UPSC CSE 2025: Day 3 Mains Exam (Aug 24), Dates, Timings, Syllabus, Result

UPSC CSE 2025 Day 2 exam concluded on August 23, 2025 in two shifts, i.e., first shift from 9 am to 12 pm & second shift from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The upcoming UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Dates are scheduled for August 24, 30, & 31, 2025. The Union Public Service Commission held the UPSC CSE 2025 Day 1 exam on August 22, 2025.

Test takers must report to their respective exam centres at least one hour before the exam starts. The shift one exam starts at 9 am; the entry will be closedby 8:30 am. While shift two starts at 2:30 pm; the entry will close at 2 pm. Moreover, candidates mustn’t forget to carry their UPSC CSE 2025 Admit Card and a valid photo ID card in each session. It is also important to keep the E-Admit Card safe till the final results of Civil Services Main Examination 2025 are declared. Only qualified candidates of UPSC CSE 2025 Prelims Exam are able to take the UPSC CSE (Mains) exam. Continue reading further to know more about the UPSC CSE 2025 Exam and its latest updates.

UPSC CSE 2025 Highlights

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the premier body responsible for conducting recruitment exams for the Union Government of India. Its primary role is to organize exams for civil services and other posts within the Union Government. In specific cases, UPSC may also conduct exams for state governments upon the request of a state governor, with the prior approval of the President of India. UPSC is considered the top authority in the country for direct recruitment to all-India services and various civil services positions.

The commission is empowered by Article 315 of the Constitution of India and traces its origins back to the Federal Public Service Commission established under the Government of India Act 1935. This earlier body followed the creation of the first Public Service Commission in India in 1926 under the chairmanship of Ross Barker. The Union Public Service Commission has begun the UPSC CSE (Mains) 2025 exam for the recruitment for 2025. Check out the following table for the key highlights of UPSC CSE 2025 exam.

UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Calendar

The Union Public Service Commission had already published the UPSC CSE 2025 exam dates on the official website in PDF Format. Those preparing for the UPSC exam must check the table provided below to know the UPSC exam 2025 dates:

UPSC CSE 2025 Eligibility

The UPSC is the highest exam-conducting body in the country, having the constitutional mandate to do so. In most UPSC exams, the minimum eligibility is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. The UPSC eligibility for different exams is represented below. Get detailed UPSC CSE 2025 Eligibility Criteria by clicking the exam name.

UPSC CSE 2025 Application Form

The candidates must only complete the UPSC online form on the official website. The candidates were required to log in and fill out the UPSC application form. They can follow these steps

Step 1: On the homepage of the official UPSC website, click the apply online button. Next, click on the link for “One-time registration (OTR) for examination for UPSC” to proceed. OR Directly visit www.upsconline.nic.in and click on “One-time registration for UPSC examinations and online application.”

Step 2: Click “New Registration” and fill in the basic details such as the candidate's name, date of birth, mobile number, mother’s or father’s name, etc.

Step 3: Click on submit after filling in the details. If the candidate wishes to change the form, they can click “Update/ Change here” or “I agree” if the information is filled in correctly.

Step 4: After completing the OTR form, the candidate must use their phone number or email address to access the portal. An OTP will be sent to register. Upon entering the OTP, the candidate must create a password to log in to the portal and fill out the UPSC application form.

Step 5: Proceed to log in to the portal. Then, click on Part-1 registration. After reading the instructions for completing the online application form, click “Yes” to proceed.

Step 6: Fill in other details for the exam application, such as educational qualifications, address, and continue. The candidate should click on age relaxation if applicable.

Step 7: Next, fill in the details related to the photo identity card, number of attempts, and specific information regarding the UPSC Mains exam.

Step 8: Click on “I agree” to proceed. If the candidate wishes to change the details, they can click “Update.” After successful completion, the candidate can print the slip for Part 1 registration.

Step 9: A photo, signature, and photo identity card must be uploaded on the Part-II registration page. The candidate must select the exam location and click I have read the declaration and agree.

Step 10: A Registration Number will be provided to the candidate after submitting the registration form. They should save it for future reference. The candidate can also view or print the complete application form.

Also Read: UPSC CSE 2025 Application Process

UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Pattern

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 follows a three-stage selection process: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview). The Preliminary Exam is objective in nature and consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II, where CSAT is qualifying with a minimum of 33% marks, while General Studies Paper I decides eligibility for the Mains.

The Main Examination is descriptive and includes nine papers in total, out of which two papers (Indian Language and English) are qualifying, and the remaining seven (Essay, four General Studies papers, and two Optional subject papers) are considered for merit. The total marks for merit-based Mains papers are 1750.

Candidates who qualify the Mains are called for the Personality Test, which assesses qualities such as communication, critical thinking, judgment, and suitability for civil services. The marks of the Personality Test are added to the Mains marks to prepare the final merit list. Check out the following table for UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Pattern.

UPSC CSE 2025 Syllabus

The Commission mentioned the UPSC syllabus in the official notification. The candidates must prepare every topic mentioned in the official notification. The UPSC exam is a two-stage examination, and the Commission mentions the UPSC 2025 Syllabus for each stage separately. Let us see the UPSC syllabus for each stage.

UPSC Syllabus - Prelims

UPSC prelims exam is a qualifying exam only, and it filters out most of the candidates and limits the number for the UPSC main exam. The UPSC exam syllabus for the prelims exam is defined as the name of the topics only, and no explanation is provided for the UPSC exam syllabus. The candidates can see here the UPSC prelims syllabus:

• Significant national and international current affairs events
• The Indian National Movement and its history
• Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, and 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 concerns like biodiversity, climate change, and environmental ecology that don't call for subject-specific expertise
• Science in General

UPSC Syllabus - Main Exam

The official notification mentions the UPSC syllabus for the main exam. As the name suggests, it is the main stage of the examination. UPSC's main exam is descriptive, and the candidates must write an Essay-type, conventional exam. There are nine papers in the UPSC main exam, and the candidates must appear in all the papers and qualify for each.

UPSC CSE 2025 Preparation Tips

The UPSC exam requires a concentrated effort of over one year to prepare for the UPSC exam. The candidate needs to plan a strategy for preparing for their affinity for the subjects. Current affairs must be prepared daily because they increase with each passing day and become a part of general studies after a specific time. The candidates must devise an integrated strategy for prelims and main exams. Some of the important tips for UPSC preparation are:

• Plan wisely because planning is the most important phase of preparation. There is no perfect plan for UPSC preparation. The best plan depends on the person who owns it and implements it.
• Always keep time for the refreshing activity. The candidates should always keep time for refreshment of mind, but it should be minimal. It should not exceed 45 to 60 minutes a day, divided into three to four sessions of 15 to 20 minutes.
• Always prepare notes for each topic. These notes should be expandable because the new events should be covered in these notes only.
• Always refer to the NCERT and standard books. Only NCERT books are not sufficient.
• Always write the answer to static general studies and current affairs topics. The answer writing should be done in a time-bound manner.

UPSC CSE 2025 Admit Card

The UPSC CSE 2025 Admit Card is an important document that candidates must carry to the examination hall. It contains details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam center, date, and important instructions. Without the admit card, candidates will not be allowed to appear for the exam. Along with the admit card, candidates must also carry a valid photo ID proof for verification. The admit card will be available for download only on the official UPSC website.

Steps to Download UPSC CSE 2025 Admit Card

1. Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Click on the "Admit Card" link on the homepage.
3. Read the instructions carefully and click on the "Yes" button.
4. Choose the option to download by Registration ID or Roll Number.
5. Enter the required details (Registration ID/Roll Number and Date of Birth).
6. Click on the Submit button.
7. Download the admit card and take at least two printouts for exam day.

UPSC CSE 2025 Result

The UPSC CSE 2025 Result will be released online in PDF format on the official UPSC website. The UPSC CSE 2025 Resultwill mention the roll numbers of candidates who qualify for the next stage of the examination. Candidates can check their results by searching for their roll number in the PDF file. The final result will be based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and the Personality Test. Candidates are advised to save and download the result for future reference.

Steps to Check UPSC CSE 2025 Result

1. Go to the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Find the UPSC CSE 2025 Result link under the “What’s New” section.
3. Click on the result link, and the PDF file will open on the screen.
4. Search your roll number in the list using the "Ctrl + F" function.
5. Download and save the result for future use.

UPSC CSE 2025 FAQs