The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. It is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for top administrative positions like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other allied services. The exam is conducted in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
The UPSC Prelims 2025 is the first stage of this exam and acts as a screening test. Only candidates who qualify in the Prelims can appear for the Mains exam.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Prelims 2025
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the following eligibility requirements:
Nationality
For IAS and IPS: Candidate must be a citizen of India.
For other services: Citizen of India or subject of Nepal/Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee (conditions apply).
Age Limit
Minimum: 21 years
Maximum: 32 years (as of 1st August 2025)
Age relaxation is available for reserved categories:
OBC: +3 years
SC/ST: +5 years
PwBD: +10 years
Educational Qualification
Candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university or institution.
Final year students awaiting results can also apply, provided they can produce proof of qualification before Mains.
Important Dates for UPSC Prelims 2025
Here’s a tentative schedule based on previous trends. Exact dates will be released with the official notification:
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| UPSC 2025 Notification Release | February 2025 (1st week) |
| Application Start Date | February 2025 (1st week) |
| Application Last Date | March 2025 (1st week) |
| Admit Card Release | May 2025 (3rd week) |
| UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Date | June 8, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Prelims Result Date | July 2025 (2nd or 3rd week) |
UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Pattern
The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers, both objective (multiple-choice) in nature.
Paper I – General Studies (GS)
Marks: 200
Duration: 2 hours
Syllabus: Indian polity, history, economy, environment, science, current affairs, etc.
Qualifying: Marks are counted for merit.
Paper II – CSAT (Aptitude Test)
Marks: 200
Duration: 2 hours
Syllabus: Comprehension, reasoning, basic numeracy, decision-making.
Qualifying: Must score 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
Negative Marking: 1/3rd of marks will be deducted for each wrong answer in both papers.
Syllabus Highlights for UPSC Prelims 2025
Here’s a snapshot of what to expect in each paper:
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
General Science
CSAT Paper II
Comprehension
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision-making and problem-solving
Basic numeracy (Class X level)
Data interpretation
How to Apply for UPSC Prelims 2025: Step-by-Step
Visit the official UPSC website.
Click on ‘Apply Online’ under the ‘Examination’ section.
Register for Part-I by entering your basic details.
Proceed to Part-II to fill the detailed form.
Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature.
Pay the application fee:
General/OBC: ₹100
SC/ST/PwBD/Female: Exempted
Submit and save a copy of the application form for future use.
Tips for Effective Preparation
Understand the Syllabus: Break it down topic-wise and focus on areas where you're weak.
Refer to Standard Books: NCERTs, Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (History), and current affairs magazines.
Daily Newspaper Reading: Prioritize editorials, national policies, and major international developments.
Take Mock Tests: Join a test series and analyze your performance regularly.
Time Management: Stick to a daily study routine. Revise frequently.
Solve Previous Papers: Helps understand the question pattern and difficulty level.
Stay Healthy and Positive: Regular exercise, a good sleep schedule, and motivation are key.
FAQ for upsc prelims 2025 exam date
Q1. What is the UPSC prelims 2025 exam date?
A: The UPSC Prelims 2025 is tentatively scheduled for June 8, 2025 (Sunday).
Q2. When will the UPSC 2025 notification be released?
A: The official notification is expected in the first week of February 2025.
Q3. Who can apply for UPSC Prelims 2025?
A: Indian citizens aged between 21 to 32 years with a graduate degree from a recognized university are eligible.
Q4. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC exam?
A:
General: 6 attempts
OBC: 9 attempts
SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)
Q5. Is CSAT qualifying in UPSC Prelims 2025?
A: Yes, candidates must score a minimum of 33% (66 marks) in CSAT to qualify.
Q6. What is the application fee for UPSC Prelims 2025?
A: ₹100 for General/OBC; exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates.
Q7. Will the UPSC 2025 exam pattern change?
A: As of now, no official changes have been announced to the existing pattern.
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