The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination every year to recruit officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other prestigious Central Services. It is one of India’s most competitive examinations with lakhs of aspirants appearing each year.
The selection process consists of three stages – Preliminary Exam, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).
Table of Contents
UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 – Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
The UPSC Prelims is an objective-type screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains Exam. Marks obtained in this stage are not counted for the final merit list.
Papers in Prelims:
1. General Studies Paper I (200 marks, 2 hours)
2. General Studies Paper II (CSAT – 200 marks, 2 hours, qualifying with 33% marks)
Medium: English and Hindi
Type of Questions: Multiple Choice
Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer
Stage 2: Main Examination
The UPSC Mains Exam is descriptive in nature and plays a crucial role in determining the final selection. It tests candidates’ analytical ability, clarity of thought, and depth of knowledge.
Total Papers: 9 (7 counted for merit + 2 qualifying)
Mode: Written (Descriptive)
UPSC Mains Paper Structure
Qualifying Papers:
Paper A – Indian Language (300 Marks)
Paper B – English (300 Marks)
Papers Counted for Merit:
Paper I – Essay (250 Marks)
Paper II – General Studies I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography (250 Marks)
Paper III – General Studies II: Polity, Governance, Constitution, Social Justice, IR (250 Marks)
Paper IV – General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security (250 Marks)
Paper V – General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (250 Marks)
Paper VI & VII – Optional Subject Paper I & II (250 Marks each)
Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview
The final stage of the selection process is the Interview conducted by the UPSC Board. It carries 275 marks. The interview evaluates a candidate’s overall personality, confidence, decision-making ability, leadership, and awareness about current affairs.
UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 – Syllabus
UPSC Prelims Syllabus
General Studies Paper I
Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, and General Science.
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision-Making, Problem Solving, General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy, and Data Interpretation.
UPSC Mains Syllabus
Essay Paper
Candidates have to write essays on multiple topics. Emphasis is on coherence, presentation, and balanced argumentation.
General Studies Paper I
Indian Heritage and Culture, Modern Indian History, Post-Independence Consolidation, World History, Indian Society, Geography of the World and India.
General Studies Paper II
Constitution, Governance, Parliament, State Legislatures, Welfare Schemes, Role of NGOs, SHGs, Issues in Governance, and International Relations.
General Studies Paper III
Indian Economy, Agriculture, Inclusive Growth, Science & Technology, Environment, Disaster Management, and Security Issues.
General Studies Paper IV
Ethics and Integrity, Emotional Intelligence, Attitude, Civil Service Values, Probity in Governance, and Case Studies on Ethics.
Optional Subject Papers
There are around 48 optional subjects including Literature, Public Administration, Geography, Political Science, History, Sociology, Anthropology, and others. Candidates must select one optional subject comprising two papers.
UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 – Interview Syllabus
The interview does not have a fixed syllabus. Questions are asked on current affairs, social issues, hobbies, educational background, and understanding of general topics. It assesses analytical ability and personality rather than factual knowledge.
UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 – Important Points
Only candidates who qualify both Prelims and Mains will be called for the interview. Final merit is calculated out of 2025 marks (1750 for Mains + 275 for Interview).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 and who conducts it?
Ans. The UPSC Civil Services Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services across India. It is one of the most prestigious exams in the country.
Q2. What is the selection process for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. The selection process includes three stages – Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Personality Test (Interview). Candidates must qualify all stages for final appointment.
Q3. What is the exam pattern for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. The Preliminary Exam consists of two objective papers – General Studies Paper I and CSAT Paper II. The Main Exam has nine descriptive papers including Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subjects. The Interview carries 275 marks.
Q4. What is the eligibility criteria for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. The age limit is generally 21–32 years, with relaxation for reserved categories as per government norms.
Q5. What are the main subjects covered in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. Subjects include History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Ethics, and an Optional Subject chosen by the candidate.
Q6. How should candidates prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. Focus on NCERT books, standard reference materials, current affairs, and regular practice of previous year papers. Answer writing practice for mains and mock interviews for personality test are essential.
Q7. What is the marking scheme for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. Preliminary Exam has negative marking of 1/3 for incorrect answers. Main Exam marks vary by paper. Final selection considers Main Exam and Interview marks.
Q8. How many attempts are allowed for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. General category candidates have 6 attempts, OBC 9 attempts, SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts up to age limit restrictions, and physically disabled candidates have specific relaxations.
Q9. Are there any optional subjects for the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. Yes, candidates can choose one optional subject from a list of subjects including Literature, History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, and more.
Q10. What are the official contact details, website, and email for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025?
Ans. Official Website: UPSC Official Website, Email: upsc@nic.in, Address: Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069, India.
Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Services Examination demands consistent preparation, in-depth conceptual clarity, and a balanced understanding of current affairs. Understanding the complete syllabus is the first step toward effective preparation.
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