UPSC Civil Services 2025 Notification Syllabus
UPSC Civil Services 2025 Notification Syllabus
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the highly anticipated Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 notification for recruitment to prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Central Services. This examination is conducted annually to select candidates for approximately 24 different Group A and Group B services. The UPSC CSE 2025 offers a golden opportunity for aspirants dreaming of serving the nation through administrative roles.
Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,056 (Tentative) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Job Location | All India |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | February 12, 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | February 12, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | March 4, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | March 4, 2025 |
| Prelims Exam Date | May 25, 2025 |
| Mains Exam Date | September 19-28, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Interview/Personality Test | January-April 2026 (Tentative) |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962
- Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with intention of permanently settling in India
Educational Qualification
- Candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree from any recognized university in India
- Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply
- Professional and technical qualifications equivalent to the professional and technical degree
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 21 years | 32 years | No relaxation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 21 years | 35 years | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 21 years | 37 years | 5 years |
| PwBD (General) | 21 years | 42 years | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 years | 45 years | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 21 years | 47 years | 15 years |
Note: Age will be calculated as on August 1, 2025
Number of Attempts
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
|---|---|
| General | 6 attempts |
| EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC/ST | Unlimited (till age limit) |
| PwBD | Unlimited (till age limit) |
UPSC Civil Services 2025 Syllabus - Complete Details
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
The UPSC Prelims consists of two compulsory papers conducted on a single day. Both papers are objective type (MCQs).
Paper I - General Studies (200 Marks)
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Events | National and international importance |
| History of India | Indian National Movement |
| Indian & World Geography | Physical, Social, Economic Geography |
| Indian Polity & Governance | Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj |
| Economic & Social Development | Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion |
| Environmental Ecology | Bio-diversity, Climate Change |
| General Science | Everyday science concepts |
Paper II - CSAT (200 Marks) - Qualifying
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Reading comprehension skills |
| Interpersonal Skills | Communication skills |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical ability |
| Decision Making | Problem-solving |
| Basic Numeracy | Numbers, Data interpretation |
| English Language | Class X level comprehension |
Note: Paper II is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score minimum 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
Mains Examination Syllabus
The UPSC Mains examination is descriptive and consists of 9 papers. Only 7 papers are counted for merit.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | Merit |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | Merit |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | Merit |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 | Merit |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 | Merit |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 | Merit |
Total Marks for Merit: 1750 Marks
Optional Subjects List for Mains
Candidates can choose any one optional subject from the following 48 subjects:
- Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry
- Civil Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy
- Economics, Electrical Engineering
- Geography, Geology, History
- Law, Literature (various languages)
- Management, Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science
- Philosophy, Physics
- Political Science & International Relations
- Psychology, Public Administration
- Sociology, Statistics, Zoology
Interview/Personality Test
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 275 |
| Duration | 30-45 minutes |
| Conducted By | UPSC Board Members |
| Assessment Areas | Mental alertness, leadership, communication |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100 |
| SC/ST | Nil (Exempted) |
| Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| PwBD | Nil (Exempted) |
Payment Mode: Online through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI
How to Apply for UPSC Civil Services 2025
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in
- Click on "Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC"
- Register yourself by providing basic details and creating login credentials
- Fill in the detailed application form with personal, educational, and other required information
- Upload scanned photograph (recent passport size) and signature as per specifications
- Select examination centers for Prelims and Mains
- Pay the application fee through online mode
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page
- Take a printout of the application for future reference
Vacancy Distribution 2025 (Tentative)
| Service | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | 180 |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | 150 |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | 37 |
| Other Central Services (Group A) | 500+ |
| Other Central Services (Group B) | 189 |
| **Total** | **1,056** |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum qualification required for UPSC Civil Services 2025?
A: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from any recognized university in India. Final year students awaiting results are also eligible to apply for the preliminary examination. However, they must submit proof of passing the degree before the mains examination.
Q: Can I appear for UPSC CSE 2025 if I am 20 years old?
A: No, the minimum age requirement for UPSC Civil Services Examination is 21 years. Age is calculated as on August 1, 2025. You must have attained 21 years of age by this date to be eligible for CSE 2025.
Q: How many times can a General category candidate attempt UPSC exam?
A: General and EWS category candidates can attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination a maximum of 6 times until they reach the upper age limit of 32 years. OBC candidates get 9 attempts, while SC/ST and PwBD candidates have unlimited attempts until they reach their respective age limits.
Q: Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims examination?
A: Yes, there is negative marking in UPSC Prelims. For every wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. If a candidate marks more than one answer for a question, it will be treated as wrong even if one of the answers is correct.
Q: Can I change my optional subject after submitting the application?
A: Candidates can change their optional subject only during the Mains application process if they have cleared Prelims. Once the Mains application is submitted with the chosen optional, no changes are allowed. Choose your optional subject carefully based on your interest and preparation level.
Always verify all information from the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) before applying. Dates and vacancies mentioned are tentative and subject to change as per official notification.