UPSC Notification 2025:
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 on 22 January 2025. With this, the application process for one of India’s most competitive and sought-after exams has formally begun.
This article provides a structured overview of UPSC CSE 2025 including the notification highlights, total vacancies, examination dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern and the application process.
Overview of UPSC CSE 2025
UPSC CSE is conducted annually to recruit officers for prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and various other Group A and Group B central services.
Key details for the 2025 cycle are as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Posts Offered | Group A and Group B Services (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS etc.) |
| Total Vacancies | 1129 (including 979 for CSE and 150 for IFoS) |
| Notification Release Date | 22 January 2025 |
| Application Window | 22 January 2025 to 11 February 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 25 May 2025 |
| Mains Exam Date | 22 August 2025 (5 days) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
The notification also specifies the eligibility criteria, age limits, number of attempts and detailed exam pattern.
Important Dates for UPSC 2025
A clear understanding of the timeline is essential for planning preparation and form submission.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC Notification 2025 Release | 22 January 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 22 January 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 February 2025 |
| UPSC Prelims 2025 | 25 May 2025 |
| UPSC Mains 2025 | 22 August 2025 (for 5 days) |
| Interview / Personality Test | To be announced |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the last date and to complete the form well in advance.
UPSC Vacancy 2025
For the 2025 examination cycle, UPSC has announced a total of 1129 vacancies. Out of these:
- 979 vacancies are for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025
- 150 vacancies are for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
A brief comparison with the previous year is given below:
| Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1056 |
| 2025 | 1129 |
The increase in vacancies indicates a relatively favourable year for aspirants, although competition remains extremely high.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CSE 2025
The basic eligibility criteria relate to nationality, educational qualification and age.
Nationality
For recruitment to IAS, IPS and IFS, the candidate must be a citizen of India.
For other services, certain additional categories (such as citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees and Persons of Indian Origin from specified countries) may also be eligible, subject to conditions mentioned in the official notification.
Educational Qualification
- The candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognised university.
- Final-year students may apply for the Prelims, provided they can produce proof of graduation before the Mains.
- Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as equivalent to a degree are also eligible.
Age Limit and Number of Attempts
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2025)
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Maximum age for General category: 32 years
Category-wise relaxations apply as per UPSC rules.
Category-wise Age Relaxation
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 21 years | 32 years |
| OBC | 21 years | 35 years |
| SC / ST | 21 years | 37 years |
| PwBD (General / OBC / EWS) | 21 years | Up to 42 years, depending on sub-category |
For a detailed explanation of age criteria and examples, refer to the dedicated page on age limits: /upsc/age-limit.
Number of Attempts
| Category | Attempts Allowed |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC / ST | Unlimited attempts (up to maximum age) |
| PwBD | 9 attempts for General/OBC; unlimited for SC/ST (subject to age limit) |
An attempt is counted as soon as a candidate appears in Prelims Paper I, even if they do not sit for Paper II.
UPSC Exam Pattern 2025
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective type)
- Mains Examination (Descriptive)
- Interview / Personality Test
Preliminary Examination
The Prelims is a screening stage. Marks obtained here are not counted for the final merit list, but qualifying it is mandatory to appear for Mains.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies I | 100 | 200 | Considered for cutoff |
| Paper II | CSAT (General Studies II) | 80 | 200 | Qualifying (33% required) |
Negative marking is applicable in both papers.
Mains Examination
The Mains is a written, descriptive examination comprising nine papers.
| Paper | Type | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Qualifying | Indian Language (as per 8th Schedule) | 300 |
| Paper B | Qualifying | English | 300 |
| Paper I | Counted for merit | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | Counted for merit | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper III | Counted for merit | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper IV | Counted for merit | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper V | Counted for merit | General Studies IV | 250 |
| Paper VI | Counted for merit | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Counted for merit | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 |
Total marks considered for merit in Mains: 1750.
Interview / Personality Test
Candidates who qualify the Mains Examination are called for the Interview (Personality Test), which carries 275 marks.
The final merit list is prepared on the basis of:
- Mains written marks (1750)
- Interview marks (275)
Total: 2025 marks.
Application Process for UPSC CSE 2025
The application process is completely online.
Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website: https://upsconline.nic.in
Step 2: Complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already done.
Step 3: Log in using OTR credentials and select the Civil Services Examination 2025 application form.
Step 4: Fill personal, academic and communication details carefully.
Step 5: Upload photograph, signature and other required documents in the prescribed format.
Step 6: Pay the application fee online.
Step 7: Review the form and submit. Download and save a copy of the final application.
Candidates should ensure that all details match their official documents, as any discrepancy may lead to rejection at later stages.
Preparation Pointers for UPSC 2025
Given the level of competition, a structured and disciplined approach is essential. Some key points:
- Build a strong foundation using NCERTs and standard reference books.
- Integrate current affairs with static subjects from the beginning.
- Solve Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) to understand question trends.
- Take regular mock tests for both Prelims and Mains.
- Practise answer writing consistently after completing basic theory.
Useful resources on Airlist:
- UPSC Booklist:
/upsc/booklist - Previous Year Question Papers:
/upsc/pyq - Cutoff Analysis and Trends:
/upsc/cutoff
Conclusion
The release of the UPSC Notification 2025 is the formal starting point for the Civil Services Examination cycle. Aspirants should carefully read the official notification, verify their eligibility, understand the exam pattern, and align their preparation with the timeline.
With clarity on exam dates, vacancies, eligibility and pattern, the next step is focused and consistent preparation.
For a consolidated set of tools, resources and structured content for UPSC CSE, you can explore:
This page brings together booklists, toppers data, previous year papers, cutoff trends and strategy guides to support your preparation for UPSC CSE 2025 and beyond.