

Geography

• NCERT Textbooks (Class 11-12) – For basics.

• Geography of India by Majid Husain – For Indian geography.

2. General Studies Paper II (Polity, Governance, and International Relations)

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth – For polity and governance topics.

• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu – For constitutional provisions.

• India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri – For understanding India's international relations.

3. General Studies Paper III (Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, Security)

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh – For economic topics.

• Economic Survey and Union Budget – Official documents for economic data and trends.

• Environment by Shankar IAS Academy – For environmental issues and biodiversity.

• Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar – For security topics like terrorism, border management, and cyber security.

4. General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury – A comprehensive guide on ethics and case studies.

• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – For definitions and examples of ethical concepts.

• ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission) Reports – These reports offer practical examples for governance, ethics, and integrity.

5. Essay Paper

• Essay Paper Manual by Lexicon – For understanding how to structure essays and relevant topics.

• Regular practice of essays on social, political, and economic topics.

 

Books for Optional Subjects

Since candidates can choose from a wide variety of optional subjects, the recommended books will depend on your subject choice. Some popular options include:

• History: India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma, Modern India by Bipan Chandra

• Public Administration: Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth, New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya

• Geography: Physical Geography by Savindra Singh, Human Geography by Majid Husain

• Sociology: Sociology by Anthony Giddens, Indian Society by Ram Ahuja

• Anthropology: Anthropology Simplified by Vivek Bhasme, Physical Anthropology by P. Nath

Current Affairs and Magazines

• The Hindu/Indian Express (for daily news)

• Yojana Magazine (for socio-economic issues)

• Kurukshetra Magazine (for rural development)

• PIB (Press Information Bureau) updates

• Rajya Sabha TV debates (for in-depth analysis on current issues)

Tips for Effective UPSC Preparation

1. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• Download the official syllabus and familiarize yourself with both Prelims and Mains patterns.

2. Start with NCERTs

• Read NCERTs (Class 6-12) for building foundational knowledge in History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science.

3. Create a Realistic Study Plan

• Plan a daily study schedule (4-6 hours initially, increasing to 8-10 hours) with focused time for newspapers, revision, and answer writing.

4. Focus on Current Affairs and Daily news Paper

• Read The Hindu/Indian Express, and use Yojana/Kurukshetra for socio-economic topics. Make concise notes.

5. Master Static Subjects

• Read standard books: Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History, and Ramesh Singh for Economy. Revise regularly.

6. Practice Answer Writing

• Start early, writing one answer daily, focusing on structure and clarity. Join a test series for regular feedback.

7. Prelims Preparation

• Focus on accuracy and time management. Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests. Practice CSAT regularly.

8. Interview Preparation

• Prepare your DAF thoroughly. Stay updated on current events and practice mock interviews to improve confidence and communication.

9. Regular Revision

• Revise each subject 3-4 times and make short notes for quick recall. Focus on key concepts and frequently asked questions.

10. Use Mock Tests

• Join test series for Prelims and Mains to gauge your preparation and improve exam strategy.

11. Choose the Right Optional

• Pick a subject you’re interested in, with good study material and syllabus overlap with General Studies.

12. Stay Consistent and Healthy

• Balance study with breaks, exercise, and mental relaxation. Avoid burnout and stay motivated.